{"product_id":"the-prodigal-of-leningrad-9798893480221","title":"The Prodigal of Leningrad","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Taylor's elegantly simple prose is compelling, and his attention to detail is the work of an expert storyteller. An unforgettable book that will resonate with readers of World War Il historical fiction.\" - \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A man's reverence for art leads to wartime defiance in the enchanting historical novel \u003ci\u003eThe Prodigal of Leningrad\u003c\/i\u003e. Told with fabulistic clarity...a moving exploration of what it costs to uphold Christian virtues, including truth and beauty.\" \u003ci\u003eForeword Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn this World War II historical novel set during the harrowing siege of Leningrad, Daniil Aslanov, a docent at the Hermitage Museum, gives tours of empty frames. As the city starves, he battles a secret shame, while his grandfather--a persecuted Orthodox priest exiled to the Gulag--clings to faith.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile bombs fall and starvation grips the city, Daniil Aslanov continues to lead tours of empty frames through the Hermitage Museum. Although the museum's masterpieces have been hidden away for safekeeping, their presence lingers in memory and meaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDaniil's grandfather, an Orthodox priest exiled for decades to the brutal Gulag, embraces suffering as his sacred calling, thanking God for being allowed to minister to those around him. As Leningrad's people perish, Daniil finds himself drawn to the story behind Rembrandt's painting, \"The Return of the Prodigal Son.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeautifully told and based on real historical events, including the extraordinary wartime tours of the Hermitage's empty galleries, \u003ci\u003eThe Prodigal of Leningrad\u003c\/i\u003e is a stirring and unforgettable story of human resilience, and a profound meditation on art, faith, forgiveness and healing. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders of \u003ci\u003eThe Nightingale, A Gentleman in Moscow\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eCity of Thieves, \u003c\/i\u003e and all those interested in World War II history will welcome this important contribution to the genre. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Daniel Taylor\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Paraclete Press (MA)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/27\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 256\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.60lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.52h x 5.61w x 0.71d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798893480221\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2025 pg. 71\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eForeword\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/18\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDaniel Taylor\u003c\/b\u003e (Ph.D., Emory University) \u003cbr\u003eFormerly a professor of literature and writing, \u003cb\u003eDaniel Taylor\u003c\/b\u003e has published books on a a wide range of topics from informal apologetics, to books to the role of stories in shaping our lives to Celtic Christianity. He is the author of the four-novel John Mote mystery series, beginning with \u003ci\u003eDeath Comes for the Deconstructionist\u003c\/i\u003e and concluding with \u003ci\u003eThe Mystery of Iniquity\u003c\/i\u003e. He collaborated on several Bible translations, including the \u003ci\u003eNew Living Translation\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Expanded Bible\u003c\/i\u003e. Taylor is co-founder of The Legacy Center, an organization devoted to helping individuals and organizations identify and preserve the values and stories that have shaped their lives. He was a contributing editor of \u003ci\u003eBooks and Culture.\u003c\/i\u003e Taylor is married and the father of four adult children.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Daniel Taylor \/ Paperback \/ English","offer_id":47629518373021,"sku":"9798893480221","price":37.69,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_0a4dc7e1-b633-4a31-8ef8-6d7a1adad961.jpg?v=1770190676","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/the-prodigal-of-leningrad-9798893480221","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}