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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Admittedly, I loved the animated movie Anastasia, and it is where most of my previous impressions of the Romanov Family had come from. Yes, I knew what really happened, and the tragic ending for the girls and their family, but I was not aware of the admirable fortitude of the royal family before and after their persecution.
The Romanov Sisters focuses on accounts primarily from letters directly quoted in the book, and not so much on outside accounts of the larger picture of the Russian revolution. Despite the tragedy of the events I am once again glad I have learned more in depth about a dark period if history, even though using the word "enjoy" does not seem suitable. The persistent faith in God and humility of all members of the family is so inspirational and not what I had expected.
The Romanov Sisters focuses on accounts primarily from letters directly quoted in the book, and not so much on outside accounts of the larger picture of the Russian revolution. Despite the tragedy of the events I am once again glad I have learned more in depth about a dark period if history, even though using the word "enjoy" does not seem suitable. The persistent faith in God and humility of all members of the family is so inspirational and not what I had expected.
Not for those with a soft heart or weak a stomach. A fine portrait of multi-faceted girls growing up with an insane mother and a politically ineffectual father. Their light was smothered before they ever died.
Hugely enjoyable audiobook and a nice break from my Medieval English history kick. I think I'd have liked a little more analysis but this was a straightforward biography and it did that job well.
reflective
tense
slow-paced
It was very dry, and I found it difficult to get through
informative
sad
medium-paced
I started this knowing next to nothing about the Romanov's or Russian history, so I can't comment on the accuracy of the content, although it seems meticulously researched and recorded. I can say the book was highly readable and clear. This is a remarkable achievement when you consider the huge number of personalities and similar names involved! (For instance, there were a ridiculous number of Nikolay's and two Nikolay Sablin's from two different families.)
In many ways this was a story of the entire Romanov family, and I would have loved to see a bit more about the sisters specifically but I think the truth is that not a lot is know about the sisters. They were extremely sheltered and reclusive growing up and many of their diaries and letters were burned during the revolution.
In many ways this was a story of the entire Romanov family, and I would have loved to see a bit more about the sisters specifically but I think the truth is that not a lot is know about the sisters. They were extremely sheltered and reclusive growing up and many of their diaries and letters were burned during the revolution.
The history behind the Romanov family has always fascinated me. Theirs is such a sad ending.
Most biographies on the last Romanov family tend to focus either on then Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra or their son Alexey. Not many focus on the Grand Duchesses. In this book we are given a look at who they each were as individuals. How they differed from looks, personalities, and even which soldiers they favorited. With the help of letters, diary entries, and other first hand accounts we are given a look into the lives of four young women who were taken too soon. What I liked most about this book was that there were still stories that I hadn't heard before. Definitely worth checking out if you are interested in the Romanovs.
My fascination with the Romanovs started at the age of 5, when I bought my first ever VHS tape- Anastasia (one of, if not THE BEST, kids movies ever). It's gorgeously animated, the soundtrack is wonderful, and the story is compelling and tragic and romantic and perfect. Anyway, as I got older and discovered Wikipedia, I quickly learned that the account presented in the movie of Russia's last imperial family is almost wholly historically inaccurate (nEVERTHELESS, it's still one of my favorite movies).
Slightly disconnected introduction out of the way, this book was a very interesting read. It tells the story of the four Romanov sisters through a mixture of historical accounts, diaries, and letters. The title is a little misleading, imo, because the book doesn't exclusively deal with the four sisters (having read it and learned a little bit more about the sisters, it seems unlikely to me that there's enough information out there to write a book solely about them) and is definitely much more of a story of the family as a whole (and, in particular, the Empress Alexandra) than the sisters themselves. I wasn't really sure how to feel about the lives the girls led. On the one hand, they had a very close family life and Nicholas and Alexandra were very much hands-on parents (a rarity in royal families at hat time); on the other hand, I think Alexandra's behavior as a royal (and her constant sickness and exhaustion) left them so sheltered and naive that I wonder if they were very happy at all.
It's a very tragic story to read (somewhat because you know the horrific end that awaits them) but mostly because you read and learn about the little dominoes falling that eventually led up to the family's ruin, many of which seemed very preventable :(.
Slightly disconnected introduction out of the way, this book was a very interesting read. It tells the story of the four Romanov sisters through a mixture of historical accounts, diaries, and letters. The title is a little misleading, imo, because the book doesn't exclusively deal with the four sisters (having read it and learned a little bit more about the sisters, it seems unlikely to me that there's enough information out there to write a book solely about them) and is definitely much more of a story of the family as a whole (and, in particular, the Empress Alexandra) than the sisters themselves. I wasn't really sure how to feel about the lives the girls led. On the one hand, they had a very close family life and Nicholas and Alexandra were very much hands-on parents (a rarity in royal families at hat time); on the other hand, I think Alexandra's behavior as a royal (and her constant sickness and exhaustion) left them so sheltered and naive that I wonder if they were very happy at all.
It's a very tragic story to read (somewhat because you know the horrific end that awaits them) but mostly because you read and learn about the little dominoes falling that eventually led up to the family's ruin, many of which seemed very preventable :(.