Review: ‘The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers’ (Kerri Turner)

This book was stunning and I honestly loved it so much that it deserves its own individual post where I can rave about why it was just so enjoyable. I was originally going to save my response on this book for a future specific topical post, but I have so much to say that I must just get it out there right now.

Firstly, I should say that for those who don’t know me I have a massive fascination with Revolutionary Russia, particularly from the perspective of the upper classes and nobility (I blame my family history). In another life I would have also chosen to have continued ballet seriously over gymnastics throughout my childhood and adolescence, so I was already bias picking up this book simply because of where it was set. On the other hand, because I wanted to love it so much I had very high expectations, and oh boy, were they met.

This was the debut novel of Australian author Kerri Turner and if this is an indication of anything more that she might publish, I can’t wait to read what comes next. It was evident from the first chapter that she knew what she was talking about. A small shout out to the fact that the Russian names in this book are correct, down to the gendered surnames and patronymics (it is possibly one of my biggest pet peeves when I read stories set in Russia and/or with Russian characters).

I particularly liked the use of certain Russian words and ballet terms added within specific sentences of the book. If you understand what they mean/are then they were perfectly placed. Even if you didn’t, you could understand the context in which they were meant and it added another layer to the story.

The use of juxtapositioning and the alternating chapter points of view was also very effective. I was uncertain for sometime about the exact roots of Valentina but compared to Luka, they were from very different worlds. I also really liked the comparisons of Luka’s original background to his position within a ballet company, and therefore broader Russian society, particularly as a male during World War 1. He made no excuses of where he was from which added to the innocence of his character within the company (or perhaps his mixed opinions as the book continues) at the same time he recognised the privileged position that he was now in to most average Russians, and I really appreciated that.

In terms of historical accuracy, this book hit every nail on the head. It demonstrated the social pressures going on at the time, included key figures and infamous characters within Russian politics, and talked about the very events that ultimately all contributed to the February revolution. Reading this book I was quite seriously reminded of ‘As the Waltz was Ending’ by Emma Macalik Butterworth in terms of how the isolation of the ballet world was used to frame a much broader, life-altering historical event. One book is fiction and the other a recollection, but both stories are ones that have left an impact on my soul that I don’t think I could ever forget.

I honestly could go on, and on about this book, but would risk spoiling it for you (cue for you to go out and buy this book because I need to talk to someone about this wonderful book, and because who doesn’t need this magnificent cover on proud display on their bookshelf). My anticipation for this book was well founded and it makes it onto the list of books that I am constantly recommending that everyone should read.

ISBN: 9781489256706

Publisher: HQ Fiction