Pavlovsk: The Life of a Russian Palace

by Suzanne Massie

During the 900-day siege of Leningrad, Pavlovsk, the 18th-century Russian palace, built by Catherine the Great's daughter-in-law, was burned to the ground. This book tells the story of various survivors who carried out the task of restoring the palace to its original splendour.

Genres: Russia, History, Nonfiction, Architecture, Russian History

349 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Suzanne Massie was an American scholar of Russian history who played an important role in the relations between Ronald Reagan and the Soviet Union in the final years of the Cold War. She was granted Russian citizenship in December 2021.

Reviews

[Johannes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serendipity.

Yes, don't you hate this word? I mostly do. For no particular reason but in any case, it does describe how I got to this one. The Massies are an institution when it comes to Romanovs in the West, sadly little to none books have been published after them which means, that for us Westerners, most of the Russian new books on the subject remain out of reach, and we still relay on old sources from pre-Internet days. Suzanne Massie had a couple of these errors, nothing major but of course back when she wrote in the USSR she couldn't have got access to any of these, as I do now from the comfort of my living room.

As for the book itself it is marvelous, I got to know about its existence for it was mention as a source in a wikipedia entry. I already have most of the Massies' books but I was completely unaware of this one. My loss, of course.

The first quarter of the book is dedicated to the palace first owners, especially to empress Maria Feodorovna, and its construction. She then goes very quickly to the revolution, and we got to the main part of the book: how it survived pratically unspoiled the revolution thanks to being turned into a museum (sadly the Soviet did sold some Gobelin tapestries that are nowadays at the Getty museum in Los Angeles, and other pieces of which information cannot be found anywhere), and the destruction that followed the Nazi invasion. The Leningrad blockade, and how its reconstruction paved the way for other palaces to be restored as well.

"Pavlovsk" is in itself a recognition to all this unknown figures that in a middle of crazy dictatorship, I mean these people survived Stalin's several purges, managed to rebuilt a Romanov's palace in his hatred Leningrad, Stalin never liked the city. And for that the world is a bit better today. Evil didn't win, and history hasn't lost such a wonderful place to WW2.

[Laura N · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. This was a beautifully written book about the history, demise, and resurrection of the Pavlovsk place. Suzanne Massie is a master of Russian History. She gives the background information on the palace in a way that is very readable.

You really feel the anguish of the senseless destruction of this historic palace (along with Gatchina). It is heartbreaking to read about how they desperately tried to save as much as they could before the Nazis advanced. The burning and bombing of the palace is very upsetting, but you then get to read about how everyone came together to painstakingly rebuilt/restored and tracked down surviving items. The process taking over 25 years! Despite sever housing and resource shortages, the people of Leningrad put the restoration of history ahead of their own needs.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought (though the book is another I have lost over the years) and read this back in 1990 and enjoyed it immensely as an account of the birth destruction and resurrection of one the many Russian Palaces nearly eliminated in WWII. That it was by another Massie did not thrill me as the Massie clan has gained over the years a ridiculous reputation for 'historians' of Russia who speak no languages, certainly not Russian.

The book contains errors which the opening of archives has made plain - I still think it good but it must be read with its date of first publication, 1990, firmly in mind.

[Tam Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-researched narrative about the creation of a Russian icon. Told through its creators, its works, and its restoration, we see the Golden Age of Russia, the rise of its Dictatorship, and its fight against Hitler's Nazi's.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story of some of the art treasures of Russia and how they were saved by dedicated and heroic people during the two world wars. Also a wonderful biography of the remarkable wife of tsar Paul.

[Joel Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing how the nobility of Russia lived, the parties, etc.

[Mary Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this when I was in St Petersburg after I visited the palace. Loved it. I reread parts of it and Land of the Firebird and remember my wonderful trip.

[JayeL]

July 2015: not available on audio at Mechanics' Institute