The Romanov Bride

Historical novels are a wonderful way to bridge the gap between fiction and nonfiction. A well-researched, well-written historical novel will fulfill a history buff's love of fact and a literature reader's love of a good story. Robert Alexander has produced a sweeping story of devotion, passionate belief and class divides in The Romanov Bride.
Based on the life of Grand Duchess Elisavyeta Fyodorovna, this book recounts the atmosphere and events surrounding the Russian Revolution and the fall of the Romanovs. Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, sister of the Tsarina Alexandra and wife to the Governor-General of Moscow, Elisavyeta was a renowned beauty who was devoted to her husband Sergei. She converted to the Orthodox church, and upon Sergei's assassination by anti-Tsarist revolutionaries, she withdrew from society and founded the Convent of Sts Martha and Mary in Moscow. One of the last of the Romanov family to be arrested after the October Revolution, she was tossed into a mine shaft in 1918 and left to die.
Robert Alexander has created a fictional character - Pavel - to present the reader with the experiences and sufferings of the poor in Russia. A young worker whose wife is shot by Tsarist troops during a peaceful protest, Pavel quickly becomes involved in violent uprising against the Romanovs, including the assassination plot against Grand Duke Sergei and the eventual arrest of Elisavyeta.
Using these two characters whose loved ones have been destroyed by the political unrest and violence of the early 20th century, Alexander is able to show the huge class divide that existed in Russia. At the same time, he is able to explore the different ways people react to loss and suffering. This is a very interesting book that has received a lot of critical attention.
We have this compelling story available in both print and audio formats. If you would like to learn more about the background, or read an interview with the author, Penguin Books has produced a Reader's Guide for this story: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/romanov_bride.html