5. Blood Red, Snow White // Marcus Sedgwick
Following the adventures of journalist Arthur Ransome (author of Swallows and Amazons) in Russia during the Revolution, this novel is a mix of genres and beautifully written. Drawing from Russian Fairy tales, the spy novel and the themes of classic Russian literature, the narrative weaves between various intertwining stories and characters. Sedgwick’s magical prose smoothly carries us from vast wildernesses to Moscow embassies, changing style but never losing focus. Ransome is faced with life-changing choices: duty or adventure, patriotism or innovation, keeping the peace or battling for true love.
Words by Annabelle Fuller