Extraordinary...Lilin serves up brilliantly harrowing set-pieces, but also illuminates the soul of the warrior.
* Scotland on Sunday *
A pitiless account . . . pierced with firm feelings for his 'family' of fellow saboteurs - as well as an existential sorrow over a war that made so little sense that peace, when it finally came, felt incomprehensible.
* Metro *
A young Russian soldier's brutal memoir.
* Times *
Force yourself to forget about categories of good and evil, you have to just be there and read . . . produces a thrill of pleasure that is hard to forget.
- Roberto Saviano, author of GOMORRAH, * [on SIBERIAN EDUCATION] *
Lilin's astonishing account of his life takes you into some very strange worlds; frightening, violent and yet with spirited moments of redemption which both offer hope and keep you reading . . . a breath-taking memoir.
- Misha Glenny, * Mail on Sunday [on SIBERIAN EDUCATION] *
A marvellous and illuminating book . . .This story makes most of what we call true crime writing seem insipid and effete.
- Irvine Welsh, * [on SIBERIAN EDUCATION] *