Rasputin's Daughter: A Novel (A Romanov Novel)

I love Robert Alexander's work. He used to write mysteries, and you can see that in his historical fiction. He takes an obscure actual historical character about whom there is little known, and puts them at the center of actual historical events, interacting with famous characters--and there's always a mystery brewing. In this case, he places Maria Rasputin at the center of this story about the last week of Rasputin's life. In the process, we see a more nuanced portrait of Rasputin than we usually get from books and movies about him. And the plot twists and turns--kept me hanging on to the edge of my chair. I loved this book and recommend it for anyone interested in a well-researched, well-written novel in which the author seamlessly weaves together fact and fiction. Bravo, Mr. Alexander, I'm glad you stopped writing midlist mysteries and started writing historical fiction.

Have you ever been drawn to different points in history? There are quite a few eras that have that draw with me, and the time of Rasputin is one of mine. Grigory Effimovich Rasputin is one of the most interesting characters in modern time. His influence on the Romanov dynasty is phenomenal - and the mystery and happenings of his murder is one of the most interesting legends out there - In Rasputin's Daughter, the story is told through Rasputin's eldest daughter's perspective and it is wonderfully done - Was Rasputin a charlatan drunken user of people, or a master seer and healer? You'll form your own impression after this book - really great - I read this book in 2 sittings - couldn't put it down - das vedania.

Robert Alexander spent nearly thirty years traveling to Russia, where he attended Leningrad State University and worked for the U.S. government. For this reason, he proves to be the perfect author to tackle the task of fictionalizing the story of the last of the Romanovs. In "The Kitchen Boy", Alexander exquisitely blended fact and fiction to tell the story of Nicholas II's execution and provided an intriguing "What if?" end to the story. Now, in "Rasputin's Daughter", the author tackles an even more fascinating and controversial subject - that of Father Grigori Rasputin, the much-hated madman who "cured" Alexei Romanov and played a key part in bringing about the downfall of Mother Russia. Told from the point of view of Rasputin's eldest daughter, Maria, this novel traces Gigori Rasputin's final days leading up to his brutal execution by Felix Yusupov and several other Romanov royals who felt threatened by Rasputin's power. Robert Alexander poses his own theories on what might have happened the night Rasputin died and whether the "Mad Monk" really possessed healing abilities, or whether he was just out to harm the Romanov reputation. The result is a novel that I couldn't put down. Alexander obviously loves Russia and manages to perfectly evoke the political and social climate of pre-Revolutionary Russia and the controversy that constantly surrounded the royal family. "Rasputin's Daughter" grips you until the very end and leaves you wanting for more!

What an intriguing way to tell the story of death of one history's most enigmatic and fascinating figures - through the eyes of his eldest daughter. Alexander knows how to keep the pot boiling with this one, a fine follow-up to THE KITCHEN BOY, one of my book groups' favorite selections last year.

This historical fiction is the story of the last weeks of the life of Grigori Rasputin, the mythic Russian religious healer and advisor to Tsar Nicholas and Tsaritsa Alexandra, in the years before their execution. An illiterate and uneducated peasant from Siberia, he became both beloved and reviled by the powers in Russia, and by the people. Rasputin's daughter, Matryona Grigorievna, or Maria, was only 18 when her father was murdered. She had always adored and respected her father, but during the last months of his life, she discovered some distasteful truths about him. She had a hard time reconciling the kind, generous man she had always seen, with the man who was sleeping with the housekeeper while his wife was at home in Siberia, and who abused some of his petitioners. Rasputin helped all who came to him, some with advice, some with one of his notes that asked that whatever the petitioner wanted should be granted; some with money. The powerful, the affluent and the nobility showered him with gifts of money and food, and they also came to him for influence. The vast dichotomy of the disease, turbulence and poverty of the time, against the small but obscenely wealthy aristocracy living in their insular palaces and served by hundreds of retainers, is depicted perfectly. Alexander's long familiarity with Russia, the language, the customs, and the history is evident here (he has been traveling there for nearly 30 years). Extensive research has paid off in a fascinating chronicle. Secretive, outlawed religious cults, and murderous plots by corrupt government officials and nobility are part of the narrative. Alexander has included snippets of the poetry of Alexander Blok and the beloved Pushkin, a rare pleasure. The book includes an epilogue, a chronology, and a glossary. Check the web site www.rasputinsdaughter.com for photographs, narrative, and more background on the era. Armchair Interviews says: With mesmerizing characters, and an evocative atmosphere Alexander has created an informative and enjoyable book full of historical insight into a tumultuous era. This would make an interesting book club selection