I Was Anastasia

'Am I truly Anastasia Romanov? A beloved daughter. A revered icon. A grand duchess. Or am I an imposter? A fraud. A liar. The thief of another woman's legacy'.

Most people are already aware of the murder of the royal Romanov family as WW1 closed. However, rumours of young Anastasia surviving pervaded with the appearance of a woman, Anna, who claimed to have escaped the firing squad. This stubbornly persisted for decades, in the absence of technology and DNA testing. Ariel Lawhon puts her spin on the tale, using the alternating POVs of Anastasia and Anna. While Anastasia's story begins as her family is sent into exile in Siberia, Anna's begins at the end and slowly winds back until we reach the pivotal point of what happened after the execution.

'I was Anastasia' is very well-researched and bursts with believability. I did find it a challenge, at times, to read Anna's story backward; to only realise comprehension chapters later. However, as the story reaches its climax, the unique story-telling format is as rewarding as it is revelatory. For a story that is generally so well known, Lawhon does well at delivering a nuanced perspective.

'You're all so enamored with the legend'.

"I Was Anastasia" by Ariel Lawhon is a captivating work of historical fiction, exploring the mysterious story of Anastasia Romanov. The book is written with dual time lines that ultimately converge, and explores the story of Anastasia Romanov and Anna Anderson.

In usual Lawhon style, the book is impeccably researched, and brings to life the crumbling world of the Russian Imperial family, and also the history and movements of Anderson. The character of Anastasia is portrayed with depth and complexity, she is a very believable teenage character. Anna Anderson's character is extremely well researched, and gives you an empathy for her character and actions.

Themes of identity, destiny, and the impact of small choices on the course of history are central to the story. Lawhon successfully merges the tension of historical events with the speculative thrill of "could it be," keeping readers engaged as they navigate the shifting timelines.

"I Was Anastasia" offers a thought-provoking and imaginative take on the life of Anastasia Romanov who in all likelihood would have slipped into obscurity if it had not been for Anna Anderson. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction, as well as those fascinated by the enduring mystery of Anastasia Romanov.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley and Simon & Shuster Australia, and thank them for the opportunity to read it in return for my review. I do note for readers that this is a re-release of the 2018 book by Lawhon.

I absolutely loved I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon. This story is moving, heartbreaking and intriguing. I remember as a child hearing about Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be Anastasia Romanov. I have always had a fascination with history and the Russian Imperial Romanov family. I have read books about them in the past and couldn’t believe what those innocent children endured, especially poor little Alexei. This is a cleverly constructed story with dual timelines. Anna Anderson’s story is told in reverse while intersecting the Romanov’s final year of their lives. This is the first book that I have read by Ariel Lawhon, but I bought The Frozen River as I now want to read everything Ariel has written! Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my digital copy.