Join AD Miller to talk about SNOWDROPS, our January Book of the Month, on Tuesday Jan 31, 9-10pm

[TillyBookClub]

Shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize, January's Book of the Month is a superbly chilling novel that's perfect for frozen winter days.

SNOWDROPS is set in the tawdry, corrupt underbelly of Moscow, where murder victims lie hidden in the snow until the spring thaw brings them to the surface. Nick, a high flying British lawyer, has begun a new life in the city, negotiating with oil barons, exploring the maze of streets crammed with expense-account brothels, power plants, glitzy restaurants and gridlocked traffic. His guide is the enigmatic Masha, who inexorably reels him into a morally ambiguous and self-deluded love affair.

Cool, complex and menacing, this is, as the Spectator put it 'a heady noseful of Moscow, an intoxicating perfume that will whirl you off your feet and set your moral compass spinning'.

You can find out more at our book of the month page.

Atlantic are giving 50 free copies to Mumsnetters - to claim yours, send your name and address to [email protected], putting Mumsnet/Snowdrops in the Subject Bar.

And if you're not lucky enough to bag one of those, don't forget you can get your paperback or version here

We're delighted that A.D Miller will be joining us for the webchat on Tuesday 31 January, 9-10pm. Look forward to seeing you there.

I bought this book a ccouple of days ago. Was wary after seeing some of the comments on here but I have to say I enjoyed it. Thought the description of life in post soviet moscow was excellent.

I dont know if I would describe it as a thriller as I agree-it wasnt that thrilling. I think it was more pyschological-looking at the influence of moscow,its culture and its people on nicks life.

Shortlisted for the man booker prize?!

Just finished reading this book. I pick my books normally by the blurb on the back and if I can read and like the first page. This one fitted that category and I enjoyed it. I found some of the names of places and people difficult and a bit confusing, but i'm not used to anything Russian. I think perhaps it needed a little more explanation about his fiance and why Nick felt the need to write to her- perhaps after an argument for example. I realised about three quarters of the way through that it was a con or long con ala too much watching Hustle on Tv. I think he did feel guilt especially for Tatiana but he got sucked in to the Russian life and his feelings for Masha. He was spending a lot of time thinking with his trousers. His neighbours very appropriate comments didn't make him think enough, his friend the journalist came out with comments too but always that little too late. I can't believe in the world of business even in Russia that they allowed the Cossack to get away with so much. I think he should have felt more anger at being duped over the money. I liked the final phonecall with Katya a confirmation of his naievity yet still left things (like Tatiana's fate) unsaid. Katya gave impression that there was more than a con to Masha's relationship with Nick and perhaps could have given him idea her son was at risk if she didn't.
Not my normal sort of read but it was good.

My question to AD Miller is this 'have you ever been in a similar situation to Nick where someone has tried or even suceeded in duping you? Was it an influence for the book and did you learn from it?'

I'm about half-way through. I like anything Russian usually - the hostility of the place and its checkered history provides an interesting setting - but have to say its slow going and am finding myself getting into bed of an evening and thinking, "should read some of that really" and then spending 2 hours browsing AIBU.
Don't tell me what happens. I gather Nickolai/Kolya (thinking of calling my next child Kolya although I noticed the character's known as "thick Nick" on this thread and I certainly imagine him as a somewhat pasty/waxy fellow with a bit of a paunch) has it off with someone other than Masha....? Not Tatiana Vladimirovna surely? Katya then? The 'sister'? No, don't tell me.

Haven't read Snowdrops and didn't get book tokens for Xmas this year, so will have to wait until someone lends it to me, sorry Mr Miller times is tight.

From what people say it sounds a bit like Futility by Gerhardie, Has anyone read that? I'd be interested to know how they compare?

I enjoyed this book more than I initially thought i would. The descriptions of Russia & Moscow were intriguing & actually drew me in despite my misgivings. I did feel it was more like a short story, but that's probably due to the tomes i read before it (The Pillars of the Earth/World without End).

I agree that Nick did deep down understand what was happening but went along with it anyway & that it was more of a psychological study of his guilt at being involved (or lack of it?).

As a letter to his fiancée I have to agree that surely the chances of the wedding going ahead after her reading it would be slim!

Does anyone have any thoughts on what they took the fate of Tatiana to be?

I really don't think it is Booker Prize material, more something one would pick up at an airport. It is not a bad book but too cliched and derrivative. I would say that Tatiana was murdered rjsmum11.

What was with the whole thing of Tatiana seemingly going along with her own exploitation? Pretty unlikely I'd say.

Just finished and was drawn in much more than I was expecting. In reply to Kumquatsaretheonlyfruit I felt Tatiana's acceptance was a last fling. The Old russia vs the new. She is loving the attention and the fantasy of the move and the memory of the woods but knows she would never be able to do it, her life in her home has gone and there is no life beyond. That was my take -I am wrong Mr. Miller?

PS What has happened to HullyGully -has she been removed by the FSB?

If you are out there Hully - I meant that in a positive way, you comments made me want to read this book as much as any review!

This wasn't the crime/murder/thriller that the blurb lead me to think but I enjoyed the depiction of Russia very much. I've never been to Russia and now Mr Miller I don't think I ever will. I can still picture the scenes of Russia you created and for me, this was the aspect of the book that will stay with me. I found your characters mostly unlikeable though and agree that would have liked a snippet more about why the whopper of a letter was being written. Had I received such a letter, I would have been looking to see if I couldnreturn my dress and cancel the venue.

My question is this - how did you anticipate Nick being received by readers? I found him exasperating. Was this the intention?

A quick reminder that Mr Miller will be here tomorrow, 9-10pm, replying to the above messages, and more... See you then...

Hello Mr Miller, am halfway through Snowdrops and really enjoying it. I agree with whereismywine that your amazing descriptions of Russia make me never want to visit! My question/s are how long did you have to spend in those horrendous winters to be able to describe it so well and is this really an accurate depiction of the Russia of today or have things moved on since then (i.e. do the attractive girls still try and hook an Oligarch as a career path?)

Really looking forward to the webchat tonight :)

I always manage to miss the live chats so I will leave my question now.
I've read that you have been both a journalist and a fiction author. Which do you prefer to read and also which you prefer to write?
Are you a big fiction fan and if so, what book have you got on the go at the moment?

Here is my question rephrased:

I am guessing that Tatiana represents the 'Old' Russia being overtaken by the 'New' but why was she so complicit in her own exploitation and (inferring here) demise?

Oh, and another -

The male characters (Nick et al) are pretty vile and exploitative. Do you see your novel as having a feminist message?

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Do you think it would help if I was him for a bit and answered a few of the questions? Just out of kindness.

:) naughty Hullygully!

Actually I'll join you. I am Tatiana. I'm wearing out of fashion clothes, sensible shoes and have a 'solid' build. I have a somewhat worn yet trusting look on my face.

Is it time to sing Babushka yet?

Werrrr is my wodka?

Hello Tatiana. You have a face like a potato, but the soul of a bear. A Russian bear that walks alone through frozen woods, massy and dignified. You ARE Great Mother Russia, crushed under the stiletto heels of the flighty near naked New Russian lapdancing Barbies.

My heart cries for you. I dash my glass into the fire and dance wildly, like a cossack. Not the naughty cossack-oligarch, you understand.

I have drunken your wodka. You don't need wodka, I will recite Lermontov for you and your heart will swell. Have you taken your statins?