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The White Night of St. Petersburg
One morning in July of 1998, all the Romanovs still living assembled in the lobby of the recently renovated Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg. They were waiting to attend the solemn burial of Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra and their children, murdered eighty years earlier, who were finally to be interred together. Prince Michael of Greece was there because his grandmother, Grand Duchess Olga, was a Romanov. She left Russian at sixteen to marry George I of Greece.
While at the ceremony, Prince Michael spied a dazzling older woman on the fringes of the crowd and, curious to know her connection, traveled to Moscow to meet her. Her name was Natalya Androssov Iskander Romanov and over tea Prince Michael listened to the long-buried story of her grandfather, the Grand Duke Nicholas. To Prince Michael’s utter surprise, the royal family had erased his existence from their official vaults. Natayla’s memories are the only key to his past, and as she begins to tell Prince Michael her grandfather's story, the narrative fades to a snow-filled St. Petersburg morning in November of 1860. There begins a fantastic re-imagining of the life of this rebellious and dashing Duke.
Young Nicholas idolized his mother Alexandra whom he declared the most beautiful woman in the world. She adored him just the same, and was proud of her son’s beauty, his progress in school and his intelligence. At that time, though, custom dictated a separation between child and parent and the grand duchess was too conventional to break with the norm. Nicholas spent his days in the hands of a tutor, most of whom were a bit rough, but he and his beloved sister Olga happened to be in the hands of the frightful Mirbach. A man who couldn’t be pleased, Mirbach’s whippings left life-long scars on Nicholas’s hips and back. And other than this, no one much looked after them.
The young grand duke underwent military training and proved to be an extraordinarily gifted officer cadet. In 1868, on his 18th birthday, he was authorized to look after Pavlosk Palace, his favorite of his parent’s estates, and which he would one day inherit. As a young man Nicholas gained quite the reputation as a ladies man and excellent lover, and Nicholas’s aide-de-camp, Captain Vorpovsky, continually brought young dancers and prostitutes to Nicholas. Each time, he would show them the stunning portrait of the blue-eyed blonde princess Frederika von Hannover of Germany who rejected his offer of marriage. At this time, Nicholas’s mother learns her husband has a mistress, and flees to the Pavlosk estate. Nicholas follows to comfort her, but she screams that it was his debauchery that inspired his father. From this point on, his relationship with his mother was never the same.
Born Hattie Blackford, Fanny Lear was a young and devasting American beauty who left the States with marriage to a royal on her mind. She had sparkling eyes, a sensual mouth, and voluptuous frame and wanted to use these traits to follow in the footsteps of her role models—the courtesans La Castiglione, Lola Montez and her friend and mentor, Cora Pearl. One evening after arriving in Russia she receives an invitation to a formal ball at the opera. She goes tired and with little expectations, but catches Nicholas's eye. They hit it off instantly.
Nicholas was truly in love with her, but even so he remained unfaithful, which broke her heart. One night she angrily fled to the home of her friend, Mabel Grey, where she met the young, powerfully attractive Count Nicholas Savine. They reconciled and left intolerably hot St. Petersburg for Pavlosk Palace, with Fanny in a beautiful dacha close by. He fell ill that summer and Fanny cared for him with great tenderness. Nicholas decided to take Fanny on a long trip through Western Europe, and asked for a leave of several months to restore his fragile health (he was suffering from syphilis). One day while strolling alone in a town near Vienna, Fanny came upon a lovely, secluded copse only to find Nicholas there with a young woman. Again they fought and reconciled in a pattern that defined their tempestuous relationship.
To prevent news of the affair getting out, Nicholas’s uncle sends him off to a military campaign in Khiva. He proves a brilliant military man, even saving the life and honor of his young and cowardly cousin. When back, Fanny encounters young Count Savine having dinner alone and encourages Nicholas to invite him over. Nicholas speaks of his desire for progress and democracy (beliefs his father shared to a lesser degree) and Savine urges Nicholas to meet with his radical friends. The three begin meeting together more often, and they meet once with Savine's young revolutionary friend, Sophie.Nicholas turns to stealing small items from his family’s estates as a dare to compete with Savine for Fanny's approval. One night when all three are very drunk they invade his parents palace, and in the morning one of his mother’s most...
