Blood Red, Snow White - Hardcover

Sedgwick, Marcus

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1842551841 ISBN 13: 9781842551844

Publisher: Orion Children's Books, 2007

Synopsis

Set at the time of the Russian Revolution, the end of a centuries old dynasty, the rise of the Bolsheviks sent shockwaves around the world. This is the story of one man who was there. It's real history - about the riches and excesses, the glory of the Russian nobility, Nicholas and Alexandra, their haemophiliac son, Alexei, notorious Rasputin, Lenin and Trotsky who ruled from palaces where the Czars had once danced till dawn. The man was real too, his name was Arthur Ransome. He was a writer, accused of being a spy, perhaps even a double agent, and he left his wife and beloved daughter and fell in love with Russia and a Russian woman, Evgenia.

Fictionalising history and blending it with real life, part i is told as a fairy tale. Wise and foolish kings, princesses, enchantresses (characters more suited to fairy tale than reality), wishes and magic, Russia with its vast cold plains and mighty cities, its riches and poverty, all play a part in the downfall of the Czars and rise of the new order. Part ii is about betrayal - Ransome the spy, bleak and threatening. Part iii is a love story, a fairy tale, ending - of Ransome's love for his daughter, Tabitha, and for Evgenia.

About this title

Review:

'a fascinating blend of history, spy story and love story, stylishly told.' (Jennifer Taylor THE BOOKSELLER)

'Marcus Sedgwick achieves a bravura opening, combining Russian folk tales, narrative history, fictionalised biography and employing the repeated metaphor of a giant rampaging bear to symbolise the political awakened Russian massives.' (John Newman PUBLISHING NEWS)

'at once engaging and told with an extraordinary sense of lyricism... an extraordinary novel that delineates with clarity of vision individual concerns against the great sweeping expanses of societal unrest. Sedgwick's acheivement is in fusing these elements into an absorbing and stimulating tale that cements his position as one of the most powerful and innovative writers of contemporary fiction for this age.' (Jake Hope BOOKS FOR KEEPS)

'a mesmerising retelling of Ransome's time in Russia during the Revolution, and should appeal to adults as well as Sedgwick's loyal band of teenage readers.' (Danuta Kean THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)

'masterly account of the Russian Revolution, seen through the fictionalised eyes of the author Arthur Ransome ... a doomed love story of power and passion.' (Amanda Craig THE TIMES)

'challenging, stark and uncompromising, a thoroughly satisfying read for older teenagers.' (Philip Womack LITERARY REVIEW)

'Marcus Sedgwick is writing with increased authority these days, and his Blood Red Snow White is a gripping story.' (Nicholas Tucker THE INDEPENDENT)

'It is fairy tale, love story and historical narrative innovatively woven together in an ambitious construct that will appeal to intelligent readers of 13+.' (Dinah Hall THE DAILY TELEGRAPH)

'... a sophisticated novel, making convincing use of Ransome's voice... This compelling account, written with a rare sureness of touch, and tender about Ransome's relationship with his abandoned daughter, will reward readers of any age.' (Nicolette Jones THE SUNDAY TIMES)

'... sophisticated... written with a rare sureness of touch.' (Nicolette Jones THE SUNDAY TIMES)

Book Description:

The Russian Revolution - fairy tale, spy thriller, love story - one man's life during the last days of the Romanovs.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion Children's Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1842551841
• ISBN 13: 9781842551844
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320