The Red Scarf

An absolute masterpiece from Kate Furnivall--hands down the best book I've read all summer. I read the first page sitting a Borders cafe, and didn't put it down until I'd finished the final chapter. Anyone who appreciates intricate, delightful storytelling and picture-perfect prose should put this on their list of must-reads.

Furnivall's first book, The Russian Concubine, was fantastic. I wasn't disappointed by this second book, The Red Scarf. Although the first book contained the theme of the Bolshevik revolution, it was set in China, and thus cultural conflict was a major theme. In The Red Scarf, we are in a country that has been torn apart by inner conflict: it is tearing out the heart of 'Mother Russia'. I studyed Stalinist Russia in college, and I very much wish that this novel had of been around at the time. Reading the facts and figures on the page of a textbook is one thing, but Furnivall's book brought it to life. It is a fantastic historical novel, with pure facts where they are needed combined with the fictional characters that you can't help but feel empathy for. The characters that Furnivall has created are so very complex; exactly how I imagine people would have been at the time when your neighbour who you have known your whole life could very well be the person to sign your death warrant. I would recommend this book to any lover of historical fiction, especially the period of Communist Russia.

I visited St. Petersburg a couple of summers ago and have since then trying to get my hands on anything that will give me more insight to Russia and her history. This book provided a perspective of collectivism, Stalin's labor camps, and communism, with of course, the human tragedy associated with those things. I'm trying to find more books like this, so if you know of any, respond to this!

The Red Scarf was an excellent story. I found it to be just as engrossing as The Russian Concubine, but in a totally different way. Furnivall has the rare talent of making each of her novels a completely unique experience for the reader. Amazingly well researched, true to life in its time, I whole-heartedly recommend The Red Scarf.

Truly terrific book. I picked it up at the store on a whim, and once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. It takes place in communist Russia, which I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about previously, and the thoughtless at best, abusive at worst treatment of the Russian people was just appalling. The author very effectively goes back into flashbacks without seeming to overtake the story with them, and the characters are all fully developed people, with faults and humanity and a sense of desperation to just survive their lives. Add a dash of the supernatural, and several unexpected twists, and I'll call this the best book I've read so far this year.