Publication
New York : Doubleday, [2018]
Collection
Call number
Fiction L
Physical description
333 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fiction. Literature. Mystery. Historical Fiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER �?� An enthralling feat of historical suspense that unravels the extraordinary twists and turns in Anna Anderson's fifty-year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov. Is she the Russian Grand Duchess or the thief of another woman's legacy? Countless others have rendered their verdict. Now it is your turn. Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia, where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed. Germany, February 17, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal. Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water or even acknowledge her rescuers, she is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless horrific scars. When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious young woman claims to be the Russian grand duchess. As rumors begin to circulate through European society that the youngest Romanov daughter has survived the massacre at Ekaterinburg, old enemies and new threats are awakened. The question of who Anna Anderson is and what actually happened to Anastasia Romanov spans fifty years and touches three continents. This thrilling saga is every bit as moving and momentous as it is harrowing and twist… (more)
Subjects
Media reviews
Memorable, poignant, and a dazzling tour-de-force of structure and storytelling, this novel starts in both the last days of Tsarist Russia and in 1980s Virginia. For once there was a young woman named the Grand Duchess Anastasia, who died in July of 1918. Once there was a woman who calling herself
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Anna Anderson, who died in February of 1984.... Anastasia’s story rolls inexorably forward as Anna’s unravels backward until the stories collide with the inevitability of tragedy. And even though I knew how the novel must end, I still found myself hoping that somehow the author had managed to pull off the miracle that would change Anastasia’s history—or at least change Anna’s. Show Less
Lawhon brilliantly employs an inventive and non-linear dual narrative to tell the tale of how Anastasia would become Anna Anderson, or, perhaps, how Anna became Anastasia.
The tragic story of Anastasia is an enduring one, and the woman who laid claim to her birthright is a testament to the world’s desire to believe in Anastasia’s survival. This sprawling, immersive tale travels from revolutionary Russia to interwar France and Germany, bringing its characters to
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sparkling life. Show Less
Lawhon tells Anna’s story in reverse.... Anastasia’s tale is told in the first person in the opposite direction... to the night of the murders. This makes a certain amount of sense, as it allows the story to converge on the moment of truth, when we will find out if Anna is, as she certainly
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seems to be, Anastasia. What pushes it a little too far from the point of view of readability is the decision to tell individual Anna chapters backward. Anna’s globe-trotting trials and tribulations are hard enough to follow without this level of intricacy. So the Anastasia story ends up being the more compelling of the two, hurtling as it does to its grisly ending. Somewhat overcomplicated but ultimately satisfying. Anastasia Romanov lives yet again! Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member riofriotex
Jane Collingwood and Sian Thomas narrated the audiobook, with Collingwood voicing Anna’s chapters and Thomas taking on Anastasia’s storyline. They do a marvelous job. I particularly liked the youth and innocence of Thomas’s voice as the teenaged Anastasia.
LibraryThing member Zumbanista
This novel retells the tragic last days of the Romanovs. I knew the story and its outcome of course; it’s general knowledge.
The novel is told in two parallel voices of the young Anastasia and Anna Anderso, the imposter who claimed to be the Royal Princess.
While the writing of workmanlike, i
I can’t recommend the book because of this writer’s blunder in choosing to tell Anna’s story backwards.
The novel is told in two parallel voices of the young Anastasia and Anna Anderso, the imposter who claimed to be the Royal Princess.
While the writing of workmanlike, i
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found it very unfortunate the author chose to write Anna’s story in a back to front method. Whatever her motivation for doing so, and she does mention in it the author’s notes, this artificial literary device completely ruined the book for me. I was so frustrated and angered that I almost didn’t finish it. It crossed my mind to cut out the pages and rearrange Anna’s story in the proper chronological order just so it made sense. I can’t recommend the book because of this writer’s blunder in choosing to tell Anna’s story backwards.
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LibraryThing member jayurgal
I received this book as a Goodreads free giveaway from Doubleday. It was an amazing story and so well written. At first I had an issue with how it flipped around but it made sense. It was a devastatingly sad historical fiction about Anastasia Romanov and her family during the Russian Revolution. It
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kept you in suspense throughout the entire book. There was no dull moment, I just wanted to keep reading to see how it ends. The ending was unexpected but phenomenal. I am so very appreciative of receiving this book from Doubleday and highly recommend, you will not be disappointed. Show Less
LibraryThing member akblanchard
Several years ago DNA evidence proved that Anastasia Romanov could not have survived the horrible night the Tsar's family was murdered in Ekaterinburg. Nonetheless novelist Ariel Lawhon spins an elaborate fantasy in which the major Anastasia claimant, Anna Anderson, and the tsarevna are one and the
Please note that I received an electronic copy of this book to review from NetGalley, but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
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same. It's a gripping, kaleidoscopic look at an amazing life of extremes: luxury and poverty, safety and horror, and love and hate. Definitely worth reading.Please note that I received an electronic copy of this book to review from NetGalley, but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
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LibraryThing member BettyTaylor56
In February 1920, Anna (Anderson) shows up and claims to be Tsarina Anastasia, one of the daughters of Tsar Nicolas. In July 1918 the Tsar, his wife, his four daughters, and his son had been executed in a revolution. Anna had scars on her body that could have been the result of gunshots and
There are numerous theories regarding the true identity of Anna Anderson. Throughout the decades there have been people who wanted to believe Anna was indeed Anastasia. That is what has kept this story alive.
