Helpful Score: 4
Well researched, realistic story about the final days in czarist Russia. A real page turner.
Helpful Score: 3
This book though interesting was not as good as "The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander. So much time is spent on Rasputin's "sinfulness", popularity, and those who plot against him; we really just gather glimpses of his daughter, Maria. It is a good read and does provide insight more to Rasputin through his daughter's eyes - not only as to what kind of father he was, but what kind of man he really was. If you enjoy historical fiction I would definitely put this book on your reading list.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent fictionalized account of the life of the infamous Rasputin whose death preceded the dethrowning and murder of the Russian royal family. Told from the perspective of his daughter, this was an excellent, intriguing and engaging read.
Helpful Score: 2
Typical of Robert Alexander's writing, this is a faily simple and predictable story with some historical accuracy and a whole lot of fiction.
Helpful Score: 2
A novel about the death of Rasputin told from his daughter Maria's perspective. I am always intrigued by stories revolving around Russian history and this is the first one I've read specifically about Rasputin, the holy man and supposed healer who was close to the Russian Royalty. A chronology of important Russian events is included in the book to help understand the timeline. The author also includes information on what really happened to characters who were based on actual people. I cannot comment on historic accuracy in the characterization of the main characters, but it was an interesting read. I would recommend this book.
Also recommend: The Bronze Horseman (a Russian love story that I have read more than once) and Dr. Zhivago
Also recommend: The Bronze Horseman (a Russian love story that I have read more than once) and Dr. Zhivago
Helpful Score: 2
As I read this book I found it hard to believe that Rasputin's actual daughter was as heroic as Robert Alexander's fictionalized version. I wish I would have read the final few pages 'what happened to the character's real people" first. This would have made the story more plausible. I loved "The Kitchen Boy" but as I read "Rasputin's daughter" I found myself thinking "how could all this action have happened to a sheltered young Russian Women in the space of one week?" Then when I learned that Matryona Rasputina was indeed the only member of her family to live into old age, surviving Stalin & a bear mauling. She was a cabaret dancer, a handler of wild beasts & a riveter She lead a most unconventional life & knowing this made the fictional character more believable. I would love to read her biography/autobiography.
Helpful Score: 2
This was an interesting read.
Helpful Score: 2
Easily one of the worst books I've ever read, Alexander's take on Rasputin is drawn nearly exclusively from the 500 pages of testimony given by those closest to him to the Thirteenth Section in the months after his murder. The author's near abandonment of the revolution, despite it being a major player in the lives of all characters involved is a disappointment, not to mention that none of his characters show themselves in any sort of multi-dimentional way. The "shock" at the end is embarassingly contrived and the narrative overly simple. Overall, the book is miserably plebian, its pages better served as a table leveler or fire kindling. For a book worth reading, read its source material in Edvard Radzinsky's 'The Rasputin Files.'
Helpful Score: 1
I really like this book. It was good. I'm sure not historically accurate, but good none the less.
Helpful Score: 1
A suspenseful tale of WW-I Russia as told through the eyes of a girl.
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as Alexander's Kitchen Boy, but nevertheless an intrigueing look at Rasputin by his daughter. If you love Russian history, you will love this. Genny
Helpful Score: 1
A very engaging tale of the last days before the 1917 revolution in Russia, told from the point of view of Rasputin's daughter...a good, quick read presenting a creative imagining of unknown secondary events of that time---good historical fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
My first book on Rasputin or his family despite having read many many books on the Romanovs. Truly focused on the sexual appetites of not only Rasputin, but many of his devout followers. I would have liked to have heard more about his healing abilities or powers of prediction and his interference in the monarchy's politics since that's what they say brought down the Romanov dynasty. Interesting explanation of why Rasputin's body was found "drowned" in the river after he was certainly dead from a gunshot to the forehead.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting mystery and equally interesting perspective of Rasputin as a misinterpreted victim.
This is the second book I've read by Robert Alexander, the first being "The Kitchen Boy". Although it was interesting, I didn't think it was as good as his first novel. Maybe I knew too much about Rasputin, having read several books about him in the past. There is no surprise ending to this book.
Wow! A great, detailed tale of historical fiction. Takes you behind the scenes of the life of the controversial Rasputin through the empathic eyes of his daughter. You feel as if you are seeing the sights, smelling the smells, and hearing the sounds of that time. Highly recommend.
This book was very well written but not better than the The Kitchen Boy. I still enjoyed reading about the Russian Revolution and Royalty. Intrigue and espionage.
Made even more mysterious since it was based on true characters.
Would recommend to others.
Made even more mysterious since it was based on true characters.
Would recommend to others.
What a great look into Rasputins life, we always think he was a mean and evil man but he was really just a father and loved by many. I find the russian royals all very intersting.
Not as good as The Kitchen Boy but interesting.
Really interesting book. I had read the Kitchen Boy and liked this just as well. I couldn't put it down.
Maria is the daughter of the famous Rasputin. She has seen the wonderful things that her father has done for the sick and dying, including the son of the Tsar. She has also seen things that make her despise her father. Her mind is always wondering if he is the prophet that he has been deemed or the peasant that others have called him. This is well written and makes you wonder yourself about the legend of Rasputin.
