The House By the Dvina is the riveting story of two families, separated in culture and geography, but bound together by a Russian-Scottish marriage. It includes episodes as romantic and dramatic as any in fiction: the purchase by the author's greatgrandfather of a peasant girl with whom he had fallen in love; the desperate journey by sledge in the depths of winter made by her grandmother to intercede with Tsar Aleksandr II for her husband; the extraordinary courtship of her parents; and her Scottish granny being caught up ...
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The House By the Dvina is the riveting story of two families, separated in culture and geography, but bound together by a Russian-Scottish marriage. It includes episodes as romantic and dramatic as any in fiction: the purchase by the author's greatgrandfather of a peasant girl with whom he had fallen in love; the desperate journey by sledge in the depths of winter made by her grandmother to intercede with Tsar Aleksandr II for her husband; the extraordinary courtship of her parents; and her Scottish granny being caught up in the abortive revolution of 1905. Eugenie Fraser herself was brought up in Russia but was taken on visits to Scotland. She marvellously evokes the reactions of a child of two totally different environments, sets of custom and family backgrounds. The characters on both sides are beautifully drawn and splendidly memorable - especially her beloved 'Babushka', her Russian grandmother, whose inner strength and resourcefulness were of heroic proportions. With the events of 1914 to 1920 - the war with Germany, the Revolution, the murder of the Tsar, the withdrawal of the Allied Intervention in the north - came the disintegration of the country and of family life. The stark realities of hunger, deprivation and fear are sharply contrasted with the day-to-day experiences, joys, frustrations and adventures of childhood. The reader shares the family's suspense and concern about the fates of its members and relives with Eugenie her final escape to Scotland. In House By the Dvina, Eugenie Fraser has vividly, poignantly and often amusingly portrayed the way of life that finally disappeared in violence and tragedy.
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Add this copy of House By the Dvina: a Russian Childhood to cart. $28.71, fair condition, Sold by Reuseabook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1984 by Mainstream Publishing.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. The book is perfectly readable and fit for use, although it shows signs of previous ownership. The spine is likely creased and the cover scuffed or slightly torn. Textbooks will typically have an amount of underlining and/or highlighting, as well as notes. If this book is over 5 years old, then please expect the pages to be yellowing or to have age spots. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Ripped/damaged jacket. The dust jacket of this book is slightly damaged/ripped, however, this does not affect the internal condition.
Add this copy of The House By the Dvina: a Russian Childhood to cart. $47.46, very good condition, Sold by Bookcase rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Carlisle, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1984 by Mainstream Publishing.
