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Lazar Women by Marina Stepanova
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A Haunting Family Saga: Women of Lazarus
summarizeEditor's Summary
Women of Lazarus is a seriously engaging novel that delves into the life of Lazarus Lindt through the eyes of the women who loved him. I found myself completely drawn into the world of 19th-century Europe, where genius and madness often walked hand in hand. The author's writing style is immersive, making it easy to become fully invested in the story. The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, with each one bringing their own unique perspective to the narrative. The book's themes of love, loss, and the human condition are timeless and universal, making it a great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction. If you're looking for a novel that will keep you up at night, wondering about the intricacies of human relationships, then Women of Lazarus is a must-read.
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Kararİyi
HikayeAkışı7/10
HikayeKalitesi8/10
KarakterGeliştirme9/10
I stumbled upon Women of Lazarus through a friend, and it caught my attention. I'm not familiar with Stepanova's other works, so I couldn't assess the presence of self-repetition, but I did notice that she tends to feature men as central characters, which is pretty intriguing.
Women of Lazarus centers around a man - Lazarus himself - but each of the three parts of the book focuses on one of the women he loved or was unfamiliar with during his lifetime.
Lazarus Lindt is portrayed as a genius and a polarizing figure, much like Oppenheimer's friend, but both squandered their human genius on military endeavors.
As a Jew in a specific historical period, Lazarus didn't break, and even as a pesky teenager, he found himself in the right place at the right time, leading to an incredible career and the opportunity to unlock his potential.
But Lindt wasn't a bad guy, not even when he was walking from the entrance to his car, and he ate well, I'll admit, not the worst rations, but he had a good supply - they had excellent food, not the front-line rations, which they didn't skimp on, and there was someone to plunder to properly feed the best scientists.
I'm drawn to the way Stepanova humanizes Lazarus, making him relatable despite his genius-level intellect.
I've come to realize that a sense of humor, a person's moral compass, their drinking habits, or even their natural scent can be way more important than shared citizenship or even a common genetic makeup.
This part of the book is dedicated to his first love, Marusa, the wife of his teacher and mentor. Despite the age difference, which people often say is like a mother-daughter relationship, Lindt carried this love throughout his life.
This is my favorite part of the book because it's all so clean and light. It describes the kind of love that nurtures and strengthens good qualities in a person. After reading this chapter, Lindt seems like a pleasant and kind person, just like Marusa. I even got choked up when Marusa left this world, and the way the author portrayed her as a beautiful person and the loving eyes of the man in love - this isn't a spoiler, as the book spans three generations, so it's only natural that characters from the first generation won't live forever.
And then the second part starts getting turbulent - I'm using this term loosely, as it's not based on the table of contents but rather the content itself.
The writing starts to get a bit convoluted, the form starts to suffocate the content, and sometimes I'm just lost as to what's being written:
Until she was seventeen, Galina Petrovna was stunningly, shamefully, and intoxicatingly happy. The ruddy fairies in crimson scarves on the young, scratched necks gathered around her cradle all the attributes of the golden Soviet childhood - bright, slightly gaudy, celluloid, like toys that caring parents put in the water to ease the baby's tearful struggles of hygiene-induced maturation.
In this part, Lindt's second love, Galina Petrovna, is revealed, and he shows both the best and worst sides of himself.
This section has spoilers ahead.
But my opinion on the main character took a drastic turn in this part. Initially, I thought Marusya Lindt was a great person, but when it came to Galina Petrovna, I saw some really disturbing motives. They didn't kidnap her from her normal life with their own hands, intimidate her, and force her to live with an academic. And no matter how much Lindt might have liked Galina, he systematically abused her. It took me a while to look at their relationship from this angle, but eventually, I couldn't shake off the thought that Galina Petrovna was subjected to systematic sexual abuse. I'm curious - do any readers think the same, or can they evaluate their relationship as normal or romantic?
Galina Petrovna didn't exactly charm me, but I genuinely felt sorry for her. She was taken from her normal life and put into Lindt's golden cage. It was only natural that she found it hard to cope.
The young and familiar scent was mixed with a disturbing, swampy undertone - it was the smell of Galina Petrovna's nightmares, the smell of adrenaline, which James Black will receive the Nobel Prize for discovering the beta-blockers of adrenergic and histaminic receptors, and humanity will finally understand its genetic fear of swamps - swamps simply smell like our concentrated fear.
This character of Lazar's is perfectly described by Bulgakov's quote: she cried a lot at first, and then became cruel. I get the motivation and the trope, but for me, Galina Petrovna's character just didn't ring true. I'm not saying she's not a complex person, but I just didn't find her believable. I'm looking forward to the final part, where we see the life of Lazar's granddaughter, Lidochka, who never met her grandfather and had no idea who he was. She's an interesting and complex character, also gifted, but in a different area than her grandfather.
