Rasputin: A Short Life

Infamous mystic or man of God? Ever since Grigory Rasputin gained the favor of the Russian Imperial Court, his life has captured the imagination of the masses—he has since been portrayed in films, books, and music—and many have debated the powers he claimed to possess. Welch (The Russian Court at Sea) offers a narrative chronology of Rasputin’s life, following his violent youth and spiritual growth into the open debauchery—with his “little ladies”—of his adult life. Yet Rasputin maintained a baffling power over people and events—many predictions of his came true. He was “our Friend” to the tsar and family, and it was even rumored that he had relations with the tsarina (which the tsar promptly ignored). But Rasputin also had many enemies, both religious and political . His stance against entering WWI created a rift that divided the royal family, and soon he was seen as a threat that could not be overlooked—thus, he was murdered. Welch doesn’t provide an answer to the question of who Rasputin really was—facts are elusive and rumors run rampant—but she still tells a good story with her delightful, evocative writing. Photos. [em](Oct.) [/em]