Roads is the story of a Russian family struggling to survive the Nazi occupation of their native Yalta towards the end of World War II. It follows their experiences through German labor camps and the bombing of Dresden; tells how they lose one another and manage, through refugee networks and pure chance, to reunite, their lives irretrievably changed. Here are some endorsements the book has been honored to receive:

“Riveting, heartbreaking, and beautifully written, Roads takes us deep into the black heart of Nazi Germany, finding not only horror and despair but a stubborn and tenacious hope and a kind of clarity about what it means to be human.”—Christina Baker Kline, NY Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and A Piece of the World

 “Like The Madonnas of Leningrad, Marina Antropow Cramer’s  sweeping novel brings to life the suffering of ordinary  Russians during WWII. With richly evoked compassion, Roads  shows us the power of family and love to survive in the face  of devastation.”— Laurie Lico Albanese, author  of Stolen  Beauty  

“With more than apt characterization, Cramer explores characters' adaptability as social critique. Roads is a subtle investigation of war and everyday people struggling to find refuge.” —ForeWord Magazine

“The characters are strongly drawn and fascinating… Cramer’s writing is lush and poetic with a refreshing edge.”—Shelf Awareness

“Close third-person narration and a clear, chronological timeline transport the reader into story. Style derives not from emotionally-charged prose but from elegant syntax and precise word choice. Historical and psychological research clearly informs this tale, but author Marina Antropow Cramer remains in the shadows, never revealing her hand. Highly recommended.”—Rebecca Kightlinger,Historical Novel Society Review

“A broad, moving novel of a family’s creation, migration, dispersal and reconnection through war and its aftermath. Cramer offers a realistic portrait of a horrific era, counterpointed by the hope and determination required to get out to the other side.” — Russian Life