While at the ceremony, Prince Michael spied a dazzling older woman on the fringes of the crowd and, curious to know her connection, traveled to Moscow to meet her. Her name was Natalya Androssov Iskander Romanov and over tea Prince Michael listened to the long-buried story of her grandfather, the Grand Duke Nicholas. To Prince Michael’s utter surprise, the royal family had erased his existence from their official vaults. Natayla’s memories are the only key to his past, and as she begins to tell Prince Michael her grandfather's story, the narrative fades to a snow-filled St. Petersburg morning in November of 1860. There begins a fantastic re-imagining of the life of this rebellious and dashing Duke.
Young Nicholas idolized his mother Alexandra whom he declared the most beautiful woman in the world. She adored him just the same, and was proud of her son’s beauty, his progress in school and his intelligence. At that time, though, custom dictated a separation between child and parent and the grand duchess was too conventional to break with the norm. Nicholas spent his days in the hands of a tutor, most of whom were a bit rough, but he and his beloved sister Olga happened to be in the hands of the frightful Mirbach. A man who couldn’t be pleased, Mirbach’s whippings left life-long scars on Nicholas’s hips and back. And other than this, no one much looked after them.
The young grand duke underwent military training and proved to be an extraordinarily gifted officer cadet. In 1868, on his 18th birthday, he was authorized to look after Pavlosk Palace, his favorite of his parent’s estates, and which he would one day inherit. As a young man Nicholas gained quite the reputation as a ladies man and excellent lover, and Nicholas’s aide-de-camp, Captain Vorpovsky, continually brought young dancers and prostitutes to Nicholas. Each time, he would show them the stunning portrait of the blue-eyed blonde princess Frederika von Hannover of Germany who rejected his offer of marriage. At this time, Nicholas’s mother learns her husband has a mistress, and flees to the Pavlosk estate. Nicholas follows to comfort her, but she screams that it was his debauchery that inspired his father. From this point on, his relationship with his mother was never the same.
Born Hattie Blackford, Fanny Lear was a young and devasting American beauty who left the States with marriage to a royal on her mind. She had sparkling eyes, a sensual mouth, and voluptuous frame and wanted to use these traits to follow in the footsteps of her role models—the courtesans La Castiglione, Lola Montez and her friend and mentor, Cora Pearl. One evening after arriving in Russia she receives an invitation to a formal ball at the opera. She goes tired and with little expectations, but catches Nicholas's eye. They hit it off instantly.
Nicholas was truly in love with her, but even so he remained unfaithful, which broke her heart. One night she angrily fled to the home of her friend, Mabel Grey, where she met the young, powerfully attractive Count Nicholas Savine. They reconciled and left intolerably hot St. Petersburg for Pavlosk Palace, with Fanny in a beautiful dacha close by. He fell ill that summer and Fanny cared for him with great tenderness. Nicholas decided to take Fanny on a long trip through Western Europe, and asked for a leave of several months to restore his fragile health (he was suffering from syphilis). One day while strolling alone in a town near Vienna, Fanny came upon a lovely, secluded copse only to find Nicholas there with a young woman. Again they fought and reconciled in a pattern that defined their tempestuous relationship.
To prevent news of the affair getting out, Nicholas’s uncle sends him off to a military campaign in Khiva. He proves a brilliant military man, even saving the life and honor of his young and cowardly cousin. When back, Fanny encounters young Count Savine having dinner alone and encourages Nicholas to invite him over. Nicholas speaks of his desire for progress and democracy (beliefs his father shared to a lesser degree) and Savine urges Nicholas to meet with his radical friends. The three begin meeting together more often, and they meet once with Savine's young revolutionary friend, Sophie.Nicholas turns to stealing small items from his family’s estates as a dare to compete with Savine for Fanny's approval. One night when all three are very drunk they invade his parents palace, and in the morning one of his mother’s most...
