'Sashenka' by Simon Sebag Montefiore is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of the title character, Sashenka Zeitlin, through three pivotal time periods in Russian history - 1916, 1939, and 1994. Sashenka, born into a wealthy Jewish family in St. Petersburg, decides to become a Bolshevik, leading to a series of events that shape her life as she navigates the Communist elite, makes a mistake that brings her downfall, and becomes the subject of a historian's investigation in the present day. The plot is rich in historical detail, spanning generations and offering a vivid portrayal of life in twentieth-century Russia, with themes of revolution, espionage, and personal struggles against the backdrop of political turmoil.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of political persecution, violence, betrayal, and references to drug use.
Has Romance?
The novel includes romantic elements, particularly in Sashenka's relationships, but they are interwoven with the greater historical narrative.
From The Publisher:
In the bestselling tradition of Doctor Zhivago and Sophie's Choice, a sweeping epic of Russia from the last days of the Tsars to today's age of oligarchs - by the prizewinning author of Young Stalin.
Winter 1916: St. Petersburg, Russia, is on the brink of revolution. Outside the Smolny Institute for Noble Girls, an English governess is waiting for her young charge to be released from school. But so are the Tsar's secret police...
Beautiful and headstrong, Sashenka Zeitlin is just sixteen. As her mother parties with Rasputin and their dissolute friends, Sashenka slips into the frozen night to play her part in a dangerous game of conspiracy and seduction.
Twenty years on, Sashenka is married to a powerful, rising Red leader with whom she has two children. Around her people are disappearing, while in the secret world of the elite her own family is safe. But she's about to embark on a forbidden love affair that will have devastating consequences.
Sashenka's story lies hidden for half a century, until a young historian goes deep into Stalin's private archives and uncovers a heartbreaking tale of betrayal and redemption, savage cruelty and unexpected heroism - and one woman forced to make an unbearable choice.
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Sashenka?
About the Author:
Simon Sebag Montefiore's bestselling and prize-winning books are now published in over forty-five languages. His new book The Romanovs: 1613-1918 has been universally acclaimed and is already a bestseller in the UK, Australia, and the USA where it was on the New York Times bestseller list for eight weeks. Montefiore has won literary prizes for both fiction and nonfiction. His latest novel, One Night in Winter won the Best Political Novel of the Year Prize and was longlisted for the Orwell Prize. He is now writing the third novel in this trilogy. Follow Simon on Twitter at @SimonMontefiore. For more information visit SimonSebagMontefiore.com.
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