The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne
Fiction
2009
Finished on June 5, 2026
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
From the author of The Absolutist, a propulsive novel of the Russian Revolution and the fate of the Romanovs.
Part love story, part historical epic, part tragedy, The House of Special Purpose illuminates an empire at the end of its reign.
Eighty-year-old Georgy Jachmenev is haunted by his past—a past of death, suffering, and scandal that will stay with him until the end of his days. Living in England with his beloved wife, Zoya, Georgy prepares to make one final journey back to the Russia he once knew and loved, the Russia that both destroyed and defined him. As Georgy remembers days gone by, we are transported to St. Petersburg, to the Winter Palace of the czar, in the early twentieth century—a time of change, threat, and bloody revolution. As Georgy overturns the most painful stone of all, we uncover the story of the house of special purpose.
I bought The House of Special Purpose at Parnassus Books four years ago while visiting my daughter and son-in-law in Tennessee. I always make an effort to buy at least one or two books from an independent bookstore while traveling, and having read a few of Boyne's novels, this one caught my eye. Not wanting it to languish on my shelves much longer, I decided it would be one to read this summer, as I love a hefty book to sink into during the longer days.
Spanning seventy years, separated by past and present, and clocking in at almost 500 pages, this one took me two weeks to read. At times I was thoroughly engrossed in the lives of Georgy and Zoya, but there were also moments when I grew impatient with the details, silently complaining about the drawn out length of the tale.
Ever the critic, I found one irritating error, which the editor should have caught. Boyne's main character, Georgy, has received birthday gifts from his wife and one-year-old daughter. Little Arina later asks, "Father," she said, sounding so serious now, the way she always did when she had a question she considered to be of the highest importance. "Whose present is the best, mine or Mother's?" Either Georgy has an exceptionally bright toddler or her age was misstated earlier in the chapter.
I have now read five of John Boyne's novels, and while The House of Special Purpose was worthwhile, it's not one that I'd like to read again. Having said that, I would like to read more about that period in Russian history. I might give The Romanov Sisters (Helen Rappaport) a read later this year. If anyone has any other recommendations, please let me know.
My Reviews of John Boyne's Novels:
The Absolutist (5/5)
A Ladder to the Sky (4.5/5)
The Heart's Invisible Furies (4.5/5)
The Revolution and the Romanovs are a good topic usually. I didn't know of this novel by Boyne. Rappaport seems to be an expert on the subject. Was the ending any good? And did you get to meet Ann Patchett when you were at her bookstore? I might get there someday.
ReplyDeleteSusan, the ending was good, but there were no surprises... No, Patchett wasn't there the day I visited. But I did get a lovely post card from her in response to a note I sent, along with a copy of Rod's book, a few years ago. I wrote about my visit (with photos), as well as about the post card here.
DeleteSorry. That link is for all my reviews of Patchett's books. You'll have to scroll down a bit...
DeleteA tomb on Russian history? Probably not for me, but Boyne is a good author with a wide-ranging set of book topics!
ReplyDeleteHelen, it was long, but it's a good historical novel. Not at all dry, as you might think with Russian history.
DeleteI also like to buy books when I visit independent bookstores. I'm glad you finally got around to reading it, and I thank you for sharing your thoughts about it, Les.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb. It was a good read!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this book after it sat on your shelf for four years. It reminds me to see what has been sitting on my shelves for a long time!
DeleteDeb, I have so many that have been on my shelves forever. I'm really trying to focus on those this year.
DeleteYou did well to get through such a fat book in two weeks. Thanks for the links to your other Boyne books. I skipped The Boy in the Striped Pajamas as I had read All the Broken Places first, and after your suggestion, didn;t think I wanted to read that first one. I liked The Elements as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great review, very informative.
Tina, I thought I was reading too slowly, but there were several nights when I only read a few pages. I plan to read All the Broken Places sometime this summer. I'll get to The Elements eventually!
DeleteThat period in Russia is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMystica, I'm certainly more interested in reading about it now. I read another historical novel (City of Thieves) about Leningrad during WWII, but nothing during the revolution.
DeleteHave a feeling I'll be reading more about Russia and its history after I finish War and Peace! I though I'd at least heard of all of John Boyne's novels, but this one is new to me. Some day I want to visit Parnassus books. It pulls us pretty far west on our drive to FL, so in the meantime I occasionally order from them online.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, if you haven't read City of Thieves, I recommend giving that one a try. I thought it was remarkable. I want to re-visit Parnassus and maybe meet Patchett. My niece lives in Nashville and has brushed elbows with her a couple of times!
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