Captivated by author, Julia Gousseva's ability to paint pictures that materialized in my mind, images of Moscow Dreams will forever be part of my internal landscape. Nowhere before had, I read, "Sunshine squeezed in between the buildings." As an author it had ever occurred to me that a summer rain could come on so suddenly that one could see the drops, "...racing each other to the ground." Were this wordsmiths only ability to write about the ordinary as a transcended experience it would have been enough to make this a thoroughly unique read!
However, Dr. Gousseva continued to demonstrate her mastery of historical fiction with layers of both generational personal and national history woven through the longing of 14 year old, Marina who lives through the fall of the Soviet Union and all that ensues. Juxtaposing what is known with what came before, and the unknown the author shows us the height of possibilities, the breath of fear, a crucible of becoming that each character and every person faces.
It is said that for any fiction to succeed the tension must build. Moscow Dreams does this and much, much more! Those looking for an amazing read will be enthralled!
On a personal note, as I read this thought provoking novel, I found myself thinking about the changes occurring here that many are not in favor of. I remembered the Passover we celebrated in the spring of 1991 with a family of Russian Jews who, due to the fall the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) had finally been allowed to come to America. Speaking with them, I realized that what we took for granted, they had never done for fear of being discovered.
Therefore, it is with a happy heart that I say, "Thank you Dr. Julia Gousseva for showing us what can happen when we do nothing as a people. Thank you for showing us how dreams can survive. And lastly, bless you for illuminating the human condition.
Paula Rose Michelson is the author of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing and The Naomi Chronicles, Book One, Beginning Anew scheduled to release in November of 2013.
http://www.amazon.com/Moscow-Dreams-ebook/dp/B00ALGW286/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378775526&sr=8-1&keywords=moscow+dreams+by+julia+gousseva
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