A Mountain of Crumbs : A Memoir
by Elena Gorokhova

This book has had so much fanfare for months. The reviews have been over the top. I really should stop reading them.
The author grew up in Leningrad during the 1960s. She tells of the deprivation her family went through. I suffered just trying to read the first couple of chapters.
Elena Gorokhova always loved the English language and always wanted to write. Her mentor was Frank McCourt when she took a class taught by him.
Nothing irritates me more than when an author uses metaphors constantly as is the case here. All it is is filler and doesn't add anything to the story. It detracts from it.
No gorgeous writing as many critics have exclaimed. If anything, the writing seems forced and not natural.
There are many more excellent books about Russia, so don't bother with "A Mountain of Crumbs."