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Booktalk
#1
Prior to the war, Anna Grazinsky
lived in St. Petersberg, raised in wealth and priviledge as the Countess
Grazinsky. But then WWI happens and the Russian Revolution, not only does
Anna lose her father, but her family must leave almost everything behind
and flee the country to England as the aristocracy falls. Virtually penniless
and destitute, Anna finds work as a house maid to the esteemed Westerholme
family to help support her mom and pay the bills. The Westerholme
family doesn’t exactly believe that Anna is the common girl that she claims
to be, but she works hard and doesn’t complain so they don’t question her,
at least until the Earl of Westerholme comes home. Will Anna’s secret be
uncovered? Will she be able to support her family through these trying
times? Read A Countess Below the Stairs to find out. (New
Hampshire Isinglass Award Nominee, 2008-2009)
Booktalk #2
A Countess Below stairs
is an utterly compelling book that is simple, sophisticated, charming and
sweet. Eva Ibbotson gives each of her characters a different personality
that pulls a reader in, the characters are easy to relate to and fallow.
The main character of this story is Anna Grazinsky.
Anna Grazinsky a beautiful
countess born in the fairy-tale like world that is St.Petersburg lives
an amazing life. Nothing is too much for Anna, with her solid gold statues
and toys made of ruby Anna is supposed to be spoilt, but she isn't . Anna
is never jealous of her brother never unhappy with something material because
she is content with her perfect family that is until 1917. Russia’s honorable
nobility is forced to flee or be killed during the revolution. Anna and
her family leave to England, broken hearted at the loss of her father,
who called Anna his “little star” finally that “little star flickered and
died”. Poor, Anna decides to become a house maid at Mersham, the home of
the Earl, returning from war. Anna works harder then the rest of the staff
puts up with the conditions. She must keep her identity as a countess a
secret for fear of being fired, not that she isn't suspected of being a
lady or of any nobility, but certainly not a countess. When the Earl, Rupert
Westerholme returns Mershams staff is sure it is only temporary, perhaps
to put the financial problems of the estate to rest, to sell. As
is Rupert, till he finds that his problems can be solved at once, he can
marry his war nurse, Muriel Hardwicke. A new problem arises as Mersham
staff prepares for the wedding Rupert begins to fall for Anna as does she.
Muriel, tough looking like “a goddess descending from Valhalla” has an
interior that far from matches her exterior. Muriel has a deep obsession
for eugenics and “the perfect human”. Anna has more and more trouble hiding
her secret while falling for Rupert, and Rupert is having second thoughts
on his marriage to-be.
This book is truly an amazing
story with many twists and with its fairy tale like feel it pulls you in
to a never ending ride of an “improper romance”. (Halima C., K-12
student) |
