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The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts (Hardback)
£18.99
Out of stock
Product Ref. (e.g. ISBN, SKU)
9780857524942
Published:
06 Feb 2020
Format:
Hardback
Number of pages:
433 pages
Dimensions:
222x144x39mm
Weight:
0.559kgs
Author:
Siberia's story is traditionally one of exiles, penal colonies and unmarked graves. Yet there is another tale to tell. Dotted throughout this remote land are pianos - grand instruments created during the boom years of the 19th century, and humble, Soviet-made uprights that found their way into equally modest homes. They tell the story of how, ever since entering Russian culture under the influence of Catherine the Great, piano music has run through the country like blood. How these pianos travelled into this snow-bound wilderness in the first place is testament to noble acts of fortitude by governors, adventurers and exiles. That stately instruments might still exist in such a hostile landscape is remarkable. That they are still capable of making music in far-flung villages is nothing less than a miracle. But this is Siberia, where people can endure the worst of the world.
A critically-acclaimed Sunday Times, Spectator and Independent BOOK OF 2020
'Richly absorbing... An impressive exploration of Siberia's terrifying past.' Guardian
'Evocative and wonderfully original.' Colin Thubron
__________
Siberia's expansive history is traditionally one of exiles, bitter cold and suffering. Yet there is another tale to tell.
Dotted throughout this remote and beautiful landscape are pianos created during the boom years of the nineteenth century. They tell the story of how, ever since entering Russian culture under the influence of Catherine the Great, piano music has run through the country like blood. How these pianos made the journey into this snow-bound wilderness in the first place is remarkable. That they might be capable of making music in such a hostile landscape feels like a miracle.
The Lost Pianos of Siberia is an absorbing story about a piano hunt - a quixotic quest through two centuries of Russian history and eight time zones stretching across an eleventh of the world's land surface. It reveals not only an unexpected musical legacy, but profound and brave humanity in the last place on earth you might expect to find it.
__________
What readers are saying about The Lost Pianos of Siberia:
***** 'You know a book's good when, on finishing it, you just want to start again.'
***** 'Beautifully written, full of compelling anecdotes celebrating Siberia's extraordinary history.'
***** 'The most unusual and intelligent way to tell a travel story.'
About the Author: Sophy Roberts is a British writer whose work focuses on the wild places from Papua New Guinea to the Congo. She began her career assisting the writer Jessica Mitford, and trained in journalism at Columbia University in New York. She regularly contributes to the Financial Times and the US edition of Condé Nast Traveler, among others. The Lost Pianos of Siberia is her first book.
| Number of pages | 433 |
|---|
We will despatch your order as quickly as we can. If, for whatever reason, a product is out of stock we will contact you to discuss the likely delivery time or an alternative product.
| First Item | 2 Items & Over | |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £3.75 | £5.00 |
| EU | £15.00 | £30.00 |
| USA & Canada | £30.00 | £50.00 |
| Rest of the World | £45.00 | £60.00 |
| Collect in Store | free | free |
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