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La casa del propósito especial
Con un dominio absoluto del ritmo y del suspense, John Boyne evoca los últimos años de la dinastía Romanov a través de los recuerdos de Georgi Danilovich, quien como guardia personal del zar será testigo del trágico final de la familia y se verá obligado a guardar un secreto que marcará su vida... El autor de El niño con el pijama de rayas vuelve a cautivarnos con su talen...more
Hardcover, 397 pages
Published
2009
by Círculo de Lectores / Salamandra
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I've always been fascinated by the Russian Revolution, although I know that it wasn't romantic or beautiful in real life. Still, I love reading books about Russian princesses and balls in sparkling halls. John Boyne did a great job in creating his story about the last Tsar and his family, especially by choosing to use the voice of someone who had - at first - nothing in commom with the royal family. I thought that the love story between Anastasia and the main character was really well elaborat...more
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Mientras acompaña a su esposa Zoya, que agoniza en un hospital de Londres, Georgi Danilovich Yáchmenev rememora la vida que han compartido durante sesenta y cinco años, una vida marcada por un gran secreto que nunca ha salido a la luz. Los recuerdos se agolpan en una sucesión de imágenes imborrables, a partir de aquel lejano día en que Georgi abandonó su mísero pueblo natal para formar parte de la guardia personal de Alexis Romanov, el único hijo varón del zar Nicolás II. Así, la fastuosa vida e...more
The House of Special Purpose
John Boyle
Georgy Daniilavich is a Russian peasant whose life takes a dramatic turn when he saves the life of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholavich, the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II. Moved to the Winter Palace in Petrograd, Georgy finds himself at the centre of the Royal life at a time of great turmoil in Russian history.
Going back and forth between the Russian Court and Georgy’s later life in London - where he lives in exile with his wife Zoya – the st...more
John Boyle
Georgy Daniilavich is a Russian peasant whose life takes a dramatic turn when he saves the life of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholavich, the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II. Moved to the Winter Palace in Petrograd, Georgy finds himself at the centre of the Royal life at a time of great turmoil in Russian history.
Going back and forth between the Russian Court and Georgy’s later life in London - where he lives in exile with his wife Zoya – the st...more
I am a fan of John Boyne's books for younger readers and this was the first adult book of his that I have read. I hate to say this, but it was a disappointment. With such a talented author and such an interesting history to work from, I was expecting more.The romance was less real and more descriptive, sacrificing depth for emotion and passion. The 'revelation' at the end of the book was predictable. Also, and possibly worst of all, there seemed to be no purpose to the journey of the characters....more
Georgy is a Russian peasant who saves the life of the Tsar's cousin and as a reward is given a position as bodyguard to the Tsarevich, moving from his village to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. The story moves between the Russian court and Georgy's life in London, where he and his wife Zoya have settled after first going to Paris when they fled the Russian Revolution.
While this was an enjoyable read there were some implausible moments, such as Georgy becoming the Tsar's confidant...more
While this was an enjoyable read there were some implausible moments, such as Georgy becoming the Tsar's confidant...more
De John boyne sólo había leído "El niño con el pijama de rayas" y creo que esta novela tiene los mismos errores y aciertos.
Lo malo:
- es muy previsible. Desde el principio del libro nos está hablando de un gran secreto que -se supone- no conoceremos hasta el final, pero la verdad es que no es ninguna sorpresa.
- muy poco verosímil. Y el rigor histórico de la novela es ... bueno, no es
Lo bueno:
- muy entretenida. Y eso es mucho. Una de las pr...more
Lo malo:
- es muy previsible. Desde el principio del libro nos está hablando de un gran secreto que -se supone- no conoceremos hasta el final, pero la verdad es que no es ninguna sorpresa.
- muy poco verosímil. Y el rigor histórico de la novela es ... bueno, no es
Lo bueno:
- muy entretenida. Y eso es mucho. Una de las pr...more
Der Niedergang des letzten russischen Zaren in ungewöhnlicher Nähe der Kaiserfamilie erzählt, sodass Sympathie für deren tragische und menschlich dargestellte Geschichte geweckt wird. Zentral ist die Entwicklung der hinreißenden Liebesgeschichte zwischen Georgi, dem gewöhnlichen Bauernjungen, der durch Zufall Mitglied der kaiserlichen Leibgarde wird, und Anastasia, der jüngsten Tochter des Zaren. Vor dem Hintergrund der Februarrevolution sind beide gezwungen Russland zu verlassen, sodass ebenso ...more
What happened to Tsar Nicholas II, his wife and family? Will the unravelling of Georgy Jachmenev’s story finally give us an insight to what may have happened to the Romanov family? This, John Boyne’s latest book, is beautifully written – emotive, descriptive and a joy to read. The story criss-crosses through time, piece by piece revealing a little more of Georgy’s experiences as his life is transformed from a poor farmer’s son to a life of privilege as the personal bodyguard to the Tsar’s son, a...more
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I thought this was a fantastic read! I would never pick up a history book from the shelf but this is written in such a wonderful prose style that I couldn't put it down.
