How I read "Catherine the Great":
1) Casually listen on audible after finishing 'other book club' selection earlier in the day. A few chapters later, trouble-in retention-city.
2) Vow to dig out book and seek a family tree due to mass who's-who confusion.
3) Find book. Admire book. First edition signed by the author thank you La Jolla Literary Society. No family tree.
4) Make tea and sit in comfy chair. Read first few chapters in book, v-e-r-y slowly.
5) Read kindle many nights in bed. Enjoying.
6) A week left; do a little math, return to audible. Bump up speed.
7) T-5 hours; go chipmunk. Ta-da!
Dear Bookclub,
Robert Massie's "Catherine the Great" gave our grateful readers an understanding of the remarkable life of the Russian empress and her unique journey. We appreciated Massie's thorough account of Sophia Augusta Frederica, amassed from his research and the translated memoirs of Catherine herself. Our wonder about the wealth (castles gifted, etc.) turned to the reality of the great expansion of serfdom during Catherine's reign.
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Great Gatchina Palace (for Count Grigori Orlov), above, and his original dressing room, below:
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1780's |
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Thomas Jefferson's alcove bed at Monticello, 1790's |
American slave owner, Thomas Jefferson held over 400 of his 610 slaves at Monticello. During Catherine the Great's reign, Russia had 36 millions serfs, making up 90% of the population. Approximately 20% of the American population were slaves during the 18th century. Hence this castle situation.
Trudy's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession and Shipwreck" Sophie Elmhirst
"The Calamity Club" Kathryn Stockett
"The Keeper" Tana French *chosen
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
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