LitPick Review
Some may say that St. Petersburg is a "city built on the bones of a thousand serfs", but for Anna Grazinsky it is the land of snow and dreams her home. This "Little Star", as her father lovingly calls her, was born into the lap of luxuries. A springing leopard of lapis lazuli, a jade gazelle with shining ruby eyes&.nothing is too good for innocent Anna. But all good things come to an end. Transformed into the Russian Revolution, fate turns around and slaps the young countess in the face. Penniless, dear Anoushka and her family flee to England. There she tries to hide her aristocratic background while serving the Westerholme family. As her duties become less overwhelming, a painful romance sprouts between Anna and Rupert, the handsome Earl of Westerholme. True to the word, love is a rose.
Opinion:
An acclaimed fantasy writer, Eva Ibbotson takes different turn in her new novel, "A Countess Below Stairs". Although she uses the clichéd "forbidden love" plot for this story, overall it was still quite enjoyable. Woven with elegant words, this book has captured humorous moments, the simplicity of passionate Anna and touching scenes. If beautiful descriptions, well-developed characters and a new exotic style of writing is what you are searching for, this novel is for you.
