From award-winning author Eva Stachniak comes this passionate novel that tells the epic story of Catherine the Great’s improbable rise to power — as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of an all-but-invisible servant close to the throne.
Her name is Barbara — in Russian, Varvara. Nimble-witted and attentive, she’s allowed into the employ of the Empress Elizabeth, amid the glitter and cruelty … glitter and cruelty of the world’s most eminent court. Under the tutelage of Count Bestuzhev, Chancellor and spymaster, Varvara will be educated in skills from lock picking to lovemaking, learning above all else to listen — and to wait for opportunity. That opportunity arrives in a slender young princess from Zerbst named Sophie, a playful teenager destined to become the indomitable Catherine the Great. Sophie’s destiny at court is to marry the Empress’s nephew, but she has loftier, more dangerous ambitions. What Sophie needs is an insider at court, a loyal pair of eyes and ears who knows the traps, the conspiracies, and the treacheries that surround her. Varvara will become Sophie’s confidante — and together the two young women will rise to the pinnacle of absolute power.
more
This is the best kind of historical fiction and the writer really brings her characters and era to life. The book has sequels and you’ll want to read them. You’ll also want to know more about the real life of Catherine the Great. This book is a great entry point.
An inventive retelling of the familiar story of Empress Elizabeth & the making of Catherine the Great, this time told by characters who served in the palace but were not royal themselves. It highlights how a frivilous word from someone in power can have deep, tragic consequences for the people who serve.
I liked the history of that time period.
Nina Babich’s review Apr 06, 2018 · edit
really liked it
Very good historical novel that covers 20 years of Catherine’s life, but at an unusual time: the time period from when she first came to Russia at age 14 to marry a simpering heir, to about 2 years into her reign. Russia hasn’t changed: they were interfering in elections even then …
Good chance to catch up on historical figures I wasn’t that much aware of.
This was my first adventure into historical novels and I loved this book. No dry boring history here as the story is told by a member of the court over a number of years before and during Catherine’s reign. Seems very authentic and really brings all the characters to life. I tried another historical novel, written by a different author, after …
Very informative. Well written.
Interesting historical novel.
I love historical fiction and this was a really good one!
I found the book to be way too long and involved. It took me three times to finish it.
Good not great. Expected to learn more than I did.
I enjoyed this book because I love history and biography. It was a realistic look at life in the court of Russia in the 18th century. It was a novel told through the eyes of a young woman who aspires to rise in the court hierarchy as a spy and to promote her young daughter’s position there someday. I have read a biography of Catherine the Great …
Enjoyed learning so much about Russia and its history in an entertaining way. Katherine the Great is a fascinating true story
If you like historical fiction, you will like this book. It give you a totally different view of the earlier monarchy in Russia.
Russian names made the book too cumbersome to read.
informative, but I’m not sure that is what happened in the Russian royalty castle – too much exploitative sex with servants.
What I loved most about this book is that the story was so well written and never boring. I began to feel as if I was really looking through the narrator’s eyes and feeling her fears, joys, triumphs, and disappointments.
I enjoyed learning some about Empress Elizabeth and Catherine the Great and am now inspired to learn more.
At times the book was slow. But it was a historical rendering. So, I guess that would be expected. I did find it interesting.
This was a well written book. Kept my attention. Interesting read!
Loved how the story was told. Now I can’t wait to read more Russian history.