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
1 person is currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Prince Michael of Greece
27 books26 followersPrince Michael of Greece and Denmark, Michel de Grèce (modern Greek spelling: Μιχαήλ της Ελλάδας) is a member of the Greek royal family and descendant of the Romanovs. He is the author of several historical novels and biographies, as well as a contributing writer to Architectural Digest.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 23, 2017
I feel even those two stars are way too generous.
This was a big disappointment to me. The greatest flaw was that the author seemingly couldn´t decide whther he wanted to write a novel or a non-fiction book. In the end he decided to create "fiction", but his style was more "non-fiction" throughout and it didn´t suit the story at all. That means the book is a very sloppy read, and at the same time too unreliable to fall back on for facts. Wasted opportunity.
I also need to mention, that I read the English version (while the original is French, I believe), and I really hope that some phrasing is just a matter of bad translation. Cannot recommend this to anyone.
To sum it up: An awfully written book about two awful people having a truly awful, unhealthy relationship.
This was a big disappointment to me. The greatest flaw was that the author seemingly couldn´t decide whther he wanted to write a novel or a non-fiction book. In the end he decided to create "fiction", but his style was more "non-fiction" throughout and it didn´t suit the story at all. That means the book is a very sloppy read, and at the same time too unreliable to fall back on for facts. Wasted opportunity.
I also need to mention, that I read the English version (while the original is French, I believe), and I really hope that some phrasing is just a matter of bad translation. Cannot recommend this to anyone.
To sum it up: An awfully written book about two awful people having a truly awful, unhealthy relationship.
October 1, 2020
Κριτική στα Ελληνικά πιο κάτω...
This could be a very good non-fiction book or a very decent novel if the author decided to clarify what is based on specific accurate sources and which those are and what comes from his imagination or is controversial. Especially if he explained better the whole scandal thing which turned upside-down Nicolaus life... After all, the author doesn't expect the readers to believe all this info and narration comes just from one single conversation with the protagonist's grand-daughter, right?
The way this book is written now, at first it feels as non-fiction, it then seems like a novel very loosely based on facts and then towards the end it turns non-fiction style again. But there are gaps and inconsistencies to the story and while this is to be expected up to an extend, something feels off. That's a pitty, because while I didn't like anyone in this book, an interesting era and important historical events are depicted here. Albeit the author's bias, with a better editing this could be a very good read.
Το βιβλίο μου άρεσε και δεν μου άρεσε. Αρχίζει σαν πραγματική ιστορία, στην συνέχεια τείνει να γίνει μυθιστόρημα που βασίζεται πολύ χαλαρά σε πραγματικά γεγονότα και προς το τέλος επιστρέφει σαν πραγματική ιστορία.
Η εξιστόρηση έχει πολλά κενά και κάτι στη γραφή με ξένισε. Ιδιαίτερα το κομμάτι του βιβλίου που είναι το πιο σημαντικό, το πως και γιατί εξελίχθηκε το σκάνδαλο που αποτέλεσε κομβικό σημείο στην ιστορία του πρωταγωνιστή, φαίνεται ιδιαίτερα υπερβολικό για υπόθεση μυθιστορήματος αλλά και καθόλου ξεκάθαρο για βιβλίο βιογραφικό. Είναι βέβαια ιδιαίτερα δύσκολο να ανασυνθέσει κανείς την ιστορία ενός ανθρώπου που έζησε πριν ένα αιώνα και παραπάνω και μάλιστα την ύπαρξη του οποίου προσπαθούσε ένα κομμάτι των συγχρόνων του, ο επίσημος κρατικός μηχανισμός και κυρίως η ίδια του η οικογένεια να διαγράψει από τη συλλογική μνήμη για δεκαετίες.
