The Last Russian Doll

By: Kristen Loesch

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL

A haunting, epic novel about betrayal, revenge, and redemption that follows three generations of Russian women, from the 1917 revolution to the last days of the Soviet Union, and the enduring love story at the center.

In a faraway kingdom, in a long-ago land...

...a young girl lived happily in Moscow with her family: a sister, a father, and an eccentric mother who liked to tell fairy tales and collect porcelain dolls.

One summer night, everything changed, and all that remained of that family were the girl and her mother.

Now, a decade later and studying at Oxford University, Rosie has an English name, a loving fiancé, and a promising future, but all she wants is to understand—and bury—the past. After her mother dies, Rosie returns to Russia, armed with little more than her mother’s strange folklore—and a single key.

What she uncovers is a devastating family history that spans the 1917 Revolution, the siege of Leningrad, Stalin’s purges, and beyond.

At the heart of this saga stands a young noblewoman, Tonya, as pretty as a porcelain doll, whose actions—and love for an idealistic man—will set off a sweeping story that reverberates across the century....

©2023 Kristen Loesch (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“This preternaturally absorbing intergenerational saga seamlessly weaves between two narratives set during peaks of modern Russian history… And in between, a lifetime’s worth of haunting mysteries shrouded in love, betrayal, secrets, danger, and lies.”—Buzzfeed

“A richly detailed first novel that blends passion and romance with the history of Russia…Like the iconic Matryoshka dolls that are an intrinsic part of Russian culture, the stories of Antonina, Katya and Rosie—grandmothers, mothers and daughters—fit one inside the other. Together, in this provocative tale, they give us a better understanding of Russian culture, politics, and most of all, its people.”—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“The Last Russian Doll blends the best of two genres by embedding a riveting mystery within a masterfully researched historical narrative…History enthusiasts will enjoy piecing together this fresh perspective on 20th-century Russia, while fans of contemporary whodunits will relish the ever-increasing drama. … a deeply emotional and irresistible story of what it takes to find one’s way through a country with a story like none other.”—BookPage

Outstanding!

I loved every minute of this book. Well written, well researched, well told. Perfectly crafted!

Great narrator

The story was interesting but a little hard to follow. The narrator was amazing and kept me engaged!

It’s Wonderful!

This book is wonderful! The characters are interesting and real. I love how the author weaves the story through Russian history. You feel like you are on the street with the characters or in the rundown halls of their former home. As I read, I was curious as to how the author was so knowledgeable of Russia’s past and found the answer in the author’s note at the end of the book. Be sure to read it as well. This is a book I will read again and keep.

A web of a book

Not quite what I had hoped it would be. Still wondering/confused about several stories

5/5 recommendation

A beautiful and captivating dual storyline of lovers and family fighting cruel government and power structures to be together

Captivating and accurate

Enjoyed truly! As someone born in 1979 Soviet Russia in a military family and lived through the events of August 1991 - I appreciate the accuracy of the history just as much as the love story though generations. The quest for understanding main character makes is entertaining and enlightening. Thank you for writing this historical novel.

Really enjoyed this

Similar to long dramatic old Russian authors. I really enjoyed the story along with the historical moments (siege at Leningrad) fantastical fairy tales and mostly believable characters. I have heard many books by this narrator. Perhaps there could have been a male and a female voice. Each make character sounded like an old rough smoker.

Time travel

Story requires a lot of time travel as the pieces are put together. Starting with Russian Revolution to 1990’s. How strong the Russian people have to be to survive. Lots of sadness for what they have been through.

Narration disappointing

The narrator ruined this book for me. I’ve heard her before and you style overwhelms the story and makes the books she read seem almost the same. I’ll be careful to not purchase another narrated by her

Disappointing

The story was hard to follow and went on and on and on. About halfway through I almost gave up, but listened to the end hoping it would get better. Overall I give it a C-.