Laurie M. (reading-galore) -
Helpful Score: 2
I was absolutely swept away by this brilliantly written historical novel following the lives of an American, Eliza Ferriday, her Russian friend, Sofya Streshnayva and Varinka, the hired help of Sofya. The story alternates between locations of America, Russia and Paris, France from 1914-1921. This is the author's second book and her writing just flows across the pages as she develops her strong female characters with ease. The ending comes to a very satisfying close, fully disclosing what happened to each of the characters in the end. Highly recommend this book!
This was a good WWI book. I think I liked it more than the first book, Lilac Girls. Eliza from NY and two cousins of the Russian tsar, Sofya and Luba, are family friends and tell their stories in alternating chapters. Sofya and Luba are in Russia during the fall of the tsar and rise of the Bolsheviks. As part of the wealthy they must flee Russia and over the course of a couple of years and extreme trials they make it to Paris. Eliza provides relief to Russian immigrants in America and eventually finds her friends in Paris and helps them too. I liked Sofya and Luba's stories. It was interesting to read about Russia and I did not realize Paris was the place many of the Russian elites fled to and the spies in their midst. Interesting history and interesting to read about that side of WWI instead of the usual English/French WWII history.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wonderful book spanning the years just before, during and after The Great War. There is Eliza, a wealthy New Yorker with a kind heart. Sofya and her little sister, Luba, aristocratic Russians and cousins to the Romonovs. Then there is Varinka, impoverished and living in hard times, who loses her way. Some parts were very difficult for me to read but it ultimately ends with joy and hope.