Όμως ίσως αν ο συγγραφέας ήταν πιο λεπτομερής για την έρευνα που έκανε, διευκρίνιζε ποιές είναι οι πηγές του, τι από αυτά που γράφει είναι τεκμηριωμένο και τι υποθέσεις δικές του, το βιβλίο να είχε πιο πολύ νόημα. Διότι φυσικά δεν μπορεί να πιστέψουμε ότι όλα αυτά τα έμαθε σε ένα απόγευμα από την εγγονή του Νικολάου, τα απομνημόνευσε και μας τα μεταφέρει εμάς.
Δεν μπορώ να πω ότι συμπάθησα και κανέναν σε όλη αυτή την ιστορία, ωστόσο το βιβλίο αποτυπώνει μία ενδιαφέρουσα εποχή και ιστορική συγκυρία και παρά τις όποιες προκαταλήψεις και απόψεις του συγγραφέα εδώ κι εκεί, αν εξηγούσε λίγο καλύτερα τα γενικότερα γεγονότα και κάλυπτε κάποια κενά, το βιβλίο θα ήταν αρκετά καλό. Ως έχει, λιγάκι άνισο και ημιτελές μου φάνηκε...
This could be a very good non-fiction book or a very decent novel if the author decided to clarify what is based on specific accurate sources and which those are and what comes from his imagination or is controversial. Especially if he explained better the whole scandal thing which turned upside-down Nicolaus life... After all, the author doesn't expect the readers to believe all this info and narration comes just from one single conversation with the protagonist's grand-daughter, right?
The way this book is written now, at first it feels as non-fiction, it then seems like a novel very loosely based on facts and then towards the end it turns non-fiction style again. But there are gaps and inconsistencies to the story and while this is to be expected up to an extend, something feels off. That's a pitty, because while I didn't like anyone in this book, an interesting era and important historical events are depicted here. Albeit the author's bias, with a better editing this could be a very good read.
Το βιβλίο μου άρεσε και δεν μου άρεσε. Αρχίζει σαν πραγματική ιστορία, στην συνέχεια τείνει να γίνει μυθιστόρημα που βασίζεται πολύ χαλαρά σε πραγματικά γεγονότα και προς το τέλος επιστρέφει σαν πραγματική ιστορία.
Η εξιστόρηση έχει πολλά κενά και κάτι στη γραφή με ξένισε. Ιδιαίτερα το κομμάτι του βιβλίου που είναι το πιο σημαντικό, το πως και γιατί εξελίχθηκε το σκάνδαλο που αποτέλεσε κομβικό σημείο στην ιστορία του πρωταγωνιστή, φαίνεται ιδιαίτερα υπερβολικό για υπόθεση μυθιστορήματος αλλά και καθόλου ξεκάθαρο για βιβλίο βιογραφικό. Είναι βέβαια ιδιαίτερα δύσκολο να ανασυνθέσει κανείς την ιστορία ενός ανθρώπου που έζησε πριν ένα αιώνα και παραπάνω και μάλιστα την ύπαρξη του οποίου προσπαθούσε ένα κομμάτι των συγχρόνων του, ο επίσημος κρατικός μηχανισμός και κυρίως η ίδια του η οικογένεια να διαγράψει από τη συλλογική μνήμη για δεκαετίες.
Όμως ίσως αν ο συγγραφέας ήταν πιο λεπτομερής για την έρευνα που έκανε, διευκρίνιζε ποιές είναι οι πηγές του, τι από αυτά που γράφει είναι τεκμηριωμένο και τι υποθέσεις δικές του, το βιβλίο να είχε πιο πολύ νόημα. Διότι φυσικά δεν μπορεί να πιστέψουμε ότι όλα αυτά τα έμαθε σε ένα απόγευμα από την εγγονή του Νικολάου, τα απομνημόνευσε και μας τα μεταφέρει εμάς.
