The House by the Dvina: A Russian Childhood

I first read this book many years ago when a Swiss friend sent it to me. I could not put it down and the fact that I have read it cover to cover at least three times indicates how special I think it is. It gives a vivid account of what life was like in an aristocratic household in Russia in the years leading up to and during the revolution. The richness in love, piety, generosity, and tradition give us a much different... Read Full Review

I enjoyed this book because it described a time and place, Russia from 1905 through 1920, that I knew little about. The author tells the story of her parents' love match -- a young Scottish woman marries a Russian man and moves to his country -- and the family events that followed, including her own birth. Very charming and sad. I'm so glad Ms. Fraser wrote an autobiography instead of trying to turn her story into a novel... Read Full Review

Very interesting book by Mrs. Fraser, who was a child of a Russian-Scottish marriage in pre-revolutionary Russia. This has to be one of the very few detailed accounts of life in the Arkhangelsk region around that time, at least in English. Following a recounting of some of her family's colorful history, the book essentially tracks the pre-war years of her memory through the civil war and her escape from Russia. I had a hard... Read Full Review

This is by far the most moving book I have ever read. It is an extremely detailed and vivid portrayal of life in a well to do (but not aristocratic) Russian family.The early parts of the book give a detailed and fascinating histroy of the authors relatives prior to her birth. Then in an gripping and extremely colourful narrative she describes her childhood at the start of this century until the family is forced to flee... Read Full Review