DOC The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport in History

Review

427 of 449 people found the following review helpful. One of my top Romanov books of all timeBy Historical Fiction NotebookI came very close to not requesting a review copy of this book. I thought there was no point. I thought I'd reached my limit on Romanov books - they rarely contain anything new; they're all drawing on the same primary source material and sadly; the Romanovs have reached a point at which they don't even really seem like real people anymore. They're more like copies of characters in some old novel.I am so glad that I went ahead and read this - not only is it one of my few five-star reads so far this year; it will probably become one of my favorite Romanov books of all time. Rappaport is a brilliant writer and researcher. She has accomplished what I did not think was possible - taught me many new things about life in Imperial Russia; about the lives of these four young women and why I should care about them and given me an eerily real sense of that long-ago time.My e-galley copy is filled with highlighted passages and notes - many of them noting places with brand-new anecdotes from previously unpublished sources. I kept coming across them with genuine delight and surprise - I've been reading about the Romanovs for twenty years and never come across some of these stories. Rappaport also a good ear for excerpting funny; poignant and revealing passages from the girls' letters and diaries. You get a very good sense of their individual voices from reading this book.I feel as though - for the first time - I can actually tell the girls apart and that the differences in their personalities are a revelation. I have a much more nuanced understanding of the Romanov family. Rappaport also managed the almost unthinkable in getting me to feel empathy for the Empress Alexandra. I am not a big fan of hers and believe she was an utterly disastrous ruler; wife and (even) mother. Rappaport looks sensitively at her background and helped me understand Alexandra's troubled mind while not excusing her actions.All in all; a highly recommended work of non-fiction. Despite having received an eBook for review; I will immediately purchase a hardcover copy to add to my collection - it's that good!Disclaimer: I received an advance eGalley from the publisher for review.223 of 237 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful and HeartbreakingBy JLeeThis is an incredible book; beautifully written and researched. It is also heartbreaking. I can’t tell you how many times I read something about one of the four Romanov sisters; the doomed daughters of Czar Nicholas and Alexandra; that caused me to stop reading and just stare at the faces on the cover. The author brings these young women to life; and it is impossible not to grieve for the innocent; young lives lost too soon.Although the title refers to the four sisters (who referred to themselves as OTMA – Olga; Tatiana; Maria and Anastasia); the book actually begins before the marriage of their parents. Nicholas and Alexandra came to love each other very much; they were absolutely perfect for each other. They were absolutely wrong for the Russian monarchy. Nicholas would have made a wonderful country gentleman. Alexandra was very shy and suffered from health problems that limited her mobility. They were; however; warm and loving persons. How happy they could have been in other circumstances.From Alexandra; Russia expects two things – for her to give birth to a son; and for her to be a social leader. Instead; she is almost invisible except for the disappointing announcements; one after another after another; of the birth of her daughters. And then; while the rest of the world is fascinated by the four Grand Duchesses; in Russia they are viewed as irrelevant and unimportant.The girls live in virtual isolation. The only freedom they have is when they travel; especially on their yacht. They are constantly under threat; and they are constantly surrounded by armed guards. Still; they are brought up to be loving and charitable persons. Their personalities do come across. Anastasia is often a brat. Tatiana and Maria are stalwart. Olga; the oldest; is the most deeply affected by their confinement. She should have long been married and away; but instead she is kept at home. I just wanted to scream how unfair it all was. When they traveled outside of Russia; I wanted someone to stop them from going back. I wanted someone to rescue them; to protect them; to take care of them.This is a wonderful book; and I highly recommend it.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Olga; Tatiana; Marie; and Anastasia brought back to lifeBy Gladys LadybugonWheelsIt's been almost one hundred years since the Romanov murders but the public's fascination with them continues. But little is known about Nicholas and Alexandra's four daughters Olga; Tatiana; Marie; and Anastasia. They tend to get lumped together and are seen as being very similar. But in truth; they were very different from one another. Olga; the eldest; was the most sensitive and emotional of the sisters. She could be moody and temperamental. She had a temper which she struggled to control at times and was prone to depression. That being said; she had a heart of gold. Tatiana; in many ways; was Olga's opposite. She was even-tempered; graceful and elegant. She was thought be haughty and aloof by some but once she got to know you she was warm and friendly. Marie was plump and loveable. She was warm and sweet; with a beautiful; open face. And last but not least; Anastasia. Anastasia; while not the most beautiful; had personality by the truckload. She was a prankster and never took herself too seriously. She was playful and full of energy but sometimes her mischievous nature got her into trouble. Like the time Sydney Gibbs; the children's English teacher lost his temper with her and yelled at her to shut-up.The Sister's lives may have seemed like a fairy-tale but it wasn't. The sisters had a lot to deal with; between their bother Alexei's frequent hemophilia attacks and their mother's never-ending health problems; the girls didn't have it easy. The one I felt the most sorry for was Olga. She was expected to always set a good example for her siblings. And Alexandra expected her to control the oftentimes out-of-control Alexei even though she herself couldn't control him. Olga; like her sisters; loved a man in uniform. She always fell in love with men who were out of reach. And her time as a nurse didn't go well. With in a matter of months of starting her work as a nurse; she had a nervous breakdown. Tatiana on the other hand; excelled at nursing and was not afraid of getting her hands dirty. During the families captivity Tatiana became more reserved and more impenetrable than ever. It was difficult to know how she felt and how the situation was affecting her because she; like her father; was very good at keeping feelings bottle up inside. And Marie stayed the same loving; kind person she always was. And Anastasia; always the family clown; kept the family smiling. But Olga sensed what everyone else in the family didn't realize until the very end: that the situation was not going to have a happy ending.I think what's so sad is that none of this had to happen. It could've been avoided. It could've been avoided if Nicholas and Alexandra had been willing to change; been more in tune with the needs and wants of the Russian people; and been willing to compromise. But they weren't and their four beautiful daughters ended up paying for their parents' mistakes and poor choices. Since I've read this book I can't stop thinking about the Romanov sisters. There will be times while reading this book that you'll want to scream. You'll want Nicholas and Alexandra to wake up before it's too late. Having said that; this is a wonderful book about four wonderful sisters.