Peter H. Fogtdal
Autor von The Tsar's Dwarf
Über den Autor
Werke von Peter H. Fogtdal
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Wissenswertes
- Gebräuchlichste Namensform
- Fogtdal, Peter H.
- Geburtstag
- 1956-05-22
- Geschlecht
- male
- Nationalität
- Denmark
- Geburtsort
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Wohnorte
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Portland, Oregon, USA - Ausbildung
- California State University, Fullerton (BS)
Mitglieder
Rezensionen
Auszeichnungen
Statistikseite
- Werke
- 19
- Mitglieder
- 143
- Beliebtheit
- #144,062
- Bewertung
- 3.6
- Rezensionen
- 11
- ISBNs
- 40
- Sprachen
- 3
The setting is during the reign of King Frederik IV of Denmak and the Russian Tsar Peter Alexeyevich (Alexander/Peter The "Great").
Sorien Bentsdatter is ugly, no doubt about it. Her body is that of a misshapen dwarf with limbs that are twisted, small and barely functional.
Sorien is quite a character, and her story is the glue that holds the book together. The book starts with humor as King Frederik decided to make Sorine pop out of a large cake during a welcoming ceremony for the Tsar. Smushed inside with no way to perform the task of jumping, a ladder is built. Stubbornly, the personality of Sorine is shown as she decides to stick her head out of the cake.
While all around her life is not her own, she does find ways to angrily try to have some control of her life. Given to the Tsar, she travels to Russia to the frozen country of inordinately heavy consumption of vodka, as well as harsh customs and brash manners.
Immediately, she is given a Russian name. And, thus, even her name is not hers to keep. And still, while all around is out of control, she refuses to be quiet and polite. Along the way, she finds interesting people for company. And, they too are drawn with lush and lavish description.
The writing is superb, the reader obtains a wonderful picture of both countries and their leaders. As we travel with Sorie we laugh, and cry. Sadly, some of those she meets betray her. When she ends in a tormented place of the Tsar's curiosity Cabinet, we find Sorine at her lowest when she is poked and prodded by a scientist and put on display in a dirty, circus-like environment.
This is a lush tale, rich in description with a very strong character development. While there were instances that made me want to put the book aside, still I came back to the story and Sorine.
Recommended. Four Stars.… (mehr)