Author Topic: The Kitchen Boy  (Read 29872 times)

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Offline Sarushka

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #45 on: November 05, 2005, 05:22:36 PM »
I just started a new thread -- come on over!

Rasputin's Daughter, by Robert Alexander
THE LOST CROWN: A Novel of Romanov Russia -- now in paperback!
"A dramatic, powerful narrative and a masterful grasp of life in this vanished world." ~Greg King

zimmy

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #46 on: November 07, 2005, 10:39:38 AM »
Hi,

I'm the author of The Kitchen Boy and the forthcoming Rasputin's Daughter...and please be assured that I did major battle with my publisher NOT to use the image of Tatiana on the cover or the smaller image of the monk in the lower right (who is definitely not Rasputin).  My agent got involved also, and, well, we lost.  There are so many people who know so much about the Romanovs, and I was/am afraid of what it would imply, of course (and, NO, the book does not imply that Tatiana was Rasputin's daughter, or any such absurd thing).

As one of you mentioned, authors have minimal input into cover design, particularly when the marketing department gets involved.  In the end, my publisher colorized a black and white photo of Tatiana because her expression is so evocative, and the broad river and pine woods in the background so very Russian.  I argued that the folks on sites like this would recognize Tatiana instantly; they argued that 98% of the readers wouldn't know; I pleaded for another photo of someone else; they countered that they tried another photo but the image was not nearly as beautiful as this -- and a striking cover sells books.  

Even though I would never have chose this cover, I look at it (or at least this is how I console myself) as a paradigm for the beauty of Russia -- both her landscape and people.  On another note, some folks are beginning to quibble with some of the facts -- and I actually disagree with some of those comments and stick to my beliefs.  I'm sure, though, I've made some mistakes, but in the end what's important to me is the tone and whether it takes the reader to a greater understanding of that time and place, or at the very least least adds a human dimension to all the wonderful non-fiction works out there.

For those of you who enjoyed the trailer at www.thekitchenboy.com, you might want to take a look at the new trailer: www.rasputinsdaughter.com

Thanks for your interest (and cumulative knowledge!) , and all best, Robert (Alexander)

Offline Romanov_fan

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #47 on: November 07, 2005, 10:49:40 AM »
The cover is beautiful, and I sincerely doubted that the author would imply anything such as mentioned before on this thread. It is a striking cover, it will sell the book, no doubt. But there will be endless people wondering about the plot ;)I think most people on this board know that is Tatiana, but anybody in a bookstore, who is struck by the cover and picks it up won't.So I think the cover is beautiful, but they will be be people wondering ''Is Tatiana Rasputin's daughter according to this book''? Too bad... another image would have been more appropriate. But I am sure it is a excellant book, and I really enjoyed the Kitchen Boy.

Offline Lucien

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #48 on: November 18, 2005, 07:08:46 PM »
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No, it probably didn't sell well at all. If a lot of people are like me, they don't want to spend $24 on a book that isn't very big, and a work of fiction at that. Maybe if it were paperback and a little cheaper...around the $15 mark perhaps, it would have sold better.


I was at the open air bookmarket here in Amsterdam today,well,yesterday,as it's already early baptism morning here,saturday,but I ran into this book,for the simple sum of Euro 9.That's save with me now here at home,it's not much of a read,I mean scientifically,it's a what if...book,but it adds to my Romanov collection. :)
Je Maintiendrai

Russian_Duchess_#5

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #49 on: November 25, 2005, 09:38:02 PM »
I just started reading The Kitchen Boy today and have to say that I was disappointed at the length of this novel---229 pages.
But, so far, and I am SURE it will remain that way, gaining maximum strength, it is the BEST ROMANOV BOOK that I have ever read.
The way Robert Alexander has combined true with fiction is incredible!! Example:

     *~SPOILER~* *~SPOILER~*  *~SPOILER~*  

Once the young Tsarevicn explained, (how to use a camera)I stepped back several feet, aimed the thing, and repeated what a photogrpher had told me when he'd taken my one and only portrait, "Now say eezyoom."
  Rather than saying "raisin", Aleksei Nikolaevich remained silent, staring oddly at me and raising both hands, palms out. I operated the shutter, made it open and close, and then just stood there, afraid to move.
  "It's done. You tok the picture," advised the Heir.


What amazed me from this was that it is describing an actual photograph!! It was one ofthe last pictures taken of Aleksei, in Tobolsk.



I do not know if this was intentional by the author or not.

Sofi :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM by Russian_Duchess_#5 »

Offline Sarushka

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #50 on: November 25, 2005, 09:48:54 PM »
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It was the last picture taken of Aleksei, on the steamship Rus.

Nit-pick alert!
Actually, the photo you posted was taken at Tobolsk. If you look behind Aleksei's arms, you can see the striped fabric of his camp bed. Also, he's wearing a nightshirt.

Here's the Rus photo:
Aleksei's last photo
THE LOST CROWN: A Novel of Romanov Russia -- now in paperback!
"A dramatic, powerful narrative and a masterful grasp of life in this vanished world." ~Greg King

Russian_Duchess_#5

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #51 on: November 25, 2005, 11:11:03 PM »
I am so sorry, I REALLY swear to God, and I am religious, knew that!!! :-[
Yes, I always get those 2 mixed up because he has a long and thin face in both.

