Customer Reviews

The Property of a Lady (Charnwood Library)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Property of a Lady is a twist on the story of Anastasia. It takes place from 1917 to the 1990s and, while I don't normally care for books that jump between decades, this one works.

It begins on the eve of the Russian revolution, an Ivanoff princess is fleeing with her two children, Alexei and Xenia; their English teenage nanny, Missie Byron; and a fortune in jewels, including a very famous emerald. The party is attacked by Bolshevik peasants and after losing sight of Alexei and seeing the princess killed, Missie escapes to America with Xenia to live in hiding.

There are rumors an Ivanoff child has survived, but no one ever comes forward. Two generations later, the emerald mysteriously reappears at auction listed as "The Property of a Lady." American politician Cal Warrender, Washington reporter Genie Reese and Russian attache Valentin Solovsky set off a chase to find the lady to whom the stone belongs.

I first read this book in high school and it remains an all-time favorite. It's part Cold War spy story, part Russian and American history, part romance, glamour and intrigue. And Elizabeth Adler has done a wonderful job of weaving it all together. Five stars.

In the midst of the Russian revolution, a very rich prince and his family were targets of the revolutionaries. The prince and princess were killed and the rest of the family were presumed dead. However, they have survived and the granddaughter of Prince Ivanoff has sold an emerald that could only be one of the Ivanoff jewels. The KGB, the CIA and one other mysterious player are hot on the trail of this granddaughter, believing she will lead them to the Ivanoff billions that are in a Swiss bank, and the deed to some very important mines.
The story is told partly in the present day and partly in flashback. The history of practically everyone involved with the emerald and the missing Ivanoffs is laid out in this book. Sometimes flashbacks can be either confusing or boring, but these are neither. In fact, the action and characters in the present day pale in comparison with those of the past.
The sentence structure is sometimes awkward and confusing. Pronouns are overused to the point that it's hard to tell to whom the pronoun is referring, especially in the beginning of the book. Also some clauses are misplaced so that the subject and verb agreement is somewhat stultified. As I got interested in the story, however, I didn't notice it as much unless I really couldn't figure out who or what they were referring to.
The climax of the novel is exciting and satisfying, although there was one element, which I can't reveal, that I thought rather unnecessary. Actually, it seemed a little like the author changed her mind about how the book would end at the last second, but it still works.
I would recommend this book to fans of family saga novels, but probably not mystery and suspense novels.

I am an avid reader and have gone through most of the really big novelists. I like tension, intrigue and all the usual sort of stuff. This book I must confess is not big on tension or suspense but for some funny reason, I consider this the best book I have ever read. It reads as smoothly as fine scotch and is written in one of the most beautiful styles I have ever read. Its touching and absolutely absorbs you. It does what good stories are meant to do, that is it draws you in completely. You go with Adler into these lives she has created and feel everything they feel and share their every pain and joy. ITs a ge! ayone who says otherwise should be prosecuted for complete tastelessness!

The love and intrigue in this one is wonderfully exciting

This book is so bad I couldn't finish it. It jumps back and forth in time so much that the reader gets confused. The dates in time are never given so one had to keep returning to the beginning of the book. Also, I got to the middle of the book and STILL nothing had happened. I finally quit this book in disgust. I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Adler, but to me, this book was a waste of both my time and my money.

I really enjoyed this book and really couldn't put it down. The author did a fabulous job of mixing the past with the present in the storytelling. I read A LOT and although I'm not sure why I loved this book, but there was just something about it!

Bravo! a real page turner..this book is one of those must read on your to do list!

This book is my absolute favorite. I've read it several times and like it more each time. I've always been facinated with Russia and the revolution, and I love the way this story is told from the time of the revolt to modern day United States. Intriguing, full of mystery and romance.

This book is really dull. The plot was tacky, the characters were standard caricatures. There wasn't any suspense at all. You could guess what was going to happen next. The plot was predictable formula. Boring. The interesting thing to happen is a spoiler so I shall not comment on that.

This is the first book by Adler that I have read and I must say, I'm very much in love with it. I have had a fascination for all things russian, especially about the russian royalty which all but vanished during the revolution of 1917 and after. Its a tale beautifully told, the characters are very dignified and characterised by charm thats old world. I felt myself gradually slipping into the world Adler spun and feeling surreal one of the days at work, since that world felt so real instead.

I wondered a little about the way she took the characters to their destinies, but I suppose the magic wouldnt have been the same with any other way. The main character - Missie, does seem perfect - beautiful, graceful, generous and very loving and it was very easy for me to understand why the story revolves around her rather than any other. Its a must for any romantic at heart.