“The Dream Life of Sukhanov” by Olga Grushin (Russia)

Review

This book was one of the four selected titles for our Summer Reading Group 2007

A first novel by a young Russian author, it was shortlisted for the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006. Readers found heart-breaking this complex story of Anatoly Pavlovich Sukhanov whose life slowly breaks down as he questions the choices he made and the dreams he abandoned. They enjoyed the style of writing with its colourful descriptions, use of language and excellent punctuation. It was voted Best Summer Read 2007.

Synopsis

Stepping out into the dusk of a warm Moscow evening, esteemed art critic Anatoly Sukhanov feels on top of the world: his career is glittering, his wife is beautiful and his children are clever. But the year is 1985 and the air is heavy with change… Read more

Nicola’s Summer Reading list 2007

“A Life Elsewhere” by Segun Afolabi (Nigeria)
“Dreams of Speaking” by Gail Jones (Australia)
“The Dream Life of Sukhanov” by Olga Grushin (Russia)
“The Tango Singer” by Tomas Eloy Martinez (Argentina)

* Best Summer Read
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur