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.

Russian Revolution Death of Nicolas II and family

http://bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.ASP?bookid=8454

The days of the last Tsar are laced with uncertainty and supposition and this is apparent from this novel told by Leonka the kitchen boy at Ekaterinburg the execution site of the imperial Romanov family. This event had a pivotal influence on ensuing history. It took place in Siberia and the Romanovs never lost hope of their liberation . It is thought or supposed that one or two survivors made it. The lips of the Imperials were indeed stiff as they were shut off even from sunlight in their imprisonment. The 4 daughters and mother spent hours sewing and encasing diamonds into their corsets to help them when they reached another country.They were taken to the cellar and even then were assured of their liberation.The jewels deflected the bullets and they were finally gunned down by the Bolsheviks.Leonka tapes his eyewitness record to leave for his granddaughter.He tells of the following:

• The foolishness of the Tsar


• His great regard for the Tsarina


• The hemophilia of the Tsarevich Alexei (Alexis) Romanov


• It is a well told account based on records on display in museums and also documented letters and then the author wove a tale around these.


• It is viewed as one of the world's great tragedies even now.


• The surprise ending of the novel weaves together the novel's disparate strands.
  
  

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar
by Robert Alexander
Order: USA Can
Penguin, 2004 (2003)Hardcover, Paperback
Read
an Excerpt
Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth
The
story of the final days of the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia is told by
Leonka, a kitchen boy who worked for the Romanovs at their place of
imprisonment. The assassination of the whole family, along with five of their
retainers, took place in Siberia during the early days of the Russian
Revolution.What actually happened has been speculated about since that day.
Tales of one or two of the royal family surviving have circulated but never been
proven. Leonka tells of the stiff upper lips of the imperials who endured not
even being able to see daylight, their windows being covered over. The four
daughters and their mother spent many hours at their sewing – encasing diamonds
and other valuable loose jewels in their corsets to help them if they managed to
reach another country.The Romanovs never gave up hope of an escape and even when
they were taken to the cellar of what was to be the spot of their executions,
they were sure they were to be liberated. Those jewels deflected bullets when
they were finally gunned down and the actual killing took longer because of
that.Leonka tapes the record of the deaths to leave for his granddaughter when
he dies. He tells of the young Alexander's suffering with hemophilia; of the
sweetness of the girls; of the foolishness of the Tsar in his dealings with his
people; and of his great regard for the Tsarina.The Kitchen Boy is a slim novel
that packs a great deal of speculation. It's a well-told account based on many
copies of communications that are held in display at various museums. Robert
Alexander has taken these documented letters and woven a tale around what is
still viewed as one of the world's great tragedies. The surprise ending - which
will shock and surprise you - answers many questions that the novel raises.

The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter

http://bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.ASP?bookid=3609 Captivating is the correct rendering whenever an entourage of animals is involved and their prowess is explored and used for communal good. and Near Sawrey is a pastoralized albeit humanized version of a utopia with slight dystopian elements? Early 1900's and Beatrix Potter brought back to life. The reviewer comes to know Near Sawrey and expects to walk into the past. Beatrix buys Hilltop Farm with temerity and as an escape, to purchase it on her own (?).The mysteries are mild and the death of Miss Tolliver is troubling and who owns her cottage now? Can the visiting animals help the local cats and dog and owl clear the mysteries?

The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
by Susan Wittig Albert
Order: USA Can
Berkley, 2004 (2004)Hardcover
Reviewed by
Mary Ann Smyth
The Tale of Hill Top Farm is a gentle mystery that is
captivating, whimsical, and downright delightful. Susan Albert has taken an
idea, run with it, and produced a novel that is both innovative and
imaginatively believable.Beatrix Potter, of Peter Rabbit fame, has traveled to
the hamlet of Near Sawrey in the fabled Lake District of England. She buys Hill
Top Farm as an escape from her domineering parents and then has to find a way to
fit into the life of a village that looks askance at strangers ... especially at
a woman who has the temerity to purchase a farm on her own when everyone knows a
woman can't run a farm by herself. The fact that she writes tales of animals
that act as though human entrances some of the villagers and appalls others.
Beatrix, who travels with her own entourage - Mopsey and Josey Cottontail, Tom
Thumb the mouse and hedgehog Mrs. Tiddy-Winkle - arrives in Near Sawrey to
complete the paperwork involved with her purchase. While staying at the
forerunner of a Bed and Breakfast, mysterious happenings occur in the Village
and Beatrix can't rest until she sorts things out. Susan Wittig Albert did
extensive research on Beatrix Potter and brought her back to life on the pages
of this book. The time in question is the early nineteen hundreds. I came to
know Near Sawrey so well, that I fully expected to leave my own home and walk
into the past - with medieval style cottages, country roads, and flowers
blooming in profusion in every front garden. I took tea with Beatrix and her new
acquaintances and could almost taste the lovely sponge and tea biscuits. The
characterizations are very real. Beatrix Potter could easily be your next door
neighbor. Okay, maybe if that neighbor wore the clothes of 1905 and bowed to the
sensibilities expected of ladies of that time, but you get my drift. The local
school teacher, Myrtle Crabbe, and her two sisters are definitely out of the
box. Beatrix's fiancé died shortly before her arrival in Near Sawrey and Albert
introduces several possible swains. Inhabitants of Near Sawrey know very well
that their own business is the business of every one else in the village. But
they also know that they each look out for the other and can call on anyone
should they need help. So the disappearance of the Parish Register is troubling.
As is the possibly mysterious death of Miss Tolliver, a respected single woman
who has lived in the village all her life. And what has really happened to the
money for the school roof fund? Who is the new owner of Miss Tolliver's cottage?
Can the visiting animals be of any help to the local cats and dog - and owl -
who are determined to clear up the questions that are running rampant in Near
Sawrey? It's great fun to have a real personage come to life again through
fiction. I do hope Susan Whittig Albert is hard at work on the next episode of
this wonderfully entertaining new series.The Tale of Hill Top Farm is a must
read. And with holidays around the corner, it seems like the perfect gift for
that special person on your list. One with a touch of whimsy in his or her
character. Be sure to get a copy for yourself, too.