Δεν μπορώ να πω ότι συμπάθησα και κανέναν σε όλη αυτή την ιστορία, ωστόσο το βιβλίο αποτυπώνει μία ενδιαφέρουσα εποχή και ιστορική συγκυρία και παρά τις όποιες προκαταλήψεις και απόψεις του συγγραφέα εδώ κι εκεί, αν εξηγούσε λίγο καλύτερα τα γενικότερα γεγονότα και κάλυπτε κάποια κενά, το βιβλίο θα ήταν αρκετά καλό. Ως έχει, λιγάκι άνισο και ημιτελές μου φάνηκε...
April 13, 2023
Πρόκειται για τη ζωή του Μεγάλου Δούκα Νικολάου Κωνσταντίνοβιτς, ανηψιού του τσάρου. Στη νεαρή ηλικία ερωτεύεται μία Αμερικανίδα εταίρα, την Φάνυ Ληρ, που τον οδηγεί στην ακολασία. Για να την ευχαριστήσει καταφεύγει ακόμα και σε κλοπές και τελικά καταλήγει εξόριστος.
"Αυτή η επανάσταση που ποθούσε διακαώς και στην επικράτηση της οποίας ίσως να συνέβαλε σχεδόν 40 χρόνια πριν, αποδείχθηκε ο χειρότερος εφιάλτης. Είναι η τυφλή μοχθηρία, η αγριότητα, ο σαδισμός, προπάντων όμως η μετριότητα. Οι αρουραίοι βγήκαν από τους υπονόμους και κυβερνούν.“
"Αυτή η επανάσταση που ποθούσε διακαώς και στην επικράτηση της οποίας ίσως να συνέβαλε σχεδόν 40 χρόνια πριν, αποδείχθηκε ο χειρότερος εφιάλτης. Είναι η τυφλή μοχθηρία, η αγριότητα, ο σαδισμός, προπάντων όμως η μετριότητα. Οι αρουραίοι βγήκαν από τους υπονόμους και κυβερνούν.“
March 3, 2024
A very nice novel! Indeed the book cover says that it is a memoir-novel so it has some historical information in it but I don't know which part is true and what percentage is fiction, still it was a very good reading.
Grandduke Nicholai Romanov falls in love with an American prostitute Fanny and faces many troubles due to this relationship including the ones coming from Tsar and his own family.
He is exiled many times to several places, his titles are removed and at last he is forced to stay in a mental instutituon since his family finds the only solution in declaring him as insane!!!
Grandduke Nicholai Romanov falls in love with an American prostitute Fanny and faces many troubles due to this relationship including the ones coming from Tsar and his own family.
He is exiled many times to several places, his titles are removed and at last he is forced to stay in a mental instutituon since his family finds the only solution in declaring him as insane!!!
March 24, 2025
Un personnage méconnu fascinant, bouleversant et attachant... un destin hors du commun..celui d'un grand duc condamné à l'exil et mis au ban de sa famille pour avoir trop aimé...désarmant dans sa quête de liberté...un personnage romanesque inoubliable, Nicolas Constantinovitch
October 4, 2022
Μπόρινγκ…
November 23, 2025
Ένα ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα που διαδραματίζεται στη Ρωσία λίγο πριν το ξέσπασμα της Οκτωβριανής Επανάστασης. Η ιστορία ακολουθεί τη ζωή μιας οικογένειας ευγενών της ρωσικής αριστοκρατίας, καθώς βλέπουν τον κόσμο τους να καταρρέει κάτω από το βάρος των κοινωνικών αναταραχών, των πολιτικών ίντριγκων και της επερχόμενης επανάστασης. Μέσα από τα μάτια των πρωταγωνιστών, ο αναγνώστης γίνεται μάρτυρας της παρακμής μιας ολόκληρης εποχής, του πάθους, της προδοσίας και των τραγικών συνεπειών των ιστορικών αλλαγών.
