Though we may try to tilt the universe with prayers and spells, medicines, and every precaution, in the end the rain falls equally on the just and the unjust. What can be done but to face this mystery squarely and go on?
(from The Mirrored World, page 86)
Having loved The Madonnas of Leningrad, I couldn’t wait to read Debra Dean’s latest novel, The Mirrored World, based on the story of St. Xenia, the Holy Fool of St. Petersburg, Russia. Dean’s writing is beautiful and reminds me why I love to read historical fiction.
The Mirrored World is narrated by Daria, Xenia’s younger cousin, as an old woman looking back on her life. The novel opens in 1736 during the reign of Empress Anna Ioannovna, and Xenia, her older sister Nadya, and their mother move in with Daria’s family after being displaced by a fire. The three girls grow up together, and Daria and Xenia are as close as sisters. The family is well-to-do, and the girls hobknob with royalty and are expected to marry well.
While Nadya honors the family with perfect poise and manners and submits to an arranged marriage to a much older man, Daria is plain and clumsy and not likely to make a match. Rather than leave St. Petersburg to live with her parents, Xenia insists that Daria live with her and her husband, Andrei, a court singer with whom she fell passionately in love at first sight, the idea being that the couple will introduce Daria to some eligible young men.
Xenia has always been a little different, a dreamer of sorts, but she also has visions. She predicted her sister’s marriage…and the tragedy that tears her world apart and causes her to withdraw from the world. When Xenia is helpless in bed, Daria takes care of her. When Xenia emerges from her room and begins giving away all of her possessions to the poor — including the clothes off her back — and leaves them nearly penniless, Daria does her best to pick up the pieces.
I absolutely loved The Mirrored World, and Dean’s writing drew me into 18th century St. Petersburg from the first page. I’ve never read about the Russian royals, so I was intrigued by Empress Anna, especially the stories about the Ice Palace and the Metamorphoses Ball. Dean made the court, with all its scandals, intrigues, and lively people, come to life. I started reading this book on my morning commute, and before I knew it, I was more than halfway through — and really upset that I had to wait until my lunch break to pick it up again.
Although I grew to care about Daria and felt like I really got to know her, I wish the focus would have been more on Xenia. She nearly disappears from the pages at the exact moment when her story becomes most interesting. However, I understand why Dean made Daria the narrator, as readers see Xenia through the eyes of someone who both saw her flaws and truly loved her. Also, I’m sure reading the story from Xenia’s point of view would have been very confusing and disjointed when she starts going mad. I also thought the book ended too soon, and not simply because I wasn’t ready to let the characters go.
The Mirrored World is a book I’ve thought a lot about since finishing it. While Xenia goes to extremes in terms of serving the poor, her story really gives you something to think about in terms of how tied we are to our possessions. Xenia’s story lends some mystery to the novel, but it also touches upon the themes of family, duty, and especially love. Both Daria and Xenia find deep, passionate love, which affects them both in different ways. Serving God is central to a story about a saint, but the book isn’t about religion. The Mirrored World shows how the path to sainthood is never easy, but it certainly is fascinating.
Thanks to TLC Book Tours for having me on the blog tour for The Mirrored World. To follow the tour, click here.
Disclosure: I received The Mirrored World from Harper for review.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
The story sounds fascinating
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Yes, it was.
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How did I miss out on reading this one…lol Sounds like another great read, though I still haven’t read Madonnas yet.
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You really should read them both. I think you’d like this author.
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Oh, this one sounds good. Great review!
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Thanks, Mrs. Q!
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Sooo glad you liked this one — you captured the feel of it exactly. Daria/Dasha worked for me because she was so enamored of Xenia, it made sense she would try to keep tabs on her, and I thought Dean did an excellent job of making Xenia real given that, apparently, not a lot is known about her.
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No, there really isn’t much about Xenia out there. I found that out when I tried to research her before reading the book.
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Quite interesting, Russia in and of itself is a great setting, but these characters seem to click with me. Consider me curious about this one. Excellent review.
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Thanks, Jenny. They really are fascinating characters, and Dean does make the setting come to life.
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I’m not a big historical fiction reader but that time period fascinates me so I might have to check this book out.
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Books like this make me excited about delving into history!
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I’ve seen this one around and didn’t think I’d be too interested but your review has made me reconsider.
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I’ve seen some reviewers who gave it mixed reviews mainly because Xenia does disappear from the story for awhile near the end or because they weren’t thrilled with Daria’s character, but I loved it all.
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Maybe, maybe not hm..
Oh and yes good news about Emma 😀
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I think you might like this one.
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Lovely review! It does sound like wonderfully interesting historical fiction.
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Thanks, Suko! I think you’d enjoy this one as well.
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Great review. I enjoyed the author’s last novel and I know I need to give this one a try.
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Thanks, Julie. That’s the reason I couldn’t turn down being on this tour!
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Another one that I must read!! I just read a glowing review of this one last night, now adding yours has heightened my desire to get a copy!
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I think you definitely should read it!
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I definitely want to read this book!
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Yay! It’s probably right up your alley.
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[…] August 30th: Unabridged ChickMonday, September 3rd: Lit and LifeWednesday, September 5th: Diary of an EccentricThursday, September 6th: Booktalk & MoreMonday, September 10th: The Book GardenWednesday, […]
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I love stories set in Russia, especially in this time period, and I’m already of fan of Dean from her previous book. Definitely sounds like I’d like this new book as well!
Thanks for being on the tour Anna.
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My pleasure! I’ve been reading more historical novels set in Russia these days, and I can’t get enough.
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I totally agree with you about missing Xenia when she disappeared and wanting to know more about them both at the end. Even with those problems, it really was a very good book. Did you know about St. Xenia going in? I had no idea it was a real person until after I finished.
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I’d read the book flap before starting it, so I knew she was a real person. I tried doing some research but didn’t find anything more than what was written in the summary.
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I haven’t read Dean before — but I’m intrigued by the Russian history & time period so I hope to check it out sometime. thanks for the review
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I highly recommend both of Dean’s novels. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
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Love the historicals. Thanks for sharing this on Books You Loved. Have a great week.
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