The last Romanov : a novel

Resource Information

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The Resource The last Romanov : a novel

Label: The last Romanov : a novel

Title remainder: a novel

Statement of responsibility: Dora Levy Mossanen

Creator

trueLevy Mossanen, Dora, 1945-

Subject

Genre

Language: eng

Summary: A young girl who spent time with the Romanov family as an orphan is still, decades later, haunted by the murderous events that changed the course of history, and only in finding the family's heir does she believe she can move on

Storyline

trueCharacter-driven

Tone

Writing style

Review

Mossanen’s sweeping novel focuses on the life and memories of Darya Borodina Spiridova, a Russian orphan brought into the fold of the imperial family. Serving as a caretaker for the young czar Nicholas, she witnessed the height of the Romanov dynasty and the tragedy that befell the family at the hands of the dastardly Rasputin. Now as an old woman, she is tasked with the opportunity to find the lost heir to the Romanov throne and bring prosperity back to the troubled nation. With a plot that ranges from the early twentieth century to the years of perestroika and glasnost, The Last Romanov is an ambitious work. Mossanen peppers her prose with detailed images of palatial opulence and aristocratic indulgence, and the mystical, imaginative plot is grounded in historical fact. A story of redemption, history, and aristocratic intrigue, the novel is reminiscent of Gregory Maguire’s and Robin Maxwell’s work. For historical-fiction fans and lovers of the mysterious days of the Romanov Empire, this is an indulgent, romantic, and impassioned read. -- Turza, Stephanie (Reviewed 04-15-2012) (Booklist, vol 108, number 16, p32)
It is 1991 and Darya Borodina Spiridova is 104 years old. The world of imperial Russia—and the finest days of her life—are long gone. Then a letter from the Russian Nobility Association, a persistent circle of monarchists, arrives at her dilapidated Russian palace, summoning her to a meeting where they propose to fill the void left by communism by reinstating the monarchy. Darya is plunged back into her life in the Romanov court, where she was aunt to czarevich Alexei Nikolaevich, heir apparent to the throne of Russia, who she believes survived and for whom she has spent her life searching. Now, with the Romanov grave discovered sans Alexei’s remains, she must travel to meet a claimant to the throne, whom she believes to be her beloved Alexei. However, her host, Grand Duchess Sophia Sheremetev, demands to hear the story of her opulent youth in the Russian court and its subsequent collapse, before revealing the identity of the possible heir. Through this last act of memory, Darya purges her survivor guilt and regret over her lost family and the long life she has spent trying to find Alexei. Mossanen’s magical tale recasts familiar material in a modern light and injects pathos into a historic tragedy. Agent: Anna Ghosh, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency. (Apr.) --Staff (Reviewed February 6, 2012) (Publishers Weekly, vol 259, issue 06, p)

Cataloging source: DLC

Dewey number: 813/.6

Index: index present

LC call number: PS3612.E94

LC item number: L37 2012

Literary form: novels

Target audience: adult

Context

Context of The last Romanov : a novel

Work of

The last Romanov : a novel, Dora Levy Mossanen