The Winter Palace

A Novel of Catherine the Great

By: Eva Stachniak

Narrated by: Beata Pozniak

Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Named one of the best books of the year by the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

From award-winning author Eva Stachniak comes this passionate novel that illuminates, as only fiction can, the early life of one of history’s boldest women.

The Winter Palace tells the epic story of Catherine the Great’s improbable rise to power - as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of an all-but-invisible servant close to the throne. Her name is Barbara - in Russian, Varvara. Nimble-witted and attentive, she’s allowed into the employ of the Empress Elizabeth, amid the glitter and cruelty of the world’s most eminent court. Under the tutelage of Count Bestuzhev, Chancellor and spymaster, Varvara will be educated in skills from lock picking to lovemaking, learning above all else to listen - and to wait for opportunity. That opportunity arrives in a slender young princess from Zerbst named Sophie, a playful teenager destined to become the indomitable Catherine the Great. Sophie’s destiny at court is to marry the Empress’s nephew, but she has other, loftier, more dangerous ambitions, and she proves to be more guileful than she first appears.

What Sophie needs is an insider at court, a loyal pair of eyes and ears who knows the traps, the conspiracies, and the treacheries that surround her. Varvara will become Sophie’s confidante - and together the two young women will rise to the pinnacle of absolute power.

With dazzling details and intense drama, Eva Stachniak depicts Varvara’s secret alliance with Catherine as the princess grows into a legend - through an enforced marriage, illicit seductions, and, at last, the shocking coup to assume the throne of all of Russia.

Impeccably researched and magnificently written, The Winter Palace is an irresistible peek through the keyhole of one of history’s grandest tales.

Praise for The Winter Palace:

“A majestic and splendidly written tale of pride, passion, intrigue, and deceit that is brought alive from the first page to the last.” (Rosalind Laker)

“At the same time baroque and intimate, worldly and domestic, wildly strange and soulfully familiar, The Winter Palace offers a flickering glimpse of history through the gauze of deft entertainment.” (The Washington Post)

“A thrilling point of view.... Readers are treated to a firsthand account of the young princess’s slow ascent to the throne, a path deliciously strewn with discarded lovers and sanguine court intrigues.” (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

©2012 Eva Stachniak (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Stachniak’s brilliant, bold historical novel of eighteenth-century Russia is a masterful account of one woman’s progress toward absolute monarchical rule.... This superb biographical epic proves the Tudors don’t have a monopoly on marital scandal, royal intrigue, or feminine triumph.” (Booklist)

Don't waste your money

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Beata Pozniak?

Anyone!

Any additional comments?

The performance was so poor that, despite several tries, I was not able to get past the first section.

Narration almost ruins a good book

What did you like best about this story?

I love historical fiction and the content of the story transported me. It doesn't warrant five stars in my mind but is worth a read.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance of this book nearly ruined it for me. I could hardly listen to it but I'm too cheap to buy the book after using a credit for the Audible version. The narrator has accented English - I have to believe That is purposeful -- but her pronunciation is frequently WRONG and her cadence stilted. At times I wondered if she was reading the sentences for the very first time.

Just boring

What would have made The Winter Palace better?

I read a lot of this genre and this book was just plain boring.

Would you ever listen to anything by Eva Stachniak again?

No

What a PAINFUL Experience!

What would have made The Winter Palace better?

Narrator Beata Pozniak is so bad, it is difficult to judge whether the book by itself might otherwise have been an enjoyable read. Since historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, I chose this book because of the subject matter and based on reviews provided by both Audible and Amazon. While there were several other disappointed Audible readers, I decided I'd give it a try anyway because there are numerous excellent reviews on Amazon's website. Huge mistake! This book would probably improve if it were re-recorded with a narrator of high calibre.

What was most disappointing about Eva Stachniak’s story?

The narrator, without a doubt! As mentioned above, for me, the narration is so distracting that it is impossible to determine the merits of the story itself.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

There is little-to-no inflection in her voice; pronounciation makes it difficult to understand what is being said; it is slow and stumbling to the point where my first grade grandchild would do a better job! Absolutely dreadful!

What character would you cut from The Winter Palace?

I have only read about 1/3 the book so therefore, I do not feel that I have read/listened to enough of the story, particularly with the narration so difficult to follow, to be able to determine if there is a redundent character.

Any additional comments?

I very much look forward to choosing my monthly book from my Audible and, from time to time, will even pay for another outside my membership. I am normally not one to complain or even to complete a satisfaction survey however, I feel that in this instance, it is necessary to bring this disappointing purchase to the attention of other Audible members. Thank you!

A Disappointment

What disappointed you about The Winter Palace?

I thoroughly enjoy history...even in the novel form, but was unable to finish the book due to the poor performance by the narrator.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Beata Pozniak?

I don't know who I'd cast as narrator. I understand the reasoning behind having a person whose native tongue is Russian to do the narration...especially due to the tongue-tying language, but this narrator spoke in such a halting manner as to be distracting.

This was BORING!

What would have made The Winter Palace better?

The narrator had an odd accent and the story just lagged in places.

What was most disappointing about Eva Stachniak’s story?

Went on too long.

Interesting Story, Horrible Performance

Would you try another book from Eva Stachniak and/or Beata Pozniak?

NO

What could Eva Stachniak have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

not sure

How did the narrator detract from the book?

read WAY too slowly

What character would you cut from The Winter Palace?

none

Any additional comments?

The story was an interesting one, but the reader was frustratingly slow. I felt like she was reading to children. If I see her name on another Audible, I will NOT be purchasing it.

Frustrating Narrator

This is a fascinating history of the pre-Catherine the Great era which focuses on the relationship between Catherine and a palace girl acting as Catherine attendant and personal friend. It's really worth reading, although at times, slows without the propulsion of significant action. As an audio book it is miserable to listen to since the narrator's robotish melody is typical of people who may have an excellent command of English pronunciation but have no ear for the authentic melodies of real life. The rhythms and subtle sub-language inflections that cause the listener to truly enter into the narrative frame are severely lacking. I wanted to listen to the sequel book, 'Empress of the Night', but I can't bear to listen to this narrator again. Unfortunate.

Story seemed interesting, narration bad

What would have made The Winter Palace better?

Better naration

Would you be willing to try another book from Eva Stachniak? Why or why not?

Yes and I may buy this one to read, but not the audible format.

What didn’t you like about Beata Pozniak’s performance?

Stilted, slow, pauses in wrong locations, just downright painful

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Winter Palace?

The story line seemed interesting, but I just couldn't get past chapter 4

meh

I am compelled to listen through to the end (and read if a book). The only good thing that I can say is -I am glad that it was an audio book. Reading would have been worse. Towards the end I did begin to like a character or two. The person reading was as hard to listen to as the story was to enjoy. Sorry.