The Miracles of Prato -Fra Filippo Lippi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fra_Filippo_Lippi

Prato Tuscany in the Fifteenth Century is the setting of this novel of historical fiction which often brings history to vivid life more than the dry facts could ever do.. It is a seamless story of the times of Fra Filippo Lippi and his love for the nun Lucrezia Buti. The power of the religious,so the review states, is slowly being waned by the rise of the merchants. This state of affairs is meaningless to Fra Filippo who depends on the Church and the Medicis for his artistic supplies. He is working on THE MADONNA OF PRATO and needs a muse. A beautiful orphan and her sister have arrived in Prato to become initiates of the convent of Santa Margherita and he just happens to be the chaplain. A coincidence, or prearranged event for the shaping of the painting? The religious life of 15th century Renaissance is richly depicted in the novel and the creation of works of art in this time frame. Artistic struggle and feeling is also put on our "reading canvas" for view. These elements are juxtaposed into the story in a blend of historical detail. Note the short bio and the comment of Vasari how Fra Filippo did not study but drew pictures.Frequent chronic poverty were the occasion of spending on frequent amours,so it is told or narrated. Ah, Vasari and the romantic adventures he relates of Fra Filippo.! Note his abduction of Lucrezia Buti.

http://bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.ASP?bookid=10783

The Miracles of Prato by Laurie Albanese & Laura Morowitz
Order: USA Can
William Morrow, 2009 (2009)Hardcover, e-Book
Read an Excerpt

Reviewed by Barbara Lingens
It's pretty unusual to read a novel written
by two authors, but I have to say (to my surprise) it works! In The Miracles of
Prato, authors Albanese and Morowitz present a seamless story of the life and
times surrounding Fra Filippo Lippi and his great love, the nun, Lucrezia
Buti.We are in the city of Prato, province of Tuscany, in the 15th century.
There are churches everywhere as well as convents and monasteries, but the power
of the religious is slowly being eaten away by the rise of the merchants. To the
artist Fra Filippo Lippi, this means nothing. All he needs are his supplies, and
for that he depends on his supporters - the Church and the Medicis. Oh, and he
definitely needs a muse because he is working on what is to become one of his
most famous works, The Madonna of Prato. A beautiful orphan and her sister have
just arrived in Prato to become initiates to the Convent of Santa Margherita
where he just happens to be the chaplain. And so begins the story.Rich in details about the religious life in the 15th-century
Renaissance, this work is equally dazzling in its ability to make us understand
how it was to create works of art at that time. We learn how paints are
mixed, what plants are used for color, how the paints are applied, how many
helpers an artist had to have to make the frescos and altarpieces. Best of all we see how the artist struggles to be able to paint
what it is he feels. Yet, this is not presented as a treatise, it's part of the
story, which makes a very satisfying juxtaposition to the intrigues of the
people. Artistic vision beautifully blended with historical detail make this a
truly interesting read.

Biography and works 1406-69
Lippi was born in Florence to Tommaso, a butcher. Both his parents died when he was still a child. Mona Lapaccia, his aunt, took charge of the boy. In 1420 he was registered in the community of the Carmelite friars of the Carmine in Florence, where he remained until 1432, taking the Carmelite vows in 1421 when he was sixteen.[1] In his Lives of the Artists, Vasari says: "Instead of studying, he spent all his time scrawling pictures on his own books and those of others." The prior decided to give him the opportunity to learn painting.
Eventually Fra Filippo quit the monastery, but it appears he was not released from his vows; in a letter dated 1439 he describes himself as the poorest friar of Florence, charged with the maintenance of six marriageable nieces. In 1452 he was appointed chaplain to the convent of S. Giovannino in Florence, and in 1457 rector (Rettore Commendatario) of S. Quirico in Legania, and made occasional, considerable profits; but his poverty seems chronic, his money being spent, according to one account, in frequent amours.
Vasari relates some romantic adventures of Fra Filippo that modern biographers are not inclined to believe. Except through Vasari, nothing is known of his visits to Ancona and Naples, nor of his capture by Barbary pirates and enslavement in Barbary, where his skill in portrait-sketching helped to release him.[2] From 1431 to 1437 his career is not accounted for.

In June 1456 Fra Filippo is recorded as living in Prato (near Florence) to paint frescoes in the choir of the cathedral. In 1458, while engaged in this work, he set about painting a picture for the convent chapel of S. Margherita of Prato, where he met Lucrezia Buti, the beautiful daughter of a Florentine, Francesco Buti; she was either a novice or a young lady placed under the nuns' guardianship. Lippi asked that she might be permitted to sit for the figure of the Madonna (or perhaps S. Margherita). Under that pretext, Lippi engaged in sexual relations with her, abducted her to his own house, and kept her there despite the nuns' efforts to reclaim her