Child 44

By Tom Rob Smith

Set in Stalinist Russia, Child 44 is a riveting novel about a husband and a wife trying to survive the wretched times. That survival takes many forms - crisscrossing hands with spies, vengeful colleagues, the fear and forces of the Stalinist system and ending in the hands of a serial killer. The unfolding story forces a question about vocation and how we relate to what we do, in particular in situations of destitution. As the story unfolds it reveals the reality of life in Russia at this time, leaving the reader with more than anticipated about the history of this time period. I love the way this story is spun to keep you guessing and how it intensifies as the story moves forward. This is Smith's first novel and I look forward to reading his future work!

Excellent excellent book, compared to Gorky Park which I am not sure I have read!

"If he discovered that there were no similar cases, no other murdered children, then he could be sure that the brutal punishments he'd been instrumental in bringing about had been fair, just, and appropriate. Though he mistrusted Leo and resented the doubt he'd stirred up, there was no escaping that the man had posited a very simple question. Did his work have meaning or was it merely a means to survive? There was nothing shameful about trying to survive - it was the occupation of the majority. However, was it enough to live in squalor and not even be rewarded with a sense of pride, not even to be sustained by a sense that what he did served some purpose?"
Pg 274

Book 37