THE TSARINA'S DAUGHTER

Susan Jameson gives a bravura performance as Tatiana Romanov, one of the four daughters of Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra. In this novel Tatiana is the one who allegedly escapes the fate of her famous family (not Anastasia, as some people believe). Jameson's Tania is headstrong, innocent, and charming as she realizes the horrific conditions the Russian people, her people, are suffering prior to the 1917 Revolution. Carolly Erickson's imaginative retelling of this volatile period in Russian history follows nobles and ne'er-do-wells, and Jameson's portrayals of Cossacks, Communists, Bolsheviks, and Germans are filled with the small details that transform mere words into flesh-and-blood characters. As Tania's life goes from idyllic to turbulent, Jameson's artistry transports listeners from gilt bedrooms and lavish ballrooms to rat-infested back streets and filthy hospitals. Smart writing and Jameson’s reading make this must listening. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2009]