This is an enthralling, tragic and all too real biography of the niece of Anton Chekhov's wife, who like her aunt became an actress. In 1920 she fled Moscow for Berlin, becoming closely associated with Hitler, but - in exchange for her family joining her - she was recruited by her brother to work for Soviet intelligence. In Beevor's hands, the background of her story becomes alive and menacing, embracing revolution, civil war, Hitler's rise, Stalin's terror and the aftermath right up to the present day.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 57 Summer 2010 ) |
