Russka

By: Edward Rutherfurd

Narrated by: Roger Davis

Length: 47 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In this vast and gorgeous tapestry of a novel, serf and master, Cossack and tsar, priest and Jew are brought together in a family saga which unrolls through centuries of history to reveal that most impenetrable and mysterious of lands - Russia.

Through the life of a little town east of Moscow in the Russian heartland, Edward Rutherfurd creates a sweeping family saga from the baffling contradictions of Russia's culture and her peoples - bleak yet exotic, brutal but romantic, land of ritual yet riddled with superstitious fears.

From Russia's dawn and the cruel Tatar invasions to Ivan the Terrible and the wild Cossacks, from Peter, Catherine and the days of War and Peace to the drama of the Revolution and the extraordinary events of today - here is Russia's story in a spellbinding novel - history recreated with breathtaking detail and passion.

©1991 Edward Rutherford (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Wonderful Historical Novel

I just discovered Mr. Rutherford's novels after completing Ken Follett's historical trilogies and feeling at a loss as to 'what next'? What a delight to find these books! I feel that I have learned much about Russia through his story telling and indeed some of what makes me shake my head about Russia and how the country interacts on the world stage, now makes more sense. Also, the narration of Roger Davis is excellent and makes me feel a part of the story.

An epic on every level

This is a masterpiece and a thorough explanation of the entirety of Russia’s history. Unless we examine Russia’s past, and what therefore informs the country today, we are unlikely to understand it.

Great history lesson

Wonderful history lesson told with stories of families from BC to 1990’s. You begin to understand Russia a bit more !

Great Historical Story

Pulled me in with the blending of fictional characters and historical events. Long but detailed and really enjoyable.

So rich

I am impressed at how rich the characters are and how really emotional the story can be. The vocal performance was one of the best I’ve heard. I read this one because my family ran from the Bolsheviks to America and this was a creative way to explore that history.

Great Story!

It is a very good book and helps me review the history of Russia through the family story. The narrator is also excellent who vividly described people and scenes. By listening to the book of Russka I have learned something new about Russian history.

So so

The rolling story generally had a mildly interesting plot. I felt the book could have used a more detailed telling of major historical events. I would have preferred more depth to the events of the last 100 years. I much more enjoyed this authors book ‘New York.’

Narrator is stupendous! Love the accent! He makes it exciting and enjoyable to listen to and follow!

The story was amazing how it illuminated history. It was so interesting how the author connected the story from beginning to end! This is my 4th Rutherford novel.

Beautifully Brings Russian History to Life

I thoroughly enjoyed the way Edward Rutherfurd wove the characters into a storyline spanning nearly 2000 years. The major historical events are iwoven through the lives of ordinary people in a way that adds color to the events and illustrates the effects on the people. I look forward to listening to other works by this author. Don't let the size (length) of this book stop you. The story is entertaining and keeps you involved in it... much like a mini series. Excellent narration too.

Timely and as always for Edward Rutherfurd filled with fascinating historical facts.

Although not my favorite Edward Rutherford historical fiction, this one is particularly interesting given the times we live in today.

It is as if Edward Weatherford knew about the Ukrainian Russian conflict going on in 2022 and wrote this book to give the reader in-depth knowledge and understanding of a conflict that goes back before the 1800s. Like most Americans I had very little knowledge or understanding of the history of the region, or the geography, for example I did not know that : not very long ago Alaska was once considered part of Russia.

So after 40+ hours of listening I now do feel like I can hold my own in a conversation and comment on the issues with a little more confidence.

The underling message for me was , as always, men and woman desire freedom at their very core, that extreme’s in wealth and poverty and injustice and oppresion will inevitably lead to conflict , revolt, revolution and often times war. And that this is a cause that human kind will fight and die for. And as always the men in power who make the decision to go to war are most often not the ones that ultimately die and suffer.
A must listen for any history buff as well as those interested in philosophy, sociology, human nature and also the arts.