Eva Stachniak

From award-winning author Eva Stachniak comes this passionate novel that tells the epic story of Catherine the Great’s improbable rise to power—as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of an all-but-invisible servant close to the throne.
 
Her name is Barbara—in Russian, Varvara. Nimble-witted and attentive, she’s allowed into the employ of the Empress Elizabeth, amid the glitter and cruelty of the world’s...

From the author of The Winter Palace comes Eve Stachniak's first novel about the discovery of secrets and lies that stitch together empires and individual lives. Necessary Lies tells the story of the discovery of secrets and lies that stitch together empires and individual lives. What are the lies we tell ourselves and others that get us through our lives? In the summer of 1981 Anna is suddenly offered the opportunity to study English at McGill University...

Elle s'appelle Barbara, Varvara en russe. Alerte et vive d'esprit, elle est admise au service de l'impératrice Élisabeth, dans l'univers éclatant et cruel de la plus éminente cour du monde. Sous la tutelle du comte Bestoujev, chancelier et maître-espion, Varvara va parfaire son éducation, de l'art de crocheter une serrure à l'acte charnel, apprenant par-dessus tout à écouter - et à saisir l'occasion qui se présente en la personne d'une...

A follow-up to "The Winter Palace" continues Catherine the Great's reflections on her world-changing rule in the shadow of the French Revolution, during which she orchestrates a political maneuver to secure her successor.