With the emotional panache that pleases her devotees, Steel (Kaleidoscope) portrays Zoya Ossupov, a courageous young woman of Imperial Russia who experiences both ecstasy and trauma. Daughter of a count who is a cousin of Tsar Nicholas, Zoya enjoys a privileged, cloistered existence. Zoya, whose name means "life," is on intimate terms with the tsar's family. All of them, of course, are endangered by the Revolution. The insurgents slaughter the tsar and his kin, and cause the deaths of Zoya's parents and brother, forcing her to flee to Paris with her aged but indomitable grandmother. Suffering in unaccustomed poverty, they are sustained by Zoya's wages as a dancer with the Ballet Russe. Romance brightens her life following a chance encounter with an affluent New Yorker, Capt. Clayton Andrews. Enchanted by Zoya, Andrews eventually brings her to Manhattan as his bride, never imagining the tragedies that will befall them both. Steel evokes the final days of Imperial Russia with characteristic bravura. As always, she offers a carefully calculated mix of picturesque locales, remarkable events and appealing characters.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
Very exciting! Filled with romance and adventure!
I loved this book. I am not much of a Danielle Steel book person, but this was good, story of a family over generations.
From running from the danger of the Russian revolution to the poverty of American life, Zoya proves anything can be overcome. Fantastic movie also.
Gotta love the name - Zoya! REally great story...my favorate.
Danielle steel what can I say thrilling.
Learn the life of Zoya from the Russian Revolution to New York and the eighties, see how history and this woman changes in times.
Zoya, a cousin to the Tsar of Russia, flees St. Petersburg during the Bolshevik Revolution. She arrives in Paris, destitute and desolate. But Zoya is made from strong fiber, and she ascends to stardom with the Ballet Russe. Before Zoya's trials are over, she will live through the Great Depression in New York and see poverty once again. But through it all, Zoya's spirit will prevail.
One of my favorite Danielle Steel stories!
one of the greatest books she's ever wrote!!
typical Steel....quick to read
From the Russian Revolution to New York in the 1980's, we witness the events that shaped the history of the world and the life of a woman named Zoya.
Witness the transformation of the history of the world and the life of an unforgettable woman from the 1917 Russian Revolution to the turbulent eighties of New York.
This book is full of rich descriptions, and really drew me in to the story. It is one of Danielle Steel's earlier novels, and has the quality writing that made her famous. It is a fairly long book, with several plot twists.
From the very beginning until the very end I was unable to put this book down! A must read!
I. Love. This. Book. As a member of the Russian royalty before the murder of the Tzar in the arly 1900's, Zoya is absolutely lovable, right down to her scandalous wish to become a professional dancer -- akin to a whore in her families eyes :o And she does it, too, when times become so desperate after the revolution that food is scarce and rubies sell as if they were rocks found on the side of the street. I really felt like I was there, that I knew her, and her pain seemed so real! And the ending .. the ending was fabulous, tieing everything togeather so wonderfully. Spanning three generations through three husdbands and countless childeren, homes, hardships, trials and tribulations, this book really is a masterpiece.
Excellent romance with a firm historical base, a strong female character and believable scenarios.
With the emotional panache that pleases her devotees, Steel (Kaleidoscope) portrays Zoya Ossupov, a courageous young woman of Imperial Russia who experiences both ecstasy and trauma. Daughter of a count who is a cousin of Tsar Nicholas, Zoya enjoys a privileged, cloistered existence. Zoya, whose name means "life," is on intimate terms with the tsar's family. All of them, of course, are endangered by the Revolution. The insurgents slaughter the tsar and his kin, and cause the deaths of Zoya's parents and brother, forcing her to flee to Paris with her aged but indomitable grandmother. Suffering in unaccustomed poverty, they are sustained by Zoya's wages as a dancer with the Ballet Russe. Romance brightens her life following a chance encounter with an affluent New Yorker, Capt. Clayton Andrews. Enchanted by Zoya, Andrews eventually brings her to Manhattan as his bride, never imagining the tragedies that will befall them both. Steel evokes the final days of Imperial Russia with characteristic bravura. As always, she offers a carefully calculated mix of picturesque locales, remarkable events and appealing characters. Literary Guild and BOMC dual main selections.
If you like Danielle Steel, you'll like this one!
"From the shattering onset of the Russian Revolution in 1917 to New York in the turbulent eighties. witness the dramatic events that transformed the history of the world and the life of an unforgettable woman...Zoya."
With the emotional panache that pleases her devotees, Steel (Kaleidoscope) portrays Zoya Ossupov, a courageous young woman of Imperial Russia who experiences both ecstasy and trauma. Daughter of a count who is a cousin of Tsar Nicholas, Zoya enjoys a privileged, cloistered existence. Zoya, whose name means "life," is on intimate terms with the tsar's family. All of them, of course, are endangered by the Revolution. The insurgents slaughter the tsar and his kin, and cause the deaths of Zoya's parents and brother, forcing her to flee to Paris with her aged but indomitable grandmother.
From the shattering onset of the Russian Revolution in 1917 to New York in the turbulent eighties, witness the dramatic events that transformed the history of the world and the life of an unforgettable woman...
Against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and World War I Europe, Zoya, young cousin to the Tsar, flees St. Petersburg to Paris to find safety. Her entire world forever changed, she faces hard times and joins the Ballet Russe in Paris. And then, when life is kind to her, Zoya moves on to a new and glittering life in New York. The days of ease are all too brief as the Depression strikes, and she loses everything yet again. It is her career, and the man she meets in the course of it, which ultimately save her, as she rebuilds her life through the war years and beyond. And it is her family that comes to mean everything to her. From the roaring twenties to the 1980's, Zoya remains a rare and spirited woman whose legacy will live on.
From the shattering onset of the Russian Revolution in 1917 to New York in the turbulent eighties, dramatic events that transformed the history of the world and the life of the unforgettable woman Zoya.
I do not remeber either, it's been sooooo long since I have read these books. If I keep them, I thought they were good.