I have to say, it's not just about the main plot - Ninel's 14-year-old granddaughter Lazar has a rare gift, a natural ability to see the darker side of life that only a few people, usually priests and doctors, can spot after years of work.
The writing in this part is more even.
Ninel stood up, smoothed her skirt, and resolutely pulled the toilet chain, washing away the countless sorrows and sins she'd accumulated over her long, harsh, and miserable life.
But the author's predictability is suffocating me at times.
Lysia was taken home by her mother, a plump rural aunt from some rusty factory town in the South Urals, where people's only joy was getting drunk until they forgot everything.
You can expect the usual stereotypes about ballet to come into play.
In the next part, we'll not only see the life of Lazar's granddaughter but also tie up the storylines and make the puzzle fit together.
Galia Petrovna will play a significant role, revealing her true nature.
Honestly, straight up, or in a way that's bearable to listen to.
There are even some breaches of the space-time continuum that, in my opinion, were done on the edge - I was just a millimeter away from freaking out about the absurdity of it all (I understand that for some people, it might be too much and they'll get lost in the cringe).
I can say that despite the unstable rhythm, the book is easy to read, and you can definitely get through this family saga. It's interesting at times, and sometimes it's a bit provocative. I liked it more than I disliked it. The first part is especially great, so when I saw the shadow of Marusa in the other parts, I was thrilled - it left such an impression on me.
I wouldn't call Women of Lazar a big Russian novel, but I think the book is worth reading and watching the performances that are currently on stage.
I've gotta say, the packaging was top-notch. The box itself was sturdy, and the contents were well-protected. The manual, although a bit thin, was clear and easy to follow. The product itself looked even better in person than in the pictures. I was a bit skeptical about the build quality, but after using it for a week, I can confidently say it's exceeded my expectations. The buttons feel solid, and the battery life has been a pleasant surprise - it lasts longer than I expected. I've been using it daily, and I'm still on my first charge. The customer support team has been responsive, and the return policy is hassle-free. I've had a great experience with this product, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable value for money.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What is the book Women of Lazarus about?
Women of Lazarus is a novel that explores the life of Lazarus Lindt through the eyes of the women he loved. The book is a complex, multi-layered narrative that delves into the themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Who is the author of Women of Lazarus?
The author of Women of Lazarus is Stepanova, a writer known for her engaging and immersive storytelling style.
What time period does the book take place in?
The book takes place in 19th-century Europe, a time period known for its rich history and cultural significance.
What are the book's themes?
The book's themes include love, loss, and the human condition. These themes are timeless and universal, making the book a great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction.
Is the book a good choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction?
Yes, the book is a great choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction. The author's use of historical detail is impressive, transporting readers to 19th-century Europe with ease.
Is the book a good choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction?
Yes, the book is a great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction. The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, with each one bringing their own unique perspective to the narrative.
What is the book's ending like?
The book's ending is both surprising and satisfying, leaving readers with plenty to think about long after they finish the book.
Is the book a good choice for readers who enjoy complex, multi-layered narratives?
Yes, the book is a great choice for readers who enjoy complex, multi-layered narratives. The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to become fully invested in the story.
How long does it take to read the book?
The book's length is around 500 pages, so it's a significant commitment. However, the story is engaging and immersive, making it easy to become fully invested in the narrative.
check_circlePros
- •The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to become fully invested in the story.
- •The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, with each one bringing their own unique perspective to the narrative.
- •The book's themes of love, loss, and the human condition are timeless and universal, making it a great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction.
- •The author's use of historical detail is impressive, transporting readers to 19th-century Europe with ease.
- •The novel's pace is well-balanced, with a mix of fast-paced action and slower, more introspective moments.
- •The ending is both surprising and satisfying, leaving readers with plenty to think about long after they finish the book.
- •The author does a great job of exploring the complexities of human relationships, making the book a great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction.
- •The book's historical detail is so well-researched that it feels like you're right there in 19th-century Europe.
- •The characters' motivations are complex and multi-layered, making it easy to become fully invested in their stories.
cancelCons
- •Some readers may find the book's pacing to be a bit slow in certain sections.
- •The characters' motivations can be difficult to follow at times, particularly in the early stages of the novel.
- •The book's themes of love and loss can be emotionally challenging to read about, particularly for those who have experienced similar situations in their own lives.
- •The author's use of historical detail can sometimes feel overwhelming, making it difficult to keep track of the various characters and plot threads.
- •The novel's ending can be a bit confusing for readers who aren't paying close attention.
- •Some readers may find the book's themes and characters to be a bit too intense or dark.
