Maureen Cavanaugh: A novel set during the occupation of Leningrad during World War II, with much of the plot revolving around a search for eggs, is not what you'd call a likely topic from the pen of a Hollywood screenwriter. But while a brief description of David Benioff's novel City of Thieves may seem an odd addition to his resume, the book itself is full of screen-ready characters, action and drama. The novel follows the story of teenage citizen-soldier Lev and his more wordly-companion Kolya as they endure starvation, imprisonment and are sent on an almost impossible mission. Along the way, the novel explores the ravages and lunacy of a long-ago war, in a remarkably contemporary way.
City of Thieves has just come out in paperback. Author David Benioff's first novel The 25th Hour, was made into a movie by Spike Lee. And he's also written the screenplay for this year's X-Men spin-off Wolverine
David Benioff will sign copies of his book City of Thieves this Saturday night, April 18th, at 7:30pm at Warwicks Bookstore in La Jolla.
Guest:
David Benioff is an author and screenwriter. His latest book is City of Thieves, which has just come out in paperback. It debuted at #4 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
