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Nick & Alex: Part 2
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Sara W
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Jul 17, 2010 05:26PM
Please discuss Part Two here.
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POTENTIAL SPOILERSI started Part II last night, and I must say that Massie knows how to write interesting non-fiction. In my Introduction to the book, he had indicated that one reason that he had become interested in the Romanovs was because his son was a hemopheliac, like Alexis.
I've read many books about Alexandra, but not one was able to capture how the mother of a hemopheliac feels, and I think that Massie was able to do that, because of his first hand experience with the disease at home. His empathetic portrayal of Alexandra helps the reader to understand why Alexandra would latch onto someone like Rasputin for hope in helping her son. I was very moved by the chapter that expressed the despair that that poor woman felt.
I've finished Part II and what I'm really enjoying about Massie's approach is how he gives brief but important details about the many characters who go in and out of the narrative. I'm finding that this read is the most comprehensive when it comes to Nicholas and Alexandra.
POTENTIAL SPOILERSAgain, Massie does a great job of giving numerous first hand accounts of Rasputin's behavior. I found the photo of Rasputin in the book to be quite chilling - those piercing eyes! Ugh.
Ive always wondered if Alexandra was very close to her cousin Ena ( Queen Victoria of Spain)?, they both passed hemophilia to their sons.Ive always been curious if there was any correspondence between them, since they were first cousins,both grand daughters of Queen Victoria, both had to give up their religions to marry their husbands????
Unlike Alfonso of Spain, Nicholas seems to have been very supportive of his wife. The biggest difference I noticed between Alexandra and Ena, is Rasputin. Alexandra was desperate for any semblance of hope, which Rasputin knew how to exploit. Ena of Spain was much more stoic and realistic; she produced more male heirs and hence the Spanish line still reigns.
Still, you cant help thinking what would have happened if Rasputin hadn't entered the picture?
Manuel, I've read a number of books on Nicholas and Alexandra, including a compiliation of many of their letters, and I've never seen any mention of Alex corresponding with Ena. You raise a good point, though, and I'm thinking that part of the problem may have been that Alex wanted to keep Alexis' hemophelia a secret.
You are right Sera. Alexi's illness was a state secret, but I imagine it was known or guessed within the family?The Kaiser's brother had married Alix's sister and consequently hemophilia had been introduced into the Hohenzollern family.
While Ena might not have known about Alexei's condition, I would imagine Alix would certainly have known hemophilia had been introduced into the Spanish Bourbons through her cousin Ena. I would have thought they might have comforted each other or perhaps have shared their experiences about possible treatments for their heirs?
Manuel, do I recall correctly that Queen Victoria was in denial about her transmitting the disease to her heirs? I thought Massie might have made reference to it in his book.In only ask because I'm not sure how much was known about the lineage issue during those times. I do agree, however, that one would think that Alexandra and Ena would have discussed the issue, but I haven't seen any evidence of it, and also, now that I think about it, I don't think that I've ever seen any documentation that supports Alexandra having any conversations of this nature with her grandmother either.
It is interesting to speculate how hemophilia was introduced into Queen Victoria's family line, since the Hanovers had never suffered from it until Victoria passed it to children.In 1903, King Alfonso of Spain was warned about the possibility of hemophilia if he married Ena. He decided to take his chances and married her anyway.
You are right about the correspondence between Alexandra and Victoria never mentioning the issue of hemophilia in the family, at least in how it was acquired and passed from generation to generation. If memory serves, Alexandra's younger brother had the disease and died from it after he had a fall. Alexandra's favorite uncle, Leopold died very young from the disease, but not before he was able to marry a produce a healthy son.
Unlike Queen Victoria and Ena, who both produced many sons, poor Alexandra was only able to produce one son, and hence was bound to have all the anxieties of succession weigh on her conscience and mental state. Unfortunately Queen Victoria died before Alexei was born, but I wonder if Alexandra would have discussed such a personal topic with her grandmother??
Did anyone else think that the photo of Rasputin was very intense and fit his description remarkably well? There is something about his eyes that is surreal. Any book recommendations on the history/life of Rasputin?
Manuel, Alexandra was very close to her grandmother growing up, but it appears that once she moved to Russia, that their communications were infrequent. Is that your perception as well?LaLatina, I have some books on Rasputin that I can recommend to you and will follow up separately. Also, yes, the picture of Rasputin freaked me out, but not as much as the description of how he made people powerless by them. He truly was a scary guy. Unfortunately, the Romanovs never saw that side of him.
I think you are right Sera, regarding Victoria and Alexandra's correspondence. As Alexandra started having children, her ceremonial and family duties increased, but letters to Victoria were reduced.If memory serves, Victoria originally wanted and hoped Alexandra would marry Albert Duke of Clarence. Albert might have gone for it, but Alexandra was never very keen on the idea of marrying her cousin. Ironically, Albert chose Princess May of Teck, but he died shortly after his engagement.
Rasputin has always been very mysterious to me. Its hard to imagine anyone being so charismatic, he would make people do things against their will. In some ways, he reminds me of Charles Manson. Someone who had a knack to convince people into trying things they would normally have rejected.
The daughter of Ambassador Buchanan (British Ambassador to Russia) mentioned Rasputin had very mesmerizing and penetrating eyes. The Tsar must have known how he was seducing several high ranking ladies and even about the rumors of Rasputin and his daughers, but such was Alexandra's reliance on him, the Tsar did NOTHING.
Surprisingly, the most interesting movie about Rasputin was made during the Soviet era. The Soviets banned it because the movie portrayed Nicholas and Alexandra as too sympathetic.
Sera & Manuel thank you for some great insight on Rasputin. It is rather shocking that the Tsar did nothing especially after Rasputin was accused of raping a nun. But then again Massie's description of how he was able to soothe and perhaps hypnotize the young Alexei during his bleeding episodes goes far in explaining why he would be allowed to remain.I certainly would not have wanted him any where near my children.
Ive heard several theories regarding Rasputin's powers. His reassuring tone and mesmerizing eyes could distract from Alexei's pain.Several people have said Alexei responded to his mother's emotional state. Rasputin would enter the suite at the Alexander Palace and his presence and prayers would calm Alexei which in turn would calm Alexandra.
It has been stated that Alexandra's high strung nature during Alexei's attacks made him feel worse.
Its behavior little league coaches have known for decades. If a player is injured during a game and you (the adult) also stay calm, it will keep the injured player from going into shock or hysterics. If you fall to pieces during a crisis when someone is ill, the injured person will reciprocate the emotion.
LaLatina wrote: "Did anyone else think that the photo of Rasputin was very intense and fit his description remarkably well? There is something about his eyes that is surreal. Any book recommendations on the history..."I agree with this as well. The photo is creepy enough - I can't imagine how he must have been in person!
