David Benioff

City of Lies

 

This historical fiction novel is just damn good storytelling. Its American-born narrator tells the gripping story of his Russian grandfather’s (and grandmother’s) adventure during the World War II siege of Leningrad as the Germans advanced from the south. Benioff, via his narrator (who likely echoes his grandfathers’ storytelling voice), does not shy away from the seriousness of the topic and nevertheless retells the story with a wry sense of humor.