Suzanne Parry

Discussion Guide – Lost Souls of Leningrad

1. Before reading Lost Souls of Leningrad, what did you know about the Soviet Union’s
tragic experience in World War II and important role in defeating Nazi Germany? Had
you heard of the Siege of Leningrad and were you aware of the enormous civilian
casualties the Soviet Union endured in that city?

2. Describe Sofya. What kind of woman is she?

3. What aspects of Soviet society, either before or during the war, did you find surprising,
unsettling, or horrifying?

4. Vasili’s position and knowledge allows Sofya to prepare for the coming war. Did her
ability to secretly hoard food make all the difference in terms of survival? What other
things contributed to Sofya and Yelena’s ability to fend off starvation? What helped them
stay strong emotionally?

5. Which of the four main characters did you find most relatable? How much were Vasili,
Pavel, Sofya, and Yelena driven by a sense of duty? By fear of their own government?

6. Besides access to food, what do you think helped some people survive while others
succumbed? Luck? Determination? Ruthlessness?

7. Were you surprised to learn of the role music and literature played in the suffering city?

8. As Leningrad crumbled, how did Sofya and Yelena maintain their humanity and
compassion?

9. In Lost Souls of Leningrad, love nurtures hope for the future, provides solace and
practical support, and is an important component of survival. How did each of the three
relationships—Sofya and Vasili, Yelena and Pavel, and Sofya and Yelena—help the
characters survive? Which of these love stories do you think was the most important?

10. Is resilience inborn or learned? Do we all have a reservoir of resilience?