It is obvious that Lawhon accomplished a lot of research in preparation for writing her book. She brought the Romanov family to life. Young Alexy, as the Romanov heir, is arrogant. Tsarina Alexandra is very petulant. And her execution chapter is nightmarish – I could feel their fear, their terror, hear their screams and shrieks, smell the blood flowing throughout the room.
However, I found Lawhon’s version of the story difficult to follow. She uses two timelines. She moves forward for Anastasia’s story, and then backwards for Anna’s story. The story has been told by many writers so I understand Lawhon’s need to make hers a bit different. If this is your first exposure to the mystery of Anna Anderson it will probably intrigue you and leaving you wanting more. Fortunately, there are many books on this topic.
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stabbings. She also bore a remarkable resemblance to Anastasia. Was she the only remaining Romanov, or was she a really good fraud?There are numerous theories regarding the true identity of Anna Anderson. Throughout the decades there have been people who wanted to believe Anna was indeed Anastasia. That is what has kept this story alive.
It is obvious that Lawhon accomplished a lot of research in preparation for writing her book. She brought the Romanov family to life. Young Alexy, as the Romanov heir, is arrogant. Tsarina Alexandra is very petulant. And her execution chapter is nightmarish – I could feel their fear, their terror, hear their screams and shrieks, smell the blood flowing throughout the room.
However, I found Lawhon’s version of the story difficult to follow. She uses two timelines. She moves forward for Anastasia’s story, and then backwards for Anna’s story. The story has been told by many writers so I understand Lawhon’s need to make hers a bit different. If this is your first exposure to the mystery of Anna Anderson it will probably intrigue you and leaving you wanting more. Fortunately, there are many books on this topic.
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LibraryThing member debkrenzer
This story was pretty much written backwards with Anastasia's early life thrown in as you read along.
I was mesmerized by this story. A lost princess, one who was originally thought dead. One that caused quite a bit of controversy over her life. It was amazing to me, how complete strangers would
Her story sounded so real, I wanted to believe it. The author gives you a little background at the beginning and leaves it to the reader to decide whether to believe this woman claiming to be "Anastasia". I want to believe it, because I want something good to come out of the suffering her family felt. However, logic makes you wonder.
This was an absolutely excellent read that I could not put down!
Thanks to Doubleday Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I was mesmerized by this story. A lost princess, one who was originally thought dead. One that caused quite a bit of controversy over her life. It was amazing to me, how complete strangers would
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take her in just because they thought she was Anastasia even when the royal palace confirmed that she wasn't.Her story sounded so real, I wanted to believe it. The author gives you a little background at the beginning and leaves it to the reader to decide whether to believe this woman claiming to be "Anastasia". I want to believe it, because I want something good to come out of the suffering her family felt. However, logic makes you wonder.
This was an absolutely excellent read that I could not put down!
Thanks to Doubleday Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member Kristymk18
The constant shifting in the timeline of the story confused me at times. Anna’s timeline is all over the place and I would have preferred to have hers go chronologically like Anastasia’s.
I really liked Anastasia’s POV but couldn’t get into Anna’s.
This book re-sparked my interest in the
I really liked Anastasia’s POV but couldn’t get into Anna’s.
This book re-sparked my interest in the
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Romanovs and now I need to go read some non-fiction books about them. Show Less
LibraryThing member fredreeca
Anna is a miserable woman. She is scarred, lost, depressed and damaged in more ways than one. Is she who she says she is? She claims to be Anastasia Romanov. Is she? You need to read this to find out!
I love the history of this book. It has been a while since I visited with the Romanovs. This was a
The only reason this is not getting five stars from me is because of the time line. It is non linear. This made the story more confusing but, that was the brilliant plan of the author. To keep you off balance, which you will realize when you get to the end of the book. Their is a reason she wants you off balance.
All in all, I enjoyed this book very much. Anna, the Romanovs, and the history really create a wonderful tale.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.
I love the history of this book. It has been a while since I visited with the Romanovs. This was a
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highlight for me but, parts of this novel are so hard to read. The tragedy surrounding the Romanovs’ lives and their deaths are heart wrenching.The only reason this is not getting five stars from me is because of the time line. It is non linear. This made the story more confusing but, that was the brilliant plan of the author. To keep you off balance, which you will realize when you get to the end of the book. Their is a reason she wants you off balance.
