A travelers guide through Russia.

As always, Colin draws you in with the people and their intimate stories, confessions who almost sounds wrong to hear. A land truly full of possibilities yet a layer of sadness. You get to see a true, flawed, yet beautiful country, with people who can make a grey world be full of colors.

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Such an honor

listening to these words you feel like you were a part of the adventure.

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Great wee travel book

As usual Colin Thubron has written a great travel book. This is shorter than some of the others but still up to the usual high quality.

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The best of Thubron's books in Russia

The first and the best of his Russian travels. The timing - when the country was beginning to emerge from decades of secrecy and prohibition for outsiders - makes for fascinating reading.

His reflections on the character of Russians as every bit as normal as anyone else and the constant lurking presence of the State are as relevant today as 40 years ago. The faith and pride in their country that many of his acquaintances show despite their country's actions are also reflected in today's reluctance or inability to acknowledge Russia's cruel and bloody invasion of a peaceful neighbour.

At the time of writing we could hope for a bright new future for Russia. Now that hope is deferred for generations we look back on a time which seemed innocent, and this likely explains much of the book's appeal.

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Brief snapshot of life in Russia and former Soviet Union republics

Excellent. Too short. It is a pity this book was not longer. Well worth a read.

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