PETER THE FIRST

by Alexey Tolstoy ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

A massive work, very Russian in feeling, by a member of the same family to which Leo Tolstoy belonged. Its subject is Peter the Great and the land he ruled -- the barbaric, brutal, backward Russia which he tried to kick and bribe and lead to a respected place among the nations of Europe. The story begins with Peter, a baby, surrounded by enemies, and breaks off, still unfinished at the author's death in 1945, with Peter about 40, just after the triumphant conquest of Swedish held Narva. The novel is constructed like a mosaic of several hundred short scenes which slowly make up a picture of a whole nation, its priests, soldiers, Czarinas, peasants, merchants, enemies, and allies, and its varied landscapes and seasons. It is a work of more impressive scope than power, solid but not especially moving. It is likely to get respectful reviews but unlikely to become a best-seller.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 1410225097

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1959

Categories: FICTION