Lost Roses: A Novel

It is 1914, and Sofya and Luba Streshnayva are concluding their visit to Eliza’s home in America. At their going away party, Eliza watches her daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Henry, play by the sea. She and her mother discuss Eliza’s upcoming visit to Sofya’s family home in St. Petersburg; Eliza’s mother criticizes the state of poverty in Russia, and Eliza considers the brewing war. She finds Sofya and her family, who are cousins to the current tsar. Sofya’s stepmother, Agnessa, is flaunting her wealth, while two physicians argue over best practices for Sofya’s pregnancy. Eliza’s gardener, Mr. Gardener, arrives with a bowl full of roses, to the delight of Sofya. Mr. Gardener explains that they are rare heirloom varieties found around the area. Sofya shows particular interest in one rose, which Mr. Gardener calls a “Katharina Zeimet.” Sofya’s husband, Afon, joins them. As a fight breaks out between the two physicians, Sofya suddenly goes into labor.

Sofya gives birth to her son, Max, and then leaves with her family and Eliza for St. Petersburg. They show off their city to Eliza, exploring cafés and museums, then prepare to attend a ball given at the home of the tsar’s mother. They dress in Agnessa’s room, where a vase of flowers is sitting; Sofya remembers when Agnessa ordered similar ones delivered in the midst of winter, causing the delivery girl to freeze to death. As they choose outfits, Agnessa insists that Sofya wear an emerald necklace that belonged to Sofya’s mother. On their way to the ball, Eliza observes “hooligans” causing trouble in the streets. Sofya coaches Eliza on the correct procedure when meeting the tsarina.

Sofya introduces Eliza to several family members, including her cousin Olga. Eliza comments that Sofya and Olga look much alike. Another cousin, Karina, has been recently released from prison after colluding with a revolutionist boyfriend. Suddenly, a bandit rushes in and shoots at the ceiling, causing chaos. Everyone rushes out, and Eliza and Sofya take the tram home. On the way, the tram is stopped by bandits, who collect everyone’s valuables. One man tries to abduct Sofya, but Eliza stops him, and he attacks her with his knife.

Varinka, a Russian peasant girl, struggles to get her samovar working. Made by her father, it is the only thing of value she and her mother own. Nearby, Varinka’s mother, seriously ill, lies sleeping. Suddenly the taxmen arrive at the door, and Varinka hides the samovar behind the oven. One man, a local shopkeeper, is kind, while the other is cruel. They interrogate her about her family, her land, and her possessions. She reveals that she and her mother live with her father’s apprentice, Taras. When pushed further, Varinka says her father made their home himself, even burying a coin in each corner for good luck. The cruel taxman digs up the coins, then discovers the samovar and takes it away. He tries to pressure her into having sex with him in exchange for leaving the samovar behind, and Varinka agrees. However, Taras arrives and the man leaves. Taras grows angry at Varinka for breaking their agreement and letting another man touch her, then goes to hunt down the fleeing taxman.

Eliza reels from her attack; her hand has been cut badly. The other passengers and the driver try to restrain the man, but he runs away. Eliza and Sofya return to Sofya’s home, where Eliza is tended to. Eliza stays with the family for six weeks, growing concerned about the political unrest in the city. Once home, Eliza and her family prepare to purchase a new country home. Their estate agent, Noel, shows them around. Eliza is unimpressed by the house’s state of disrepair; however, her husband and daughter are enchanted, and Eliza agrees to buy it.