1913 Diary of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaievna, transl. by Marina Petrov

[tian79]

I wonder who that AKSH fella was. Anyone know?

I belive that AKSH, Shurik and Sh are the same person. Shurik was the nickname for Aleksander Konstantinovits Shvedov. I've only quickly read the diary, but AKSH, Shurik and Sh never seem to be mentioned at the same time. Also AKSH's name day (30 August) is name day for Aleksander. I rest my case :-D

[Sarushka]

I belive that AKSH, Shurik and Sh are the same person. Shurik was the nickname for Aleksander Konstantinovits Shvedov. I've only quickly read the diary, but AKSH, Shurik and Sh never seem to be mentioned at the same time. Also AKSH's name day (30 August) is name day for Aleksander. I rest my case :-D

Olga gives AKSH's birthdate as July 25. Does that match with Shvedov?

[koloagirl]

Aloha all!

I can't wait to get this book (ordering it today actually!) - and I have read the "spoilers" here and don't mind at all - just makes me want to read it in full all the more!

I too am surprised by some of the things brought up by those who have read it - I always have pictured Olga as a introspective sort and the "deepest" (for want of a better word!) of the Grand Duchesses - but then again, this diary is only for one year and prior to the War - which in my
mind I think profoundly changed her (and probably her siblings as well) and she became not only more mature very quickly, but also cognizant of the IF's situation more than any of her sisters or brother.

I love that it seems to be more personal than Nicholas's diary (weather, food, not much else!) - and seems to reflect quite a bit of her personality.

Want it, need it - must have it!!!

Janet R.

[Sarushka]

It's definitely a must-have if you're interested in OTMA.

[JBenjamin82]

I really enjoy reading about her crushes, makes her seem more "real" and like any normal teenage girl.

Me too. Some of the things she wrote made me smile/laugh.

And I also like it how even at the age of 17 she enjoyed playing hide-and-seek and other childish (to our eyes) games. I think it's charming and shows her innocence. But I believe that at that time girls of her rank especially stayed childish longer than they do now, where by 17 a girl is into modern past-times like boyfriends, shopping, movies, etc. My mother went to Russia in the 1960's and was struck by how even older teenage girls wore large bows in their hair like little girls.

In a way, reading her diary has made me understand what people meant when they referred to OTMA as being sort of childish compared to their peers. I don't think Olga came across as childish, per se, but she certainly was innocent and sort of simple (not in a bad way). Some people would say that to criticize her, but I honestly think it's endearing.

Finally, I was really surprised at her entry of February 15th when she states that Grigory (Rasputin) "kept patting Alexei on the head and said that I could rule like Tsarinas did in the past." Seems kind of insensitive to me, saying that right in front of the little boy! Almost insinuating that his sister could rule if something were to happen to him.

I know, right? I thought that seemed a bit odd and quite insensitive as well, to say the least. I hope it went over Alexei's head; I don't know, but I think it's wrong to say something like that in front of a child with a disability.

[JBenjamin82]

Does anyone know what Olga meant by "turnip applications"? I have no clue. LOL.

[Sarushka]

Does anyone know what Olga meant by "turnip applications"? I have no clue. LOL.

Do you recall a date? I remember the phrase but not the context.

[tian79]

I belive that AKSH, Shurik and Sh are the same person. Shurik was the nickname for Aleksander Konstantinovits Shvedov. I've only quickly read the diary, but AKSH, Shurik and Sh never seem to be mentioned at the same time. Also AKSH's name day (30 August) is name day for Aleksander. I rest my case :-D

Olga gives AKSH's birthdate as July 25. Does that match with Shvedov?

Unfortunately, I couldn't find Shvedov's birthdate. He is mentioned in "Royal Sisters of Mercy" but there aren't any entries by Olga on 25 July 1914-15-16.

[JBenjamin82]

Do you recall a date? I remember the phrase but not the context.

They may be in more entries, but looking again, I saw she said it on November 14th and December 1st.

[JBenjamin82]

On July 7th, Olga said that Voronov was "a bit sad. He enjoyed himself just a bit today, as he showed me just a tip of his pinky." I don't get it. What does that mean?

[Teddy]

I've got my copy yesterday and I love it.

I'm amazed how much she saw her aunts Olga and Xenia, her cousins, etc etc. Even a entry were her former aunt GD Victoria Melita is mentioned.

I think that the family saw eachother very often. I must not think about the idea that my aunts and cousins comes so often with every breakfast, tea parties and diners. Its nice that someone visits, but every day?

Ofcourse Royalty has different spare time then we do, but still. I love to get family members and friends over at my place, but I also like the company of my parents and sister alone and not with the entire family next to me.

Aunt Ella had more a life of her own, she is mentioned. But thinking that Ella was very busy with her charity as nun, you understand why she is not mentioned so often.

Her Grand Mother is also not mentioned many times or the Vladimirs.

But I must say: that I hope that ms Baker or someone else would publish the remaining diaries after 1913.

[markjhnstn]

On July 7th, Olga said that Voronov was "a bit sad. He enjoyed himself just a bit today, as he showed me just a tip of his pinky." I don't get it. What does that mean?

Pinky suggests to me the little finger on your hand. Maybe he was only giving half-hearted salutes or something like that. Maybe just the meaning is lost in translation or a phrase that only Olga would understand herself.

What were you thinking..............

[JBenjamin82]

Pinky suggests to me the little finger on your hand. Maybe he was only giving half-hearted salutes or something like that. Maybe just the meaning is lost in translation or a phrase that only Olga would understand herself.

But what I don't get is what "just the tip of his pinky" has to do with his enjoying himself, though you're probably right in saying that the meaning may have been lost in translation or would have been something Olga would have known herself.

What were you thinking..............

Nothing, really. I have no clue what it means, and I don't even know where to start. LOL.

[Condecontessa]

I love the book. I'm glad that nothing was left out from the Grand Duchess's diary. I'm just disappointed to the fact that I didn't find any new rare pics. But I think because of the price of the book that it wasn't possible to publish new pics. Why is GARF so jealously protective of the last imperial family's albums and pics? Also, there was an entry where Olga's hair was washed with gasoline!!!! My mom said that was done in the old times to get rid of lice.

[Lalee]

I would just like to thank you all (especially dear Sarushka) for your very thoughtful reviews. I think I'll buy the book now!
Is it only available through Gilbert's site?

I am hoping that one day maybe more of Olga's diaries through other years would come out, or perhaps Tatiana's! Like Sarushka said, it would be interesting to see the diaries from the war years, because of all the changes in the IF's lives (I'm particularly interested in the two eldest)..