The Romanov Bride
by Robert Alexander (Goodreads author!)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 155)
Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
fans of historical fiction, Russian history buffs
This is the third book from Robert Alexander, and like the two previous books, it is set during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. This book follows the paths of two victims of tragedy; Pavel, the worker turned revolutionary assassin, and Ella, sister to the Empress Alexandra and Romanov princess.
Alexander explores the two very different paths taken. For Pavel, the murder of his wife and unborn child leads him to revenge and hatred. At many times, he seems to be acting purely through ...more
Alexander explores the two very different paths taken. For Pavel, the murder of his wife and unborn child leads him to revenge and hatred. At many times, he seems to be acting purely through ...more
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Read in July, 2008
I've always thought the Russian revolution was one of the saddest modern events in world history. Perfectly understandable, given the extreme disparity between the rich and the poor, but still sad. And since it didn't make things better for the majority of the country, it is even more of a loss.
This book tells the story of the revolution, very briefly, and through the eyes of Grand Duchess Ella and the revolutionist Pavel.
I felt this book was far too short. I would rather have had a lon...more
This book tells the story of the revolution, very briefly, and through the eyes of Grand Duchess Ella and the revolutionist Pavel.
I felt this book was far too short. I would rather have had a lon...more
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Read in May, 2008
Robert Alexander, author of 'Rasputin's Daughter' and 'The Kitchen Boy,' returns to the Russian Revolution to tell the story of Grand Dutchess Ella. Ella, one of the more interesting figures of the Revolutionary period, was a Romanov royal who, after the assassination of her husband, forsakes her life of leisure in order to open a convent to car for the poor in the heart of Moscow. Eventually, Ella was murdered by the Bolsheviks during their purge of the Romanovs in 1918.
To tell her story,...more
To tell her story,...more
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Read in May, 2008
Robert Alexander returns again to the Romanovs in his most recent novel, The Romanov Bride. This time, he focuses on the Grand Duchess Elisabeth “Ella” Fyodorovna, the older sister of Tsarina Alexandra, and Pavel, a fictional revolutionary.
The book alternates chapters between Ella and Pavel’s perspectives. Ella reacts to the Russian Revolution and the assassination of her husband, the Governor General of Moscow, by retreating from her aristocratic roots and founding an abbey, ho...more
The book alternates chapters between Ella and Pavel’s perspectives. Ella reacts to the Russian Revolution and the assassination of her husband, the Governor General of Moscow, by retreating from her aristocratic roots and founding an abbey, ho...more
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Read in June, 2008
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Read in July, 2008
I never realized that Russia had such a bloody history. I found this book to be really interesting, at least the parts about the Duchess Elizabeth. She truly loved her adopted homeland and the people and wanted to do all she could to help them and care for them, even when they were killing all of her family. It is fictionalized of course, but I just love a good historical novel!
Oh, and since I had already read "The Kitchen Boy", by the same author, it was interesting to see thin...more
Oh, and since I had already read "The Kitchen Boy", by the same author, it was interesting to see thin...more
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Read in July, 2008
What I love about Robert Alexander is the fantastic historical detail he includes in his novels. I love that he uses the diaries and letters of his characters so that he can use their actual words and language in his novels.
I also love that he presents such a tumultous time in history in such an even handed way. He doesn't portray the Tsar and other Royals as perfectly evil or perfectly innocent. Neither does he portray the revolutionary activists as perfectly innocent or perfectly evil...more
I also love that he presents such a tumultous time in history in such an even handed way. He doesn't portray the Tsar and other Royals as perfectly evil or perfectly innocent. Neither does he portray the revolutionary activists as perfectly innocent or perfectly evil...more
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Read in May, 2008
I really enjoyed this short novel, reading nearly in one sitting.
No, it isn't a complete story showing everything about the period or people. But with these few strokes Mr. Alexander paints a picture that was both entertaining and convincing to me.
The prologue tells you what will be happening, so the point of the narrative is to follow the steps to the inevitable.
