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SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN
'It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme' - Daisy Goodwin
Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina
1699: Illegitimate, destitute and strikingly beautiful, Marta is sold into labour at the age of fifteen - where in desperation she commits a crime that will force her to go on the run. Cheating death at every turn, she is swept into the current of the Great Northern War. Working as a washer woman at a battle camp, she catches the eye of none other than Peter the Great. Passionate and iron-willed, Peter has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern, Western empire.
With nothing but wits, courage and formidable ambition, Marta will rise from nothing to become Catherine I of Russia. But it comes at a steep price and is tied to the destiny of Russia itself.
About the author
Ellen Alpsten was born and raised in the Kenyan highlands, before attending L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. Whilst studying for her Msc in PPE she won the Grande Ecole short story competition with her novella
Meeting Mr Gandhi and was encouraged to continue writing. Upon graduating, she worked as a producer and presenter for Bloomberg TV in London. She contributes to international publications such as
Vogue, Standpoint and
Conde Nast Traveller. Tsarina is her first novel. She lives in London with her husband and three children.
Summary
SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN
'It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme' - Daisy Goodwin
Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina
1699: Illegitimate, destitute and strikingly beautiful, Marta is sold into labour at the age of fifteen - where in desperation she commits a crime that will force her to go on the run. Cheating death at every turn, she is swept into the current of the Great Northern War. Working as a washer woman at a battle camp, she catches the eye of none other than Peter the Great. Passionate and iron-willed, Peter has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern, Western empire.
With nothing but wits, courage and formidable ambition, Marta will rise from nothing to become Catherine I of Russia. But it comes at a steep price and is tied to the destiny of Russia itself.
Report
Alpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to her extraordinary career Sunday Times
