In high school, world history was always one of my favorite subjects, and I loved nothing more than learning about Tsar Nicholas II and the rest of the royal family. Rasputin, the “mad monk”, was a person worthy of dark nightmares, and the idea that one or even two of the Romanov children survived the terrible assassination that fateful night in 1917 has been something I have pondered over for years. Any time a news headline surfaces involving the royal family, I always have to stop whatever it is I’m doing and read every single word of the article.
The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen is the newest historical fiction title to catch my eye that re-imagines what happened in the lavish palaces of the Romanovs during their last few years in a Russia filled with political turmoil. Mossanen’s fictional character Darya is the caretaker of the youngest–and only–male heir, Alexei. She is brought into the palace because her opal eye is said to give her powers of healing, but even she is unable to heal the hemophiliac prince.
For years after the terrible tragedy, Darya blames herself for the deaths of her beloved Romanov family. She feels responsible for bringing the mad monk Rasputin into the lives of the royal family, believing that he can heal the young prince. However, Darya has never failed in her belief that Alexei survived the murders and is still alive somewhere, waiting for her to find him.
The Last Romanov is one of the most descriptive and beautifully written fictional pieces that I have ever read about the Imperial family. I felt as if I had really been transported back to 1917, and the years preceding it. It was obvious to me that Mossanen had meticulously researched Russian history in order to write this novel.
The Last Romanov flips back and forth between Darya’s past and her present, where is she is a 104-year-old woman living in the ruins of the Entertainment Palace, alive and thriving on precious ambergris that keeps her youthful in her old age. Her present is very heartbreaking, and I never felt that the tragedy that befell the Romanovs was her fault. During the passages involving her past, she did find a small amount of happiness with a Jewish artist.
As much as I enjoyed Mossanen’s descriptions, I could not help but feel a slight amount of confusion over a few key plot points. I didn’t quite understand what the “magical seedlings” that grew into berries signified; Rasputin gave them to her before his death with a prophecy that she would not think of them again until she needed them. She believed them to be a poison, but I wasn’t sure if they actually were a poison intended to end her lengthy life. I also was very confused over the ending and what it meant, and might have to take a second look at it to try to decipher what became of Darya.
The Last Romanov is not a book that can easily be read in a few hours; this is one that you will want to dedicate your attention to so that you can absorb all of the fine details and really grasp the meaning of Mossanen’s words.
The Last Romanov will be
in stores April 3rd, 2012.
Enter to Your Own Copy of The Last Romanov :
Sourcebooks Landmark is generously providing me with 2 copies of The Last Romanov to give away. This giveaway is open to US/Can only. This giveaway ends on April 17th, 2012 at 11:59 PM MST
Here’s how to enter:
- +3: Comment on this blog post with your favorite period of world history. (mandatory entry)
- +1: Follow @LiterallyJen on Twitter (tell me your handle in your comment so I can verify)
- +1: “Like” LiterallyJen on Facebook (you can still get this point if you are already a follower, just let me know in the comment section)
- +1: Follow the author, @dorlev, on Twitter (tell me your handle so I can verify)
- “Like” this post on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway (leave me the link to your tweet)
Important: Please make sure you provide me with your links so that I can verify. You can include everything in just one comment rather than a new comment for each thing you do to enter. If links are not included in your comment, you will not get credit for completing it. Thank you!
neelam rajaharia says:
March 28, 2012 at 3:42 PMMy twitter handle is @neelamrajaharia….
link or tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/NeelamRajaharia/status/185130275158769664
chloemcgillicuddy says:
March 28, 2012 at 5:54 PMmy twitter handle is chloemcgill……..my fav time in world history is Roman times and its eventual collapse
dyniy says:
March 28, 2012 at 11:07 PMI love the early 1900s when modern technology really starting to make progress and women were treated with courtesy & respect. I’m a blog follower, my Twitter handle is @Dyniy I follow Jen & Dora on Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/Dyniy/status/185244849413423104
My email is dianebojda@yahoo.com
Allie says:
March 29, 2012 at 7:06 AMI’ve been to Russia & seen the Winter Palace. I love everything Russian.
Marlene V says:
March 29, 2012 at 7:29 AMMy fav. time period: Ancient Rome (509 BC – AD 476)
Sammi says:
March 29, 2012 at 3:16 PMI love British royalty history – esp medieval – although I wouldn’t want to live then!
Aliya D. says:
March 31, 2012 at 4:16 AM+3 Entries – I love history! I have many favourite periods for various reasons, but in the Russian history spectrum, the period that interests and fascinates me the most is the Cold War; the chess-play between the USSR and the West, the intrigues, espionage, drama, passion, tragedy and pounding wars and silent assualts. I have also been fascinated by the Romanov’s and the theories of potential survivors; I even read a theory once that it was Maria who survived and the story of Anastasia was a cover for her.
+1 Entry: I follow @LiterallyJen as Rogue_Femme on Twitter.
+1 Entry: I follow @dorlev as Rogue_Femme on Twitter.
+1 Entry: I Like Literally Jen on Facebook using my name above.
Thank you!
Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
Nancy says:
April 5, 2012 at 5:43 PMYep, medieval era is one of my favorites but my 1st choice would be between 1600-1800 in England.
Nancy says:
April 5, 2012 at 5:46 PMI follow via FB (https://www.facebook.com/nancyscorner)
Nancy says:
April 5, 2012 at 5:51 PMfollow via twitter @nancysoffice
Rachel W. says:
April 13, 2012 at 5:50 PMMy favorite time period would have to be during Henry VIII’s reign (in England, of course)- thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
Jennifer Froelich says:
April 17, 2012 at 12:57 AMMy favorite period of history is World War II.
Jennifer Froelich says:
April 17, 2012 at 1:01 AMI already follow you on Twitter and Facebook and am now following Dora.
@jenfroelich
Here’s the link to my tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/jenfroelich/status/192054695001460737
Thanks so much!
Nicole C. says:
April 17, 2012 at 1:47 PMMy favorite is the Tudor Era.
Nicole C. says:
April 17, 2012 at 1:49 PMhttps://twitter.com/#!/choa4925/status/192248293819039745
AEKZ2 says:
April 17, 2012 at 11:54 PMMy favorite is around the turn of the 20th century
AEKZ2 says:
April 17, 2012 at 11:55 PMLike you on FB (Annette E)
Sand says:
April 18, 2012 at 2:55 AMThe Progressive Era is my favorite.