by Marcus Sedgwick (Author), Marcus Sedgwick (Author)
Set at the time of the Russian Revolution, the end of a centuries old dynasty, the rise of the Bolsheviks sent shockwaves around the world. This is the story of one man who was there. It's real history - about the riches and excesses, the glory of the Russian nobility, Nicholas and Alexandra, their haemophiliac son, Alexei, notorious Rasputin, Lenin and Trotsky who ruled from palaces where the Czars had once danced till dawn. The man was real too, his name was Arthur Ransome. He was a writer, accused of being a spy, perhaps even a double agent, and he left his wife and beloved daughter and fell in love with Russia and a Russian woman, Evgenia. Fictionalising history and blending it with real life, part i is told as a fairy tale. Wise and foolish kings, princesses, enchantresses (characters more suited to fairy tale than reality), wishes and magic, Russia with its vast cold plains and mighty cities, its riches and poverty, all play a part in the downfall of the Czars and rise of the new order. Part ii is about betrayal - Ransome the spy, bleak and threatening. Part iii is a love story, a fairy tale, ending - of Ransome's love for his daughter, Tabitha, and for Evgenia.
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Published: 06 Aug 2007
ISBN 10: 1842551841
ISBN 13: 9781842551844
Children’s book age: 12+ Years
Book Overview: Marcus Sedgwick's most ambitious and confident novel to date His books have sold over 260,000 copies in the UK Marcus is published in 20 territories Super proofs available Major marketing and publicity planned Always receives stellar reviews
Prizes: Shortlisted for Costa Children's Book Award 2007.