  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2015 *Starred Review* Dmitri Shostakovich was witness to an almost overwhelming number of changes and transformations in his native Russia. From the rise of Communism under Lenin to Stalin’s Great Terror and, perhaps most monumentally, the Siege of Leningrad, the Russian composer was there, often drawn dangerously close to the clutches of Stalin’s seemingly random rage. All the while, he defiantly wrote moving, galvanizing music. In his first book-length work of nonfiction, Anderson skillfully interweaves details from Shostakovich’s life into pivotal historical moments, particularly Russia’s role in WWII, brilliantly elucidating some of the more puzzling parts of Russian history. His frequent descriptions of Shostakovich’s music are vivid, evoking odd yet fitting images to call to mind sounds or moods, then loosely tying those moods to events. It’s a powerful tactic that does double duty, spotlighting the innovative narrative quality of Shostakovich’s music while showcasing how he was influenced by the turbulent period, which, in turn, gives readers some insight into the mindset of Russian citizens under Stalin’s tyrannical reign. In a gripping narrative, helped by ample photos and shockingly accurate historical details, Anderson offers readers a captivating account of a genius composer and the brutally stormy period in which he lived. Though easily accessible to teens, this fascinating, eye-opening, and arresting book is just as appealing to adults. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 09/01/2015 Gr 9 Up—This ambitious and gripping work is narrative nonfiction at its best. Anderson expertly sets the scene of the tumultuous world into which Dmitri Shostakovich was born in 1906 and traces his development as an artist and a public figure. He also tells the story of the composer's beloved Leningrad, focusing on the creation and legacy of the symphony written in its honor at the height of World War II. In his author's note, Anderson poses an intriguing question: "How do we reconstruct the story of someone who lived in a period in which everyone had an excuse to lie, evade, accuse, or keep silent?" The compelling, well-researched narrative relates what is known of Shostakovich's story, what is speculation, what is revisionist history, and what new sources have revealed. The chilling details of the Stalin regime and the plight of the Russian people even before the Germans arrived will be eye-opening to many teen readers. The book has all the intrigue of a spy thriller, recounts the horrors of living during the three year siege, and delineates the physical oppression and daunting foes within and outside of the city. This is also the story of survival against almost impossible odds. Through it all, Anderson weaves the thread of the composer's music and the role it played in this larger-than-life drama. VERDICT A must-have title with broad crossover appeal—Luann Toth, School Library Journal - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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