The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia, by Candace Fleming

 The Family Romanov:  Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia 

Bibliography 

Fleming, Candace.  2014. The Family Romanov:  Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia.  New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade.  ISBN 9780375867828. 

Plot Summary 

This book tells of the end of the Romanov rule in Russia, starting with the childhood meeting and future romance of Tsar Nicholas II and Alexadra, then called Alix.  After marriage, Alexandra gave birth to four daughters, Olga, Maria, Anastasia, and Tatiana, then finally they birthed an heir with Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia and nearly died at a very early age. The book tells of how the Romanovs isolated themselves away from St. Petersburg and were out of touch with the reality of the Russian peasants’ living conditions.  Their involvement with Rasputin is also detailed despite disapproval and scorn from the Russian people and government. The book documented Russia’s struggle during World War I and the eventual revolution and abdication of the throne by Nicholas. Intertwined within the story of the Romanovs, the book also gives first-hand accounts of the harsh conditions that the common people had to suffer through. 

Critical Analysis 

This book has an engaging narrative and reads like a novel. The book includes dialogue and quotes from Romanov family members, Rasputin, Russian nobles and leaders, and peasants that have documented sources.  Two glossy inserts of photographs allow the reader to put faces with the names in the book as well as get a first-hand look at what Russia was like during this time. The book does not take sides but objectively explains why the events that led to the demise of the Romanov dynasty occurred, including the horrid living and work conditions of the ordinary people and the detachment and complacency of the royal family. The alternating descriptions of nobility and peasants in poverty were effective in showing the tension between the two groups.  

Review Excerpts 

2015 Orbis Pictus Award Winner 

2015 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Honor 

2015 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner 

Horn Book Guide Starred, 4/1/2015 

“The epic, sweeping narrative seamlessly incorporates scholarly authority, primary sources, appropriate historical speculation, and a keen eye for the most telling details.” 

School Library Journal Starred, 6/1/2014  

Ann Welton writes “this well-researched and well-annotated book provides information not only on the history of these famous figures but also on the Russian people living at the time and on the social conditions that contributed to the family's demise.” 

Publishers Weekly Starred, 4/28/2014 

Ethan Ellenberg writes “making vibrant use of primary sources that emerged since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Fleming (Amelia Lost) brings to life the last imperial family of Russia. Writing with a strong point of view based on diary entries, personal letters, and other firsthand accounts, she enriches their well-known story with vivid details.” 

Connections 

Since this book reads much like a novel, I think people who are not necessarily interested in Russian history would still enjoy this book. Elementary and early middle school readers would likely struggle with this book as it is better suited to high school and advanced middle school readers. People who enjoyed this book may also enjoy Russia in Revolution:  An Empire in Crisis, 1890-1928 by S.A. Smith ISBN 9780198734826 and The Romanovs: The Final Chapter by Robert K Massie ISBN 9780679645634.