After the Romanovs
Russian exiles in Paris between the wars
by Helen Rappaport
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Pub Date 13 Oct 2022 | Archive Date 6 Oct 2022
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Description
From the internationally bestselling author of Four Sisters comes the story of the Russian aristocrats, artists, and intellectuals who sought refuge in Belle Époque Paris.
From the time of Peter the Great, Paris was the playground of the tsarist aristocracy. But the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917 forced Russians of all types to flee their homeland. Leaving with only the clothes on their backs, many came to France’s glittering capital. Paris was no longer an amusement, but a refuge.
There, former princes could be seen driving taxicabs, while their wives found work in the fashion houses, where their unique Russian style inspired designers such as Coco Chanel. Talented intellectuals, artists, poets, philosophers, and writers eked out a living at menial jobs, while others found great success. Nijinsky, Diaghilev, Bunin, Chagall, and Stravinsky joined Picasso, Hemingway, James Joyce, and Gertrude Stein in the creative crucible of the Années folles.
Politics as much as art absorbed the emigrés. Activists sought to overthrow the Bolshevik regime from afar, while double agents plotted espionage and assassination from both sides. Others became trapped in a cycle of poverty and their all-consuming homesickness for Russia, the land they had been forced to abandon.
This is their story.
Advance Praise
‘Entertaining and, at times, heart-wrenching … Rappaport, a prolific historian and highly regarded Romanov expert, unveils a Paris in which Russians had long played a prominent role.’
– Douglas Smith , Wall Street Journal
‘Traces the Russian encounter with Paris from the city’s glittering years as an expat playground before World War I to the grimmer reality of life in exile after the Bolshevik seizure of power.’
– Rebecca Reich , New York Times Book Review
‘Throughout, [Helen Rappaport], a consummate historian, displays her deep research into the era, the city, and its denizens. A culturally vibrant account of Russians uprooted to Paris during a tumultuous time.’
– Kirkus Reviews
‘Read Rappaport’s excellent book to develop a better sense of why they did what they did, and what became of the people who helped shape the Russia of old. What a story.’
– John Tamny , Forbes
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781914484292 |
| PRICE | £20.00 (GBP) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 685962
This was a very interesting book! Most of Russian history I know is limited to the Romanov, and I was glad to learn more about Russia after them, specifically the Russians in Paris. The book was quite detailed, which goes to show how well-researched it is. This book was also written during the pandemic, and with the amount of research needed and how much the author has covered, then she definitely deserves to be commended. An interesting, enlightening book that I would definitely recommend if you like Russian history.
Kirsty W, Reviewer
The Russian Revolution in the early 20th Century brought forward a welcoming new world for many and tore down a comfortable one for others.
To avoid drastic changes (and in many cases, to preserve their lives) many aristocrats, artists, musicians, authors and various other intellectuals sought refuge in Paris which became a culture hub in Europe.
Rappaport has created a concise and scholarly study of the exiles and their steady transition of decadence and indulgence to exile and poverty.
I found it shocking how stark the changes in many lives were as the author led us through the events before, during and after the Revolution.
The level of research is commendable with Rappaport's dedication and passion for the topic shining through her words.
After the Romanovs is a sympathetic study of how these individuals experienced their exile, with many mourning the loss of their past life but showcasing their sheer determination and resilience in order to survive which I found inspiring.
I would absolutely recommend this book to any who have an interest in the events of the Russian Revolution.
Thank you to @scribe_uk and @netgalley for allowing me to have an early access copy of this book.
Helen W, Reviewer
If you have ever wondered what happened to the Russian nobility after the Czar was killed., Where they fled to and how they survived, this is the book for you.
The nobility led a very different life than what they were used to living in Russia.
The nobility and fetted individuals with no discernible skills and resources in the main headed for Paris.
A fascinating book.
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