Symphony for the City of the Dead
Symphony for the City of the Dead
Nonfiction | Book | YA | Published in 2015
Book Brief
464
Book • Nonfiction
Leningrad, USSR • 1940s
2015
YA
14-18 years
990L
Super Short Summary
Symphony for the City of the Dead by M.T. Anderson recounts the grim story of the three-year Siege of Leningrad during World War II and how composer Dmitri Shostakovich channeled the suffering into his 7th Symphony, which rallied Soviet troops. The book details Shostakovich's career under Stalin's oppressive regime, the city's near-total isolation, and the harrowing experiences, including starvation and cannibalism, endured by its residents.
Informative
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
6,615 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
M. T. Anderson's Symphony for the City of the Dead is acclaimed for its meticulous research and evocative writing. It compellingly portrays Shostakovich and the siege of Leningrad. However, some critique its dense detail and slow pacing as potentially overwhelming. Overall, it's a powerful and informative historical narrative.
Who Should Read Symphony for the City of the Dead?
Readers of Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Anderson would likely enjoy detailed historical narratives and biographies enriched with musical and cultural contexts. Fans of The Diary of Anne Frank and The Book Thief will appreciate its focus on resilience during WWII, combining dramatic storytelling with meticulous research.
6,615 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
464
Book • Nonfiction
Leningrad, USSR • 1940s
2015
YA
14-18 years
990L
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