''The Betrayal'' is the sequel to Helen Dunmore's
hugely successful historical novel ''The Siege'', set in
Stalin's Russia. Leningrad, 1952. Andrei, a young
hospital doctor and Anna, a nursery school teacher, are
forging a life together in the post-war, post-siege
wreckage. But their happiness is precarious, like that
of millions of Russians who must avoid the claws of
Stalin's merciless Ministry for State security. So when
Andrei is asked to treat the seriously ill child of a
senior secret police officer, he and Anna are fearful.
Trapped in an impossible, maybe unwinnable game, can
they avoid the whispers and watchful eyes of those who
will say or do anything to save themselves? ''The
Betrayal'' is a powerful and touching novel of ordinary
people in the grip of a terrible and sinister regime,
and a moving portrait of a love that will not be
extinguished. ''Beautifully crafted, gripping, moving,
enlightening. Sure to be one of the best historical
novels of the year''. (''Time Out''). ''Scrupulous,
pitch-perfect. With heart-pounding force, Dunmore builds
up a double narrative of suspense''. (''Sunday Times'').
''Magnificent, brave, tender ...with a unique gift for
immersing the reader in the taste, smell and fear of a
story''.(''Independent on Sunday''). Novelist and poet
Helen Dunmore has achieved great critical acclaim since
publishing her first adult novel, the McKitterick Prize
winning, ''Zennor in Darkness''. Her novels, ''Counting
the Stars'', ''Your Blue-Eyed Boy'', ''With Your Crooked
Heart'', ''Burning Bright'', ''House of Orphans'',
''Mourning Ruby'', ''A Spell of Winter'', and ''Talking
to the Dead'', and her collection of short stories
''Love of Fat Men'' are all published by Penguin. Helen
also writes for children, her titles include ''The
Deep'' and ''Ingo''. |
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