Speeth
asked
Jasper Kent:
Are you familiar with the song "Rasputin" by German/Carribbean '70s Eurodisco group Boney M? Can you speak to its historical (in)accuracy?
Jasper Kent
Ah! I remember it well from my youth.
As for it's accuracy, it gets the basic idea across pretty well. Rasputin certainly did have many lovers, though it's a matter of debate as to whether the tsaritsa was actually one of them. In describing the monk's murder, the lyrics actually understate how difficult he was to kill.
The main problem is that omits the main reason that Rasputin became so influential. The tsarevich, Alexis, heir to the throne, suffered from haemophilia. Rasputin was a mystic healer and it was believed - particularity by the tsaritsa - that he was able to at least partially cure the boy. It was this, rather than his sexuality, that gave him such power in Russia.
As for it's accuracy, it gets the basic idea across pretty well. Rasputin certainly did have many lovers, though it's a matter of debate as to whether the tsaritsa was actually one of them. In describing the monk's murder, the lyrics actually understate how difficult he was to kill.
The main problem is that omits the main reason that Rasputin became so influential. The tsarevich, Alexis, heir to the throne, suffered from haemophilia. Rasputin was a mystic healer and it was believed - particularity by the tsaritsa - that he was able to at least partially cure the boy. It was this, rather than his sexuality, that gave him such power in Russia.
More Answered Questions
Jon
asked
Jasper Kent:
Is there any update on your next books, The Sisters' Children and The Unshriven? I loved your first two books, Twelve, and Thirteen Years Later--I never realized that the series continued (until now!). So glad that I've found and purchased the remaining three in the Danilov quintet. I loved reading your historical settings of Tsarist Russia with truly monstrous vampires (and I don't mean only the aristocrats...).
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