Hunger
Hunger by Elise Blackwell, published by Arrow Books in 2004, is a historical novel that explores the harrowing experiences of Leningrad’s residents during the brutal siege by German troops in 1941. With 144 pages, this edition presents a vivid depiction of survival as the city’s inhabitants resort to desperate measures, including foraging for food and trading valuables for sustenance. The narrative centers on the scientists at the Institute of Plant Industry, who are determined to protect their collection of rare seeds amidst the chaos and starvation surrounding them.
Readers will find a gripping exploration of human nature as the characters grapple with moral dilemmas in the face of extreme adversity. The story delves into the conflict between preserving principles and the instinct to survive, highlighting the lengths to which individuals will go when faced with dire circumstances. This novel offers a poignant reflection on the impact of war and scarcity, making it a significant addition to the genres of literature and historical fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
When German troops surround Leningrad and cut off food supplies in the autumn of 1941, no one imagines that the siege will last almost three years and take hundreds of thousands of lives. As the first ‘hungry winter’ sets in, the city’s residents strip the bark off trees, boil and eat moss-covered stones, and trade priceless antiques for half a loaf of bread – and sex for a chunk of sugar. But the scientists at the Institute of Plant Industry pledge to protect their collection of rare seeds, painstakingly gathered from all over the world, no matter what the human cost. But as the siege continues, the group divides into those who would preserve their principles at the price of starvation, and others who turn to deception – and more sinister measures – to survive. This is a powerful, stunningly precise and beautifully written novel about human nature under life’s harshest pressures. Reminiscent of Rachel Seiffert’s “The Dark Room” and Bernhard Schlink’s “The Reader” in its brevity, spareness and power, it is a quite remarkable debut.
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