Rating: 
Summary: Not much of a novel.
Review: OK, I know this story first hand, literally. I was stunned by the author's grasp of the details, of his ability to state bluntly the utter banality of so many of the things American men find so irresistable about Russian women. However, the story itself is as dry as dust. Greenburg's attention to the codification of the American-man-meets-gorgeous-Russian-woman-and-falls-madly-and-irrationally-in-love story is noble, but as the relationships themselves, the story is completely lacking in literary merit. It's old hat now.
Rating: 
Summary: Banality in Print
Review: Reading most of the previous reviews, I have to wonder if I just finished the same book. However, one reviewer used the term banal and that's a good summary for this whole book: the characters (especially Daniel), the plot (such as it is) and the writing. Well, ok, the writing isn't banal but it's nothing special. I kept thinking something interesting might happen to the hapless and aimless Daniel to at least make this book worth finishing. In the end, I finished it only because I also went to Russia just after the collapse of the USSR and it brought back some memories of Russia and its beautiful women. But just barely.
Rating:
Summary: Banality in Print
Review: Reading most of the previous reviews, I have to wonder if I just finished the same book. However, one reviewer used the term banal and that's a good summary for this whole book: the characters (especially Daniel), the plot (such as it is) and the writing. Well, ok, the writing isn't banal but it's nothing special. I kept thinking something interesting might happen to the hapless and aimless Daniel to at least make this book worth finishing. In the end, I finished it only because I also went to Russia just after the collapse of the USSR and it brought back some memories of Russia and its beautiful women. But just barely.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting American/Russian perspective piece.
Review: Russophiles will enjoy this novel--- those not so interested in Russia and its people might not find it as interesting. The novel is well-written, albeit a bit vague. I think the biggest problem I had with the novel was the vagueness of the main character, Daniel. The character seemed slightly unreal, which is odd, since the novel is supposed to be semi-autobiographical. His lack of self-awareness, and drive was just depressing. It seemed like he had no thoughts on what was going on in his life. Perhaps that is the character the author wished to portray, but I found his indifference irritating. It, in fact, made the novel a bit difficult to read. The insights into the Soviet Union, and subsequently Russia were the most interesting to me. Viewing this nation from the perspective of an American was certainly interesting. I will be visiting Russia shortly, and it will be interesting to compare Daniel's visions with my own. Leaving Katya is a quick read, and the author characterizes Katya well, while she is not the main focus of the novel. If the author were as clear with Daniel's character, perhaps I would have given it a 5 star rating. Overall, I found it an enjoyable, quick read. I read it in about a day, and found it to be interesting, captivating at some points, and overall a good read. 6/13/02
Rating:
Summary: Interesting American/Russian perspective piece.
Review: Russophiles will enjoy this novel--- those not so interested in Russia and its people might not find it as interesting. The novel is well-written, albeit a bit vague. I think the biggest problem I had with the novel was the vagueness of the main character, Daniel. The character seemed slightly unreal, which is odd, since the novel is supposed to be semi-autobiographical. His lack of self-awareness, and drive was just depressing. It seemed like he had no thoughts on what was going on in his life. Perhaps that is the character the author wished to portray, but I found his indifference irritating. It, in fact, made the novel a bit difficult to read. The insights into the Soviet Union, and subsequently Russia were the most interesting to me. Viewing this nation from the perspective of an American was certainly interesting. I will be visiting Russia shortly, and it will be interesting to compare Daniel's visions with my own. Leaving Katya is a quick read, and the author characterizes Katya well, while she is not the main focus of the novel. If the author were as clear with Daniel's character, perhaps I would have given it a 5 star rating. Overall, I found it an enjoyable, quick read. I read it in about a day, and found it to be interesting, captivating at some points, and overall a good read. 6/13/02
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Love Story Since...
Review: Sophie's Choice or even Anna Karenina! Set in New York and St. Petersburg! From the man's point of view! Gorgeously written! Darkly Humorous! This book does New York justice, it does women justice, it does love justice. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Rating:
Summary: a novel that is close to life
Review: this is a novel that breathes life, almost as a real diary of an evolving relationship. i could not put it down, and was admiring of paul's sparing, sometimes haunting prose and hilarious description of a certain television station in siberia.
Rating:
Summary: An insightful novel about love and cultural disconnect
Review: This is a slyly funny, moving and articulate book that will ring bells with anyone who has lived abroad in a land they don't quite understand or who has tried to be in a relationship with someone from a very different background. The main character in the book, Daniel (a 20-something recently out of college who is trying to form his career and his identity) hooks up with a Russian woman, Katya, and finds the foreigness right in his own bedroom. The odd couple ends up getting married (is it love or convenience, or a mix of both?) and writer Paul Greenberg explores the resulting emotional tangle in a way that will make you fondly remember (or cringe over) your first really intense love affair. This book is a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Sly, Engaging Look at a Russian-American Love Affair
Review: Wow! Paul Greenberg's splendid literary debut is the best I've read from a fellow Brown alumnus who didn't concentrate in literature or writing. Paul gives a captivating look at different notions of love and relationships across a tangled amorous Iron Curtain of the protagonists' own making. His descriptions of life in Russia and here in New York City are replete with authenticity, told by someone who is obviously well acquainted with life in the former Soviet Union as well as the United States. I am quite impressed with Paul's succinct, lyrical prose. Like others I wonder how he'll follow up this impressive debut with a second novel. Surely Paul Greenberg is a writer whose future work I look forward to reading, and one worthy of subsequent critical acclaim.
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