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A review by coldheartedbirch
I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
absolutely loved this!!
thought to myself when i saw it on the shelf “alright but the DNA tests though……” but i figured it’d be interesting to read and learn about anna anderson and i’m so glad i did!
while a lot of people probably wouldn’t like the non-chronological arrangement, i personally loved it! the tension as the beginning and end of the story worked towards their mutual conclusion made it impossible to put the book down.
you really get swept up and even knowing how things work out in history doesn’t stop you from wanting to know how the book works out, even as half of the story unfolds in reverse.
lawhon does an incredible job at conveying the mental anguish caused by the trauma over time to all of the characters involved, but especially so for anna/anastasia. lawhon’s characterization is such a mentally strong, intelligent, indignant, and Sharp woman! was captivated the entire read!
thought to myself when i saw it on the shelf “alright but the DNA tests though……” but i figured it’d be interesting to read and learn about anna anderson and i’m so glad i did!
while a lot of people probably wouldn’t like the non-chronological arrangement, i personally loved it! the tension as the beginning and end of the story worked towards their mutual conclusion made it impossible to put the book down.
you really get swept up and even knowing how things work out in history doesn’t stop you from wanting to know how the book works out, even as half of the story unfolds in reverse.
lawhon does an incredible job at conveying the mental anguish caused by the trauma over time to all of the characters involved, but especially so for anna/anastasia. lawhon’s characterization is such a mentally strong, intelligent, indignant, and Sharp woman! was captivated the entire read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Minor: Rape and Antisemitism
there's not a tag for this but also: forced adoption.