Rated of 5
by Judith W. (Brooklyn, NY) True Memoirs of Little K
I enjoyed this book for the background information on the life of the upper classes and the Tsar and the world of the ballet. I had never heard of 'Little K' before and am inclined now to do some research and find out more about her. That said, it is certainly clear why there was a revolution - all that wealth concentrated on the few and supported by the misery of the many.
Rated of 5
by Susan F. (Rabun Gap, GA) A Historical Rollercoaster
A recent trip to Russia prompted an intense study of "all things Russian", particularly those final tragic years of the Romanov dynasty. What a clever and entertaining way to live those years through the eye of the impetuous "Little K", prima ballerina and mistress of Nicholas II.
I felt like I had been seated on a rollercoaster beside Miss K as she lived those absorbing years of St. Petersburg glitter, yet I also felt the darker brooding of the "rest of Russia", so ignored by the doomed court which would lead to the Revolution and its aftermath.
Many readers, particularly the history buffs, will find this a delightful way to absorb the pageantry of this remarkable era in Russian history. I highly recommend to all.
Rated of 5
by Jeanne M. (Vancouver, WA) War and Peace
If you have read "War and Peace", you have read the prologue to "Little K's" memoir.
I found this memoir filled with details of the opulent era of the Russian Imperial Ballet, fascinating. Following her life as a dancer and as the mistress of Tsar Nikolai Romanov, was engaging and filled with intrigue.
Ms. Sharp brings to life "Little K" who escapes the chaos of the uprising of the Bolsheviks and finds her way to Paris where the glories and tragedies of a century of Russian Ballet and Russian history become the beginnings of the Paris Ballet. While this not an easy "read" (it is filled with the names of royalty on and off the stage) it brings to life the tremendous swing in the life of the Russian people and the movement of the center of the ballet world. I found the story engaging, and filled with descriptions of the best of times, and the worst of times in Russian history.
Rated of 5
by Theresa W. (Apollo Beach, FL) Little K delivers Big!
Adrienne Sharp deftly weaves the tale of a prima ballerina and the Russian court who captured her love and catapulted her career. The reader is immersed in the excesses of the imperial Czars and the frustration and poverty of the masses. The love story travels the vast Russian kingdom and survives revolutions and wars. What more would you expect from a historical novel? Well done!
Rated of 5
by Eileen F. (Ephrata, WA) Mathilde
Mathilde Kschesinskaia, narrated this historical fiction, at age 99. It was a tumultuous time, in history, for the Russian people and the royalty. The narrative was very informative and at times lively. I found that reading this novel took my full attention, because of the lengthy sentence structure and the multitude of Russian names and places. I am not sorry that I read this book, but for me, it wasn't a page turner.
Rated of 5
by Sarah B. (Streamwood) This is really good historical fiction
This book was fantastic. It weaves the known history of the time, and expanding on the story of a well known person of the time. There are also little sneak peaks, at what was coming in the future. Reading Little K's "memoir" was filled with the salacious gossip of the time, and gives the reader an insider's view. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about the history of the czars, especially Nicholas II.
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of 5
by Judith W. (Brooklyn, NY) 
of 5
by Susan F. (Rabun Gap, GA) 
of 5
by Eileen F. (Ephrata, WA) 
