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The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch

The Last Russian Doll

by Kristen Loesch

  • Critics' Consensus (5):
  • Readers' Rating (27):
  • Published:
  • Mar 2023, 416 pages
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There are currently 27 reader reviews for The Last Russian Doll
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Jan B. (Estes Park, CO)

The Last Russian Doll
I enjoyed The Last Russian Doll despite some difficulties in reading it. I felt that the author's style was engaging and targets a more sophisticated reader. I did have trouble at times following the events and the characters. A single character was called by multiple names which possibly would be alleviated by a list of characters and their relationships in the front of the book. I also had trouble at times following the events. I usually don't mind when a book jumps back and forth in time, but in this case it felt like just when I was following the plot then it jumped to something else. It may have helped it Imore
Janet H. (Utica, NY)

Russian Dolls
I enjoy novels with multiple timelines, Russian history, and mysteries so this book was a delightful read. When I saw the title I thought I would be reading about the nesting dolls common in Russia. While the dolls in the book are a different type, the story gave me the feeling of those dolls within dolls. There were so many surprising reveals and connections it was a matter of unpacking to discover the next part of the story. There were times the writing seemed a little simplistic, but the story kept me going. I'll be looking for more books by this author.
Barbara P. (Mountain Center, CA)

An excellent look into Russia
It is not often that you find a book that wraps so many varied personalities and motivations into a compelling mystery of discovery and self-discovery. I had a difficult time getting into this book because I felt the frustrations of the characters in a very real way - the sign of a gifted writer who can pull us into relationship with characters that do not appear to have anything likable about them. By the end of the book I understood them and I liked them for who they were. This is a beautiful and frightening, personal look into the birth of Communism and the history of a nation that is a mystery to mostmore
Lynne B. (South Lake Tahoe, CA)

Everything You Want in Good Historical Fiction
The Last Russian Doll will take you through the history of the Russian Revolution and into late 20th century Russia with well defined, believable and enthralling characters. You will meet also a modern day woman of Russian descent who is looking for information on her mother's past and ends up searching in Russian archives, meeting people from her mother's past and discovering much about herself. All of this presents a mystery which you will continually be trying to solve throughout the story, Bravo, Ms. Loesch for bringing it all together in one story, history, enthralling characters, and a great mystery tomore
Rebecca

Historical Fiction at its best
The Last Russian Doll is a beautifully written but very complicated book. At times it’s difficult to discern what is happening and I felt when finished that there was so much unresolved. As historical fiction, it is outstanding. A captivating story with well thought and well researched history. I learned so much about Russias past history, especially the Gulags, the siege of Leningrad and the building of the White Sea Canal where so many prisoners died. The book begins with two story lines. In 1991, Rosie struggles with her mother's addictions, is engaged to marry. She answers an ad to help a former Russianmore
Carol P. (Leland, NC)

Russia- a story of loss, love and redemption
I enjoyed the dual timelines following Tonya through the Russian Revolution and Rosie whose family emigrated to London. The description of the Russian Revolution, starvation during the German invasion of Russia in WWII and Stalin from the perspective of Tonya and families who survived were gut wrenching. Then there is Rosie living in England who travels back to Russia with a Russian historian to uncovers clues about her family. The story follows both women through traumatic times. I found the many characters at times difficult to follow in the journeys of both Tonya and Rosie.

If you enjoy historical fiction andmore
Marganna K. (Edmonds, WA)

Story Fell Short
This book did not work for me.Since there are many reviews detailing the synopsis of the story line I'll focus on what I consider the book's strengths & weaknesses.

The writing, at times, was enjoyable informative with descriptions of people, places, ideas well thought out. The idea of writing a story involving Russian history was fascinating & intriguing. Using two time period main characters to carry the story gives interest & is a form of writing I admire.

The first part of the story was slow - it took awhile to hold my attention, but I wanted to give it time to develop. The middle part of themore
Irene H. (Saugerties, NY)

The Last Russian Doll
The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch has the potential to be an exciting trip through Russian history via the life stories of its characters. Their stories evolve during the turbulent years between the Bolshevik Revolution and the era of Glasnost.

Unfortunately, this potential is not realized due to the complex interweaving of multiple plot lines by the author. Each chapter begins with a Russian folk tale. The tale's meaning is not embedded in the subsequent text, nor is it mirrored by the actions of the characters in the chapter that follows. It is not until the author explains their purpose in an addendummore

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