Blogcritics Comments on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Comment by John McNatt on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 03:13:51 EST

Vodka is the most heart breaking novel I have read up to date. I congratulate Mr. Starling on his marvelous novel. Thank you for an unforgetful novel.

Comment by Joe on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Fri, 3 Nov 2006 19:39:39 EST

I had this book on my dashboard and it led to an awkward chitchat with a woman at a McDonald's drive-thru. Thanks a lot, Starling!

Comment by Linda on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Tue, 4 Apr 2006 16:46:14 EDT

Wow! I finished the book on Sunday and I want to start it all over again. I thought it fabulously portrayed the mindset of the Russians I have had contact with and it made me fall in love with all things Russian once more. I accidentally stumbled over the book and since I love vodka I had to buy Vodka......

Comment by Fiona on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 18:48:42 EDT

Vodka is one of the best novels published this year, I'm sure. I'm so glad to see this review, when many have misunderstood the book. It's a super piece of work, I think.

Comment by Ashok K. Banker on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 23:21:55 EDT

I ordered Messiah by the same author based on this review too--well, based on reading the book reviewed here, I mean!

Comment by Aaman on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:52:58 EDT

I ordered this book based on the review and comments - from blogcritics.org link, of course:)

Comment by Ashok K. Banker on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 23:11:40 EDT

Actually, that's a very accurate description of Alice's 'journey' in the book. The naming of the character and the falling into the rabbit hole of Vodka, through which she 'discovers' the fantastic alter-reality of modern Russia is deliberately metaphorical, and very well done. I'm sure it would have much more resonance to an American reader, but as a third-party viewer--being neither American nor Russian--it was fascinating to watch the American Alice descend into the vortex of Russian politics and social chaos.

Comment by DrPat on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 18:00:47 EDT

Booklist reviewer David Wright didn't think so:

American Alice Liddell, for whom all bottles urge "drink me," arrives in Moscow at the collapse of the Soviet Union... She soon sluices down an alcoholic rabbit hole...

Comment by Aaman on Book Review: Vodka by Boris Starling

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 17:42:04 EDT

Is the Lewis Carroll reference (Alice Liddell) gratituous or is there something deeper - is Russia perceived as Wonderland, or some sort of Bizarro-world viewed through the looking-glass?