Description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN 'It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme' - Daisy Goodwin Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina 1699: Illegitimate, destitute and strikingly beautiful, Marta is sold into labour at the age of fifteen - where in desperation she commits a crime that will force her to go on the run. Cheating death at every turn, she is swept into the current of the Great Northern War. Working as a washer woman at a battle camp, she catches the eye of none other than Peter the Great. Passionate and iron-willed, Peter has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern, Western empire. With nothing but wits, courage and formidable ambition, Marta will rise from nothing to become Catherine I of Russia. But it comes at a steep price and is tied to the destiny of Russia itself.
Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina
About the Author
Ellen Alpsten was born and raised in the Kenyan highlands, before attending L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. Whilst studying for her Msc in PPE she won the Grande Ecole short story competition with her novella Meeting Mr Gandhi and was encouraged to continue writing. Upon graduating, she worked as a producer and presenter for Bloomberg TV in London. She contributes to international publications such as Vogue, Standpoint and Conde Nast Traveller. Tsarina is her first novel. She lives in London with her husband and three children.
Reviews
Alpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to her extraordinary career * Sunday Times *
With its sprawling canvas and huge cast...it's an entertaining romp through the endless intrigue, violence and debauchery of court life.' * Mail on Sunday *
The extraordinary life of Catherine I of Russia is brought to life in Alpsten's colourful novel. * Sunday Times, Summer Picks *
This is the ultimate Cinderella story of an illiterate peasant girl who becomes the empress of Russia. It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme. * Daisy Goodwin *
As detailed as the jewels and enamel inlay on the creations of Faberge...[a] crisp, elegant fictional account of history, woven with emotion and brio.' * Adriana Trigiani *
Luscious...Alpsten has clearly done some brilliant research. It reads like Game of Thrones without the dragons. * Natasha Pulley *
[Alpsten] recounts this remarkable woman's colourful life and times. * Count Nikolai Tolstoy *
Book Information
ISBN 9781526606440
Author Ellen Alpsten
Format Paperback
Page Count 496
Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 346g
Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina
About the Author
Ellen Alpsten was born and raised in the Kenyan highlands, before attending L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. Whilst studying for her Msc in PPE she won the Grande Ecole short story competition with her novella Meeting Mr Gandhi and was encouraged to continue writing. Upon graduating, she worked as a producer and presenter for Bloomberg TV in London. She contributes to international publications such as Vogue, Standpoint and Conde Nast Traveller. Tsarina is her first novel. She lives in London with her husband and three children.
Reviews
Alpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to her extraordinary career * Sunday Times *
With its sprawling canvas and huge cast...it's an entertaining romp through the endless intrigue, violence and debauchery of court life.' * Mail on Sunday *
The extraordinary life of Catherine I of Russia is brought to life in Alpsten's colourful novel. * Sunday Times, Summer Picks *
This is the ultimate Cinderella story of an illiterate peasant girl who becomes the empress of Russia. It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme. * Daisy Goodwin *
As detailed as the jewels and enamel inlay on the creations of Faberge...[a] crisp, elegant fictional account of history, woven with emotion and brio.' * Adriana Trigiani *
Luscious...Alpsten has clearly done some brilliant research. It reads like Game of Thrones without the dragons. * Natasha Pulley *
[Alpsten] recounts this remarkable woman's colourful life and times. * Count Nikolai Tolstoy *
Book Information
ISBN 9781526606440
Author Ellen Alpsten
Format Paperback
Page Count 496
Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 346g
