Russian Winter

A Novel

By: Daphne Kalotay

Narrated by: Kathleen Gati

“Daphne Kalotay captivates in a soaring debut novel. An elegant, compelling puzzle of family, memory and solitude that brings to life modern-day Boston and postwar Russia through a profound love story. Graceful, moving, and unexpected.”—Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Dante Club

In Russian Winter, the beautiful debut novel by critically acclaimed writer Daphne Kalotay, a famed ballerina’s jewelry auction in Boston reveals long-held secrets of love and family, friendship and rivalry, harkening back to Stalinist Russia. Called “tender, passionate, and moving” by Jenna Blum, the New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, Russian Winter is a perfect choice for fans of the novels of Debra Dean (The Madonnas of Leningrad), Ann Patchett (Bel Canto), and Ian McEwan (Atonement).

“Warning: You will be awake until 4 a.m. reading Daphne Kalotay’s novel, Russian Winter, a work that near seamlessly marries political terror, romance, and questions about love, art, truth, and the risks we are willing to take to protect them.”—The Oregonian

“A satisfying mystery with a finely drawn plot. The secrets at the heart of the novel are treated as delicately, and guarded as carefully, as the precious stones at the story’s centre, and only revealed at the novel’s satisfying end.”—Times Literary Supplement

“Daphne Kalotay’s debut novel about ballet, jewels, love, and betrayal is also a delicious form of time travel. I loved it.”—Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us

©2010 Daphne Kalotay (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“Sure and suspenseful. . . . The several stories draw together in a conclusion that is surprising, fitting, and satisfying.”—Nickolas Butler, internationally bestselling author of Shotgun Lovesongs and The Hearts of Men

“Insight about ballet, jewels, music, art and politics. . . . A final riptide of revelations leaves the reader profoundly moved.”—Washington Post

“Exceptional…Delving into Nina’s life with the Bolshoi Ballet, her life among the Soviet Union’s artist community and her escape from the Stalinist regime add glamour and historical flavor to this novel of secrets, intrigue, and wonderfully described priceless gems.”—USA Today

Kathleen Gati Strikes Again

Perfectly narrated, an intimate look into the lives of these beautiful characters. I was hooked.

Such a good story

I really enjoyed this book. The story was interesting & I really liked it a lot.

Good Listen

I really enjoyed this story. I bought it because I am fascinated with Russian society, and this story gave me an interesting glimpse into a more prestigious lifestyle in Moscow. It may be a little slow at first, but by the end I thought it was a nicely woven story showing how your decisions in life affect not only your life but so many others. I love stories that weave a thread so that in the end you are thinking, "Ah, that's what that storyline was all about." This one did this well. The narration was also very well done.

Read this review; Sophisticated and wonderful!

I don't understand the bad reviews. This book has everything, the sophistication and action of "White Nights" defecting Russian dancers, the horror of Stalin's purges in the '50s, the excitement of a jewelry auction, a mystery and expatriot academe all thrown into a tight heartbreaking love story on many levels. Don't miss it. The narrator was wonderful, Russian, Finish, American, French, and a little East Indian, really great listen. Truly great!

beautifully crafted

happened by this wonderful story by way of searching for my favorite narrator. loved not only the story by the author; also loved the way it was performed. while the beginning was what I believe deliberately slow to help understand the struggle, the story was also intricately weaved through decades and generations. the plot, the twists, the inspiration.... all superb. I have never wanted to reread a book i have finished. this is my first! i absolutley want to reread/relisten to breath-in what I may have missed the first time through.

Beautiful story.

Beautiful story and well written. The characters came to life. A story within a story.

Excellent

This is one of those gems you find, not on a bestseller list, but completely by accident! Solid story, great narration and historical accuracy wound up nice and tight, just like a good ballerina!

Atmospheric

Fully engaging. Pulls you into the lives of the characters on all the various levels. I was informed and entertained.

Ballerina

Would you listen to Russian Winter again? Why?

I bought this book to read for my book club. I would not have picked it without prompting. I found the story compelling, but not enough to read it again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Russian Winter?

When she fell in love, and then her belief that he had betrayed her.

What does Kathleen Gati bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I found the narrator very easy to listen to. She brought the book alive. I'm not sure I would have finished the book, otherwise.

Fantastic on all levels

Best book I’ve listened to in a while. Loved it! Can’t say enough about it