Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn is a heart-pounding novel of heroism and desperation. Ludmila (Mila) Pavlichenko is 15 when she is romanced by an ass of a man who gets her pregnant. He’s a doctor and incredibly demeaning to her, but Mila’s father knows high-ranking Soviets and they are married. Mila is a scholar and between working in a factory and studying at university, she is able to support her son with the help of her parents. But Hilter’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia upends her plans and suddenly she is working as sniper.
The callous nature of her husband meant that she was doing rifle training so she could be father and mother to her son. “Never miss” became her mantra and during the war, it meant she was a lethal hunter. Mila becomes known as Lady Death. She has two wartime romances and finds herself on the American goodwill tour to convince Roosevelt to send troops to help the Soviets. It’s in Washington DC where she befriends Eleanor Roosevelt.
The author’s note at the end of Kate Quinn’s novels are always informative and this one is extraordinary. This is the little-known story of an incredible woman who did remarkable things.
Check out Kate Quinn’s website for more.
The audiobook has fantastic production quality. This one is a great listen.
Published by HarperCollins Canada