From the critically acclaimed author of The 25th Hour and When the Nines Roll Over and co-creator of the HBO series Game of Thrones, a captivating novel about war, courage, survival — and a remarkable friendship that ripples across a lifetime. During the Nazis’ brutal siege of Leningrad, Lev Beniov is arrested for looting and thrown into the same cell as a handsome deserter named Kolya. Instead … as a handsome deserter named Kolya. Instead of being executed, Lev and Kolya are given a shot at saving their own lives by complying with an outrageous directive: secure a dozen eggs for a powerful Soviet colonel to use in his daughter’s wedding cake. In a city cut off from all supplies and suffering unbelievable deprivation, Lev and Kolya embark on a hunt through the dire lawlessness of Leningrad and behind enemy lines to find the impossible.
By turns insightful and funny, thrilling and terrifying, the New York Times bestseller City of Thieves is a gripping, cinematic World War II adventure and an intimate coming-of-age story with an utterly contemporary feel for how boys become men.
more
The resilience of the human spirit during the time of war was incredible.
One of the best books I’ve read. Hooked me on David Benioff! Action packed, poignant, sometimes funny, and a testament to human connection and spirit. I recommend this book to a lot of people! The time, the characters, the story all draw you in and hold you there.
Harrowing at times, but amazing. Could not put down.
City of Thieves is a great read. During the siege of Leningrad, citizens were forced to scrounge and steal just to find enough food to save themselves. This story, a remembrance of the author’s grandfather, tells of the dire circumstances the Russians lived through. Two thieves, in order to save themselves from execution, are tasked with finding 1 dozen eggs to make a wedding cake for a senior Russian Army officer’s daughter. At times horrifying, funny and sad, this book is a really good read.
I learned so much about the siege of Leningrad and what the Russians went through. Good character development and a wonderful twist at the end. Great story!!
This is a well written novel that delivers a unique perspective to survival during World War Two. It’s character-driven and not what you might think from a novel about this period of history.
My all time favorite book
Accomplished black comedy about the horrors of the WWII siege of Leningrad. Benioff takes an absurd situation and twists it into a full portrait of the city and its saviors.
A cynical book that one must read.
The book is shocking at first read; it talks about Leningrad in World War II.
The description of life in Leningrad is cynical and a little distant. It is Realistic, sometimes too realistic (as in the report of cannibals in the city). But the book brings back thoughts about patriotism, the means to survive and the projection of the bad parts of man. In that manner – I loved it.
It’s a good thing that it was written about Leningrad and not about any other place i know because distance helps digest the book and receive it.
Very worth reading.
A fascinating look at Poland surrounded by Russian Invaders. At times tragic and at times comic it made history come alive.
fabulous read
One of my favorites. And by that I mean my 70 year lifetime.
This is another beautifully written World War II story shedding light on aspects of the war that are not well known. This story is set in Russia and tells of the spirit of the people refusing to let Germany conquer them – physically and emotionally.
City of Thieves tells the fictional tale of two young men given the opportunity to not be executed if they could find a dozen eggs for an officer’s daughter’s wedding cake. Because of the war and the confiscation of food and livestock, people were starving and no eggs were to be found. So the adventure began to find the eggs within a week’s time. The search took them to the black market, traveling in freezing temps, getting lost, attacked by rebels, risking life and limb, and seeing things no one should ever have to see. A deep friendship was forged and the characters are not to be forgotten.
A well written story that I definitely recommend.
What a great book! So very well constructed. All the characters were real. The setting was harsh and believable. Enjoyed it with great sadness and hope.
David Benioff has written an extraordinary book. The theme and the protagonists humorous struggles set on the tragic, gruesome backdrop of besieged Leningrad was remarkable.
I loved this book and highly recommend. It is full of interesting characters growing up in tough times but managing to keep their humanity. It is whimsical and a bit fanciful and a very well written book.
Great book. Couldn’t put it down.
Great historical information written into a commonplace situation.
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I didn’t want it to end. Don’t miss reading this book!
This book was compelling and realistic, not for the fair of heart.
Unspeakable hardships in Leningrad during WWII.
A must read