It’s 1941 and Russia is now at war with Germany. As the Nazis surround Leningrad with the aim of starving the city into submission, the composer Dmitri Shostakovich begins work on his Seventh Symphony. While other important musicians are being evacuated, Shostakovich insists on remaining to help defend his city. To his wife, Nina, the real reason he doesn’t want to leave is because he doesn’t want to be disturbed while writing his symphony and it seems to her that he is putting his music before the welfare of his family.
During the siege, the government orders that the Seventh Symphony be performed to raise the morale of the Soviet troops at the front. Since the members of Leningrad’s famous Philharmonic Orchestra and their conductor Mravinsky have already been removed from the city, the job of performing the Seventh Symphony falls to another, less highly regarded conductor, Karl Eliasberg and the second-rate Radio Orchestra. Eliasberg finally has the chance to do something great, but it’s not going to be easy…of the musicians who have stayed in Leningrad through the long, cold Russian winter some of them are dead and the others barely have the strength to lift their instruments.
Alongside the stories of Shostakovich and Eliasberg is the story of a third man, Nikolai Nikolayev, and his beloved nine-year-old daughter, Sonya. Nikolai must make the heartbreaking decision of whether to risk sending Sonya out of Leningrad on her own while he stays behind to continue his work as violinist in the orchestra.
The Siege of Leningrad was surely one of the most horrific episodes of the Second World War. This book was maybe not quite as emotional as other novels I’ve read on the same subject (The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons, for example) but it was still very moving. The idea of people being so hungry they’re driven to boiling down leather briefcases for protein or mixing water and hair oil to make soup, while watching as their family and friends die one by one of starvation or cold, is horrible to think about. And yet the story is not too bleak or depressing because it’s not just about war and suffering – it’s also about the power of art and music and how something good can come from even the worst circumstances imaginable.
The characters Sarah Quigley has chosen to focus on in this novel are all interesting, three-dimensional people who each have their own set of problems and obstacles to overcome during the siege. My favourite was Karl Eliasberg, the conductor of the book’s title. Based on a real person but one who we don’t know much about, the author imagines him as a shy, awkward man with low self-esteem, desperate to have his talents recognised and to be accepted by the cultural elite. Shostakovich is his idol but every time he comes face to face with him he finds himself saying the wrong things and failing to give the impression he was hoping to give. Eliasberg’s character is so well-written and believable I felt I could really understand him and empathise with him.
Despite Shostakovich being one of the central characters and the story revolving around one of his compositions, you don’t need any knowledge of classical music to enjoy this novel. However, I would highly recommend listening to the Seventh Symphony after finishing the book – it’s definitely worth it and it really adds to the reading experience. I loved this book and I have a feeling that when I make my list of favourite books of the year in December this might be one of them.
She Reads Novels 
This sounds like an amazing story – I’ve only read a little about the siege. I’m going to recommend this to a friend with a passion for 20th-century Russian history.
I think anyone with an interest in the history of Russia and the siege of Leningrad in particular would probably enjoy this book. I find the siege both fascinating and devastating to read about – it’s hard to believe anyone managed to survive it at all.
The plot sounds wonderful. I love stories of beauty amidst despair and pain. I also really like classical music and know I would enjoy the musical aspect of the novel.
I don’t listen to a lot of classical music but I do like it and listening to the Leningrad Symphony after reading this book was very moving.
This sounds great and I always loved Russian History. I regret giving away my university books now. Sounds like the author has balanced the bleakness of war with what art and music can do.
The siege was such a terrible, tragic time this book could have been very bleak, but it had plenty of positive and uplifting moments too.
I’ve read about Shostakovich before, his life and work was, well, risky, but interesting as a historical account. It was an awful time in general, you’re right, so it’s good the author has presented it to the reader. I’ve always thought the music intriguing with all the different elements he uses.
I knew almost nothing about Shostakovich before reading this book so I’m glad I’ve been able to learn a little bit about him and be introduced to his music.
I haven’t heard of this one, but it it might make your favorites list for this year, I’ll have to add it to my to-read list!
I know you’re interested in WWII books, Anna, so I’d definitely recommend this one.
I am intrigued by Russian history, and this one sounds fascinating. And if it could make your list of year end favourites that’s a wonderful recommendation because you’ve read some great books this year.
I have a feeling my end of year list is going to consist mainly of Dorothy Dunnett but yes, this is one of the best non-Dunnett books I’ve read for a while!
I’m a sucker for novels combining elements of Russia and music – this sounds excellent and I don’t know much about Shostakovich, although I know some of his music. Going onto my list…
Shostakovich is not a composer I’ve paid much attention to in the past, but this book inspired me to listen to his Seventh Symphony and I was very impressed.
I should have read this before now because Sarah Quigley is a NZ author and the book received a lot of attention when first released. Sounds as though I’ve missing something good! Glad you loved it and look forward to reading myself.
I hope you enjoy it, Cat!
I read this last year when it first came out in NZ and loved it too. I thought Eliasberg was a great character and enjoyed experiencing Shostakovich’s music through him. Helen Dunmore’s The Siege is also worth reading
I’ve been meaning to read The Siege for a long time but haven’t got round to it yet. I’m looking forward to it!