by Anura Guruge
on October 12, 2024
I think she is brilliant — which is why I the ‘shortfalls’ in this book aggravated me so. I expect much better, much better from her. Also her editors and publisher.
Yes, another GREAT yarn. I she does it I do not know, but I love her style — how she sucks you into the story. That it was about a Russian was ‘cute’ — I kept on thinking she was ‘Amor Towles‘ (another of my favorite writers).
Of all seven of her books I have listened to (on ‘Audible‘) this is set in most recent times, i.e., c. 2008. I think that is where she messes up. Too many ‘errors’ …
Let me share some that drove me around the bend:
>> He (i.e., ‘Lev’) gets mugged & has his keys and phone stolen. His landlord/friend is not at their apartment. He is at his Indian girlfriend’s house. But, still Lev manages to get into the apartment. How?
>> The ‘next day’ his very new phone rings. His old boss is calling him. How did ‘Lev’ manage to transfer his old telephone number into his new phone?
>> Implication (& I might have heard it wrong) that Russia was part of the EU!
>> Mail from the UK seems to get to Russia in record time.
Stuff like that. Also the old ‘Chevy’.
IF not for stuff like above that distracted me no end, I would have raved about this. I still do. Loved it — but it also infuriated I. SMILE.
