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A review by kimreadz
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak
3.0
Why did you choose this book? I enjoy historical fiction and recently developed an interest in Russian history
When did you read this book? December 2011
Who should read this book? readers of historical fiction, Russian history
Source: Obtained ARC from Netgalley for review
I did enjoy this book, but I thought the title was a little misleading. The book was not centered around Catherine the Great, and in fact, didn’t cover much of her reign over Russia. The story is really told by a palace servant and most of the story takes place during the reign of Empress Elizabeth.
Barbara is the daughter of a Polish book binder who has brought his family to Russia. The Empress takes note of him when he is able to restore a treasured book. When Barbara’s mother dies, his father asks the Empress to look after his daughter if something should happen to him; he dies shortly thereafter. Barbara is brought to the palace as a lowly servant, and works her way up to become a spy for the Chancellor and the Empress. The Empress also renames her the more Russian, Varvara. Varvara befriends Sophia, the young princess brought to the palace to become the bride of the Grand Duke Peter, nephew of the Empress. Peter is being groomed as the future ruler. Sophia later takes the name Catherine. The story is told through the eyes of Barbara/Varvara and follows the years as Elizabeth rules Russia, and as the reigns of Peter and Catherine follow. But in addition to the story of Catherine, much of the story involves Varvara's personal life and her marriage and motherhood.
I read this book hoping to learn a bit about Russia during this period, and I did. But I sensed the history here is embellished and ‘shaped’ to fit the story. I’m not sure I really have an accurate idea of Russia, and in particular, Catherine and Peter. However it did motivate me to look Catherine up on the internet to read a bit more, so it did serve as an introduction to the period. I look forward to reading more about this era. The Winter Palace is good read if you enjoy historical fiction
When did you read this book? December 2011
Who should read this book? readers of historical fiction, Russian history
Source: Obtained ARC from Netgalley for review
I did enjoy this book, but I thought the title was a little misleading. The book was not centered around Catherine the Great, and in fact, didn’t cover much of her reign over Russia. The story is really told by a palace servant and most of the story takes place during the reign of Empress Elizabeth.
Barbara is the daughter of a Polish book binder who has brought his family to Russia. The Empress takes note of him when he is able to restore a treasured book. When Barbara’s mother dies, his father asks the Empress to look after his daughter if something should happen to him; he dies shortly thereafter. Barbara is brought to the palace as a lowly servant, and works her way up to become a spy for the Chancellor and the Empress. The Empress also renames her the more Russian, Varvara. Varvara befriends Sophia, the young princess brought to the palace to become the bride of the Grand Duke Peter, nephew of the Empress. Peter is being groomed as the future ruler. Sophia later takes the name Catherine. The story is told through the eyes of Barbara/Varvara and follows the years as Elizabeth rules Russia, and as the reigns of Peter and Catherine follow. But in addition to the story of Catherine, much of the story involves Varvara's personal life and her marriage and motherhood.
I read this book hoping to learn a bit about Russia during this period, and I did. But I sensed the history here is embellished and ‘shaped’ to fit the story. I’m not sure I really have an accurate idea of Russia, and in particular, Catherine and Peter. However it did motivate me to look Catherine up on the internet to read a bit more, so it did serve as an introduction to the period. I look forward to reading more about this era. The Winter Palace is good read if you enjoy historical fiction