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oleitorconstante's review against another edition
4.0
Apesar de sentir um grande fascínio pelos últimos Romanov, desconhecia a história de Isabel (Ella) Feodorovna, irmã da própria czarina Alexandra. E é realmente uma história que merece ser contada.
piercedkl's review against another edition
5.0
The last of a trilogy (so far) based on the Romanovs and the Russian Revolution. Well researched and well written.
beka_ray's review against another edition
3.0
Oh how I wish I could give half stars. I'd give this 3.5, but it doesnt feel like I want to round up. Full review to follow.
crankylibrarian's review against another edition
1.0
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, there has been a regrettable revisionism towards the Romanov emperors. The quite literal hagiography of the Romanovs (they were declared saints and "passion bearers" of the Orthodox church in 2000) ignores the monumental human rights abuses they inflicted on Russia's peasantry and against anyone viewed as political enemies, including Jews. Alexander continues this unmerited absolution in his fanciful tale of Princess Ella, sister of the Empress Alexandra, and wife of Grand Duke Sergei, one of the cruelest autocrats in the regime.
Yet it's also the story of Pavel, a worker who is radicalized when his young wife is murdered during the massacre of thousands on Bloody Sunday in 1906. In alternating chapters they recount their experiences leading up to the revolution. While the author is sympathetic to Pavel, there is a condescension and barely muffled contempt for both his cause and his poverty ("I am filthy with sin!"), while Ella is presented as kind, beautiful, pious, and completely innocent of any of her family's crimes.
While I'm sure she was a perfectly nice woman, the lengths Alexander goes to justify her behavior and her supposed ignorance of the sufferings of the Russian people boggles the mind. Pavel is tortured with guilt for his crimes, Ella seems mildly bothered by hers. In her rare direct encounters with Pavel and other peasants, their worshipful idolatry of her, and her beatific platitudes about forgiveness are nauseating.
A pleasant enough piece of fluff, with enough royalty porn trappings to satisfy the most ardent Downton Abbey fan.
Yet it's also the story of Pavel, a worker who is radicalized when his young wife is murdered during the massacre of thousands on Bloody Sunday in 1906. In alternating chapters they recount their experiences leading up to the revolution. While the author is sympathetic to Pavel, there is a condescension and barely muffled contempt for both his cause and his poverty ("I am filthy with sin!"), while Ella is presented as kind, beautiful, pious, and completely innocent of any of her family's crimes.
While I'm sure she was a perfectly nice woman, the lengths Alexander goes to justify her behavior and her supposed ignorance of the sufferings of the Russian people boggles the mind. Pavel is tortured with guilt for his crimes, Ella seems mildly bothered by hers. In her rare direct encounters with Pavel and other peasants, their worshipful idolatry of her, and her beatific platitudes about forgiveness are nauseating.
A pleasant enough piece of fluff, with enough royalty porn trappings to satisfy the most ardent Downton Abbey fan.
mimima's review against another edition
4.0
I was reminded of Nancy Pearl's "character, plot, writing, or setting" theory a lot during this reading. While I really didn't love the writing style and rolled my eyes several times, I thought that the way that Alexander brought Ella to life pulled the narrative into a fascinating historical fiction that brought to the forefront history, the foment of the Revolution, and Ella's ever deepening faith.
So, clearly I'm a character reader.
So, clearly I'm a character reader.
sarahc1215's review against another edition
3.0
Although I've been known to read historical fiction every now and then (or all the time, but whatever), it's typically centered around the Plantegenets and the Tudor dynasties. Robert Alexander's Romanov Bride, a quasi-historical look into the Russian Revolution, was a change of pace for me. The book weaves together the story of the Grand Duchess Elisabeth "Ella" Fyodorovna, the older sister of Tsarina Alexandra, and a fictional revolutionary named Pavel.
Hoping to escape a life of abject poverty, Pavel and his pregnant wife join a large group of unarmed protesters demanding reform. Pavel's wife is killed when Imperial forces open fire during what will later be known as the Bloody Sunday massacre. To avenge her death, Pavel devotes his life to the revolution and vows to aid in the elimination of the Romanov line.
