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The House Of Special Purpose (2013)

by John Boyne(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1590515986 (ISBN13: 9781590515983)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Other Press

review 1: I can say without any reservations whatsoever that John Boyne is now on my shortlist of favorite authors. The House of Special Purpose is an exemplary work of historical fiction that had me hooked from the very first page. The main character, Georgy Jachmenev, is a man that you have no difficulty relating to and that makes the story that much more powerful. The narrative begins in 1981 London and leaps around through time from World War I in Russia. (I've discussed before how this narrative format can be jarring unless done correctly and this is a perfect example of a story smoothly transitioning so that the reader remains in the story.) A nobody from a small Russian village, Georgy, is elevated to personal bodyguard to the future Tsar of Russia, Alexei (the youngest son).... more I don't want to give too much of the story away because its unfolding majesty, tragedy, and revelation should be experienced without being spoiled. I will only say that if you're looking for a story that has romance, bravery, suspense, and heart then this is the book for you. Also, if you have any interest in the history of Russia and the Romanovs then this is a must read for you.
review 2: On further exploration of the author John Boyne, he remains my new favorite author of historical fiction! The House of Special Purpose deals with the relationship between a young man whose status changes from peasant to bodyguard of the Tsarevich in a fateful act. Brought to St Petersburg, he falls in love with the Tsar's daughter Anastasia. The tale is told going forward from youth, and backward from old age, to the final imaginings of how /why Anastasia may have escaped her family's fate. less

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