Ο συγγραφέας τονίζει τη ματαιότητα της αριστοκρατικής ζωής απέναντι στην ορμή της ιστορίας και την αναπόφευκτη κοινωνική αλλαγή. Το βιβλίο υπογραμμίζει την απώλεια ενός ολόκληρου κόσμου, εστιάζοντας στην ανθρώπινη τραγωδία πίσω από τα μεγάλα ιστορικά γεγονότα και αναδεικνύει τις προσωπικές ιστορίες, τα διλήμματα και τις επιλογές των ανθρώπων που βρέθηκαν στη δίνη της επανάστασης, ενώ παράλληλα ασκεί κριτική στην απραξία και την έλλειψη προσαρμοστικότητας της άρχουσας τάξης.
Το ύφος γραφής είναι κομψό, λυρικό και ατμοσφαιρικό, αντικατοπτρίζοντας την καταγωγή και την παιδεία του συγγραφέα. Ο Πρίγκιπας Μιχαήλ χρησιμοποιεί μια εκλεπτυσμένη γλώσσα, με λεπτομερείς περιγραφές των ανακτόρων, των εθίμων και του τρόπου ζωής της ρωσικής αριστοκρατίας, δημιουργώντας μια αίσθηση νοσταλγίας και μελαγχολίας. Η αφήγηση είναι πιο αργή και εσωστρεφής, εστιάζοντας στην ψυχολογική κατάσταση των χαρακτήρων και την ιστορική ατμόσφαιρα, παρά στη γρήγορη δράση.
Ο συγγραφέας είναι σαφώς γνώστης της εποχής και αυτό αποτυπώνεται στις λεπτομερείς περιγραφές. Ωστόσο, η αφήγηση είναι εξαιρετικά αργή και βαριά, εστιάζοντας υπερβολικά στην εσωτερική ψυχολογική κατάσταση των αριστοκρατών, κάτι που μπορεί να κουράσει. Οι χαρακτήρες, αν και καλογραμμένοι, είναι κάπως απόμακροι και δυσκολεύτηκα να συνδεθώ συναισθηματικά μαζί τους. Η έλλειψη δράσης και η μελαγχολική διάθεση επισκιάζουν το ενδιαφέρον ιστορικό πλαίσιο. Είναι ένα βιβλίο που διαβάζεται, αλλά δεν σε καθηλώνει.
Σύσταση:Δεν είναι κακό, απλά δεν έχει αυτό το 'κάτι .
Ο συγγραφέας τονίζει τη ματαιότητα της αριστοκρατικής ζωής απέναντι στην ορμή της ιστορίας και την αναπόφευκτη κοινωνική αλλαγή. Το βιβλίο υπογραμμίζει την απώλεια ενός ολόκληρου κόσμου, εστιάζοντας στην ανθρώπινη τραγωδία πίσω από τα μεγάλα ιστορικά γεγονότα και αναδεικνύει τις προσωπικές ιστορίες, τα διλήμματα και τις επιλογές των ανθρώπων που βρέθηκαν στη δίνη της επανάστασης, ενώ παράλληλα ασκεί κριτική στην απραξία και την έλλειψη προσαρμοστικότητας της άρχουσας τάξης.
Το ύφος γραφής είναι κομψό, λυρικό και ατμοσφαιρικό, αντικατοπτρίζοντας την καταγωγή και την παιδεία του συγγραφέα. Ο Πρίγκιπας Μιχαήλ χρησιμοποιεί μια εκλεπτυσμένη γλώσσα, με λεπτομερείς περιγραφές των ανακτόρων, των εθίμων και του τρόπου ζωής της ρωσικής αριστοκρατίας, δημιουργώντας μια αίσθηση νοσταλγίας και μελαγχολίας. Η αφήγηση είναι πιο αργή και εσωστρεφής, εστιάζοντας στην ψυχολογική κατάσταση των χαρακτήρων και την ιστορική ατμόσφαιρα, παρά στη γρήγορη δράση.
