AAR

[Vol Fan]

Have you ever read a series that left you completely drained? Completely unable to get it out of your mind? I just finished these three by Paullina Simons and I think that they are without a doubt, the best books I have ever read. I'm left adrift. I have no idea what to attempt to pick up next. I'm not ready to leave Tatiana and Alexander. What an epic emotional journey and what an incredible love story.

I've loved reading about locations, time periods and such before, but now I am completely obsessed with Russia. I thought I knew history of WWII, but I never knew about Leningrad and the horrors they went thru.

Has anyone else read this series? If so, how in the world did you leave it behind and move on to other books? If so, please give me some pointers, because right now, I'm truly overwhelmed and left drained by these books.

[Leigh]

I can't remember how long ago it has been since I read these books. Probably ten or more years. I read the first one, and even joined a discussion group formed by Keishon. We actually had to wait for The Bridge to Holy Cross (2003) aka Tatiana and Alexander to be released. Talk about agony since the first book ended in a cliffhanger. I ordered mine from Amazon.com.UK because I didn't want to wait longer for the U.S. release.

I never read the third because I liked the way the second one ended and the sense of closure that I received. I had heard that the third book indicated problems between Tatiana & Alex.

It really makes you want more books about WWII. Like you I had no idea of the deprivations that the Russian people experienced. I knew in a general way of course but this book made the every day sufferings become more real.

The individuals in the group read the book then waited for the release of the second book so it wasn't like a total emergence reading three books back to back. Still most of us re-read the first right before the sequel, and like you found it difficult to let go.

[Vol Fan]

I missed them when they came out. Not sure how, but thanks to sites like this and others, I have found books that have become true treasures. I had no idea they had come out that long ago. Due to the publishing dates (I know they were hard to get in the U.S. for awhile) it is hard to tell the actual date they came out. There is a cookbook called Tatiana's Table out also, but again, I can't find it except as a used book and that is $82.00!! Unbelieveable. It is supposed to be recipes and also small stories attached. Hopefully, it will eventually be sold at a reasonable price.

I would love to read more books set in this time period and location. But then again, I am afraid to try, as I know they can never live up to those wonderful books. I have them saved on my kindle and I want a hard copy too. Crazy, huh? LOL

There was supposed to be a movie of the first one, but apparently it fell thru when Paullina and the director came to odds over him changing her story too much. The rights then have come back to her and she is still trying to find another producer. Possibly if not for the big screen, maybe HBO or another cable channel. I'd love to see it as a movie. I think.

[Outlandish]

Loved this trilogy!

"Drained" is definitely the right word to use after finishing this series; it was emotionally gripping as a romance and thoroughly satisfying as a historical fiction.

I'll probably end up rereading this series after the semester ends. It's been long enough!
_________________
I <3 Jamie & Claire

[xina]

Love, love this series. Have read it many, many times. I have several copies of each book, plus I have them all on my Kindle. I was so drawn into the story that I turned around and read them all over again. And still loved them, so I am the wrong person to ask how to move on.

Have you tried Into The Wilderness by Sarah Donati? Her characters grab you too. Just an idea.
_________________
"As you wish"
~The Princess Bride

[Vol Fan]

xina, I will definitely be reading it again too. I have to let myself regroup first though. I actually went to BOM after work today to buy the hard copy, but as usual with this store, they didn't have it. I will be ordering it though.

Thanks for the recommendation of Into the Wilderness. I actually saw this at my UBS and almost got it, but put it back. I think I will run back tomorrow & see if it is still there.

Oh, I did buy a history book today called Leningrad by Anna Reid. It tells the historical story of the war and blockade and also many eyewitness accounts of the residents who lived through it all. So far, I'm really enjoying it. It has maps too, so when I re-read TBH, I can visualize exactly the places she is writing about.

[Karaa]

A siege diary to recommend is Blockade Diary by Lidia Ginzburg, a survivor.

You might also want to try Pam Jenoff, The Siege: A Novel and the sequel The Betrayal by British novelist Helen Dunmore, and Purge by Sofi Oksanen, set in the Soviet-occupied Estonia next door to Leningrad.

[Vol Fan]

[pwm in mi]

I just finished the Bronze Horseman. I am emotionally exhausted, but in a good way. What an epic book. Poor Tatiana! Poor Alexander!

For those who have read the other two books, I don't need to know what happens, but is there a HEA? Because if ever 2 characters deserved one, its them.

[Beth W]

LOVED The Bronze Horseman. Liked Tatiana and Alexander. Hated the third book.
I do want to re-read TBH soon but I will skip the other two.

[jaime]

[SaltyGirl]

Yes...."drained" is exactly how I felt after reading THE BRONZE HORSEMAN. I loved it, it moved me, but I was wiped out afterwards.

A trilogy with similar heft is the Rose trilogy by Jennifer Donnelly (TEA ROSE, WINTER ROSE, WILD ROSE) Setting is 1890-WWI England and America. All the characters connect throughout the three books, but each book features a different H&H.

THE TEA ROSE may be my favorite romance novel of all time. It has wonderful historical detail, great sympathetic characters you want to cheer for, and a very satisfying ending. It wasn't quite as exhausting as the Bronze Horseman (although much heavier than typical romance fare)

[Vol Fan]

Thanks SaltyGirl. These by Jennifer Donnelly sound like my cup of tea, no pun intended. LOL

I like a meaty historical romance, so will definitely be checking these out!