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Shallow Graves in Siberia
- Narrated by: Branko Tomovic
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Military & War
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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.
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What listeners say about Shallow Graves in Siberia
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- James Tobiasen
- 01-06-13
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.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Adrian S
- 23-12-12
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!
2 people found this helpful
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- yvy
- 03-04-22
Brilliant
Really enjoyed this. Really good escape and survival account with fantastic narration. Highly recommend
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- R. SMITH
- 01-05-20
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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- Richard
- 23-12-19
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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- Michael Ahern
- 27-08-19
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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- Anna
- 26-08-19
what a story
This story makes you realise how lucky we are to enjoy our freedom. thankyou for sharing.
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- Philto
- 17-07-19
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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- Bangor
- 16-11-17
Excellent quick insight
Enjoyed the listen. The story flew, a brave man in horrible times. Could have another few chapters on his life thereafter
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- Drew
- 23-08-17
Gripping story of resilience
really enjoyed hearing this account. well read and the authors accent helps the listening environment. can only admire Michael's character and resilience in persisting to achieve freedom. Insight into life in Stalin's dictatorship and the terrible society he created. horrific in parts.
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- Curatina
- 23-11-11
Harrowing Story of Survival
This is a nearly incredible story of a young man who during WWII was caught up in the eerily irrational cruel world of the Stalin Gulag. The story tells of the terrible treatment of prisoners, and the tender heroism of those who helped the narrator escape. It???s a one of a kind memoir.
The Narrator adopts a very slight polish accent, but it does not intrude or distract from the reading of the book.
3 people found this helpful
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- Jayne
- 07-05-13
Amazing Story of Courage against all Odds
Would you listen to Shallow Graves in Siberia again? Why?
I would listen to it a couple of years from now. This book reads as if it is a movie.
Suspenseful, Fast Moving, and Gripping!
What did you like best about this story?
Michael Krupa is a man of faith. The overall story tells of many tragic near-death situations that are true to life and really happened. Although he never refers to this, as the listener, I began to believe that Michael received help from above. There were too many circumstances with an innocent bystander coming along side Michael getting him through really tough scrapes to believe they were accidental.
I liked Michael's prayerful approach to God, Our Savior, and believe that his conditions moved his heart - Bigtime. There is no more honest prayer than from a person who is in dire and desparate circumstances……
God brought him to freedom….
Which scene was your favorite?
Crossing the border
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
How much do we appreciate our freedom?
Any additional comments?
It is unbelievable how cruel and evil some people can be…….This book is a battle between
Good and Evil -
Proof that God is here if we call on him
Proof that the devil is also here and will harm us if he can.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kolya
- 26-02-18
My review
Sad and inspiring. Brilliant and courageous. Well worth the read. This is a must read.
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- Jennifer
- 21-02-17
Awe inspiring true story of survival
Rarely does a book or story truly impact ones life, leaving in its aftermath profound contemplation. I thank God, Micheal Krupa lived to share his experience. And I thank Michael Krupa for having the heart to write it all down. A great treasure in the annals of the human race.
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- Jeffrey
- 11-03-11
Native English Speaking Readers Only PLEASE
One of my pet peeves with audible is mushy unintelligible readers....
This garbling is compounded by using a non-native speaker of english
as reader....so many utterly weird pronunciations...absolute gibberish!
Don't bother with this book
What idiot makes these stupid decisions?
5 people found this helpful