The Romanov Bride

By: Robert Alexander

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Gabrielle de Cuir

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Combining stunning writing with a keen talent for storytelling, Robert Alexander uncovers more of the compelling Romanov drama and intrigue for his many readers and all fans of historical fiction.

When tsarist soldiers fire at a group of peaceful village protestors and kill his young bride, Pavel dedicates his life to overthrowing the Romanovs. Pavel's underground group assassinates the Grand Duke, changing the life of the Grand Duchess Elisavyeta forever.

Grief-stricken, Elisavyeta gives up her wealth and becomes a nun dedicated to the poor people of Russia. When revolution finally sweeps Russia, she is the last Romanov captured, ripped from her abbey in the middle of the night and shuttled to Siberia. It is here, in a distant wood on a moonlit eve, that Pavel is left to decide her fate.

©2008 R. D. Zimmerman (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"[A] robust historical....The author's extensive knowledge of Russia allows him to invigorate the narrative with telling details that bring the aristocrat Ella, who eventually became an Orthodox saint, convincingly to life....this is a compelling journey through momentous events that wraps up with a fine, deeply moving finale." ( Publishers Weekly)

A PLEASANT SURPRISE - EXCELLENT!

After reading numerous books on the Romanovs, this book gave a whole new view of the final years of the Russian dynasty. The story of Grand Duchess Elisavyeta eclipses the dozens of books focusing on the weak last Csar Nikolas and his delusional consort Alexandra, Elisavyeta sister. If she'd been the Csarina, Imperial Russia might have had a chance for survival. An amazing woman! What enhances this audiobook are the narrators who breathe life into the two main characters. Stefan Rudnicki gives Pavel so many dimensions with his believable, sympathetic, and moving Russian accent while Gabrielle de Cuir's Elisavyeta has a soft strength which draws the reader into her suffering and triumphs. Well-researched and entertaining. I would love it Robert Alexander would do more in the Russian history genre.

Excellent historical novel.

I love this book. My family is Russian but this was a whole side of the revolution that I knew nothing about. I love historical novels that are well researched like this one.

An introductory reading to the life of Ella.

What did you love best about The Romanov Bride?

An entire life story in few hours.

What other book might you compare The Romanov Bride to and why?

"The life and death of Ella grand duchess of Russia" by Christopher Warwick it's also a complete biography of her life well documented and more detailed.

What about Stefan Rudnicki and Gabrielle de Cuir ’s performance did you like?

Fine but British spoken accent is more "understandable" for foreign readers.

If you could take any character from The Romanov Bride out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich because of his mysterious personality. There is nothing written about him based on his personal writings.

Any additional comments?

I think this book is a good introduction to the life of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.

So Many Insights For Our Present Day

Having just finished reading C.W. Gortner's, The Romanov Empress--also very worth reading if you like Historical fiction--I decided to pick up The Romanov Bride. R. Alexander sets off two perspectives of the Russian Revolution in the 19-teens and somewhat what led to the United Soviet Socialists' Republic (the USSR). The revolutionary tactics could come straight out of our newspapers today. It's chilling.

So I recommend this novel, especially after Gortner's for a fuller picture of the aristocracy, for Alexander's well- written story, but also for the lessons we can learn for today in the US.

LOVED!

What made the experience of listening to The Romanov Bride the most enjoyable?

The matching of the sex of the character to the voice reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is hard as both main characters were amazing and touching.

Have you listened to any of Stefan Rudnicki and Gabrielle de Cuir ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I may as they moved me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last two chapters drew me to want to listen again and again

Great Read !

A wonderful historical novel that opens a new way of understanding the historical events that led up to the Russian revolution of 1917. Good readers

Incredible

this was an amazingly moving story that made me feel the emotions of the Russian people. I learned so much and was entranced by the story. I couldn't stop listening! This is a must read!!!!

Excellent!

I enjoyed this book, the narrators and the story. It moved along and kept me engaged. If you like historical novels, this is well told.

Really, really good!

I’ve always been interested in the Russian Revolution and the Romanovs. This is an interesting account about that period, featuring a woman who actually lived and was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. Both voice actors do an excellent job. I highly recommend it.

Extraordinary and Compelling Book: The Romanov Bride

I recommend this book to all who have interest in not only the history of the time period of the 1800’s revolutions of Russia but also the deep painful transformation of humanity here in Earth; the consciousness and treatment of those people who are seen as above the rest and the consciousness and lives of those people who live as less than those above them.
The story of Elizabeth Romanov is beautifully written and preformed. A must read in knowing what roads lead to utter distraction and which road leads to human awakening.