All in all, I enjoyed this book very much. Anna, the Romanovs, and the history really create a wonderful tale.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
3.5 I am fairly familiar with the last days of the Romanovs, having read a few non fiction books about the subject. The woman who appears and tries to prove that she is a Romanovs daughter Anastasia, I was less familiar. In alternating chapters we follow both stories. The one of the Romanovs
I did like learning more about the girls personalities, though of course the focus is on Anastasia. They went through some terrible things, even more so because they had such a protected upbringing. Quite heartbreaking that the children were blamed for their parents mistakes. The part with Anna was also told well, but I found because of the way it was written, sometimes confusing.
A great deal of research went into this novel, and the author explains in her authors note what that entailed and what she changed to make the story flow better. She also explains why she wrote it the way she did. I enjoyed this for the most part, but though I read why she wrote it this way, I still found myself liking those sections less.
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imprisonmrnt and eventually murder is written in a linear timeline, the story of Anna is told backwards in time, even within the same Chapter, we go backwards.I did like learning more about the girls personalities, though of course the focus is on Anastasia. They went through some terrible things, even more so because they had such a protected upbringing. Quite heartbreaking that the children were blamed for their parents mistakes. The part with Anna was also told well, but I found because of the way it was written, sometimes confusing.
A great deal of research went into this novel, and the author explains in her authors note what that entailed and what she changed to make the story flow better. She also explains why she wrote it the way she did. I enjoyed this for the most part, but though I read why she wrote it this way, I still found myself liking those sections less.
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LibraryThing member JanaRose1
At the end of her life Anna Anderson tells the story of her battle to be recognized as Grand Duchess Anastasia. Told backwards in time, each chapter unravels and illuminates her story a little more. Told forward in time, is Anastasia's imprisonment and the events leading up to her alleged
I've always found Anna Anderson's story to be fascinating, and this book was no exception. It was well written and engaging and kept me at the edge of my seat. I didn't particularly enjoy the backwards in time element, but I understand why the author did it. Overall, highly recommended.
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death.I've always found Anna Anderson's story to be fascinating, and this book was no exception. It was well written and engaging and kept me at the edge of my seat. I didn't particularly enjoy the backwards in time element, but I understand why the author did it. Overall, highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
In I Was Anastasia, Ariel Lawhon explores the life of Anastasia Romanov in the months prior to her death and the life of Anna Anderson decades afterwards as she tries to convince her social peers and grandmother that she is indeed the remaining Romanov heir and only survivor. Told from two
In many ways, Anastasia’s story is separate and distinct from Anna’s story. Anastasia’s is told in the traditionally linear structure, starting with the beginnings of the Bolshevik uprising and ending in the fatal basement thousands of miles and eons away from her previous life. Anna’s story is backwards, starting with her marriage to Jack Manahan and moving back in time towards her attempted suicide in 1920. The two stories dance around each other, drawing you into Anastasia’s royal life as well as Anna’s attempts to prove her claim. The details are spectacular not only in their precision but in their abundance, making you a part of both ladies’ stories while also bringing the ladies back to life.
The strength of the novel lies in Ms. Lawhon’s ability to make you ignore DNA evidence. The fervor with which you wish Anna is Anastasia is astonishing in its vehemence. The idiosyncrasies that others put down as proof that Anna was lying become nothing more than the misfiring of a mind damaged by years of itinerant living and trauma. At the same time, Ms. Lawhon builds sympathy for the princess by showing the shrinking of her life at the hands of the Communists, the freedoms removed, and the virtual prison in which she lived the last few years of her life. She provides plausible reasons for her survival. That combined with the almost physical need for someone to have survived makes it easy to ignore facts as we now know them.
All of this combines into a novel that is not only difficult to set aside for real life but one that brings history alive. You sweat through Anna’s continuous setbacks and cheer her wins. You indulge in a little wishful thinking at how different the world would be had something changed in Anastasia’s life, if someone had stood up to the Communists on their behalf. I Was Anastasia is a historical novel that makes you forget history and science, a fact which speaks volumes about Ms. Lawhon’s ability as a writer to tell a story.
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different vantage points and in two different linear sequences, it should be a complicated story that requires careful attention to understand the large cast of characters in Anastasia’s life and the intricacies of Russian nobility. Instead, it is a compelling story, one that makes you forget the truth as you wrestle with the question of whether Anna Anderson is indeed Anastasia Romanov.In many ways, Anastasia’s story is separate and distinct from Anna’s story. Anastasia’s is told in the traditionally linear structure, starting with the beginnings of the Bolshevik uprising and ending in the fatal basement thousands of miles and eons away from her previous life. Anna’s story is backwards, starting with her marriage to Jack Manahan and moving back in time towards her attempted suicide in 1920. The two stories dance around each other, drawing you into Anastasia’s royal life as well as Anna’s attempts to prove her claim. The details are spectacular not only in their precision but in their abundance, making you a part of both ladies’ stories while also bringing the ladies back to life.
