The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
What's It About?
"Quinn manages to give her readers something that’s both engaging because it’s well written and exciting because it’s grounded in truth."“Quinn manages to give her readers something that’s both engaging because it’s well written and exciting because it’s grounded in truth.”
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Amid WWII, can Lady Death, a quiet bookworm turned lethal sniper, hit her mark?
Based on an incredible true story, Kate Quinn’s latest novel, The Diamond Eye (William Morrow) focuses on the amazing career of Lyudmila (Mila) Pavlichenko, who not only volunteered to defend Mother Russia during WWII but excelled in her role as a sniper — proving to be so lethal that the Nazis nicknamed her “Lady Death.” When news of her record reaches the global stage, she is sent to the United States where her unlikely friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and a connection with a fellow sniper, brings her glimpses of happiness after the horrors and heartbreak endured on the front line. But where there is a President, there are those who wish to see him fail. Can Mila protect her new friends while battling her own demons?
UNFORGETTABLE MOTHER, HISTORIAN, SNIPER, HERO
Before the war, Mila, a young mother and a studious historian-in-training, longed for the day when she could enjoy her career and dedicate more time to her family. Her ex-husband, Alexi, is every woman’s worst nightmare. Charming but also arrogant, deceitful and manipulative, Alexi seduced Mila when she was just 15 before abandoning her and their newborn son. As the war alters Mila’s plans for motherhood and academia, she enlists, using her expert marksman skills (which she develops to be a “father figure” to her son) to do good while protecting her country. Admired by all of those who serve with her, she finds a second chance at love on the front and an army of men who would gladly die by her side as comrades in arms.
When Mila gets injured during a raid and news of her current tally of 309 kills makes her a national heroine, she is sent to the United States as a part of a student delegation, bringing Kostia, her sniper partner, along with her. But who weaseled his way into that delegation? Alexi. He creates problem after problem, completely willing to use his ex-wife and her military career success to his benefit, but that doesn’t stop Mila from charming Americans across the country and delivering her inspiring messages calling for the opening of a second front as well as support from the U.S., who have not yet entered the war. Meanwhile, some anonymous person is slipping threatening notes under her door everywhere she goes. She is always watching her back, and by the end, readers will get to see if that diligence, as well as her “don’t miss” mantra, pays off.
A VERY REAL HEROINE PULLED INTO ENGAGING FICTION
When I say I love Quinn’s novels, I really can’t express how perfect they are to me. While I could certainly gush until the cows come home, that’s not why you (reader of this review) are here. So, allow me to explain what Quinn does so well in The Diamond Eye and why it’s worthy of your time:
First, she’s a master at developing engrossing and engaging plots and prose. This book lives up to its hype, and once again, Quinn has managed to highlight a woman in history who has not been celebrated nearly enough. The amazing thing about this book, which I discovered in the Author’s Note, is that most of the characters, storyline and details come from Mila’s actual memoir, Lady Death: The Memoirs of Stalin’s Sniper. Very little is “made up” in this story, and Quinn manages to give her readers something that’s both engaging because it’s well written and exciting because it’s grounded in truth. You’ll likely have to remind yourself more than once, “Hey, this is a real woman who did all of these things!”
On that note, women are some of the smartest, bravest and most underestimated people on this earth. There, I said it. Throughout this book, we see glimpses of Mila’s friends, who also volunteered for the war and who held equally amazing and demanding roles. In fact, Russia was one of the only nations to let women have front-line duties outside of nursing during WWII. Russia may get a bad wrap, but as Mila notes in her time with the U.S. delegation, women were viewed as equals in Russian society. Why wouldn’t they be expected to defend their country like a man would?
TIMELY AND MUCH-NEEDED GLIMPSES OF HOPE
Finally, though I doubt Quinn could have predicted this, The Diamond Eye is incredibly timely. The Russian/Ukraine war is bringing to light several stories about courage, resilience and kindness during a period of horror, despair and terror. Though Mila refers to herself as a Russian woman, she’s actually Ukrainian. She is tough, powerful and resilient. She is an inspiration to all of those feeling uninspired through this time, and I think that Quinn should be incredibly proud of the woman she has brought to life. It’s hard not to draw parallels to what we see happening today: Mila’s U.S. tour feels a lot like President Zalinski’s calls for aid, for example. But I think one message we can all take away from this book is that there is always hope, and good will always triumph over evil.
If you like historical fiction, this book (and all of Quinn’s books) is certainly for you. Read it to be immersed in this beautiful and gripping story full of intrigue, drama, love and hope. We all need a little hope right now.
For those impacted by this horrific war, our thoughts are with you.
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Kate Quinn’s “The Huntress:” Chase for War Camp Guard
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