Ο συγγραφέας είναι σαφώς γνώστης της εποχής και αυτό αποτυπώνεται στις λεπτομερείς περιγραφές. Ωστόσο, η αφήγηση είναι εξαιρετικά αργή και βαριά, εστιάζοντας υπερβολικά στην εσωτερική ψυχολογική κατάσταση των αριστοκρατών, κάτι που μπορεί να κουράσει. Οι χαρακτήρες, αν και καλογραμμένοι, είναι κάπως απόμακροι και δυσκολεύτηκα να συνδεθώ συναισθηματικά μαζί τους. Η έλλειψη δράσης και η μελαγχολική διάθεση επισκιάζουν το ενδιαφέρον ιστορικό πλαίσιο. Είναι ένα βιβλίο που διαβάζεται, αλλά δεν σε καθηλώνει.
Σύσταση:Δεν είναι κακό, απλά δεν έχει αυτό το 'κάτι .
June 14, 2012
Estando eu sem nada para ler (tinha acabado o último livro e, estando de férias, precisava de arranjar imediato substituto), e uma vez que já à muito não lia um romance histórico (género que admito gostar, se for bem escrito), peguei neste volume que já tinha comprado à uns meses numa feira mas que ainda não tinha conseguido lugar na minha mesa de cabeceira. À partida era uma aposta ganha. Tinha tudo para me agradar. O período da história que mais me agrada é o que vai do final do século XVIII até ao início do século XX (principalmente nas cortes portuguesa, inglesa e russa). Ora, este livro passa-se, precisamente, no seio da família real russa durante o século XIX... Infelizmente, tenho de admitir... Não gostei do livro! Quero dizer, a história é interessante, o autor está bem documentado... Mas... A verdade é que a maneira como o livro está escrito não é carne nem é peixe... Isto é, o livro é demasiado maçudo para ser um bom romance histórico (por vezes as descrições arrastam-se por páginas sem fim, descrições factuais, não romanceadas) e demasiado fantasioso para ser livro de história.
A história de Nicolau é verdadeira, rica em pormenores, tem jogadas de interesse e golpes, tem sedutores e seduzidos... Merecia ser tratada com mais empenho. Michel de Gréce, familiar do grão-duque, pode ter querido ser fiel ao seu antepassado mas, ao fazê-lo, acabou por, na minha opinião, sacrificar aquele que poderia ser um grande romance histórico.
(pode ler toda a crítica no meu blog: notadepagina.blogspot.com)
A história de Nicolau é verdadeira, rica em pormenores, tem jogadas de interesse e golpes, tem sedutores e seduzidos... Merecia ser tratada com mais empenho. Michel de Gréce, familiar do grão-duque, pode ter querido ser fiel ao seu antepassado mas, ao fazê-lo, acabou por, na minha opinião, sacrificar aquele que poderia ser um grande romance histórico.
(pode ler toda a crítica no meu blog: notadepagina.blogspot.com)
October 31, 2014
Realistically, 2.5. I rounded down because I think Prince Michael tried too hard to make Nicholas a completely sympathetic character when the man had major flaws. I concur that his childhood was horrible and affected him in some way, but he had no respect for any of the women in his life and I think this was shrugged off. A more nuanced portrayal would have been more effective, such as Robert Massie's excellent portrayal of Peter the Great. Weigh the man's virtues and faults and offer a much better and complete picture.
September 6, 2010
A horrible novel about a scandal surrounding a Romanov grand duke, an American adventuress and other assorted sordid going's on. Based in fact. I had very high hopes for this novel, considering that the author is a Romanov descendant and would know some of the family scandals. Instead, it's a bad bad novel, turgid, on the silly side, and not very readable. This got my turkey award for worst novel of 2004.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_16040...
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_16040...
April 13, 2013
Interesting but I do not kwow how accurate can be
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews