In The Romanov Bride
, alternating chapters told by Grand Duchess Elisavyeta, sister to the Empress Aliksandra, and Pavel, a bitter, vengeful revolutionary, bring to life two very different sides of a warring Russia and the fall of the House of Romanov.Wow, Wow, Wow. What a fabulous, fabulous book!! I loved Alexander's first novel, The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar
, then was less than luke-warm about his second, Rasputin's Daughter
. I figured this one had an equal chance of being great or garbage. From the start, I could not put this book down. The juxtaposition of Ella and Pavel's lives serves to emphasize the hope and horror, the beauty and the tragedy of revolutionary Russia. And if the end doesn't tear at your heart, have yourself checked out to be certain you possess one. Ella and Pavel's stories will linger in mine for a long time.Based on the true story of the life of the Grand-Duchess-turned-nun, more information and historical photographs can be found on the author's web site.
Lezlie
Other books by Robert Alexander:
The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar
Rasputin's Daughter
Hi Lezlie!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read The Kitchen Boy, I just totally don't know when!! :-)
Hi, Joanna! You'll be glad when you do. It really is memorable!
ReplyDeleteL.
You've done it again Lezlie,tempting me with MORE books. Sounds great, adding it to the list.
ReplyDeleteZetor ~ I wish I could read this one for the first time again. I even slowed down during the last chapter because I was so sorry it was ending. And I *never* do that!
ReplyDeleteLezlie
It looks like you have been reading a lot of historical books. They all sound really interesting! I'm in the midst of a book about Marie Antoinette's daughter Marie Therese. It has been pretty good so far, and I like learning as I read.
ReplyDeleteKim ~ Historicals are definitely my drug of choice. Like you, I enjoy the learning aspect and I love history. The one you're reading sounds good! I've been reaching out of my comfort zone lately, too, with novels about non-western cultures, and that has been very, very interesting also.
ReplyDeleteL.
Great review! The Kitchen Boy is on my TBR. Then if I like that, I'll continue.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this book or author but when you say wow three times over, you certainly have me wanting to look it up!
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose ~ I actually liked this one more than The Kitchen Boy, but you'll get a good feel for his writing with that one.
ReplyDeleteNatasha ~ Let me know if you decide to read it. I'd love to hear what you think!
Do they have to be read in sequence or could I just read "THE ROMANOV BRIDE" ?
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose ~ Each book stands on its own. You can read them in any order.
ReplyDeleteL.