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on December 19, 2014
I read this book for its setting during the Russian Revolution, one of the seminal events of the 20th century. It is a two-tiered story, a common plot practice, in which a person from one generation seeks to learn about earlier events (often the history of a relative). In this case a granddaughter in the 1960s seeks the story of her grandmother, who was an English nanny to a Russian noble family related to the Romanovs. The premise is ripe with possibilities, as both eras were filled with exciting activities. However, the stories rapidly devolve into a pair of rather turgid romances, with stereotypical characters and fairly predictable, if sometimes preposterous, plot elements. Maybe I should just read Dr. Zhivago again.
on February 27, 2017
If you are going to write a historical novel about a culture you are not familiar with, DO YOUR RESEARCH, and consult a native speaker! Most of the Russian terms were used incorrectly, and there were many, many anachronisms. There was no orange juice for breakfast in 1911 Russia, nor were there “ready-to-wear” clothing stores where the heroine could purchase a coat. The poor made their own clothes, and the wealthy hired seamstresses. A dvornik is not a concierge, but a street-sweeper, and shuba is a fur coat, not something a governess would gift to someone she just met. And valenki are not soft or elegant. They are shapeless felt boots that can be worn on either foot since they are exactly the same. Nyanushki is plural, so would never be applied to one nanny, and Russian surnames for women have a different ending than male names. I realize that readers who don’t speak Russian wouldn’t catch these mistakes, but for those of us who are fluent, they ruined the story, which wasn’t all that to begin with.
on April 1, 2015
I would not recommend this book. It was so slow and drawn out. At the end of part one, I read another book, as I just needed a good read. I then continued on with part two. Just the opposite happened. There were ten different things all going on at once. Some from the past, then you were back in the present. Nothing explosive , nothing to get your interest peaked. I never give up on a book, I stayed with it, but sure glad it is over.
on February 27, 2016
I was disappointed from the beginning. The opening syntax gives a reader the first clue that the book has problems. Syntax could be tighter beginning with the first paragraph. The complex sentences ramble. Characters are simple, but overall I liked them except for the Countess. Although the reader is not suppose to like her, she seemed a bit over the top, almost like a cartoon. I found the end problematic. All of sudden, there is a villain. I think that more development throughout the plot could have still left the reader surprised, but the way it is leaves the reader going "where did this come from?" Finally, the ending was too harlequin romantic.
Now having said all of this, this was a good book to read on a rainy afternoon in front of a fire. Would I read another Freda Lightfoot novel? Yes, without a doubt!! A novel with problems does not mean the writer is a poor writer. The next novel may have a good story skillfully put together. I don't believing in judging an author with one book. That wouldn't be fair, and the reader could miss out on something really good!
Now having said all of this, this was a good book to read on a rainy afternoon in front of a fire. Would I read another Freda Lightfoot novel? Yes, without a doubt!! A novel with problems does not mean the writer is a poor writer. The next novel may have a good story skillfully put together. I don't believing in judging an author with one book. That wouldn't be fair, and the reader could miss out on something really good!
on May 30, 2015
Since 5 is the limit, I guess that's all I can give The Amber Keeper. It weaves into present, past and somewhere in between or beyond. It was a bit confusing at times, but in the end, it all made sense. There is mystery and intrigue, characters that spark your imagination. Abigail has returned to her home in England due to her mother's mysterious suicide. She brings her illegitimate daughter, the love of her life, that she had as a rebellious teenager with her. She's leaves her lover in Paris, a married French chef, behind and makes every effort to put the past behind her. He is the epitome of the chauvinist Frenchmen who believes he has every right to a mistress and a wife. There is friction with her father and snooty brother. There are just too many unanswered questions, and her brother and grieving father blame her for it all. But she has an ally in Grandmother Millie, a intriguing and interesting woman who survived, and escaped the Russian Revolution. Grandma is the key to understanding what happened to her adopted daughter, Abigail's mother. Millie's story is mesmerizing. It was hard to put the book down. Abigail's ability to to save her dead mother's jewelry business is amazing. Her family has hidden the fact that her deceased mother left it to her in her will, that no one will let her see. This young, rebellious teenager grows up fast and digs out facts, and Grandma's story, like a seasoned detective. She leaves no stone unturned and she is relentless in her search for answers. I fell in love with her and Grandma Millie. I love strong, powerful everyday women who beat the odds, and these two do it. Eventually, a new, somewhat mysterious love comes into Abigail's life, but, like everything else, it's complicated and you wonder if it will ever be sorted out. I especially love the Russian History and the author, Freda Lightfoot's, magnificent ability to present it. Her ability to paint a picture of the wealthy, nymphomaniac, Russian Countess and her long-suffering husband, who employ Millie as a young governess and teacher to her two children. Even their real birth stories are a tangled mystery. Abigail's ability to find the truth with her grandmother's help is a wonderful, mysterious journey with bittersweet moments woven into historical facts. I could go on and on, but then I'd ruin the novel for you. I highly
recommend that you read it.
recommend that you read it.
on December 3, 2015
Enjoyed this story, although found the historical portions set in Russia much more interesting than the scenes set in England. There was family conflict, romance, and a mystery (or two) in the present, more interesting chacters in the past again with family conflict and romance. The hardships experienced during the Russian revolution were not presented in depth, which might have provided more historical accurracy. E-version of the book needs better editing. Easy read,
on April 10, 2017
As a student of the Russian language and a former tourist of the Soviet Union in 1967, I found this book compelling. I stayed in Leningrad, as Petersburg was called then, and recognized the location and physical surroundings of this novel. I witnessed the suffering of the people still in 1967.I learned of the horror of the age through study, ss at the time the populace still lived in fear for their own safety and could not speak of it for themselves. I was followed by Intourist folks as I,probably foolishly, always wandered the streets independently and learned of the people and their lifestyles.
Life was as frightening as depicted in this novel.
Life was as frightening as depicted in this novel.
on June 28, 2015
Found this to be a great read but maybe a tad slow to start. The charaters are well developed and interesting. It has good setting with the Russian Revolution, maybe some pieces I questioned, but then it was historical fiction. The main plot of a young English girl Abbie who returns home after her mother's sudden death develops when she approaches her grandmother Millie with questions of her mother Kate's mysterious birth and other secrets of her family history. Part of the book being from the past is Millie's history of going to Russia to be a nanny and companion to the Countess Olga, the perils and encounters of her life there. The other part is the more recent events in the granddaughter Aimee's life and progress following her mother's death occuring in more recent time. I enjoyed the historical reference, the tasteful romance and passion, a toouch of evil through Countess Olga, and the relationship of parents and their children and the connection of the grandmother and granddaughter. I found this book to be one I will remember when looking back in family histories and seeing the interesting places we come from and the things we encounter on the way.
on August 13, 2015
I found this book frustrating. I wanted to like it and I thought the idea was a good one, although I'm not a fan of then-and-now plot devices. Sometimes the narrative flowed nicely, and at other times, I cringed. At times, the dialogue is fine (never spectacular) and other times, I laughed out loud at how clumsy it was. The action could be smooth, plodding or silly ("I accepted a delicious piece of cake." Really? And how did you know it was delicious?). It is perhaps the most unevenly written novel I've read in a long time. Perhaps this is the failing of the editor. But the story was also quite predictable, especially the romance. The opening chapter is supposed to set up suspense, and it is among some of the best writing in the book. But it isn't suspenseful because you know the "footsteps" overhead have to be friendly or the woman will never get out of there to tell the tale. I could point out additional failings of plot, but the point has been made by others. I will simply say that this is a book that you CAN read, but I'm not sure you NEED to.
