In 1950s Soviet Union, Antonina has a child out of wedlock. She is lucky to be allotted a room in a house with three old ladies, making a deal with them to cook and clean if they’ll take care of the baby while she’s at work at the factory. The deal becomes even more important when they realize Suzanna isn’t talking at the right time. They all become terrified that the girl will be institutionalized or at least that Antonina will be forced to take her from one doctor to another.
So, Suzanna stays out of school and the grannies teach her to read and write and even to understand French. She imbibes Russian fairy tales as well as some strange beliefs and superstitions, and the grannies sneak her to church to have her baptized.
All goes well until a man at work, Nicholai, starts paying attention to Antonina. Although they have done nothing but have tea, the union people at work assume they are having an affair and begin pressuring them to get married.
Then the situation turns serious. Antonina has cancer. How will the grannies be able to arrange to keep Suzanna after Antonina dies?
This novel effectively depicts the poor living conditions and the uncertainty of life in Soviet Russia, where the state can become involved in the details of anyone’s private life. The narration moves from person to person, and a lot of action is conveyed in somewhat elliptical dialogue, so I wasn’t always sure what was going on. Dreams and stories are also given a lot of importance.
I found the ending, which is another story, fairly unsatisfying, though.
What? Me Read? 
Doesn’t sound too appealing, though I’m intrigued by your comment about the ending…
I thought it was pretty good until the ending.
Ah… too bad. I would like to read more about Soviet Russia, but this sounds a bit… depressing.
I wouldn’t say it is exactly depressing.
Another interesting review from you. I know a little bit of the history at the time, and think it will be an interesting read, although somewhat depressing. But those were the times.
I didn’t find it depressing, just a little suspenseful at times.
This does sound interesting to me! And a bit different to my usual reads.
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
Thanks for posting it!