The strength of the novel lies in Ms. Lawhon’s ability to make you ignore DNA evidence. The fervor with which you wish Anna is Anastasia is astonishing in its vehemence. The idiosyncrasies that others put down as proof that Anna was lying become nothing more than the misfiring of a mind damaged by years of itinerant living and trauma. At the same time, Ms. Lawhon builds sympathy for the princess by showing the shrinking of her life at the hands of the Communists, the freedoms removed, and the virtual prison in which she lived the last few years of her life. She provides plausible reasons for her survival. That combined with the almost physical need for someone to have survived makes it easy to ignore facts as we now know them.
All of this combines into a novel that is not only difficult to set aside for real life but one that brings history alive. You sweat through Anna’s continuous setbacks and cheer her wins. You indulge in a little wishful thinking at how different the world would be had something changed in Anastasia’s life, if someone had stood up to the Communists on their behalf. I Was Anastasia is a historical novel that makes you forget history and science, a fact which speaks volumes about Ms. Lawhon’s ability as a writer to tell a story.
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LibraryThing member hubblegal
For fifty years, Anna Anderson fought to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov, who was believed to have been executed along with her father Tsar Nicholas, II, her mother Tsarina Alexandra, her three older sisters Olga, Tatiana and Maria, and her younger brother Alexei. When a young woman was pulled
This turned out to be quite a suspenseful and fascinating book. I’ve gotten away from reading historical fiction because today’s version often seems to be more fiction than fact. Having had some knowledge of the Romanovs prior to reading this book, I do believe that this book contains more fact than fiction. The author has done her research. I think the author overcomplicated things a bit by telling Anna’s story in reverse, which made it hard to follow. And it felt somewhat repetitive, although I can’t really blame the author for that as Anna’s life was somewhat repetitive, always staying with different people and always being questioned.
The author certainly brings this story to life and takes her readers on a fascinating journey. Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in a Goodreads giveaway.
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from a Berlin canal three years after the execution and taken to a hospital, her body was riddled with terrible scars. When she claims to be Anastasia Romanov, an identity battle erupts.This turned out to be quite a suspenseful and fascinating book. I’ve gotten away from reading historical fiction because today’s version often seems to be more fiction than fact. Having had some knowledge of the Romanovs prior to reading this book, I do believe that this book contains more fact than fiction. The author has done her research. I think the author overcomplicated things a bit by telling Anna’s story in reverse, which made it hard to follow. And it felt somewhat repetitive, although I can’t really blame the author for that as Anna’s life was somewhat repetitive, always staying with different people and always being questioned.
The author certainly brings this story to life and takes her readers on a fascinating journey. Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in a Goodreads giveaway.
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LibraryThing member gpangel
I am Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon is a 2018 Doubleday publication.
No matter how many movies, documentaries, or books I’ve watched or read, the romantic in me simply can’t resist the fascination and the mystery of Anastasia Romanov. This book examines the life of Anna Anderson, who claimed she was
Anna’s claims captured our imaginations for decades and sparked many debates over the legitimacy of her pronouncement. While she was often met with skepticism, she also had many staunch supporters.
I, for one, always loved the notion surrounding this legend. I hoped, no matter how far-fetched or doubtful the probability, that Anna Anderson really was Anastasia Romanov.
If a miracle did happen, and Anastasia somehow managed to survive, we could all rationalize our fascination with the Czar’s daughter, from Ingrid Bergman’s oscar winning portrayal, to the animated Disney film, and all points in between. But, of course, the reality is far more serious and grim.
This novel is obviously a very ambitious undertaking. Giving voice to Anastasia, and Anna Anderson, describing minute historical details, adding authentic and vivid dialogue, along with solid pacing, and well-drawn characterizations.
This story is very interesting, and the author certainly did her homework, doing a great job of laying out Anna’s complexities. Anna was difficult, but also lived with a host of mental issues, making her a sympathetic figure on occasion, which left me with conflicting emotions. I often wondered how other people who have read this book felt about her in the end.
However, I must address the elephant in the room when it comes to the way the author structured the novel. She explains the method to her madness in a note at the end of the book, and it does make sense, from the viewpoint of the writer, and logically, I see where she’s coming from. However, the backwards/forwards, first and third person narratives made the book more difficult to read than need be, in my opinion. I did struggle with the format, I must say. However, others may not be bothered by it at all, and may even benefit from it. I’m not always the sharpest tool in the shed, so there is that. However, I did agree with the concept of separating ‘Anastasia’ from ‘Anna’, but I did wish for a more traditional type of dual timeline, without all that skipping around.
