Complex politics in Russia’s history
- Book: The Tsarina’s Daughter
- Location: Russia
- Author: Ellen Alpsten
The Tsarina’s Daughter is set in Russia during the 1700s. This is the story of Elizabeth (Lizenka) Romanova, the daughter of Tsar Peter the Great and Catherine I.
The story opens in 1741 with Elizabeth, on a night when she is forced to make a great political decision for herself and the good of Russia. The story then turns back to 1723, when she was twelve years old. Her father has concerns; he needs a male heir, but Catherine is unable to produce one and Elizabeth and her sister were both born before their parent’s marriage. Peter goes to great lengths to secure his family’s future; he names his two daughters Tsesarevna (crown princesses and heirs apparent) and then becomes the first tsar to crown his wife.
Even with his plans in place, upon the Tsar’s death there is a scramble for supremacy. The power games continue throughout the story and Elizabeth alternates between wealth and poverty depending on who currently rules Russia, until she makes her own strike for the throne.
The writing flows well and I could effortlessly picture all the opulence and wealth, while it was also clear how starving and poor the rest of Russia’s citizens were. It isn’t a part of history that I know much about so the story filled in some interesting gaps in my knowledge. I think this book would suit those interested in Russian history or European history from this era.
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