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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This book was a biography of the Romanov sisters (in case you couldn't tell from the title). I listened to the audio of this book at the same time as I was reading I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhorn, and I very much enjoyed it! I learned so much about the relationships between the Russian Imperial family and other European Royalty, and I found it really interesting how Rappaport portrays all the girls' personalities. Rappaport weaves together the Romanov Family's story with their letters and diaries, and does it in such an interesting, readable way (even though I listened to the audio - listenable?). The ending was a little abrupt to me, but maybe what comes after the Romanovs deserves it's own book. Through this book the family seemed so tight-knit and loving toward one another - I was sad about the way they ended. The narrator was also amazing - I just loved her voice for this particular story. If you are interested in the Romanovs or Anastasia at all, this is definitely one to check out, especially good on audio!
What an odd, sweet, queer, compartmentalizing, tragic little family the Romanovs were. Having been interested in Anastasia since I read The Royal Diaries series, I read this as an intro to actual fact and really enjoyed it. Rappaport does a splendid job of communicating the personalities of each sister in a nuanced and super-detailed way.
I think this book was a good gateway into the life of the family, and I'd like to go on to read more about the war, Nicholas's time/ruling style as the tsar, and especially their religiosity! What a stifling, icon-filled, heavy-on-ceremony, absolutely mystifying and fascinating lifestyle that was. Also of course I'd love to read more about Rasputin, but he actually was a really boring part of this book. She kept alluding to his guidance helping Alexandra destroy the monarchy, and I get that symbolically, but LITERALLY, I didn't really get it.
"All the past is a dream. One keeps only tears and grateful memories. One by one all earthly things slip away, houses and possessions ruined, friends vanished. One lives from day to day. But God is in all and nature never changes. I can see all around me churches and hills, the lovely world..."
I think this book was a good gateway into the life of the family, and I'd like to go on to read more about the war, Nicholas's time/ruling style as the tsar, and especially their religiosity! What a stifling, icon-filled, heavy-on-ceremony, absolutely mystifying and fascinating lifestyle that was. Also of course I'd love to read more about Rasputin, but he actually was a really boring part of this book. She kept alluding to his guidance helping Alexandra destroy the monarchy, and I get that symbolically, but LITERALLY, I didn't really get it.
"All the past is a dream. One keeps only tears and grateful memories. One by one all earthly things slip away, houses and possessions ruined, friends vanished. One lives from day to day. But God is in all and nature never changes. I can see all around me churches and hills, the lovely world..."
Ugh, this was so depressing for the tragedy you knew was coming at the end... but also fascinating. My interest with the Romanovs began when I was a child and the 1997 animated film came out. While based more on the 1956 live action film (that in turn was based on the Anna Anderson story), it was very much a favorite, historical accuracy be damned. The animated film doesn't spend much time on the other sisters, so I was always a little curious (especially since one of the gowns seems to be more like what Olga and Tatiana wore in a real life portrait).
Ms. Rappaport's book draws on a variety of primary sources and details the lives of the girls from birth, their personalities, the baffling politics around their gender (contemporary sources are even a little aghast that the Russians were so disappointed with Alexandra for producing girl-children- it's the 20th century, wtf).
Ms. Rappaport's book draws on a variety of primary sources and details the lives of the girls from birth, their personalities, the baffling politics around their gender (contemporary sources are even a little aghast that the Russians were so disappointed with Alexandra for producing girl-children- it's the 20th century, wtf).
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
An interesting historical retelling of the Romanov story - with a personal twist. The author has lined up the timelines of journal entries and personal letters to coincide with the retelling so you get a glimpse into what each family member was thinking and feeling along the way.
4.75 ⭐
This is an excellent historical read. The author seamlessly moves between summary of and directly quoting the extensive journals kept by the Romanov family. It really gives the family a relatable human quality.
This wasn't my first history of the conflict in Russia, but since this was a very personal history it feels all the sadder. They weren't perfect monarchs and truly seemed to be people out of their depth for a changing world order. In the end, the Russian story is one that shows how the mob mentality is not the way to balance the transfer of power. Ultimately needless destruction became the primary focus and this book highlights exactly what that cost.
This is an excellent historical read. The author seamlessly moves between summary of and directly quoting the extensive journals kept by the Romanov family. It really gives the family a relatable human quality.
This wasn't my first history of the conflict in Russia, but since this was a very personal history it feels all the sadder. They weren't perfect monarchs and truly seemed to be people out of their depth for a changing world order. In the end, the Russian story is one that shows how the mob mentality is not the way to balance the transfer of power. Ultimately needless destruction became the primary focus and this book highlights exactly what that cost.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
One of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given. So amazing and insightful!
AMAZING! I simply can’t put this book this one once I start reading this book. I love the way the author is telling the story, it seemed so flawless and beautiful. It almost felt as if I was reading a novel instead of a biography. I like the fact that the author sticks to its original plan, which is to tell stories about the four Romanov sisters; bringing the reader closer to these royal siblings that was taken from this world in such a tragic way.
There are many moments where i really felt like I’m on an edge, especially the last part part of the books, as the Romanov are being held in Tobolsk and then moved; you already knew what was going to happen to them, but you can’t help but wished that by some miracle it won’t end like how history has been written.
What I love most about this book is that it really does cover all four sisters equally; for an ignorant person like me who are only aware of Anastasia (thanks to Disney), it was such a nice surprise to know that the other siblings are as (if not more) interesting than Anastasia. I have a special interest now on Olga as the eldest sibling, how just a couple of years before her doom fate, almost everyone was talking about her prospective husband and then life was just taken away from her.
This book really help me see the Romanov as a simple daily-like family, instead of a royal family would be. I can’t help but pitied their gruesome end in life. I kept on thinking that whatever had happened to them was simply the game of badly timed fate playing tricks on them; but I also can’t help their sense of nationalism and love for Russia as their motherland. Even at the brink of uncertainties of their future as they were under house arrest, they still refuse the idea of being rescued if it means to leave Russia. Even at the very last months of their life, Nicholas and Alexandra still prays for their beloved country.
There are many moments where i really felt like I’m on an edge, especially the last part part of the books, as the Romanov are being held in Tobolsk and then moved; you already knew what was going to happen to them, but you can’t help but wished that by some miracle it won’t end like how history has been written.
What I love most about this book is that it really does cover all four sisters equally; for an ignorant person like me who are only aware of Anastasia (thanks to Disney), it was such a nice surprise to know that the other siblings are as (if not more) interesting than Anastasia. I have a special interest now on Olga as the eldest sibling, how just a couple of years before her doom fate, almost everyone was talking about her prospective husband and then life was just taken away from her.
This book really help me see the Romanov as a simple daily-like family, instead of a royal family would be. I can’t help but pitied their gruesome end in life. I kept on thinking that whatever had happened to them was simply the game of badly timed fate playing tricks on them; but I also can’t help their sense of nationalism and love for Russia as their motherland. Even at the brink of uncertainties of their future as they were under house arrest, they still refuse the idea of being rescued if it means to leave Russia. Even at the very last months of their life, Nicholas and Alexandra still prays for their beloved country.
informative
reflective
medium-paced