The novel’s strongest area is the pacing and the agonizingly taut build -up of suspense. We must watch with mounting dread as the Romanov’s are taken to Siberia, the clock ticking away as they careen towards their ultimate, tragic fate. This part of the story is interwoven with Anna’s as she sits in a German court waiting on their decision, hoping she will at long last lay legitimate and official claim to the name ‘Anastasia Romanov’. The theories mapped out here are very imaginative, plausible, realistic and thought provoking. I can tell the author put a great deal of thought and time into this novel, which is much appreciated. Although it took me a long time to get through the book, really struggling with it at times, ultimately, I found it to be quite interesting and I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.
One point I think we can all agree on, no matter what, is that Anna’s claims turned Anastasia Romanov into a legend, taking on a life of its own. If not for her, Anastasia and her sisters would most likely have long been forgotten over time, along with other royal families who were met with the same fate. Just a little something to ponder over-
I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romanov history, of course, but be prepared- this is not a fairy tale! I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction in general. This book will most likely spark your curiosity about the Romanov family and you will want to learn more about this them, and the events leading up to their capture, exile, and murders.
No matter how many movies, documentaries, or books I’ve watched or read, the romantic in me simply can’t resist the fascination and the mystery of Anastasia Romanov. This book examines the life of Anna Anderson, who claimed she was
Show More
Anastasia, while also chronicling the period of time the Romanov’s were in exile, leading up to their execution during the Bolshevik Revolution. Anna’s claims captured our imaginations for decades and sparked many debates over the legitimacy of her pronouncement. While she was often met with skepticism, she also had many staunch supporters.
I, for one, always loved the notion surrounding this legend. I hoped, no matter how far-fetched or doubtful the probability, that Anna Anderson really was Anastasia Romanov.
If a miracle did happen, and Anastasia somehow managed to survive, we could all rationalize our fascination with the Czar’s daughter, from Ingrid Bergman’s oscar winning portrayal, to the animated Disney film, and all points in between. But, of course, the reality is far more serious and grim.
This novel is obviously a very ambitious undertaking. Giving voice to Anastasia, and Anna Anderson, describing minute historical details, adding authentic and vivid dialogue, along with solid pacing, and well-drawn characterizations.
This story is very interesting, and the author certainly did her homework, doing a great job of laying out Anna’s complexities. Anna was difficult, but also lived with a host of mental issues, making her a sympathetic figure on occasion, which left me with conflicting emotions. I often wondered how other people who have read this book felt about her in the end.
However, I must address the elephant in the room when it comes to the way the author structured the novel. She explains the method to her madness in a note at the end of the book, and it does make sense, from the viewpoint of the writer, and logically, I see where she’s coming from. However, the backwards/forwards, first and third person narratives made the book more difficult to read than need be, in my opinion. I did struggle with the format, I must say. However, others may not be bothered by it at all, and may even benefit from it. I’m not always the sharpest tool in the shed, so there is that. However, I did agree with the concept of separating ‘Anastasia’ from ‘Anna’, but I did wish for a more traditional type of dual timeline, without all that skipping around.
The novel’s strongest area is the pacing and the agonizingly taut build -up of suspense. We must watch with mounting dread as the Romanov’s are taken to Siberia, the clock ticking away as they careen towards their ultimate, tragic fate. This part of the story is interwoven with Anna’s as she sits in a German court waiting on their decision, hoping she will at long last lay legitimate and official claim to the name ‘Anastasia Romanov’. The theories mapped out here are very imaginative, plausible, realistic and thought provoking. I can tell the author put a great deal of thought and time into this novel, which is much appreciated. Although it took me a long time to get through the book, really struggling with it at times, ultimately, I found it to be quite interesting and I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.
One point I think we can all agree on, no matter what, is that Anna’s claims turned Anastasia Romanov into a legend, taking on a life of its own. If not for her, Anastasia and her sisters would most likely have long been forgotten over time, along with other royal families who were met with the same fate. Just a little something to ponder over-
I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romanov history, of course, but be prepared- this is not a fairy tale! I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction in general. This book will most likely spark your curiosity about the Romanov family and you will want to learn more about this them, and the events leading up to their capture, exile, and murders.
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LibraryThing member cburnett5
The story of whether Anna Anderson was actually Anastasia Romanov has fascinated me since I was young. When discoveries were made relevant to this story, I followed them closely. Naturally, I was very excited to read I Was Anastasia, and I knew how the book would turn out (I am choosing my wording
I Was Anastasia is clearly a labor of love for Ariel Lawhon, and her research and effort show through in her retelling of Anna Anderson and Anastasia Romanov’s stories. Thanks to Doubleday for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
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carefully because I do not want to spoil the ending for those unfamiliar with the tale). While I enjoyed the book, I had significant trouble following the story as it unfolded in I Was Anastasia. Lawhon chose to tell Anastasia’s story chronologically and Anna’s backwards through time making it very hard at times to understand where I was in the story. I also felt it could have been edited down a bit more.I Was Anastasia is clearly a labor of love for Ariel Lawhon, and her research and effort show through in her retelling of Anna Anderson and Anastasia Romanov’s stories. Thanks to Doubleday for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I've always been fascinated by the Romanovs and, like many others, have been intrigued by the possibility of Anastasia's survival. This is one of the first novels which deals with this portion of the Romanov story head on, and keeps the reader wondering and hoping until the last page. It may not
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have provided the ending I wished for, but it did have an ending that lays clear why the story of Anastasia and Anna Anderson has intrigued and fascinated so many. Show Less
LibraryThing member kstadt929
As a kid, I loved the movie Anastasia. I have always been interested in the mystery of the Romanovs. So when I heard about this book, of course I had to read it! It was simply heartbreaking, but I really enjoyed it. I did not like that the timing of the story kind of went in backwards order because
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it was confusing at times, but the writing was beautiful. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Book on CD narrated by Jane Collingwood and Sian Thomas.
