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There are currently 23 member reviews
for The Last Grand Duchess
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Beverly
A New Perspective
Finally an historical fiction that doesn't focus on Anastasia. Olga, the oldest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia is presented as more than just another "royal"; instead she is a thinking, wondering young woman whose expectations of a normal life will never happen. Based on multiple non-fiction sources, including the diaries of Olga, we are better able to examine and maybe understand how and why the Russian Revolution came about from a purely personal perspective. Easily read, highly recommended for any fan of historical fiction.
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Katheryn G. (West Covina, CA)
Good, but could have been great
The last grand duchess of the novel's title is Olga Nikolaevna, eldest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his wife, Empress Alexandra. I find this book hard to review: I wanted to like this book more than I did. The book is written well and it held my attention, but the use of dual timelines (1917-1918 and 1913-1916, with a prologue in 1907 and an epilogue in 1952) distracted me a lot. I wonder how the novel would have worked if it had used just one timeline and not shifted from one to the other.
I enjoyed reading about Olga's innocent romance with Dmitri Shakh-Bagov, a Georgian officer in the Russian Army whom Olga meets when an injured Dmitri is sent to the hospital Olga works at as a nurse during World War I. Although I have read other fictional and nonfictional works about the fall of the Romanovs, I had not previously known about the Olga/Dmitri romance. I also liked reading about Olga's growing awareness of how the flaws of her parents helped bring on the Russian Revolution, even though she continues to love and care for them.
Bryn Turnbull's inclusion of a list of characters, author's note, glossary, and bibliography is a plus. The book cover is lovely.
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Gretchen M. (Martinsburg, WV)
A Good Read for fans of Romanov history
This story focuses on the family life of the Romanovs. The author reveals the deep love and devotion the tsar Nicholas II had for his family and how he held onto his dignity and theirs to the very end. It was interesting to see how the author intertwined the events of history with the Olga's growth as a young woman who came to understand that the people of Russia were suffering immensely as she and her siblings lived a sheltered existence in a fairytale built by her parents who believed, and never questioned, in the divine nature of their reign. The book led me to look up several places, events and people referenced in order to learn more about the Romanov dynasty and Russia. I found the first half to be slow and I had to put it down more than I would have liked but found the second half more intriguing. It was refreshing to read historical fiction centered on Olga, as many books are written about Anastasia. Although she was thought to be less mature than women of her age due to the seclusion imposed upon her and her sisters by her mother in order to hide the illness of her younger brother from the world, Olga proved to be a strong and perceptive character.
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Valerie C. (Chico, CA)
Informative
I found this book informative of the end of the Romanov dynasty. I did not, however, find it engaging. Slow paced, you are not in for an engaging thriller.
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Wendy P. (Jourdanton, TX)
Great for Russia history buffs
It took a little while for me to get into this book because I am only peripherally aware of the history and the going back and forth in time was slightly confusing. Once I got into the story though I appreciated how the author gave depth to a historical figure and the events surrounding her life. Also really liked the author notes which gave a little background on artistic license taken in the story.
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Helene M. (Sarasota, FL)
History Made Personal
Bryn Turnbull does a very good job in making the broad sweep of a very major historical period - The Russian Revolution - accessible by making it the story of the Imperial Romanov Family, as seen through the eyes of the eldest Romanov daughter, The Grand Duchess, Olga. Through that focus, the reader is able to absorb the scope of change that took place in Russia from the early 1900's to the final day of the monarchy in July, 1918. The story moves back and forth between 1913, 1918 and the years in between, providing glimpses of life in the various Romanov palaces, the country house at Tsarkoe Selo, and then throughout their exile. At first I found the shifting time frames a bit off-putting, but the technique helped to contextualize much of the drama that was Russia in the early 1900's and 19teens. It also provides an opportunity to introduce many of the other characters who influenced Olga and strengthened her resolve live as The Last Grand Duchess. It enables the reader to see Olga as she matures from a dreamy romantic girl to a woman who meets the demands of a life of sacrifice to a greater cause and to her family.
The Romanov family had ruled Russia for three hundred years at the time of the revolution. Even though Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra thought of themselves as humble, devout people, I was struck by the opulence of their lives, especially in contrast to the lives of their subjects. The entire family (and the Empire) was impacted by the hemophilia of the Tsarevich, Alexi, because it was that illness that brought Fr. Grigori Rasputin into their lives. While Turnbull makes no judgments on the good or evil done by Rasputin, there is little doubt that he wielded a huge influence on decisions made, especially while the Tsarina "stood in" for the Tsar while he was at the battlefront.
I think the book accomplished a great deal that one always hopes historical fiction will - that is, to make one want to learn more about the reality of the period it covers. I certainly felt challenged to review what I knew of the Russian Revolution, the Romanov's, Rasputin, Lenin, Trotsky and the beginnings of communism in Russia and beyond. Kudos to Bryn Turnbull for a job well done, and in the words of one of her characters, allowing us to witness "the true cost of war ... the price paid by the gallant...by the loyal."
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Esther L. (Newtown, PA)
The Last Grand Duchess
With thanks to BookBrowse for the opportunity to read and review this book.I also read and enjoyed her first book,The Woman Before Wallis.
"From glittering palaces to field hospitals, privilege to prison life" the book tells the story of the downfall of the Romanov dynasty and their deaths in their last place of refuge, Ekaterinburg in 1918. The book was well researched and an interesting look into their lives. In the author's notes, Ms Turnbull says that she chose only to focus on Nicolas II as a father and didn't mention the atrocities committed during his reign. "The Romanov dynasty and Nicholas II were active participants in the oppression of the peasant class, not only through the lingering after effects of serfdom (abolished in 1860), but also their appalling treatment of Russian Jews." Violent pogroms were common throughout Russia, killing many, burning down houses of worship and forcing many to flee. All of my grandparents were lucky to be able to emigrate to America in the early 1900s.
I recommend this book!
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