Russian Women’s Family Saga

This debut novel spans three generations of Russian women, from the 1917 revolution to the final days of the Soviet Union, with an enduring love story at its core.

It starts with a young girl living happily in Moscow with her sister, father, and eccentric mother, who collects porcelain dolls and tells fairy tales. One summer night changes everything, leaving only the girl and her mother.

A decade later, Rosie, studying at Oxford with an English name and a loving fiancé, seeks to understand and bury her past. When her mother dies, Rosie returns to Russia with her mother’s folklore and a single key. She uncovers a devastating family history from the 1917 Revolution through the siege of Leningrad and Stalin’s purges.

Central to the story is Tonya, a young noblewoman whose love for an idealistic man sparks a sweeping saga. In 1991 London, Rosie works as an assistant to a famous Russian author. Her mother leaves her a key hidden in a porcelain doll, leading Rosie to a map in a drawer in their old Moscow home. This map takes her to a house in Tula Province, linking her quest to Tonya’s 1917 story. Tonya’s journey, beginning with her marriage to a wealthy factory owner and a forbidden pregnancy by a Bolshevik revolutionary, intertwines with Rosie’s search for her family’s truth.

The novel switches between Rosie’s 1991 journey and Tonya’s 1917 struggles. While the historical richness and emotional depth shine, the multiple storylines and time periods can be confusing, causing the strong opening to lose momentum. Despite its challenges, I learned a lot. 3 stars.

** I voluntarily reviewed a comp of this book. The opinions are my own.

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