It centres on the Russian Rev of 1917 and the troubled lives of the Romanovs.
The story is told through the voice of Georgy who inadvertently becomes the young Tsar's bodyguard and the tale twists through all the stages of his life. It's a dramatic and poignant read told by a gifted storyteller- John Boyne.
I wou...more
It centres on the Russian Rev of 1917 and the troubled lives of the Romanovs.
The story is told through the voice of Georgy who inadvertently becomes the young Tsar's bodyguard and the tale twists through all the stages of his life. It's a dramatic and poignant read told by a gifted storyteller- John Boyne.
I wou...more
Der Klappentext dieses Buches umreißt eigentlich schon die ganze Handlung - in sehr groben Zügen natürlich. Und mit Ausnahme jener Teile, die nach der Russischen Revolution spielen. Dadurch hat John Boyne mit "Das Haus zur besonderen Verwendung" einen Roman vorgelegt, der irgendwo zwischen Historischer und Gegenwartsliteratur anzusiedeln ist.
Die Erzählung rund um den Bauernsohn Georgi und die Zarentochter Anastasia beginnt nämlich kurioserweise im Jahr 1981, von wo aus der ge...more
Die Erzählung rund um den Bauernsohn Georgi und die Zarentochter Anastasia beginnt nämlich kurioserweise im Jahr 1981, von wo aus der ge...more
The first 50 to 70 pages were pretty dry and at times I had to force myself to continue reading. In hindsight I was probably a bit too biased by some of the reviews I saw elsewhere on the internet, so the book had to fight kind of an uphill battle ...
Getting further through the book things became more and more interesting although, admittedly, the overall plot of the book is relatively simple from a hindsight perspective.
Some reviews that I read refer to historical inaccu...more
Getting further through the book things became more and more interesting although, admittedly, the overall plot of the book is relatively simple from a hindsight perspective.
Some reviews that I read refer to historical inaccu...more
Whilst traveling around the Baltics and skirting the border of Russia, I came to the realisation that I knew very little about the Russian Revolution and the fall of the Tsars. This novel assisted greatly - I have never been one for straight history without a little entertainment thrown in. Boyne is a great story-teller and by the time I reached the novel's conclusion, I was more than satisfied with everything he gave me.
I enjoyed this book. More because of the romantic notion that Anastasia lived and married the love of her life than anything else. (I think she did not survive the excecution.) But at the heart of it all it's a story about true love and I guess that's what we're all looking for in life :-)
Having said all that it would have been nice if it had not been so obvious Zoya and Anastasia are one and the same person so very early on in the book. It would have been nice to have been in a little bi...more
Having said all that it would have been nice if it had not been so obvious Zoya and Anastasia are one and the same person so very early on in the book. It would have been nice to have been in a little bi...more
Georgy Jachmenev, a Russian peasant boy, inadvertently takes a bullet for the cousin of Tsar Nicholas and is whisked away to live with the Romanovs in the years leading up to their demise.
Anastasia theories involved.
What elevates this book above wishful thinking or silly romance is the internalization of its characters. The note of melancholy that holds the narrative rings true.
Anastasia theories involved.
What elevates this book above wishful thinking or silly romance is the internalization of its characters. The note of melancholy that holds the narrative rings true.
This book is so well written, I wanted to kiss the pages. It is the story of a boy who becomes the personal security guard of Alexei Romanov - the haemopheliac heir to the Russian throne. In case you're wondering, the 'House of Special Purpose" was the house in Ekaterinburg where the Romanovs were held as prisoners after the overthrow of the monarchy.
Anything involving Nicholas and Alexandra always does it for me. This was really excellent, with an modern story working backwards and a conventional historical story working towards the time of the revolution. It's got it all - a terrifying Rasputin, the luxury of the royal palaces, superb portrayal of a life of privilege, and an all-consuming love story. The last line - "So this is what it means to be alone" - had me sobbing my heart out. Superb writing...
