The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great

I had high hopes for this book (http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780553808124), which it didn't quite live up to. Perhaps my own lack of familiarity with Russian history in the 1700s was part of the problem. Some characters seemed real but still a bit one-dimensional (e.g. Empress Elizabeth, greedy and powerful), and though I liked the main character, Varvara, her thoughts and feelings were not always clear to me. For example, her husband is rather foisted upon her by Elizabeth, which she resents; eventually she seems to soften a bit toward him, but it is nothing overt. Her love for her daughter, Darya, however, is a motivating force in the latter part of the book.

Stachniak's writing is good; the story is well-researched but not self-conscious with historical detail. My problem was not with the writing so much as the characters and the pacing of the plot. Like The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, The Winter Palace covers many years in detail, but the former contained more ups and downs and twists and turns; the latter contained a lot of waiting (for Elizabeth to die, for Catherine to gain power, for challengers to the throne to be disposed of).

You do not reason with a flood. You look for anything useful that might float your way. (p. 193)

Some dreams are more seductive than love. (p. 276)

"You still have only two choices: be indispensable or be insignificant." (p. 405)

Holding to power, I read, is like holding on to a wolf. (p 434) ( )

Brief Summary:
Barbara is Polish, daughter of a bookbinder who moved the family to St. Petersburg for work. Before his death, her father asks a request of Empress Elizabeth, for whom he once excellently repaired a book: that she watch out for his daughter. This earns Barbara, or Varvara in Russian, a place working in the winter palace. She works, for a time, with the seamstresses, something for which she has no talent. Then, because of her own intelligence and her desperation to do something better, she becomes a tongue, a spy for the empress. In the process, she befriends, as dangerous as such a concept is in the world of politics, Sophie, a young German, who will later become Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.

Review:
What a completely beautiful and tragic book. I was hooked from the first page. Barbara has such a realistic and strong voice. Plus, I really love reading about Russia, which has always fascinated me for some reason, although I really could not say why.

Most little girls really want to be princesses at one point or another, and, although it wasn't my biggest dream, I certainly went through phases where I thought it would be awesome. After reading this, imagine me stomping those dreams down, because, good lord, I do not want to go through any of that business. All the spying, the court politics, the hypocrisy and the paranoia (is there a word for paranoia when it's completely justified?) would either drive you insane or turn you into a total bitch.

Speaking of, it is entirely terrifying to me that rulers managed to maintain for dominion when so many of them were so awful. Elizabeth does not seem to actually do much of anything but sleep with her guards and spend money on shiny new things for herself, even when Russia is in the midst of a war and does not have enough guns or food for the soldiers. Peter, the Grand Duke, clearly has some sort of mental deficiencies going on and yet is considered a candidate for the throne. How did such governmental systems last for so long?

The history herein is entirely fascinating, and I definitely felt everything along with Barbara. I loved how she did the best she could in every situation, and did it decisively. When she couldn't fight, she went along with things, like her marriage. And, in the end, she made that into a positive.

If you like historical fiction and have been disappointed by the quality of some of the books out there, read this one without worrying. I promise it's good! ( )

Not so much about Catherine the Great as about one of the palace employees. Still, an interesting look at palace life at that time. ( )

Why did you choose this book? I enjoy historical fiction and recently developed an interest in Russian history
When did you read this book? December 2011
Who should read this book? readers of historical fiction, Russian history
Source: Obtained ARC from Netgalley for review

I did enjoy this book, but I thought the title was a little misleading. The book was not centered around Catherine the Great, and in fact, didn’t cover much of her reign over Russia. The story is really told by a palace servant and most of the story takes place during the reign of Empress Elizabeth.
Barbara is the daughter of a Polish book binder who has brought his family to Russia. The Empress takes note of him when he is able to restore a treasured book. When Barbara’s mother dies, his father asks the Empress to look after his daughter if something should happen to him; he dies shortly thereafter. Barbara is brought to the palace as a lowly servant, and works her way up to become a spy for the Chancellor and the Empress. The Empress also renames her the more Russian, Varvara. Varvara befriends Sophia, the young princess brought to the palace to become the bride of the Grand Duke Peter, nephew of the Empress. Peter is being groomed as the future ruler. Sophia later takes the name Catherine. The story is told through the eyes of Barbara/Varvara and follows the years as Elizabeth rules Russia, and as the reigns of Peter and Catherine follow. But in addition to the story of Catherine, much of the story involves Varvara's personal life and her marriage and motherhood.
I read this book hoping to learn a bit about Russia during this period, and I did. But I sensed the history here is embellished and ‘shaped’ to fit the story. I’m not sure I really have an accurate idea of Russia, and in particular, Catherine and Peter. However it did motivate me to look Catherine up on the internet to read a bit more, so it did serve as an introduction to the period. I look forward to reading more about this era. The Winter Palace is good read if you enjoy historical fiction ( )

4.5 stars

My blog post about this book is at this link. ( )