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Tsarina

Ellen Alpsten

Why we're reading this: Russia
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Jul 31, 2021 Andrea rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: series, top100longlist, audio, city-library, around-the-world-2021

I like to think of this book as my (personal) literary discovery of 2021! When it was published last year I was vaguely aware of it, seeing it available in e-formats at my library, but I'm guilty of judging a book by its cover because I assumed it was not for me. Perhaps others have done the same, because it just doesn't seem to be as well-known as it deserves. Luckily for me, my late discovery means the sequel, The Tsarina's Daughter, is out already so I can jump straight in.

Time and time again I like to think of this book as my (personal) literary discovery of 2021! When it was published last year I was vaguely aware of it, seeing it available in e-formats at my library, but I'm guilty of judging a book by its cover because I assumed it was not for me. Perhaps others have done the same, because it just doesn't seem to be as well-known as it deserves. Luckily for me, my late discovery means the sequel, The Tsarina's Daughter, is out already so I can jump straight in.

Time and time again I am reminded that truth is often stranger and more fascinating than fiction. This book is that! It is the story of Catherine I of Russia. Not the Great one, but the first one. It's the ultimate rags to riches tale, of a beautiful young Polish serf who grows up to become the first Empress of all the Russias. It's taken me quite a while to sit to write this review because I've been down the Romanov rabbit-hole since I finished reading it; it's ignited such a strong desire to know and understand more. From what I can ascertain this is a fairly truthful retelling of Marta/Catherine's story, with one or two events and characters changed, but with the author's full disclosure in her notes (I don't mean to imply that it's a scholarly work; it is well-researched fiction). Not only is it reliable, but it's also a great romp - as entertaining as anything by my favourite historical fiction authors. My only caveat to that is the fact that I listened to the audiobook, so I don't know whether print would have had the same impact on me. Alpsten doesn't shy away from the violence and debauchery of the time, but balances it with vivid imagery of the clothes and food and charmingly intimate or vulnerable scenes between Catherine and her staff or children. Oh, and the twelve pregnancies...

Despite it being quite a lengthy book (17-18 hours), I devoured it quickly, going back to listen at every opportunity. Anna Krippa has the perfect neutral accent for this book, and I happily overlooked the occasional idiosyncratic pronunciation for the pleasure of listening to the Russian names simply rolling off her tongue.

I simply cannot wait to get stuck into the next book, about one of Catherine's surviving children, Elizabeth. Highly recommended. ...more

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