Pavel and his comrades permanently alter the course of Pavel's wife when they assassinate her husband, the Grand Duke. Although he was a cold husband, Ella was devoted to him and grief-stricken at his death. She opens a women's monastery that serves as a hospital and orphanage to many of Russia's suffering people. The lives of Ella and Pavel crash into one another at the book's shocking and touching conclusion.
Overall, I enjoyed it. Many of the comments mention the overly simplistic writing style, and I agree, although I found the story compelling enough to not be too frustrated by this. When possible, Ella's story was illustrated by actual letters, diary entries and historical facts, which strengthened the character. Unfortunately, Pavel's story, being fictional, did not have that similar weight. However, I found his character more intriguing. Whether or not I agreed with her, Ella had very clear convictions in regards to what was right and what was wrong. She believed in God and the God-given rights and duties of the Tsar, and she likened the Russian revolutionaries to poorly guided children. She never lacked confidence that what she was doing was the right thing.
Pavel, on the other hand, had more of a struggle. Although embarking on a life of violence, he frequently suffers from shadows of doubt, and is stricken by significant internal conflict at the book's conclusion. His crimes are horrific, but he has an underlying moral code. I'm not sure if I'll read another of Alexander's books, but I look forward to reading more about the ill-fated Romanovs.
Hoping to escape a life of abject poverty, Pavel and his pregnant wife join a large group of unarmed protesters demanding reform. Pavel's wife is killed when Imperial forces open fire during what will later be known as the Bloody Sunday massacre. To avenge her death, Pavel devotes his life to the revolution and vows to aid in the elimination of the Romanov line.
Pavel and his comrades permanently alter the course of Pavel's wife when they assassinate her husband, the Grand Duke. Although he was a cold husband, Ella was devoted to him and grief-stricken at his death. She opens a women's monastery that serves as a hospital and orphanage to many of Russia's suffering people. The lives of Ella and Pavel crash into one another at the book's shocking and touching conclusion.
Overall, I enjoyed it. Many of the comments mention the overly simplistic writing style, and I agree, although I found the story compelling enough to not be too frustrated by this. When possible, Ella's story was illustrated by actual letters, diary entries and historical facts, which strengthened the character. Unfortunately, Pavel's story, being fictional, did not have that similar weight. However, I found his character more intriguing. Whether or not I agreed with her, Ella had very clear convictions in regards to what was right and what was wrong. She believed in God and the God-given rights and duties of the Tsar, and she likened the Russian revolutionaries to poorly guided children. She never lacked confidence that what she was doing was the right thing.
Pavel, on the other hand, had more of a struggle. Although embarking on a life of violence, he frequently suffers from shadows of doubt, and is stricken by significant internal conflict at the book's conclusion. His crimes are horrific, but he has an underlying moral code. I'm not sure if I'll read another of Alexander's books, but I look forward to reading more about the ill-fated Romanovs.
leialocks's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty routine look into the life of Grand Duchess Elisabeth, "Ella". If you know anything of her story, you'll be a little bored with this book. There's no real surprises or insights. It feels like Alexander did his research from Wikipedia. Alexander frames the tale well with the back and forth of Ella and a revolutionary, Pavel. Both stories intertwine and give you 2 different views of the important events that led to the Russian Revolution. But again, the revolutionary is painted the same way all Russian revolutionaries are.
missylynne's review against another edition
Disappointed in the book. I thought it could have been better.
literaryliz98's review against another edition
3.0
I never realized that Russia had such a bloody history. I found this book to be really interesting, at least the parts about the Duchess Elizabeth. She truly loved her adopted homeland and the people and wanted to do all she could to help them and care for them, even when they were killing all of her family. It is fictionalized of course, but I just love a good historical novel!
Oh, and since I had already read "The Kitchen Boy", by the same author, it was interesting to see things from a different view. It also started the story several years before "The Kitchen Boy" so that gave much more background. Now I want to reread "The Kitchen Boy", to figure some things out.
Oh, and since I had already read "The Kitchen Boy", by the same author, it was interesting to see things from a different view. It also started the story several years before "The Kitchen Boy" so that gave much more background. Now I want to reread "The Kitchen Boy", to figure some things out.
bmwpalmer's review against another edition
2.0
Booooooring! I would have been better off reading the Wikipedia article on Elisabeth Fyodorovna.