3.5***
In February 1920 a young woman was pulled senseless from a canal in Berlin. Upon examination at a hospital, doctors found her body riddled with horrific scars. For some time she refused to speak or reveal her name, but ultimately she
Lawhon uses a dual timeline / narration in this fascinating work of historical fiction. Anna’s story begins in 1970 and works backwards to 1918. Anastasia’s begins with the revolution in 1917 and moves forwards in time as the family is arrested, moved from location to location and ultimately faces the soldiers tasked with executing them all in July1918.
I remember watching the movie Anastasia starring Ingrid Bergman and Yul Brynner with my mother. I’ve also read other books about the possibility that Anastasia survived; most recently The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander. I was fascinated then and remained fascinated by the possibility that one of the Romanov family members managed to survive / escape the slaughter. I was not alone.
Lawhon relies on the reader’s desire to believe as she crafts this story. She gives us an Anna Anderson who shows a steely resolve, courage and tenacity, while simultaneously remaining fragile and wounded. And she gives us an Anastasia who is prone to teenaged dreams and desires, but also pragmatic about the very real and dangerous situation in which she finds herself and her family. Little by little we see the similarities and possibilities that these two stories will fuse as one. We WANT to believe.
I can hardly wait for my F2F book club discussion.
I find the author notes at the end fascinating and enlightening. But DO wait to read them until you have finished the book.
Jane Collingwood and Sian Thomas narrated the audiobook, with Collingwood voicing Anna’s chapters and Thomas taking on Anastasia’s storyline. They do a marvelous job. I particularly liked the youth and innocence of Thomas’s voice as the teenaged Anastasia.
3.5***
In February 1920 a young woman was pulled senseless from a canal in Berlin. Upon examination at a hospital, doctors found her body riddled with horrific scars. For some time she refused to speak or reveal her name, but ultimately she
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claimed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, the sole survivor of the massacre of her entire family. Her detractors claimed she was a liar and charlatan, intent only on claiming the Romanov fortune. She became known as Anna Anderson and spent the rest of her life trying to prove her identity.Lawhon uses a dual timeline / narration in this fascinating work of historical fiction. Anna’s story begins in 1970 and works backwards to 1918. Anastasia’s begins with the revolution in 1917 and moves forwards in time as the family is arrested, moved from location to location and ultimately faces the soldiers tasked with executing them all in July1918.
I remember watching the movie Anastasia starring Ingrid Bergman and Yul Brynner with my mother. I’ve also read other books about the possibility that Anastasia survived; most recently The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander. I was fascinated then and remained fascinated by the possibility that one of the Romanov family members managed to survive / escape the slaughter. I was not alone.
Lawhon relies on the reader’s desire to believe as she crafts this story. She gives us an Anna Anderson who shows a steely resolve, courage and tenacity, while simultaneously remaining fragile and wounded. And she gives us an Anastasia who is prone to teenaged dreams and desires, but also pragmatic about the very real and dangerous situation in which she finds herself and her family. Little by little we see the similarities and possibilities that these two stories will fuse as one. We WANT to believe.
I can hardly wait for my F2F book club discussion.
I find the author notes at the end fascinating and enlightening. But DO wait to read them until you have finished the book.
Jane Collingwood and Sian Thomas narrated the audiobook, with Collingwood voicing Anna’s chapters and Thomas taking on Anastasia’s storyline. They do a marvelous job. I particularly liked the youth and innocence of Thomas’s voice as the teenaged Anastasia.
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LibraryThing member prudencegoodwife
This the first book I read by author Ariel Lawton. She has a unique style of writing in this book that takes the reader from current time backward in current time to the past and then moves from a current past event to an even further past event. The ending of this book is fascinating and I was on
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the edge of my reading seat until I was done. If you are interest in the Romanov family - this is a book you should read. Show Less
LibraryThing member SandraBrower
The Romanov's... one of most mysterious tales in all of Russian History. Is she or Isn't she the Tzars daughter Anastasia Romanov? Like a photo album that has missing pages throughout its covers, I was Anastasia was told in gaps and back views, this non-linear story feels like said missing-paged
Ariel Lawhon does a marvelous job convincing you that Anna Anderson is absolutely Anastasia Romanov from heart-breaking journeys into exile, traumatic train rides, death-defying slaughters, and yet, you still have to wonder if anyone can survive what Anna Anderson claims she has.
