Angel on the Square.Gloria Whelan. 2001/2003. Read by Julie Dretzin. 4 tapes. 5.5 hrs. Recorded Books. 1-4025-4192-9. $36.00. Vinyl; content, reader notes. J * In 1913, Katya's mother, Countess Irina, is asked to become Russian Empress Alexandra's lady-in-waiting. Katya, 13, becomes a companion to Anastasia, 12. The Russian Revolution Russian Revolution, violent upheaval in Russia in 1917 that overthrew the czarist government. Causes The revolution was the culmination of a long period of repression and unrest. unfolds as seen through Katya's eyes. She delights in palaces, the yacht, fine food, beautiful clothes, and exciting entertainments, but Tsarevitch Alexei's hemophilia hemophilia (hē'məfĭl`ēə,–fēl`yə), genetic disease in which the clotting ability of the blood is impaired and excessive bleeding results. clouds royal life. The revolutionaries' drive for increased democracy is thwarted by Tsar Nicolai II, who believes he must rule absolutely. Misha, the orphaned son of Irina's friend, is taken with the revolutionaries' message and shows Katya the devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. poverty of Russia's vast majority. WW I wreaks further havoc, and the Tsar is forced to abdicate ab·di·cate v. ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing, ab·di·cates v.tr. To relinquish (power or responsibility) formally. v.intr. To relinquish formally a high office or responsibility. . Whelan skillfully skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. weaves together the political situation, the Romanovs' warm family life, the role of Rasputin, and the Tsar's growing emotional withdrawal. Katya and her mother leave the royal family shortly before their assassination Assassination See also Murder. assassins Fanatical Moslem sect that smoked hashish and murdered Crusaders (11th—12th centuries). [Islamic Hist.: Brewer Note-Book, 52] Brutus conspirator and assassin of Julius Caesar. [Br. and are obliged, in 1918, to share their country's poverty and social upheaval. The story of the revolution, its causes and effects, is incomplete--this is not a textbook--but it is surprisingly well done historical fiction and will resonate with young readers. Dretzin, whose voice is appropriate to her character, accurately and with no hesitation pronounces the scattering of Russian names and words. Edna Boardman, Bismarck, ND J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. *--The asterisk highlights exceptional books. |
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