Author Topic: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich  (Read 14656 times)

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Offline Tsaritsa

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Has anyone read "Once a Grand Duke" or "Always a Grand Duke" by Sandro?

I have a chance to buy these books at a fairly reasonable price.  Are they worth it.

Sandro is one of my favorites.  I have wanted to read these two books for quite some time.
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Offline felix

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2005, 05:43:26 AM »
If you have cance to get them, do it. I have both,and  enjoyed reading them






Offline Belochka

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2005, 12:58:53 AM »
I have both these books. The first book was more intimate and detailed, describing his life and thoughts in Russia and concludes with his exile. I could not help feel that there was a different ghost writer involved with the second book. It was far less appealing, describing some of Sandro's life and conversations in exile.

Given the opportunity both books are worth having. :)


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Offline felix

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2005, 10:18:20 AM »
I agree with B. very similar to the Buxhoeveden books.The one on Alexandra,to me.Is better than the others.

Offline sydguy71

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2005, 06:03:59 PM »
I agree as well...The first one was a better read,But both well worth having.

Offline Belochka

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2005, 07:20:56 PM »
Quote
I agree with B. very similar to the Buxhoeveden books.


As far as Buxhoeveden's trilogy are concerned, I also enjoyed Alexandra F., but prefered her first book Before the Storm - which vividly described her childhood experiences, and grandfather's estate. :)

Unfortunately, her third book, Left Behind, is aptly titled IMO, because numerous pertinant details were omitted. :-/

Somehow one can not help noticing that there is a pattern here between both sets of publications. ???

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Offline Tsaritsa

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2005, 02:23:56 AM »
Thank you for the opinions.  I've decided to purchase them.  After I have read them, I will be back with my reviews.   ;)
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La_Mashka

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2005, 12:15:45 PM »
I saw these books on sale... in French, and apparently they have lots of pictures.

Please let me know if you found them interesting

Offline Svetabel

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2005, 12:22:47 PM »
I bought  the 1st Russian edition of Sandro's memoirs 12 years ago and was fascinated with the book! Now one of russian publishing houses issued a new edition of 2 books of his memoirs...and I am dissapointed with "Always a Grand Duke". BTW, the photos in Russian edition are not rare ones.

Crimson_Snow

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2005, 05:56:31 PM »

Excellent read. Sandro had a talent of inviting you into his world. Anymore, all I have to do is hear the word Brazil and it has new meaning.

B-R-A-Z-I-L. The word drips of possiblities. I encourage all to read Sandro's encounter there in his youth. When he took a trip into the Brazilian jungle in an effort to visit an aging emperor. Wonderful description.

The tale reminded me of Conrad's journey into the dark jungles of Africa. Dark but beautiful.

Don't believe me- feed yourself. Read it.



rskkiya

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2005, 03:23:25 PM »
CrimsonSnow !

   I certainly must disagree  with you - I cannot find anything in Conrad's work on the horrors of the slavetrade in the Belgian Congo, "Heart Of Darkness" that could be called beautiful ...
  It's a profound matter of utterly differant tastes!

rskkiya

Crimson_Snow

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2005, 07:15:43 PM »
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CrimsonSnow !

    I certainly must disagree  with you - I cannot find anything in Conrad's work on the horrors of the slavetrade in the Belgian Congo, "Heart Of Darkness" that could be called beautiful ...
   It's a profound matter of utterly differant tastes!

rskkiya


With each step back into the jungle is a step back in time.


"Emperor Dom Pedro- his long white beard and gold-rimmed glasses gave him the appearance of an old university professor- listened sympathetically to my description of the jungle.
"The Eurpoeans talk so often about the so-called youth of the South American countries, he said with great sadness in his voice. No one of them realizes that we are hopelessly old. We are older than the world. Nothing is left, or at least nothing has been discovered so far pertaining to the peoples who inhabited this continent thousands of centuries ago. There is just one thing that will always remain in South America: the spirit of restless hatred. It comes from the jungle. It preys on our minds."
Once a Grand Duke pg. 97

The jungle so wonderfully described by Conrad
"When the sun rose there was a white fog, very warm and clammy, and more blinding than the night. It did not shift or drive; it was just there, standing all round you like something solid. At eight or nine, perhaps, it lifted as a shutter lifts. We had a glimpse of the towering multitude of trees, of the immense matted jungle, with the blazing little ball of the sun hanging over it--all perfectly still--and then the white shutter came down again, smoothly, as if sliding in greased grooves. I ordered the chain, which we had begun to heave in, to be paid out again. Before it stopped running with a muffled rattle, a cry, a very loud cry, as of infinite desolation, soared slowly in the opaque air."
The Heart of Darkness

Kurtz was Europe's greed.
"Save me! Save the ivory...." - Kurtz

Kurtz'a death-
"I saw on that ivory face the expression of somber pride, of ruthless power, or craven terror of an intense and hopeless despair. Did he live his life again in every detail of desire, temptation, and surrender during that supreme moment of complete knowledge."

Few can capture the human spirit like Conrad.

"You forget, dear Charlie, that the labourer is worthy of his hire,' she said, brightly. It's queer how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there has never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over."

Beauty can be brutal. Look at Prince Felix. He was once Europe's most eligible bachelor. Tall, handsome, and extremely witty.

Many have described him as being beautiful.

Though one horrible night long ago, this beautiful being butchered to death an other.

Beauty is like the jungle- it preys on the mind.


Just words.

Crimson

rskkiya

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2005, 09:02:20 PM »
I don't question Conrad's wit or insite - but I cannot find his descriptions of slavery and starvation "beautiful" -nor can I see a real comparison with the overrated Once a Grand Duke However, it is nice to see someone here with eclectic literary tastes.

Crimson, we'll simply have to disagree. ::)

rskkiya

Crimson_Snow

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2005, 06:28:26 AM »
Quote
I don't question Conrad's wit or insite - but I cannot find his descriptions of slavery and starvation "beautiful" -nor can I see a real comparison with the overrated Once a Grand Duke However, it is nice to see someone here with eclectic literary tastes.

Crimson, we'll simply have to disagree. ::)

rskkiya


Good day Rskkiya,

Without friendly disagreements this world and especially this message board would be quite a dull place. I respect your view.

Best regards,
Crimson

Crimson_Snow

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Re: Once A Grand Duke & Always A Grand Duke by Alexander Mikhailovich
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2006, 03:30:24 PM »
Does anyone know who currently owns the rights for Sandro's autobiography Once a Grand Duke?

The publishing house was Garden City Publishing Co.