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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
City of Thieves summary
David Benioff
Brief summary
City of Thieves is a gripping historical fiction set during the Siege of Leningrad. It follows the journey of two unlikely friends as they embark on a dangerous quest for a dozen eggs in a city torn apart by war.
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City of Thieves
Summary of key ideas
Survival Amidst Chaos
In City of Thieves, David Benioff takes us into the heart of the Nazi-encircled Leningrad, where we meet Lev Beniov, a hapless seventeen-year-old Jewish boy. When he's arrested for looting a German paratrooper's corpse, things seem bleak. Lev, however, isn’t facing his fate alone. His cellmate, Kolya, a charismatic, handsome, and sometimes maddeningly casual Red Army deserter, provides company and a stark contrast to Lev’s quiet demeanor.
Just when they prepare themselves for the worst during their harsh imprisonment, they are given an unusual ultimatum. The prisoners are saved from execution, but at a cost. They are assigned an almost impossible mission - to bring Colonel Grechko, a high-ranking Soviet officer, a dozen eggs for his daughter’s wedding cake within a week. What ensues is a dangerous and action-packed hunt in a city where people are killed for a loaf of bread.
An Unlikely Bond
The narrative follows Lev and Kolya as they navigate through treacherous territories, all in the bid to find a dozen eggs in a famished city. Despite their different personalities, Lev’s seriousness and Kolya’s joviality, they form an unexpected bond. Along this journey, they encounter many characters - from partisan resistance fighters to vengeful Nazis - all crafted beautifully by Benioff.
As their quest becomes more desperate and perilous, we witness Lev’s gradual transformation from a boy to a man. Under Kolya’s tutelage, he learns to take risks, play poker, talk to women, and endure the brutalities of war. Their camaraderie is tested and strengthened by their shared experiences and conflicts.
The Cruelty & Absurdity of War
The book successfully portrays the grim and often horrific realities of war, encapsulated in the details of the harsh winters and starvation that plagued Leningrad’s inhabitants. Benioff contrasts this morbidity with lighter moments of humor and camaraderie. Furthermore, the backdrop of war brings light to the paradoxical situations and the absurdity of their quest - searching for eggs in a city where every crumb of bread is a luxury.
Lev and Kolya’s journey takes a dramatic turn when they stumble across a farmhouse inhabited by a cannibalistic Nazi officer, ‘Abendroth the Einsatz’. In a tense standoff, Lev kills Abendroth in a dueling match, thereby saving the lives of two girls held hostage. They also manage to retrieve the dozen coveted eggs.
Triumph & Heartbreak
At the climax of City of Thieves, the unlikely duo manage to return to Leningrad with the eggs, completing their mission. However, on their return, they realize that the wedding has occurred without the cake due to the bride's death amid bombing. The outcome of their quest is bittersweet, underscoring the brutal cost of their survival and the transience of victory in war.
The book ends with Lev living a long, fulfilling life after the war, but the memories of their heroic and terrifying week linger, as does his undying love for Kolya, who gives his life for their country. In City of Thieves, David Benioff has managed to create a beautifully balanced piece of work that contains just as much humor as it does heartbreak and serves as a stirring testament to human resilience in the face of war.
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What is City of Thieves about?
City of Thieves is a gripping wartime novel by David Benioff. Set in besieged Leningrad during World War II, two unlikely companions embark on a perilous mission to find a dozen eggs for a Soviet colonel's daughter's wedding cake. As they navigate the chaos and dangers of the city, they discover courage, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Who should read City of Thieves?
- Fans of historical fiction
- Readers interested in World War II stories
- Those who enjoy character-driven narratives
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