The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
>> Thursday, February 7, 2008
Genre: Historical FictionPublication Date: 2003
Pages: 229
Challenges: TBR 2008 #2, Royalty Rules #1, A-Z Reading #10 (K title)
Ever since I read Robert K Massie’s Nicholas and Alexandra for the first time when I was in high school, I’ve had a fascination with the Romanov Dynasty. I’ve read a variety of books and watched many Discovery channel and History channel shows. When I first read Heather’s review of this book, it went right onto my TBR list. It took a while, but I finally got around to reading it.
This is a fictional account of the last days of the Czar Nicholas II and his family told from the perspective of a young kitchen boy who traveled with the family to their final imprisonment in Siberia. In the book, young Leonka is now an elderly man recording his story that he has kept secret for many years. He wants to pass along his recollections to his granddaughter before he dies. Inspired by truth, this is nevertheless a fictional account of the family in the final weeks of their lives. The narrator clearly admired the former ruler and his wife, but at the same time is blunt about their downfall being brought on by their own actions and faults. Despite their flaws as rulers, the devotion that Nicholas and Alexandra had for each other and their family is well known and well portrayed in this book.
This one is a quick read that I enjoyed. Although the fate of the family is expected, the author throws in enough detail and twists to the story to keep it interesting historical fiction. I’m looking forward to reading more of Alexander’s books.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
14 comments:
I read this one awhile ago and was quite taken with it. It's such a tragic story and even more so because it is based on true events. I liked the author's twist to the story quite a bit. Thanks for the great review!
You've piqued my interest. I've always wanted to read more about Nicholas and Alexandra, too.
I really enjoyed both this book and Rasputin's Daughter when I read them! I am very much looking forward to his new book which is out soon!
Literary Feline: I read your review - the twist at the end was a good one - I'd guessed close, but not quite :-)
Booklogged: It's always been a fascinating story - they were devoted to each other and their family, but just so not the right people to be ruling the country at that time.
Marg: Oh I'm glad to hear you liked Rasputin's Daughter - I want to read that. His new one is about Alexandra's sister Ella.
I read this one a while back, but I remember loving it. I thought the end was great!
Lezlie
Have you ever seen Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna? I really enjoyed it.
I don't know much about Russian history, but this really sounds interesting! I love historical fiction and may have to get a copy of this. Who knows when I'll read it, however. My stacks are getting out of control! Lots of new books since mid-December...
Suzi, how do you like reading all the Russian challenge books in a row? The only one I've read is Dr. Zhivago (and that was 30 years ago, lol). I loved it!
Lezlie: I figured a twist was coming - I had part of it figured out, but not all of it.
Ladytink: No, I haven't seen that - might need to check to see if my library has it.
Les: it's a quick read.
Mary: It hasn't bothered me because they've all been so very different. This one really wasn't for the Russian Reading challenge - just happened to be set there. I'm really enjoying the biography of Peter the Great - but it's a chunkster!
I'm so glad you liked it!!!
Heather - I did and want to read his other books!
Ooh, I loved this book. It was a new, interesting twist on the tragic outcome of The Romanovs. Rasputin's Daughter is on my TBR.
Carrie: it's on mine too :-)
I loved this book. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
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