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  • Shallow Graves in Siberia

  • By: Michael Krupa
  • Narrated by: Branko Tomovic
  • Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (74 ratings)
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Shallow Graves in Siberia cover art

Shallow Graves in Siberia

By: Michael Krupa
Narrated by: Branko Tomovic
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Summary

This is Michael Krupa’s story of how in 1939 he escaped the German invasion of Poland only to be captured by the Red Army, accused of espionage, and interrogated in the notorious Lubianka prison. He was then sent to the infamous Pechora Gulag, where most inmates died of overwork and starvation within a year. Amazingly, Kupra then escaped and made the gruelling journey from Siberia to Afghanistan.

This is a remarkable true story of survival and also gives a chilling insight into the brutality of Stalinist Russia. It reads like a thriller and is in the mould of Defiance, and Touching the Void in tales of human survival and endeavour against the odds.

©2004 Michael Krupa (P)2011 Audible Ltd

What listeners say about Shallow Graves in Siberia

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Astounding true story - pity about the narration

We often hear about amazing stories of human survival and triumph through adversity and this is one that charts a line from the utter depths of degradation to freedom, sometimes through cunning and intelligence, at other times through the kindness of strangers, somtimes through the stupidity of others, and at others through sheer luck. It is a story that needs to be heard as well. The story of a nation suppressed and brutalsied by Uncle Joe Stalin.

But where it disappoints, a little, is in the telling. It is a true life story so it would be unreasonable to expect the pacing and thrills of a novel but it does feel a little one-paced. But the real problem is the narrator - Branko Tomovic - he has an an engaging voice but, clearly English is not his first language, and very often - too often in fact - mis-pronunciations or incorrectly accented syllables make it a little difficult to understand. It's a harsh criticism I know, but I did find it distracting and often found myself having to replay or pause the book to try and check what had actually been said.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Gulag story

A gripping adventure, beautifully narrated! An incredible journey through war-time Russia , the story of capture, life in the labour camps and escape from the horrors of gulag. Highly recommended!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, awful narrator

This is one of my favourite books of all time. It’s a shame that the narrator obviously did his best but English isn’t his mother tongue and therefore adequate to do it justice. Shame really.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Difficult to listen to

A great and important story. I am ver grateful, as I now have a slight idea what my grandfather might have been through. He was captured by the Russians and sent to Siberia. He survived right years of torture and came back a broken hearted man. For the rest of his life he screamed in his sleep, and he was not a nice grandfather to me. But I understand even more now why he was like this, and I know I have his strong heart.

The narrator's English is unfortunately quit bad, and there monotonous voice made me fall asleep many times.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Really enjoyed this. Really good escape and survival account with fantastic narration. Highly recommend

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Narrator awful, story is hard to engage

Ok, so this story is a feat of nerve and mr Krupa is clearly a very special guy to have escaped - indisputable.
However, setting the man aside from the book, the story is not engaging and moves around 7 situational set pieces, much of the rest feels like he smokes a lot and gives people cigarettes a lot too. Much of the journey is also on two trains. There are moments where the prose builds up some characterisation of mr Krupa and those who help him, but they’re fleeting and glancing only rather than providing any insight. For these reasons I feel his story has not been done justice.
I’m not sure how much my engagement is also undermined by the flat voiced polish accented narrator who cannot pronounce either Russian or English well - although he had me in stitches when Michael is delighted by the practical addition to his kit of finding an ‘enema bowl’ (should be enamel), he just sucks all drama and fun from the story.
...but underneath this is hiding what could have been one of the best stories of its kind.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the most amazing audiobook I have ever heard

what a story. amazing and enthralling. binge listened in 3 days and nights. takes you on his amazing journey and what a hero! if you buy one book, make it this. narration was authentic and gripping too. loved it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Astonishing authentic history

This is a wonderful book, full of lessons about the human condition at its brutal cruel worst and its courageous and kind best. The historic account is an absolutely wonderful timeless gift to the world.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

what a story

This story makes you realise how lucky we are to enjoy our freedom. thankyou for sharing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator is fine

Great tale. I was nearly put off by a poor review re The narrator. He was pretty good in my view with some authentic slight mispronunciations. Total admiration for the writer.

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