Hey!! What is a nit-pick??!!

Sofi

Olga_Anne

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #52 on: November 25, 2005, 11:19:58 PM »
When I read the book for the first time I thought the same thing as you, Grand_Duchess#5!! I'll have to check the book out again and read it for the 4th time. It was really good!!

Offline Sarushka

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #53 on: November 26, 2005, 12:21:12 AM »
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I am so sorry, I REALLY swear to God, and I am religious, knew that!!! :-[
Yes, I always get those 2 mixed up because he has a long and thin face in both.

Hey!! What is a nit-pick??!!

No big deal -- we all make mistakes.

A nit-picker is somebody who corrects small (and often insignificant) mistakes.  Basically, it's a person obsessed with details ;D
THE LOST CROWN: A Novel of Romanov Russia -- now in paperback!
"A dramatic, powerful narrative and a masterful grasp of life in this vanished world." ~Greg King

Offline Romanov_fan

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #54 on: November 28, 2005, 02:56:56 PM »
TThis is a what if book.. but isn't everything a what if in history, and isn't it mostly what ifs that we debate on this board? At least, I think so. It is a good book, although the next one has a rather different cover, that doesn't suit the subject. It is an intriguing mix of real life, and what might have been, with some fiction thrown in.

Baby_Tsarevich

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #55 on: November 29, 2005, 01:24:06 AM »
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When I read the book for the first time I thought the same thing as you, Grand_Duchess#5!! I'll have to check the book out again and read it for the 4th time. It was really good!!



Woah you must really like thos book! I'm only reading it for the 2nd time now! ;D

Russian_Duchess_#5

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #56 on: November 29, 2005, 10:47:49 AM »
 ;D ;D
I finished the book the day before yesterday!! I read it in 2 days, I probably would have read it in one day, but I got it in the evening so, I would not have been able to. ::) ;)
It was good, but since I am no Nancy Drew, I had no clue what the surprise ending would be..until it happened.  8)

Now, on to the Romanov Prophecy!!


Sofi :)

Mie

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #57 on: December 26, 2005, 05:53:55 AM »
I'd like to know how much of this book is true. I tried to go to the website of this book but i could'n get there.. :( I know that the kitchen boy is true and nuns and I have red that nuns really tryed to help -but tried the boy help them? And those messages were true too- but what was the really role of the kitchen boy??

Russian_Duchess_#5

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #58 on: December 26, 2005, 10:38:33 AM »
Leonid Sednev was the Imperial Family's kitchen hand at the Ipatiev House.
He was sent away (not shot like Nagorny) the day before the murders.
No one knows why the kitchen boy was spared his life, yet other members of the Tsar's help did not survive.
The author of the Kitchen Boy obviously drew up his ideas for a gtreat fiction book from these basis questions, along with the secter messages that were found by the Imperial Family.
In their diaries, while in the Ipatiev House, NAOTMAA had written little passages that signify clues about those mysterious secret messages, and if not clues, some, like Nicky, did not conceal their hope of rescue and outright wrote it down.
There has been much speculation, as with the whole Romanov murders, about the secret messages that supposedly were recieved by the Romanovs, signaling rescuers, possibly soldiers from the Tsar's regime that were still faithful to him. The Romanovs took them to be the oncoming Whites; their artillery could be heard rumbling in the distance and gatting closer during the family's last days.
The possibility was of the nuns, that went and brought the family fresh eggs and milk, were smuggling in the sectret messages from their supposed rescuers.
But, it is also suspected that the Reds were actually the ones sending the secret notes. Probably, to excite the Tsar for rescue and dash his hopes and his family's hopes at the last moment:murder.
These notes were in fact true, Every night a member of the family, or thier household (Dr. Botkin) would stay up till about 3 in the morning, waiting for a ehistle that never came.
The whistle would be signal to start the escape.
As some know, AOTMA had been sewing "medicines", actually the family's jewels, into their corsets and pillows. Which they would, of course, escape with to help their expenses once they were abroad, well abroad in hiding/exile, once they would escape.
There were precisely, I think 3 secret notes.
The scripts of these messages are available, and plenty of books contain them.
The secret notes are shown in the Kitchen Boy, since that is one of the main ideas and plots of the book itself.
Along with the secret messages being in The Kitchen Boy, the book also ventures on the question of an Imperial family member escaping.....
You'll find out who when you read this marvelous book.

Sofia :)

M_le_Comte_de_Boir

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Re: The Kitchen Boy
« Reply #59 on: June 17, 2006, 06:26:33 PM »
I read this book a while ago and I really enjoyed it. It was a really good read and while he may have strechted the truth a bit in places, he did a very good job of staying acurate. I like the way Alexandra was portrayed in it, very close to what I think she was like. The description of the Romanov murders was really vivid. I could see it all and I almost cried. (I'm not a big cryer but it almost got me) I'm considering rereading it until my biography of Dowager Empress Marie arrives. I recomend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction. -M. Philippe, le Comte de Boir