Looking for a book to help me understand 20th century Russia! (Nonfiction and/or historical fiction welcome)

I’m currently reading A Gentleman in Moscow which is set in early 20th century Russia and it is reinforcing that this is a huge gap in my knowledge of geopolitics/world history.

I’d love to hear recommendations for nonfiction that helps explain the Russian Revolution, the rise of Stalin, etc., ideally a fair telling that is realistic about the issues of the USSR without veering into anticommunist fearmongering. I don’t want to go full textbook but I don’t mind undertaking a hefty, dense read if that’s going to be my best resource. I also love learning world history via historical fiction so I’d be open to recs in that genre as well. TIA for any suggestions 🙂