Reviews

This book is definitely one to reread. There’s a quiet unexpectedness to it. The book opens with the unanticipated departure of Frank’s wife Nellie, the mother of his three children. And from there we wander with Frank in a wonderland of government red tape, the unaccountable (to the British mind) ways of Russians, the challenges of finding childcare and running a press, and the mysterious and desirable new nanny. I’m making it sound dull, but it’s magical and filled with wonderful lines - “to see too clearly in Russia is a mistake, leading to loss of confidence” - slipped in unobtrusively, but also offering hints and foreshadowing.

fates_fables_golem's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

ellie_26's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

trstn's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

3.75

lokroma's review against another edition

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3.0

This book is carefully written and conjures up a 1913 politically tense Moscow that feels very real. Frank is a son of British expats, born and raised in Russia, who has inherited his father's printing business in Moscow. His wife Nellie leaves him without explanation and he is forced to take responsibility for his three children. The nature and subsequent behavior of his quirky employees and friends, and a mysterious young women hired as caretaker for the children bring additional disarray to his already chaotic new bachelorhood. The ending was unexpected and I'm a bit confused about why the author wrote it that way. I still quite liked the book, and Fitgerald evokes the late winter slushy landscape and pre-revolutionary tension of 1913 Russia in a way that seems utterly genuine.

dsuttles's review against another edition

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2.0

What did I just read? Everything was so vague and weird. The characters, especially the main character Frank, were like husks of people. I'm pretty sure the daughter Dolly was actually a robot sent from the future to make early 20th century Russia somewhat less bleak. (Would have made for a better story if it were true). But seriously... No clear motivations given for anyone. Why the wife leaves. Why Frank falls for Lisa. The main premise of the story is basic AF: old guy whose wife has left him gets horny for young woman taking care of his kids. We learn Selwyn, Frank's accountant, was having an affair with Frank's wife (why???) - so to ease his guilt (I guess??) he created a setup for Frank to cheat. Now they're both in the wrong... So no hard feelings!

ghostmouse's review against another edition

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1.0

I was really optimistic about this book when I started, but as I read it I got more and more bored with it. I'm not sure if it was the books fault or mine.

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