The story is poetic, filled with all that you can imagine of tragedy but also, loving memories of family, friendship, and compassion from those who selfishly provide for Anna if only to gain notoriety and material wealth.
It did take me a while and sometimes still after the first 100 pages I tended to have to go back to keep the pages in order of timelines. However, when you reach the end of the story, you understand what the author is achieving.
This story is a must if you have ever wondered about Anna/Anastasia's identity.
I gave this book 4 stars.
I received this book courtesy of Double Day Books via NetGalley in lieu of my honest review.
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photo album. Ariel Lawhon does a marvelous job convincing you that Anna Anderson is absolutely Anastasia Romanov from heart-breaking journeys into exile, traumatic train rides, death-defying slaughters, and yet, you still have to wonder if anyone can survive what Anna Anderson claims she has.
The story is poetic, filled with all that you can imagine of tragedy but also, loving memories of family, friendship, and compassion from those who selfishly provide for Anna if only to gain notoriety and material wealth.
It did take me a while and sometimes still after the first 100 pages I tended to have to go back to keep the pages in order of timelines. However, when you reach the end of the story, you understand what the author is achieving.
This story is a must if you have ever wondered about Anna/Anastasia's identity.
I gave this book 4 stars.
I received this book courtesy of Double Day Books via NetGalley in lieu of my honest review.
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LibraryThing member LynnB
I enjoyed this novel and it has inspired me to look for a nonfiction account of those who claimed to be Anastasia. The story is told backwards, and I sometimes had trouble remembering just who certain people were, but that wasn't a major problem, The story is very well told.
LibraryThing member ReluctantTechie
A compelling story, told in a very convoluted way.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
The dueling timelines were confusing. I didn’t care about either of the main characters. Anastasia’s storyline was the more interesting, but I felt like I never had a chance to dig any deeper than her surface problems. Her situation was horrible, but switching back and forth in the story meant
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I was skimming the surface for both women. Show Less
LibraryThing member Micareads
It was a well told story of the possibility that Anastasia survived the slaughter of her family. I enjoyed the back and forth of the story and wondering which ending the author would end with. The last chapter was a different tone than the rest of the book but I think it worked for what Lawhon was
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trying to portray. This is a book I would recommend if you like historical fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member Romonko
This book put me off at first, and I was having a little difficulty getting into it. The non-linear timeframe was confusing as well, but after reading the book and reading the author's "Afterword", I realize that this story could only be told in this way. Anastasia Romanov's story has always been
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immortalized, and it has always been a big question as to whether or not she made it through the massacre in the basement in Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918. There were women who did try to impersonate her after the massacre, of whom Anna Anderson was one. The book is two separate storylines. The linear one of Anastasia for the 18 months leading up to the massacre. Her story begins immediately after the February 1917, revolution. through their imprisonment at the Alexander Palace before they were moved Tobolsk, and then Yekaterinberg. The story of Anna Anderson works backwards from 1945 to 1918. These two separate storylines are woven together throughout the book. As I read, I found it helped me keep things straight if I made special notes of the dates at the beginning of each chapter. Ariel Lawhon has done a remarkable job of retelling both of these stories by using historical data and historical figures from this time. After I finished, I had to sit back and think and I decided that the book is truly remarkable. It is historical fiction at its very best. If you are interested to read it, give the book a chance and let its magic wow you, and let it draw you into early twentieth century Russia. Show Less
LibraryThing member pammycats
I Was Anastasia: A Novel
By: Ariel Lawhon
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve been interested in the story of the Romanov’s for a long time. I’ve read just about everything out there on the subject. Sadly, no matter how many books I read, the ending to this
Anna Anderson was also a part of all my reading. When I was younger (pre-2007/ 2009 DNA test) I was so desperate for her story to be true. The story was viscerally sad and I longed for a happier ending. Of course, finding the bones and confirming their identities with DNA tests put an end to any and all such romantic speculation. I therefore knew the truth about Anna Anderson as well as a very detailed record of the Romanovs when I started this book.
Book Structure, Plot, and Characters:
The story is told from two perspectives: Anna Anderson’s story works backward in time beginning from when she received legal denial of her royal claim; Anastasia Romanov’s story is told from the beginning of the revolution to the end of her life.
Anna Anderson:
Anna Anderson’s story is very well written. Each chapter plants a seed for the following chapter (which goes backwards in time). The author has an engaging style and shows a great deal of empathy for her main character. Anna comes across as sharp and witty but defensive. I loved the very complex character that she becomes in these pages. The end of the book paints a very tidy reason for Anna’s behavior throughout the remainder of her life. I did really sympathize with the character but did not need the author to create such snug reasoning for Anna. Honestly, no one knows for sure what led her to try and commit suicide, the origin of all the marks on her body (obviously something horrific had happened to her), and her subsequent determination to be legally declared Anastasia.