I knew very little about the Russian Revoultion and the fall of the tsars and so this book helped greatly. What happened to the royal family was pretty grim.
But it's also a truly excellent love story that has remained with me long after reading. Very touching, very interesting and very satisfying.
But it's also a truly excellent love story that has remained with me long after reading. Very touching, very interesting and very satisfying.
I loved this book, John Boyne's writing style is so easy to read and the story sucked me so quickly, which surprised me as I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Only reason for four stars is that although very interesting and memorable it didn't have the IT factor..
What a wonderful book. Compelling, interesting and ingenious it more than makes up for the slow start.
John Boyne juggles masterfully with time and unfolds his story to us bit by bit. It is never too lovey-dovey or too drab and depressing. He manages to walk that fine line between a drama and a romance beautifully.
A good recommendation for lovers of Russian historical novels and love stories.
John Boyne juggles masterfully with time and unfolds his story to us bit by bit. It is never too lovey-dovey or too drab and depressing. He manages to walk that fine line between a drama and a romance beautifully.
A good recommendation for lovers of Russian historical novels and love stories.
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I know it's a bit early in the year to state this, but I think this book might just make it on to my top ten for the year!!
I've always been fascinated in the Romanovs, and the mystery surrounding Anastasia especially, so to find a book by a favourite author all about that was a real boon, and it lived up to the expectation perfectly!
I was completely absorbed by Georgy's tale, both the historic sections of his time in Russia, and the more modern story. I also loved the way the story ...more
I've always been fascinated in the Romanovs, and the mystery surrounding Anastasia especially, so to find a book by a favourite author all about that was a real boon, and it lived up to the expectation perfectly!
I was completely absorbed by Georgy's tale, both the historic sections of his time in Russia, and the more modern story. I also loved the way the story ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It spanned right from the late 1800's in Russia to the 1980's in England. Easy reading but flipped from one time zone to another as the main character remembered events in his life.
I liked the historical content, but felt the protaganist never really became his own man. However, this part of history has always fascinated me and the Anastasia story is a special interest. Worth reading.
I little slow but good in the end I guess. I loved Boy in the Striped Pajamas and this is the same author. Interesting insight into the Ramanov time period but for some reason I didn't love the book.
I read this because my favourite book shop praised it and because it was about the Russian Royal Family. It took me a while to enjoy it only to find that I was left annoyed by its ending. I did not appreciate the twist which I guessed just prior to the end.
Quite an enjoyable read, though it isn't a particularly novel idea or anything that required much research on the author's behalf. But he writes beautifully so it is well worth reading.
I picked this book up because i like John Boyne novels and wanted to find out more about the Romanovs. I wasn't dissapointed, i liked the way this was essentially a love story between two elderly people reflecting on their lives together.
I feel some sort of reference should have been made about the imposters who have presented themselves as Anastasia throughout the years, or the films etc, it seemed strange there was no mention that for a time people did think Anastasia had escaped ...more
I feel some sort of reference should have been made about the imposters who have presented themselves as Anastasia throughout the years, or the films etc, it seemed strange there was no mention that for a time people did think Anastasia had escaped ...more
A lovely read comprising of the fall of the Romanov's in Russia and more from there. Both sad and interesting in is an autocracy better than the proletariat for governing?
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John Boyne (born 30 April 1971 in Dublin) is an Irish novelist.
He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he was awarded the Curtis Brown prize. But it was during his time at Trinity that he began to get published. To pay his way at that stage of his career, he worked at Waterstone's, typing up his drafts by night.
...more
More about John Boyne...
He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he was awarded the Curtis Brown prize. But it was during his time at Trinity that he began to get published. To pay his way at that stage of his career, he worked at Waterstone's, typing up his drafts by night.
...more
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“-Es muy bueno fingiendo ser alguien que no es -le comenté después a Zoya en el vestíbulo, cuando esperábamos para felicitarlo, sin saber muy bien si con esas palabras pretendía o no halagarlo-. No sé cómo lo hace.
- Yo sí -repuso ella, sorprendiéndome.”
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- Yo sí -repuso ella, sorprendiéndome.”
“Hay veces en que le envidio su juventud, pero trato de no pensar mucho en eso. Un anciano no debe tener celos de aquellos que vienen a ocupar su puesto, y recordar el tiempo en que era joven, sano y viril es un acto de masoquismo que no sirve de nada.”
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1 person liked it
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