Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book. 1. The story of City of Thieves would make a compelling film. Which actors might bring Lev, Kolya, and Vika to life most effectively, and why? 2. You have been asked to create a piece of music that captures the essence of Lev and Kolya’s journey. What instruments, tempo, and mood would you incorporate to represent their evolving relationship and the environment they traverse? 3. The relationship between Lev and Vika continues many years beyond the scope of the novel. Write a brief scene that might have occurred between them five years after the war. Need more inspiration for your next meeting? <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/resources/#book-club-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Browse all of our Book Club Resources</a>.

Creative Engagement

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of graphic violence and illness or death. Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book. 1. City of Thieves opens with a <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/literary-devices/#narrative" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">framing device</a> wherein the narrator is interviewing his grandfather about his wartime experiences. How did this structure affect your reading experience? Did learning from the beginning that Lev would survive and marry Vika enhance or diminish the story’s tension? 2. The novel balances horrific depictions of wartime suffering with moments of humor and friendship. How effective did you find this contrast? Did the moments of levity make the darker aspects more bearable, or did they feel out of place? 3. What did you think about the unusual quest for <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/symbols-and-motifs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eggs</a> as the central plot device in a war novel? Have you read other books that use seemingly trivial quests to explore serious historical events—e.g., <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/all-the-light-we-cannot-see/summary/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All the Light We Cannot See</a> by Anthony Doerr? If so, how does City of Thieves compare?

General Impressions

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism. 1. How does the character of <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/major-character-analysis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colonel Grechko</a> represent the moral complexities of the novel? Does the text present him as a villain, a victim of the system, or something more nuanced? 2. Examine the significance of <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/symbols-and-motifs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eggs</a> as both literal plot device and a <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/metaphor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">metaphorical</a> element in the novel. What do they represent beyond their face value? 3.<a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/major-character-analysis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Lev and Kolya</a> serve as character <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/literary-devices/#character" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">foils</a> throughout the novel. How do their different personalities, backgrounds, and approaches to life highlight the novel’s <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/themes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">themes</a>? 4. The novel can be read as <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/major-character-analysis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lev</a>’s coming-of-age story. What specific moments mark his <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/themes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">transition from boy to man</a>? Is there a single defining moment, or is it a gradual process? 5. How does Benioff use <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/symbols-and-motifs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">food</a> imagery throughout the novel to develop themes of deprivation, power, and desire? What other sensory descriptions does he use effectively? 6. The novel often uses <a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/symbols-and-motifs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">phallic symbols</a> like weapons to represent power and manhood. How does this symbolism contribute to communicating Lev’s coming-of-age? Where does the novel most effectively use this symbolism?

Literary Analysis

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences. 1. Lev stays in Leningrad against his mother’s wishes, wanting to defend his city and prove himself a man. Reflect on a time when you chose to take a stand or make a difficult choice that others advised against. What motivated your decision? 2. Throughout the novel, Lev struggles with feelings of cowardice and inadequacy compared to Kolya. Have you ever experienced similar feelings of inadequacy when comparing yourself to someone else? How did you overcome these feelings? 3. The friendship between Lev and Kolya develops quickly under extreme circumstances. Have you ever formed a deep bond with someone in an unusually short period of time? What circumstances facilitated this connection? 4.<a href="https://www.supersummary.com/city-of-thieves/symbols-and-motifs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Food</a> plays a central role in the novel, representing not just survival but also luxury, power, and hope. Describe a time when a particular food held a meaning for you beyond basic sustenance. How did this change your relationship with that food? 5. Lev initially is jealous of Kolya’s confidence and charm, especially with women, but later comes to admire his bravery and kindness. Has your perception of someone ever shifted dramatically from initial dislike to deep appreciation? If so, what prompted this change?

Personal Reflection and Connection

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes. 1. City of Thieves portrays both the Nazi siege and the oppressive nature of the Soviet regime. How does the novel present the moral complexities of wartime, when even the “good guys” might commit terrible acts? 2. The novel depicts the siege of Leningrad, during which approximately 1 million civilians died, yet Western literature portrays this historical event less frequently than other World War II events. Why do you think certain historical tragedies receive more attention than others in cultural memory? 3. The novel’s characters go to extreme lengths to survive, including cannibalism. How does the novel challenge readers to consider what they might do in similar circumstances? Do you think moral boundaries become more flexible during extreme situations like war? Why or why not?

Societal and Cultural Context

Genres

Action & Adventure

Fiction

Historical Fiction

Book Events

Memorial Day Reads

History: World

Military Reads

World War II

David Benioff

Adult

Novel

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore City of Thieves and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

City of Thieves Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

City of Thieves Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

City of Thieves Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-10

City of Thieves Chapters 7-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-14

City of Thieves Chapters 11-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-16

City of Thieves Chapters 15-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-18

City of Thieves Chapters 17-18 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 19-21

City of Thieves Chapters 19-21 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 22-24

City of Thieves Chapters 22-24 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 25-27

City of Thieves Chapters 25-27 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

City of Thieves Character Analysis

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Themes

City of Thieves Themes

Symbols & Motifs

City of Thieves Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

City of Thieves Important Quotes with Page Numbers

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Essay Topics

City of Thieves Essay Topics

Introduction

City of Thieves Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

City of Thieves Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

City of Thieves Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

City of Thieves Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

City of Thieves Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

City of Thieves Activities

Essay Questions

City of Thieves Essay Questions

Exam Questions

City of Thieves Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

City of Thieves Exam Answer Key

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Book Club Questions

City of Thieves Book Club Questions