Anastasia Romanov:
The sections on the real Anastasia are where I became annoyed with this book and author. The book reads like an accurate history but it is not. I’m just a lay scholar but I found so many untruths and speculations. They were annoying and distracted me from the intensity of the real story. This book is just some odd mishmash of historical fact, guesswork, lots of rumors, and speculation. For instance, as the author admits in her afterward, her version of the book saves Jimmy (the dog) from death. Anastasia is the only character able to see her doomed future but is consoled by the thought that she was able to save her beloved pet. Now I find it heartbreaking that the dogs were killed along with their humans; I don’t even like to think about it. But this is just a sappy scene and annoyed me. There are also scenes of rape (Anastasia and Alexei are saved by a good hearted guard) but, again, this has never been proven. The author has pretty much included every salacious internet rumor that there is on this subject in her book.
My final annoyance is the characters are not written as true. Anastasia herself is written as one of those annoying, far-seeing characters. She is seemingly the only one who understands their circumstances enough to foresee their fate. She is the only one who understands what is happening and knows what needs to be done and deals with it. The actual historical record of Anastasia paints a far more normal picture of a young person. There is a massive historical record of Anastasia (from family accounts as well as the guards) that show her as a mischief-loving, highly personable young person. It does not mark her as remarkably sensitive or prescient.
In Conclusion:
I’ve given three stars for the Anna Anderson part of this book. The author really seemed to connect with her and it shows throughout Anna’s thoughtful chapters. The Anastasia chapters just leave me frustrated as they could have been so much better.
By: Ariel Lawhon
I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve been interested in the story of the Romanov’s for a long time. I’ve read just about everything out there on the subject. Sadly, no matter how many books I read, the ending to this
Show More
storied family is always the same. Each author is determined to paint the scene in that cellar. They are universally determined to elicit as much emotion from the reader as possible. Each author thinks that their version is somehow more sensitive or appealing. I don’t know what their goal is but the outcome is always the same. Anna Anderson was also a part of all my reading. When I was younger (pre-2007/ 2009 DNA test) I was so desperate for her story to be true. The story was viscerally sad and I longed for a happier ending. Of course, finding the bones and confirming their identities with DNA tests put an end to any and all such romantic speculation. I therefore knew the truth about Anna Anderson as well as a very detailed record of the Romanovs when I started this book.
Book Structure, Plot, and Characters:
The story is told from two perspectives: Anna Anderson’s story works backward in time beginning from when she received legal denial of her royal claim; Anastasia Romanov’s story is told from the beginning of the revolution to the end of her life.
Anna Anderson:
Anna Anderson’s story is very well written. Each chapter plants a seed for the following chapter (which goes backwards in time). The author has an engaging style and shows a great deal of empathy for her main character. Anna comes across as sharp and witty but defensive. I loved the very complex character that she becomes in these pages. The end of the book paints a very tidy reason for Anna’s behavior throughout the remainder of her life. I did really sympathize with the character but did not need the author to create such snug reasoning for Anna. Honestly, no one knows for sure what led her to try and commit suicide, the origin of all the marks on her body (obviously something horrific had happened to her), and her subsequent determination to be legally declared Anastasia.
Anastasia Romanov:
The sections on the real Anastasia are where I became annoyed with this book and author. The book reads like an accurate history but it is not. I’m just a lay scholar but I found so many untruths and speculations. They were annoying and distracted me from the intensity of the real story. This book is just some odd mishmash of historical fact, guesswork, lots of rumors, and speculation. For instance, as the author admits in her afterward, her version of the book saves Jimmy (the dog) from death. Anastasia is the only character able to see her doomed future but is consoled by the thought that she was able to save her beloved pet. Now I find it heartbreaking that the dogs were killed along with their humans; I don’t even like to think about it. But this is just a sappy scene and annoyed me. There are also scenes of rape (Anastasia and Alexei are saved by a good hearted guard) but, again, this has never been proven. The author has pretty much included every salacious internet rumor that there is on this subject in her book.
My final annoyance is the characters are not written as true. Anastasia herself is written as one of those annoying, far-seeing characters. She is seemingly the only one who understands their circumstances enough to foresee their fate. She is the only one who understands what is happening and knows what needs to be done and deals with it. The actual historical record of Anastasia paints a far more normal picture of a young person. There is a massive historical record of Anastasia (from family accounts as well as the guards) that show her as a mischief-loving, highly personable young person. It does not mark her as remarkably sensitive or prescient.
In Conclusion:
I’ve given three stars for the Anna Anderson part of this book. The author really seemed to connect with her and it shows throughout Anna’s thoughtful chapters. The Anastasia chapters just leave me frustrated as they could have been so much better.
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Awards
Language
Original publication date
2018-03-27
ISBN
9780385541695