Definitely take the time to go to Mr. Alexander's home page (http://wwwrobertalexanderbooks... to loo...more
No, it isn't a complete story showing everything about the period or people. But with these few strokes Mr. Alexander paints a picture that was both entertaining and convincing to me.
The prologue tells you what will be happening, so the point of the narrative is to follow the steps to the inevitable.
Definitely take the time to go to Mr. Alexander's home page (http://wwwrobertalexanderbooks... to loo...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone over 18 (has language, violence, I don't want to get in trouble)
The Romanov Bride has such a moving ending, I wept. I regretted giving 5 stars to some other books. And I thought it should be required reading in prisons, churches, schools.
This is not a trilogy, it is the author's third book set in about the same time and country, Russia before and/or during the revolution. The Romanov Bride is told from two opposite perspectives: the "bride," a wealthy princess, inspired to help; and a peasant revolutionary, driven to harm. How they affect each ...more
This is not a trilogy, it is the author's third book set in about the same time and country, Russia before and/or during the revolution. The Romanov Bride is told from two opposite perspectives: the "bride," a wealthy princess, inspired to help; and a peasant revolutionary, driven to harm. How they affect each ...more
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Read in July, 2008
This book goes back and forth between the viewpoints of the wife of a Romanov - who loses her husband and gives up her fortune to take the veil and help the Russian people - and a revolutionary - the one who she shared her story with in her last days. The story was well written and involved the Russian Revolution and the fall of the Romanovs (one of my favorites in history). Alexander's other books are just as good and a must read for those interested in the fall of the Romanov family.
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I picked this book up mainly because I fell in love with Historical Fiction when reading Nicholas and Alexandra. While this is by a different author, I still loved it. I felt like I learned more about the time period through a less known person and a created character. My favorite was the quote at the very end...."It is easier for feeble straw to resist mighty fire than for the nature of sin to resist the power of love."
I'll definitely be picking up his two bestsellers now.
I'll definitely be picking up his two bestsellers now.
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Read in May, 2008
Powerful, amazing and even a little frightening! What an amazing look at the evil that can lurk in the darkest souls as well as the amazing goodness that can be found under trying circumstances. The look at two lives, one a Romanov princess and one a poor Russian serf, and how their lives are completely altered by tragedy. Not only about how their lives are altered but how they are intermingled and how their actions affect literally thousands and thousands of others!
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Read in January, 2008
Really more of a 1-and-a-half star book. The sanctimonious tone of the Grand Duchess, Ella's, narration really got on my nerves by the end of the book. As did the inconsistent grammar of the revolutionary, Pavel. There were a few insightful bits, especially with regards to Pavel as an essentially unknowing pawn in the Revolution(s).
But still, Russia.
But still, Russia.
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I like historical fiction and the Romanov's are particularly interesting to me, probably because they were all killed. This is about Elizabeth, who was married to Sergei Romanov who ran Moscow. It has lots of insights in the Russian Orthodox church and I'll be sure to pick up THE KITCHEN BOY and anything else Alexander has written after reading this one.
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Read in July, 2008
I finished this book and really liked it. The author came to our bookclub meeting and got me even more excited about reading the other two books he has written on the Tsar's Family. I have the Kitchen Boy and borrowed Rasputin's Daughter.
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recommends it for:
Lovers of historical fiction and history buffs
I haven't read Robert Alexander's latest book yet (it's still not out!), but I know it will open a window onto another fascinating, tragic episode in what can only be described as the most remarkable period in Russian history!
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recommends it for:
historical fiction and lovers of Russian history
I loved working on this book and I hope it shows. I'll be talking about it on my live webcasts:
http://www.sitestories.com/the...
http://www.sitestories.com/the...
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Read in July, 2008
Loved it! Historical fiction about a subject I know nothing about but want to learn due to my heritage. Will definitely read his other books.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in April, 2008
This novel takes place during the Russian Revolution. Although enjoyable, it is not as grand in scope as I thought it would be.
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Read in July, 2008
For years I have been fascinated by the Romanov family. This book manages to mix fact and fiction in a beautiful novel.
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