Anastasia: A Novel

"Compelling and utterly fascinating...drifts far into the mysterious lives of Anastasia Romanov and Anna Anderson." (Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours)

In a captivating display of historical suspense, Ariel Lawhon delves into the remarkable journey of Anna Anderson as she fought for 50 years to be acknowledged as Anastasia Romanov. Is she truly the Russian Grand Duchess, a cherished daughter and revered figure, or is she an impostor, stealing another woman's legacy? Many have given their opinions, but now it is your turn.

On July 17, 1918, in Russia, under the orders of Vladimir Lenin, Anastasia Romanov and the entire imperial family are led by Bolshevik secret police to a damp Siberian basement where they are faced with a ruthless firing squad. According to the executioners, none survive.

On February 17, 1920, in Germany, a young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled from a Berlin canal in a state of shock. Despite her refusal to explain why she was in the freezing water, a hospital examination reveals numerous horrific scars covering her body. Eventually, she claims to be the Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia.

However, skeptics, believing she is simply after the Romanov fortune, insist on calling her by a different name: Anna Anderson. As rumors spread across Europe that the youngest Romanov daughter may have survived the massacre, old enemies and new dangers resurface.

With a well-crafted dual narrative, Lawhon delves into the complex and emotionally stirring theme of identity itself. The saga of who Anna Anderson truly is and what fate befell Anastasia Romanov spans 50 years and three continents. This gripping tale is as poignant and significant as it is distressing and convoluted.

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