Official Review: How Dare The Birds Sing by Marina Osipova
Posted: 30 Apr 2019, 23:32
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "How Dare The Birds Sing" by Marina Osipova.]
4 out of 4 stars
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How Dare the Birds Sing by Marina Osipova is a powerful story of love and loss. It is divided into four sections, starting before World War II and concluding fifteen years after the war ends. This piece of historical fiction, set in Russia and Germany, chronicles the life of Lyuba Zaleskaya, a young Russian woman who falls in love with a German pilot. After a brief but significant courtship, Lyuba is devastated at the unexpected departure of her beau. In fear of being named a traitor to her country for affiliating with a German pilot, Lyuba is pushed into an unwanted and unsuccessful marriage to a Hero of the Soviet Union, and, while traveling to meet him, loses all that is dear to her. Lyuba’s journey leads her to work with the Russian resistance for a time, but misfortune follows her, and she is captured during one of her missions. Imprisoned in a German concentration camp, Lyuba endures more humiliation, brutality, and loss. Even upon her release, her torment is not over, and she travels home to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.
“To all the women burned by war. Any war,” is the dedication for this novel and a perfect depiction of the piece. At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Lyuba, but the underlying tales of the women in Lyuba’s life are equally heartbreaking, powerful, and grim. These women, like Lyuba, suffer immensely throughout the book. Lyuba’s losses are incomprehensible, and her sadness is consuming. However, her strength is even more evident. She is a fighter, a person whose resilience in the face of atrocities is immense. This is also evident in the other strong women who influence Lyuba’s life, from her single mother who raises and supports her to other resistance fighters and prisoners at the concentration camp who often meet with a horrendous demise. Each woman shows strength. They suffer the ugly and violent realities of life during war, yet they still fight to survive.
I really like the author’s use of birds throughout the book, as they serve several purposes. They symbolize the protagonist’s desire for freedom even though she is physically and emotionally trapped. They are also used to reflect the mood of the story and the feelings of the characters. For example, during her budding romance, Lyuba equates birds with positivity. However, as the story unfolds, the birds are often depicted negatively or are non-existent. Additionally, the use of birds juxtaposes the setting of the story, highlighting the beauty and reliability of nature among the ugliness and unpredictability of war.
I also appreciate the skillful use of various types of communication to progress the plot, fill in the blanks of the story, and give insight into the thoughts and feelings of a variety of characters. Letters, diaries, radio broadcasts, and informational pamphlets were all indispensable methods of communication during the war, and by integrating them into the novel, the author further solidifies the realism of the story.
One aspect of the book that I don’t like is the unrealistic naiveté of Lyuba, especially at the start of the novel. She seems rather ill-informed and ill-equipped to handle certain situations, particularly considering the setting of the story. She has a youthful ignorance of the dangers of loving a German soldier. I expected her to be more aware of what was happening in the world and in her country.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Not only is it well written and steeped in historical accuracy, it is also gripping. Once I started the book, I didn’t want to put it down. Further, it is professionally edited, and I did not notice any grammatical errors. I think this story will appeal to people who like historical fiction, especially in relation to World War II and Russia. Readers who enjoy stories about strength and resilience after suffering insurmountable obstacles and loss will also love this novel.
******
How Dare The Birds Sing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
How Dare the Birds Sing by Marina Osipova is a powerful story of love and loss. It is divided into four sections, starting before World War II and concluding fifteen years after the war ends. This piece of historical fiction, set in Russia and Germany, chronicles the life of Lyuba Zaleskaya, a young Russian woman who falls in love with a German pilot. After a brief but significant courtship, Lyuba is devastated at the unexpected departure of her beau. In fear of being named a traitor to her country for affiliating with a German pilot, Lyuba is pushed into an unwanted and unsuccessful marriage to a Hero of the Soviet Union, and, while traveling to meet him, loses all that is dear to her. Lyuba’s journey leads her to work with the Russian resistance for a time, but misfortune follows her, and she is captured during one of her missions. Imprisoned in a German concentration camp, Lyuba endures more humiliation, brutality, and loss. Even upon her release, her torment is not over, and she travels home to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.
“To all the women burned by war. Any war,” is the dedication for this novel and a perfect depiction of the piece. At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Lyuba, but the underlying tales of the women in Lyuba’s life are equally heartbreaking, powerful, and grim. These women, like Lyuba, suffer immensely throughout the book. Lyuba’s losses are incomprehensible, and her sadness is consuming. However, her strength is even more evident. She is a fighter, a person whose resilience in the face of atrocities is immense. This is also evident in the other strong women who influence Lyuba’s life, from her single mother who raises and supports her to other resistance fighters and prisoners at the concentration camp who often meet with a horrendous demise. Each woman shows strength. They suffer the ugly and violent realities of life during war, yet they still fight to survive.
I really like the author’s use of birds throughout the book, as they serve several purposes. They symbolize the protagonist’s desire for freedom even though she is physically and emotionally trapped. They are also used to reflect the mood of the story and the feelings of the characters. For example, during her budding romance, Lyuba equates birds with positivity. However, as the story unfolds, the birds are often depicted negatively or are non-existent. Additionally, the use of birds juxtaposes the setting of the story, highlighting the beauty and reliability of nature among the ugliness and unpredictability of war.
I also appreciate the skillful use of various types of communication to progress the plot, fill in the blanks of the story, and give insight into the thoughts and feelings of a variety of characters. Letters, diaries, radio broadcasts, and informational pamphlets were all indispensable methods of communication during the war, and by integrating them into the novel, the author further solidifies the realism of the story.
One aspect of the book that I don’t like is the unrealistic naiveté of Lyuba, especially at the start of the novel. She seems rather ill-informed and ill-equipped to handle certain situations, particularly considering the setting of the story. She has a youthful ignorance of the dangers of loving a German soldier. I expected her to be more aware of what was happening in the world and in her country.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Not only is it well written and steeped in historical accuracy, it is also gripping. Once I started the book, I didn’t want to put it down. Further, it is professionally edited, and I did not notice any grammatical errors. I think this story will appeal to people who like historical fiction, especially in relation to World War II and Russia. Readers who enjoy stories about strength and resilience after suffering insurmountable obstacles and loss will also love this novel.
******
How Dare The Birds Sing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Julie Petitbon's review? Post a comment saying so!
