This book is the story of a young woman who's father takes her family from Poland to Russia. He is a book binder and restores some books for the Empress Elizabeth. When her father dies the girl is brought to the palace because the Empress had agreed to look after her for her father. At first she is given a job as a seamstress, she hates the job and is no good at it. Then she is selected to read to the young Prince Peter whom the unmarried, childless Elizabeth, has selected as her heir.
The young girl, Varvara, soon becomes a "spy" for the Empress and also for the Chancellor, they want her to eavesdrop on people and tell them what she sees and hears especially from and about the Princess Catherine who has come to Russia as a potential mate for Peter. I can't remember why but she seems to outlive her usefulness, or perhaps disappoints the Queen/Chancellor, and they marry her to a young army officer. At first she is not happy with her fate however she comes to love her husband and adores the daughter they have.
A few years later she is brought back to the palace and is working as a spy for the Empress, the Chancellor and is also now a spy/confidante for Catherine. The Empress is very moody and demanding. Peter has a mistress by this time and is ignoring possibly even plotting to get rid of Catherine. Catherine has two children, by lovers, the Empress immediately takes the children away from her and raises them. The second child dies in infancy. When the Empress dies times are tense and both parties are plotting for control, Catherine seizes control while her husband is off in the country with his mistress. Varvara plays go between for Catherine and her lovers, and also a British official and also helps arrange liaisons between Catherine and her lovers. She tries to aid Catherine when she is ill or distressed. Varvara also plays a key role for Catherine by going to the country palace and scooping away Catherine's son and bringing him to her in St. Petersburg. She thinks her place is secure in the palace but is shocked to learn that Catherine is questioning her daughter about her activities. She is shocked to find that despite everything she has done for Catherine, Catherine does not trust her. She leaves the palace in a fury.
Catherine suggest that she and her daughter take a trip around Europe and that when they return the daughter will be made a maid of the court. They do take the trip but Varvara buys land in Poland during their journey and decides she will not return to Russia.
I enjoyed the book, I think the main character had an unrealistic impression of her own importance, but I suppose that was the point of the story. The Empress was portrayed as a very cruel and vindictive person and the author certainly portrayed the game playing and rumour mongering well. Iit gave you a sense of what life was like in the royalty of Russia at the time and made me curious to know more about Catherine, I hope to read a bio about her soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment