The Winter Palace

  • Author Eva Stachniak
  • Narrator Beata Poźniak
  • Publisher Transworld
  • Run Time 18 hours and 37 minutes
  • Format Audio
  • Genre Historical fiction.
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What to expect

When Vavara, a young orphaned Polish girl, is brought to serve at Empress Elizabeth's glittering, dangerous court in St Petersburg, she is schooled by the Chancellor himself in skills from lock-picking to love-making, learning above all else to stay silent - and listen. Soon, she is Elizabeth's 'tongue' - her secret eyes and ears.

Then Sophie, a vulnerable young princess, arrives from Prussia as a prospective bride for Elizabeth's heir. Set to spy on her by the Empress, Vavara soon becomes her friend and confidante, and helps her navigate the illicit seductions and the treacherous shifting allegiances of the court.But Sophie's destiny is to become the notorious Catherine the Great. Are her ambitions more lofty and far-reaching than anyone suspected, and will she stop at nothing to achieve absolute power?

Critics Review

  • Riveting… Stachniak has uncovered a treasure trove of rich material… The real core of Stachniak’s tale is that [Catherine and Elizabeth] are women… Casts light over recent Russian history too, which is exactly what historical fiction should do

    Globe and Mail

  • A wonderful novel, riven with intrigue and startling details, the sort to savour on a long winter evening

    Daily Telegraph

  • The kind of big busty read that sends you back to the history books

    The Sunday Times

  • Extraordinarily absorbing… will have you on the edge of your seat

    Daily Mail

  • A wonderful tale of the Imperial Russia court in all its glittering glory. Eva Stachniak vividly brings to life the early years of the meek young bride who would become the terrifying, fascinating Catherine the Great

    Kate Williams, author of England's Mistress and Becoming Queen

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