The Diamond Eye
A Novel
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4.3 • 338 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Don’t miss the thrilling new novel from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club, coming July 9th!
New York Times Bestseller
The bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet bookworm who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story.
In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kyiv, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son—but Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper—a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.
Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC—until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness.
But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life.
Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
This World War II story is based on the incredible true tale of history’s greatest female sniper. Lyudmila “Mila” Pavlichenko, a young Russian mother and student, must put her skills with a rifle to the test when the Nazis invade her country. Mila’s prowess as a sniper makes her a valued fighter and an international celebrity, leading to a thrilling goodwill tour of the United States that’s filled with romance, unexpected friendships, and some dangerous intrigue. Best-selling historical fiction author Kate Quinn based her novel on Pavlichenko’s own memoir, and she expertly draws us into the sights and sounds of the World War II era. She intersperses Mila’s fascinating story with notes from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who became Mila’s confidante. We loved how much this woman’s thrilling story taught us about war, diplomacy, and overcoming our differences for the greater good.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Quinn (The Rose Code) draws on a historical female sharpshooter from WWII in her exciting latest. In 1937, Mila Pavlichenko studies history at Kiev University and raises her five-year-old son, Slavka. She's estranged from her husband, Alexei, a surgeon whom she met when she was 15. When the Germans invade Russia, Mila, who's already trained at a marksmanship school, enlists in the army, is assigned sniper duty, and earns the nickname "Lady Death" for her high number of kills. In battle, Mila is steadfast about completing her missions with her partner, Kostia, and also finds time to write letters to Slavka. In 1942, Soviet leaders send Mila with a delegation to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Roosevelt in a bid to seek American support. The trip has its highs and lows, as Mila unexpectedly develops a friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, but faces a threat from a misogynistic male marksman who sends her threatening notes. Quinn humanizes Mila by showing how she and Kostia use humor—along with a healthy amount of vodka—to cope with their risk-taking, and she convinces with her description of Eleanor's political savvy and influence on the president. Historical fiction fans will be riveted.
Customer Reviews
Great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Kate Quinn’s The Diamon Eye
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn is an eye opening historical fiction about Russian and Ukrainian female snipers. With careful attention to historical detail, Quinn opens and unfolds the life of Lyudmila Pavlichenko: history lover, hopeful teacher, marksman course taker, Red Army volunteer, decorated sniper, sniper commander and teacher. It’s a story that encompasses Pavlichenko’s life, and Quinn tells Lyudmila’s tale in a compelling way. A key theme that Quinn presents is how gender prejudice is prevalent. Obviously. In the Ukraine and Russia during World War II women were expected to be part of the Red Army. This is a contrast to the North American stereotype during that time that American women were to take care of house and home. There was no allowance that North American women could hold a gun ..only derision for such an idea. And that women could use a gun properly let alone be a stellar sniper outshooting the men, was held as preposterous. Quinn shows how when invited to the US, the journalists jeered at Lyudmila and thought her coming to the US was merely a propaganda scheme. Only when she was in her fifth or sixth US news conference in the vicinity of a shooting range did she get down on the dirt to compete with other men and .. outshot all of them .. using an oversized gun and one she wasn’t familiar with and on top of that dressed in uncomfortable women’s clothing. It’s a great read. Quinn provides YouTube video and other resources to support her research.
Brilliant read!
Another page turner by Kate Quin with very interesting women who have lead truly amazing lives. I find it very interesting to get a look inside the Russian mindset and way of life. How they survived the Second World War, the interesting people they meet, the friendships they make along the way and the amazing stories of how they have loved and lost but continue on to lead fulfilling lives. Another really great read keep them coming Kate Quin you are my new favorite!