Rasputin's Daughter by Robert Alexander

Rasputin's daughter existed and died in Hollywood in 1977 and has a specific take on the story of her father, Grigori Rasputin,his last days, and his strangeness and power over the Romanov court.The book brings to light many questions such as the following:

• The fascinating background of St Petersburg.


• Rasputin bringing relief to the young Tsarevich albeit temporary to his hemophilia by his hands on healing


• Could the story have taken on a mythic retelling


• How much did Rasputin have to do with bringing down the Tsar, and the way of life of the Royal system and the Royals.


• He was held in awe by the Tsar and Tsarina for the temporary healing of their son


• Certain nobles plot to kill Rasputin and Maria gets wind of it to her father


• Maria's story evolves in its retelling.


• Did this illiterate peasant have a divine line?


• Why did not all the people love this illiterate peasant?


• How was he such an important influence at court?


• Why was he a target?


• How could he ignore the signs of his imminent downfall?
  
  

http://bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.ASP?bookid=7731

Rasputin's Daughter by Robert Alexander
Order: USA Can
Penguin, 2006 (2006)Hardcover, Paperback, Audio,
CD
Reviewed by Barbara Lingens
This is a
fascinating tale, quite different from the usual way the story of Imperial
Russia's Nicholas and Alexandra and their relationship with the enigmatic
Rasputin is told. Rasputin's daughter Maria (a very real person who died in
Hollywood, California, in 1977) tells us her version of her father's last days.
Through Maria, we get to see a more intimate view of this strange but powerful
man. His hold on the royal family comes quite clear through her descriptions of
his ability to calm the young tsarevich and work at least a temporary relief in
his suffering.The story really revolves around the fact that a certain group of
nobles has decided to kill Rasputin. Maria gets wind of the danger to her father
and tries to be of help while at the same time coming to grips with his crude
behaviors. The author adds only one imaginary character to the group of nobles,
a pivotal one to Maria. With this, we get a fresh take on the days and months
leading up to and following that infamous event. We also learn how it could have
taken on such a mythic retelling as it did.Lovers of historical fiction will
want to add Rasputin's Daughter to their library of favorites. It is an easy
read, it rings true, and it is powerful fiction.2nd Review by Mary Ann
Smyth:Robert Alexander, author of The Kitchen Boy, presents Rasputin's Daughter,
a fascinating narrative by Maria Rasputin of the final days of her father's
life. Grigori Rasputin, infamous healer of the Romanov court, was held in awe by
Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra for his hands-on healing of their son and
heir, Aleksei, who suffered the royal disease of hemophilia.Maria is
interrogated about her father's role in the revolution that led to the murder of
the Tsar and his entire family. Thus her story evolves. How much did Rasputin
have to do with bringing down the Tsar and a whole way of life for the royals?
Why did the people not all love this simple illiterate peasant who seemed to
have a direct line to God? How could Rasputin wield such an important influence
at court? If he was so good, why was he a target? How could he ignore the signs
that his downfall was imminent? He had petitioners almost every day who wanted
something from him. Just a short note with his name scrawled on it would work
miracles. Money was pressed upon him. Why did he just as quickly give it
away?The Russian Revolution brought great changes that would eventually affect
the whole world. How this simple man with such great power would be integral in
the collapse of the Romanovs and the royal system makes an intriguing story.
Along with the history of this superb book is the fascinating background of the
story – the streets, alleys and also the great homes and palaces of St.
Petersburg.