The Whisperers

A gripping and emotional account of lives lived in impossible timesDrawing on a huge range of sources - letters, memoirs, conversations - Orlando Figes tells the story of how Russians tried to endure life under Stalin. Those who shaped the political system became, very frequently, its victims. Those who were its victims were frequently quite blameless. The Whisperers recreates the sort of maze in which Russians found themselves, where an unwitting wrong turn could either destroy a family or, perversely, later save it- a society in which everyone spoke in whispers - whether to protect themselves, their families, neighbours or friends - or to inform on them.

Short-listed for Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2008

“'Wonderful hellip; an amazing panoramic view hellip; I've rarely read anything like it' Claire Tomalin'Awesome hellip; one of the most unforgettable books I have ever read. I defy anyone to read it without weeping at its human suffering, cruelty and courage hellip; a celebration of family love in an epoch of hellish cruelty hellip; now in this book these righteous heroes have their rightful memorial' - Simon Sebag Montefiore, Mail on Sunday'This is a heart-rending book hellip; its importance cannot be overestimated hellip; This book should be made compulsory reading in Russia today' - Antony Beevor, author of, Stalingrad'A masterful account of lost and stolen lives' Sunday Times”

Wonderful ... an amazing panoramic view ... I've rarely read anything like it Claire Tomalin Awesome ... one of the most unforgettable books I have ever read. I defy anyone to read it without weeping at its human suffering, cruelty and courage ... a celebration of family love in an epoch of hellish cruelty ... now in this book these righteous heroes have their rightful memorial -- Simon Sebag Montefiore Mail on Sunday This is a heart-rending book ... its importance cannot be overestimated ... This book should be made compulsory reading in Russia today -- Antony Beevor, author of Stalingrad A masterful account of lost and stolen lives Sunday Times

Orlando Figes is Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London. His books include A People's Tragedy and Natasha's Dance.

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