Loved this book about a brilliant female sniper. I read diamond eye by Kate Quinn and that gave me some helpful background info, but I really enjoyed reading what were essentially pages from her journal. I started in audiobook form but switched to a physical book because the Russian names are hard to keep track of!

It was fascinating to read the writing of a World War II veteran of Sevastopol. The author’s description of Eleanor Roosevelt seemed truthful to me and I found that recollection to be quite compelling. It’s really something that the two of them maintained a relationship for years after the end of World War II and specifically after the change in relationship between our two countries.

Detailed, yet interesting account from a top USSR sniper. I was inspired by her fearlessness both on and off the battlefield. Her passion and gift as a sniper is evident in this book through her descriptions of operations and discussion of general marksmanship. Readers do not necessarily need to be interested in shooting to enjoy what she has written because her talent and familiarity with her weapon exudes passion and excitement.

If you want to hear a woman say, “Every fascist must meet death” quite a few times, this book (and audiobook) are for you! I am not generally a fan of military history, but this story is gripping. It is also very interesting to compare the history of my country (USA) to Russian history. Of course the author wanted to show Stalin’s Russia in a good light, but as she comments on segregation and the American journalists’ preoccupation with her femininity, we can see that US exceptionalism is a myth.

I am convinced Lyudmila Pavlichenko and Eleanor Roosevelt had a queer fling after this. Calling her "my darling" exclusively, sleeping on Eleanor's shoulder, staying in hotels together across the country, FOREHEAD KISSES. It's not my biggest takeaway but it was definitely the hot take I was NOT expecting to find.

It was also a beautiful and brutal account of being an incredibly accurate female sniper for the Soviet Union. All in all, a great read. Lydumila was a badass and I want to paint her likeness.