Helpful Score: 1
No one can bring you to a place and time as well as Kate Furnivall. She has the remarkable ability to transport you into the character's world and thoughts and is one of the best authors I have ever read. This is one book out of a triad, each of which reads equally well as a stand alone book, but having read one of the books you will want to dive into the others as well. Get a cup of tea and a comfy pillow and plenty of time before you start, because once you start the book, it is tough to put down. I hope you enjoy my favorite historical fiction author as much as I have.
The story focuses on Valentina Ivanova, daughter to the finance minister to Tsar Nicholas II. An aristocrat, she is destined to marry a count from a moneyed family determined by her parents. When she falls in love with a penniless Danish engineer named Jens Friis she is torn whether to marry according to her parents wishes or follow her heart. Ss she spends time with Jens, she realizes that he is the love of her life.
Their romance is set in St. Petersburg 1910 against a background of revolution in her beloved country, Russia. Jens is designs and building a sanitary sewer system for the city. She wants to become a nurse to the horror of her parents.
As the working class and poor fight starvation, disease and injury, people like Valentina live in wealth and luxury. When the Revolutionaries begin killing government officials she fears for her father's life. Arkin, the family's chauffeur, is a dedicated Revolutionary who spearheads much of the chaos about the city. He genuinely likes her, her mother, Elizaveta, and her sister, Katya, but despises the opulence in which they live. He orchestrates an attack on her father that only injures and cripples the young Katya. The reader must not miss Liev, the young peasant who lives in the stable and takes care of the horses and carriages. He hates the Revolutionists who murdered his father, saves Valentina and always seems to be there when she needs help.
This story brings the reader in the lives of Russians, both rich and poor, of the era. The reader sympathizes with Arkin as he struggles to meld his beliefs with his feelings for the family.
Wonderful atmosphere. Engaging story. Strong fascinating characters. All woven together for an outstanding read. Yes, I liked it very much.
Their romance is set in St. Petersburg 1910 against a background of revolution in her beloved country, Russia. Jens is designs and building a sanitary sewer system for the city. She wants to become a nurse to the horror of her parents.
As the working class and poor fight starvation, disease and injury, people like Valentina live in wealth and luxury. When the Revolutionaries begin killing government officials she fears for her father's life. Arkin, the family's chauffeur, is a dedicated Revolutionary who spearheads much of the chaos about the city. He genuinely likes her, her mother, Elizaveta, and her sister, Katya, but despises the opulence in which they live. He orchestrates an attack on her father that only injures and cripples the young Katya. The reader must not miss Liev, the young peasant who lives in the stable and takes care of the horses and carriages. He hates the Revolutionists who murdered his father, saves Valentina and always seems to be there when she needs help.
This story brings the reader in the lives of Russians, both rich and poor, of the era. The reader sympathizes with Arkin as he struggles to meld his beliefs with his feelings for the family.
Wonderful atmosphere. Engaging story. Strong fascinating characters. All woven together for an outstanding read. Yes, I liked it very much.
Furnivall weaves a story, like the rest of her novels, I did not want to put this one down. This one did not stand up to the other two of this series. It just did not ring true. The easiest place to point out is the control that both mother and daughter have over men because they are so beautiful. Powerful men and a revolutionary and they just have to drop their dresses. Really? Was sex in such short supply? Liev, the stableman was the most like-able character, somehow I don't think that should be so.
I read this book for this month's "Jewel" theme in my online book club, The Reading Cove...
And I LOVED IT!
Kate Furnivall engagingly takes you right into the heart of revolutionary-era St. Petersburg, Russia, 1910. The atmosphere of the city really comes to life, the complexity of the times and the contrasting layers of aristocracy and poverty. It is masterful!
Valentina. Jens. Arkin. Liev. The characters stand right up on the pagethey become very real to you! You're there through the joys, the pains, the laughter, the music...and of course, you're there for their sorrows; all passionately smothered in the spirit to endure and the will to survive.
This rich and elegantly told story grabs you by the collar from the very beginning and doesn't let go! Nevertheless, you'll want to read leisurely, slowly...you'll want to savor this gem of a novel, too reluctant to see it end!
I definitely give THE JEWEL OF ST. PETERSBURG an A+ and it goes without saying that I can't wait to dive into the sequel, THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE!
★
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And I LOVED IT!
Kate Furnivall engagingly takes you right into the heart of revolutionary-era St. Petersburg, Russia, 1910. The atmosphere of the city really comes to life, the complexity of the times and the contrasting layers of aristocracy and poverty. It is masterful!
Valentina. Jens. Arkin. Liev. The characters stand right up on the pagethey become very real to you! You're there through the joys, the pains, the laughter, the music...and of course, you're there for their sorrows; all passionately smothered in the spirit to endure and the will to survive.
This rich and elegantly told story grabs you by the collar from the very beginning and doesn't let go! Nevertheless, you'll want to read leisurely, slowly...you'll want to savor this gem of a novel, too reluctant to see it end!
I definitely give THE JEWEL OF ST. PETERSBURG an A+ and it goes without saying that I can't wait to dive into the sequel, THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE!
★
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·
×°× ` ·.¸.·´ ×°×
