"An exceptional debut novel. . . . Delving into Nina's life with the Bolshoi Ballet, her life among the Soviet Union's artist community and her escape from the Stalinist regime add glamour and historical flavor to this novel of secrets, intrigue and wonderfully described priceless gems." -- USA Today

"With sure and suspenseful artistry, Daphne Kalotay intersperses the unfortunate and tortuous histories of Nina, Elsin, and their artist friends with new discoveries and disclosures. The several stories draw together in a conclusion that is surprising, fitting, and satisfying." -- Boston Globe

"[A] magnificent tale of love, loss, betrayal and redemption. . . . The emotional center of the book holds everything together. . . . [A] final riptide of revelations leaves the reader profoundly moved." -- Washington Post Book World

"This tale of a Russian ballerina who defected to Boston is a history lesson inside an evocative novel about art and betrayal." -- O magazine

"Part romance, part mystery, this elegant debut captures the danger--and refuge--of love in Stalin's era." -- Good Housekeeping

"RUSSIAN WINTER. . . is engaging and affecting. It could well be the debut novel of the year." -- Philadelphia Inquirer

"A complex story that, in the end, boils down to the simplest of elements: love, fear, disappointment and loss. An auspicious first novel, elegantly written and without a false note." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Kalotay has created appealing, well-rounded characters in well-researched settings. . . . This is a briskly paced, fresh, and engaging first novel dealing with the pain of loss and the power of love." -- Booklist

"Kalotay has brought to life hidden worlds with the verve of an expertly executed tour jeté.<