The Romanov Empress
Page 48
There are over one hundred Romanov descendants alive today.
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INNUMERABLE SOURCES GUIDED me in writing this novel. While not a full bibliography, I list below those works I consulted most often to portray Maria Feodorovna and her world:
Erickson, Carolly. Alexandra: The Last Tsarina. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
Gelardi, Julia P. From Splendor to Revolution. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011.
Hall, Coryne. Little Mother of Russia. New York: Holmes & Meier, 2001.
Hough, Richard. Edward and Alexandra. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1992.
King, Greg. The Court of the Last Tsar. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2006.
———. The Last Empress. New York: Birch Lane Press, 1994.
Massie, Robert K. Nicholas and Alexandra. New York: Random House, 1967.
Massie, Suzanne. Land of the Firebird. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1980.
Maylunas, Andrei, and Sergei Mironenko. A Lifelong Passion. New York: Doubleday, 1997.
Nelipa, Margarita. Alexander III: His Life and Reign. Ontario: Gilbert’s Books, 2014.
Poliakoff, V. Mother Dear. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1926.
Radzinsky, Edvard. The Last Tsar. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Rappaport, Helen. The Romanov Sisters. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2014.
Rounding, Virginia. Alix and Nicky. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011.
Tisdall, E.E.P. Marie Fedorovna. New York: The John Day Company, 1957.
For my mother,
who introduced me to the splendors of the Romanovs
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My fascination with the Romanovs began in my childhood with a coffee-table book that belonged to my mother, featuring their palaces, jewels, objets d’art, and photographs of them. I was enthralled in particular by Nicholas, Alexandra, and their children, whose physical beauty and tragic end roused romantic fantasies of an idealized world. Dwelling in unimaginable splendor, they epitomized the word “imperial.” In reality, despite their privilege, their lives were fraught with the suffering, joy, and vulnerability we all share.
Though less celebrated today, Minnie was greatly admired in her lifetime. She indeed championed reform for the poor, funded the Society for the Protection of Animals in Russia, and tried as best as she could to curb her husband’s despotic tendencies, including intervening on behalf of the Jews. She guided her son Nicholas II at the start of his reign until she lost her influence over him to Alexandra. Her exasperation with her daughter-in-law is well established. To Minnie, Alexandra was antithetical—unsuitable, ill equipped, and, most tragically, unwilling to assume the responsibilities of her rank. Minnie wasn’t always kind or understanding of Alexandra’s flaws. Like all of us, she was fallible.
Her survival is a testament to her resiliency and luck. Had she been in the capital when the 1917 Revolution erupted, she may have suffered a different fate, even if legend has it that Lenin held her in begrudging respect. Her plight in the Crimea may also have ended differently had she commanded less awe. A Canadian in the White Army did bring word that Nicholas and his family had been murdered, which she refused to believe, at least outwardly. And because she insisted that the British evacuate the refugees who’d joined the Romanovs in the Crimea, she saved many lives.
Documentation about the Romanovs abounds, including their diaries and letters. While I strived to remain faithful to the facts and the recorded personalities, I admit to certain liberties, such as occasional shifts in date or place to facilitate the narrative, a necessary omission of certain people and events in order to restrain my sprawling word count, and, naturally, my own insight into these characters, whose mythical stature can obscure their humanity.
Specifically, I combined Dr. Botkins; in reality, the father and later his son treated the tsars. I also did not detail the complexity of the various Dumas, as the political scenario of Imperial Russia’s final years can be daunting. Though I’ve employed the title of “tsarina” for its overall familiarity to readers, in Russia, “tsaritsa” was the accurate term. “Tsarina” or “czarina” are Anglicized versions, derived from the German czarin or zarin. Since 1721, the official titles of Russia’s monarchs were emperor (imperator) and empress (imperatritsa); the emperor’s wife was known as empress consort. Officially, the last Russian tsaritsa was Peter the Great’s first wife. Alexandra, wife of Nicholas II, was therefore the last empress consort of Russia. However, tsaritsa was also unofficially employed to describe the tsar’s spouse.
My aim wasn’t to elucidate the era in its entirety but to present a fictional portrait of one of its most enduring women. Any errors are inadvertent. I apologize in advance to experts or devotees who may disagree with my interpretations. The Romanovs can stir passionate debate. I understand and applaud it.
As always, I must thank my husband, who supports my obsession with the past and my haphazard domestic persona when in the throes of writing. I adore my rescue cats, Boy and Mommy, whose feline insouciance brings me love and laughter. I cannot thank my agent, Jennifer Weltz, enough. She is the lodestone of my career. Everyone at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Inc., endeavors to simplify the tribulations of being a professional writer.
My editor, Susanna Porter, remains unstinting and ever-gracious in her editorial acumen. My assistant editor, Emily Hartley, also contributed in significant ways. My copy editor, Kathy Lord, performed a very thorough examination of the manuscript. I couldn’t ask for better guides at the publishing helm. Once again, I am grateful to Ballantine Books for continuing to believe in historical fiction in our increasingly challenging marketplace.
I owe special thanks to my beta readers and fellow authors Tasha Alexander, Michelle Moran, and Sarah Johnson, whose insightful comments helped refine my drafts. Likewise, I owe my gratitude to booksellers everywhere who continue to invite me to speak and recommend my books.
Most importantly, I thank you, my readers. Your kind comments on social media, your emails, and appearances at my events make the seclusion and piles of research worthwhile. Your trust in me as a storyteller remains my biggest surprise and gift.
Despite their hunting practices, most of the Romanovs loved nature. I share this respect for our fellow beings. We share our planet with sentient creatures who have no voice unless we speak up for them. Be their voice for change. Adopt a shelter pet. Donate to reputable organizations fighting to preserve wildlife. Be responsible with what you buy, as every product on our shelves is the result of sustainable practices or the destruction of irreplaceable habitat. The children of Earth need you. Thank you!
BY C. W. GORTNER
The Romanov Empress
Marlene
The Vatican Princess
Mademoiselle Chanel
The Queen’s Vow
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
The Last Queen
The Tudor Vendetta
The Tudor Conspiracy
The Tudor Secret
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
C. W. GORTNER holds an MFA in writing, with an emphasis on historical studies, from the New College of California. He is the internationally acclaimed and bestselling author of Marlene, The Vatican Princess, Mademoiselle Chanel, The Queen’s Vow, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, and The Last Queen, among other books. To learn more about his work and to schedule a book group chat with him, please visit his website.
cwgortner.com
Facebook.com/CWGortner
Twitter: @CWGortner
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