Advance Reader Comments for THE WINTER PALACE
1. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No
What other authors do you usually read?
I usually read Amish books....such as Shelley Shepard Gray, cindy Woodsmall, Beth Wiseman, Suzanne Fisher Woods, Vannetta Chapman,....but I also read books from other authors too.
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE?
Loved it...it was so historical...and so interesting.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak? Yes I would exactly.
2. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No.
What other authors do you usually read?
Joseph Kanon, Dennis Lehane, Mary Doria Russell, Abraham Verghese, Richard Preston, Jon Krakauer, Laura Hillenbrand, Tom Rob Smith
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE?
I've read better examples of historical fiction by most of the above authors. I hate to sound unappreciative, but this book bored me for the most part. I didn't skip paragraphs or chapters, though.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
Probably not.
3. I have not read any of Eva Stachniak's books.
I like to vary the genre I read. Some other authors I have read are:
Eric Larson Ann Patchett
Tracy Chavalier Kristen Hannah
Geraldine Brooks Amor Towles
Lisa Genova Laura Hillenbrand
Malcolm Gladwell Anna Quindlen
Susan Vreeland
The first time I became interested in Catherine The Great was on a visit to AI DuPont Nemours Mansion in Delaware. Leading to one of the gardens are beautiful gates that were in a palace owned by Catherine. I did not know much about her so to be able to read of her rise to power was a treat! To view her rise through the eyes of a servant gave an interesting spin to the story. Even though it was historical fiction, learning about Catherine's backrground made me want to read about the next stage of her life.
I enjoyed Winter Palace with all the secrecy, scandal and spying surrounding the characters. It was well written and even with all the Russian names the author made it easy to follow. I have passed it on to friends so they can enjoy it also.
I would definitely read more books by Eva Stachniak.
4. Both my daughter (twenty-something grad student) and I read THE WINTER PALACE. We agreed it was very slow reading. Here are my answers to your questions:
Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No
What other authors do you usually read? I am a prolific reader, mostly mysteries and women's literature. The last book I finished and liked was THREE DAY TOWN by Margaret Maron. I just got Sue Grafton's V FOR VENGENCE. I tend to prefer historical fiction set in the United States.
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE? Actually, there's a review on Amazon that pretty much says it all - "long winded and not very engaging." I slogged thru it so I could respond to your questions. I think there are too many characters and most of them are very one-dimensional. I can't put my finger on it, but something is missing from the book.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak? Maybe
I will say that there are several women in my book groups who really like historical fiction so I will mention it to both groups. Thank you for sending it to me.
5. I am enjoying reading The Winter Palace and was thrilled to receive it. It is an interesting story from a different perspective and has kept me engrossed since I first started it. I had not read any other work by Eva Stachniak before and found I really like her writing. I do plan on reading more of her books, probably Necessary Lies.
I love a wide range of authors, the list is endless and getting longer..lol..everything from Nora Roberts, Anita Shreve, James Patterson to Michael Connelly. My last book I finished before this was A Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and A Girl With A Pearl Earring. Many books I read are from Carol's letter at Bookreporter.com.
Thank you again for sending me this wonderful book.
6. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No, I have not.
What other authors do you usually read?
I read John Hart, Lee Child, Harlan Coben, W.E.B. Griffin, Patricia Cornwell, Tess Gerritsen, Ian McEwan, Cormac McCarthy, and a host of others.
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE?
I have a master's degree in history and have a special love for Russian history. That being said, I usually only read a few historical fiction books a year for some reason. I wasn't completely disappointed. The characterization of Catherine was fascinating. But on the whole I compare this book to Elisabeth Kostova's The Historian--in that it is too "wordy." The descriptions seem to go on and on without a clear purpose. I suppose we readers should want to visualize the opulance of Russia's palaces, but I got too bogged down in the details to care. Why use 20 words, when one will do? A good editing of the narration would have gone a long way in improving the book.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
It's hard to say. It would most decidedly be based on what the subject matter happens to be. If it's Russia, then most likely. In the end it would be a toss-up.
7. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No, I have not read any other books by this author.
What other authors do you usually read?
I like Sara Gruen, Lisa See, and the author of THE HELP
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE?
I like the book as it is well written and takes a unique view of a historical character.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
Yes, I definitely would as I do enjoy historical fiction and I was very excited to find out I had won this book..
8. Have I previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No, I haven't
What other authors do you read?
I read mostly fiction, but I don't necessarily read specific authors. I like historical fiction and stories about families.
What did I think about The WInter Palace?
I really liked it but towards the end I started to get distracted from the story. Perhaps it could have been shorter. I liked reading the story from Barbara's perspective. It was a creative way of providing a narrator.
Would I read anything else by Eva Stachniak?
Yes I would, I actually ordered a copy of Necessary Lies from half.com. I would also be interested in her future titles.
9. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No, this is the first time reading a book by her.
What other authors do you usually read?
I consider myself a bibliophile. My taste in books are eclectic. Some authors I have read and am reading: Tea Obreht, Alice LaPlante, Ann Patchett, Steig Larsson, Jennifer Egan, Alice Hoffman, Joyce Carol Oates, Patricia Cornwell, Kate White, Chris Bohjalian, Chelsea Cain, Brad Meltzer, Dan Brown, Stephen King. Michael Palmer, AmyTan, Tess Gerritsen, Mary McGarry Morris, Margaret Atwood, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Paula McLain, Natalie Angier, Bronte, Dickens, Fitzgerald, etc.....
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE?
I haven't read a lot of historical fiction but loved early European history when I was in school, and have been intrigued by Catherine ever since. What a year for her. Two great books, one nonfiction, and now this one. I really enjoyed this novel because it had my attention all the way through. The writing was good and the premise original and even better. The time period was captured and the pace was quick. I'm really looking forward to the next book with the perspective shifting to Catherine.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
I guess I answered that in the last question--- yes, I would read a future book by Eva Stachniak, and am looking forward to it!
Once again thanks for the book, and the great Bookreporter.com.
10. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No
What other authors do you usually read?
Michael Connelly, Elizabeth George, Joseph Finder, Jodi Picoult, Lisa Gardner, Laura Lippman, Tess Gerritsen, Greg Iles, Harlan Coben, Robert Goddard,
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE
I enjoyed this novel, and I like learning about history. However, the book cover
indicted this was a novel of Catherine the Great, but it seemed to be more about
Elizabeth and Barbara until the end. I also found parts of it a bit redundant.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
Yes
11. I just finished THE WINTER PALACE and I loved it! Here are the answers to your questions:
Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
This is the first book that I have read written by Eva Stachniak.
What other authors do you usually read?
There are many other authors that I enjoy. I look to Bookreporter for recommendations and I also belong to a ladies' bookclub where recommendations are made. Some of those authors are: Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, Jodi Picoult, Juliette Fay, Francine Rivers, Anita Shreve. Philippa Gregory is/has been my favorite author of historical fiction.
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE
THE WINTER PALACE was FABULOUS! Based on Bookreporter's review, I had the title already written on my list of books for future reading before I won the contest!
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
I would definitely read a future book by Eva Stachniak. I am looking forward to book #2----EMPIRE OF THE NIGHT!
I LOVE Bookreporter.com and look forward to the weekly newsletter(and catching upon Carol's travels!)
Thank you!
12. Have you previously read a book by Eva Stachniak?
No
What other authors do you usually read?
I read a wide variety of authors depending on topic. I love mysteries for example Linda Fairstein, Janet Evanovich, Margaret Maron. I like historical fiction for example Nick Drake,G.W. Gortner, Erik Larson, Robert Massie
What did you think of THE WINTER PALACE?
I really enjoyed the book. I have read books about other Russian figures including another book about Catherine the Great. What I really liked about this book was that it dealt with Sophie's early life in Russia. Other books I have read dealt more with her time after overturning her husband.
Would you ever read a future book by Eva Stachniak?
I just ordered two additional books by Eva Stachniak
