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The Summer Day is Done
At Livadia, when summer day is done and evening softens the warm shadows, the ghosts of innocents scamper over the green lawns, their laughter caught as whisper in the trees, and every still pool reflects the deep blue eyes of a dreaming girl."John Kirby was a British secret agent. Olga was the oldest daughter of Czar Nicholas and his Empress, Alexandra. It was 1911. Imperial Russia was already in its death throes, torn between evil manipulators and determined revolutionaries such as Rasputin and Lenin. But still, women in dazzling gowns and men in lavishly decorated uniforms whirled around opulent ballrooms and took drives in splendid carriages. Palaces and villas still gleamed in the sun, winter and summer.While the storm gathered, John Kirby played tennis with Nicholas, frolicked with Nicholas' children and floated on the delicious laughter of his radian Olga. But even the aching, unfulfilled happiness they won was not to remain undisturbed. Grand Duchesses are not destined to share their lives with untitled Englishmen. Glorious summer days do not last forever. The memories, however, do linger. And the images so hauntingly painted by R.T. Stevens-the characters ad the world they inhabit-will glow long after the last page of this novel has been turned.
347 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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369 people want to read
About the author
Robert Tyler Stevens
11 books8 followersRobert Tyler Stevens is a pseudonym used by British author Reginald Thomas Staples (1911-2005). He is also published under the name R.T. Stevens, James Sinclair, and Mary Jane Staples.
Many re-prints have been given new titles and appear under the Staples name.
Many re-prints have been given new titles and appear under the Staples name.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 20, 2015
Why did I ever wait to read this book? (Since I'm not sure what to say, I'll leave it as is)
I don't know what to begin with, I loved every page, the sad along with the funny, the history and the fiction. I wouldn't change a thing. Even though it's about the Romanovs, we still get a semi happy ending, about as happy as it could be. And, I enjoyed the journey there, which is even better.
John (Ivan) was a remarkable hero, he kept a brave face even when faced with a completely impossible love, Olga. He doesn't have eyes for anyone else, not since his first look into her deep blue, innocent eyes. At that time he didn't know her or think he'd ever see her again. But he did see her again, or there would never have been a story.
The Romanovs are painted as being lovely people, but not very good rulers. They seemed to listen too much to their advisers and not enough to the outside world. So, yes it is a bit rosy as far as the Romanovs are concerned, but it's still realistic.
What I loved most was the witty banter, it was the silver lining of a very dark cloud, War. I found myself laughing even in some darker moments, definitely a reread.
PG One character has loose morals and skinny dipping is mentioned, nothing graphic.
I don't know what to begin with, I loved every page, the sad along with the funny, the history and the fiction. I wouldn't change a thing. Even though it's about the Romanovs, we still get a semi happy ending, about as happy as it could be. And, I enjoyed the journey there, which is even better.
John (Ivan) was a remarkable hero, he kept a brave face even when faced with a completely impossible love, Olga. He doesn't have eyes for anyone else, not since his first look into her deep blue, innocent eyes. At that time he didn't know her or think he'd ever see her again. But he did see her again, or there would never have been a story.
The Romanovs are painted as being lovely people, but not very good rulers. They seemed to listen too much to their advisers and not enough to the outside world. So, yes it is a bit rosy as far as the Romanovs are concerned, but it's still realistic.
What I loved most was the witty banter, it was the silver lining of a very dark cloud, War. I found myself laughing even in some darker moments, definitely a reread.
PG One character has loose morals and skinny dipping is mentioned, nothing graphic.
October 8, 2011
From the book jacket:
"Grand Duchesses are not destined to share their lives with untitled Englishmen. Glorious summer days do not last forever. The memories, however, do linger."
At the core this is a very simple story, that of John Kirby who has spent the last few years exploring Russia and its culture (he's really a spy for the British government). John's travels bring him to the Crimea as a guest of Princess Aleka Petrovna. The Imperial family is in residence at Livadia Palace and give a ball in honor of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna's birthday and John gets an invite. John makes a big splash with the royal family and he's soon like one of the family, playing tennis with the Tsar and romping in the gardens with the children. Olga and John share an instant chemistry, and those feelings continue to grow, although they know it is a love that cannot be.
"They had inherited autocracy, they were imprisoned by their heritage and governed by the edicts of their ancestors. On this summer day it did not seem important."
Russia is soon caught up in a war they are ill prepared for, and the country is ripe for revolution and John finds himself in the thick of it and no matter what path life sends him on, he always seems to land right in the lap of the royal family and Olga. I won't say more, but I assume most of you know the fate of the Romanovs and that is where the book ends, although it does finish on a somewhat positive note with one of my favorite characters in the book (no, I'm not telling).
I found this a good solid read, and I thought the method of using a character like John to give us an inside look at the Romanovs a good one, just be warned that that inside look was seen through a very rose-colored set of glasses. The Tsar and his family were such good, kind, loving, wonderful, beautiful people who hadn't a clue that people could actually disagree with them, let alone kick them out for another form of government...
Recommended for those who must read all things Romanov. Out of print, but I was able to obtain a copy via Inter-library Loan.
"Grand Duchesses are not destined to share their lives with untitled Englishmen. Glorious summer days do not last forever. The memories, however, do linger."
At the core this is a very simple story, that of John Kirby who has spent the last few years exploring Russia and its culture (he's really a spy for the British government). John's travels bring him to the Crimea as a guest of Princess Aleka Petrovna. The Imperial family is in residence at Livadia Palace and give a ball in honor of Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna's birthday and John gets an invite. John makes a big splash with the royal family and he's soon like one of the family, playing tennis with the Tsar and romping in the gardens with the children. Olga and John share an instant chemistry, and those feelings continue to grow, although they know it is a love that cannot be.
"They had inherited autocracy, they were imprisoned by their heritage and governed by the edicts of their ancestors. On this summer day it did not seem important."
Russia is soon caught up in a war they are ill prepared for, and the country is ripe for revolution and John finds himself in the thick of it and no matter what path life sends him on, he always seems to land right in the lap of the royal family and Olga. I won't say more, but I assume most of you know the fate of the Romanovs and that is where the book ends, although it does finish on a somewhat positive note with one of my favorite characters in the book (no, I'm not telling).
I found this a good solid read, and I thought the method of using a character like John to give us an inside look at the Romanovs a good one, just be warned that that inside look was seen through a very rose-colored set of glasses. The Tsar and his family were such good, kind, loving, wonderful, beautiful people who hadn't a clue that people could actually disagree with them, let alone kick them out for another form of government...
Recommended for those who must read all things Romanov. Out of print, but I was able to obtain a copy via Inter-library Loan.
November 13, 2014
They were strangers, eyes meeting in a sea of faces at a train station, but it was love at first sight...
Thus begins the tragic love story of John Kirby (Ivan Ivanovich) and Grand Duchess Olga. They were worlds apart in station but together in soul.
I found this story so GOOD. Yes, its fiction. But in real life stranger things do happen. So it didn't feel super far fetched. When we first meet John he is a British spy (but not against Russia or the Tsar). He eventually meets the Romanov family, becomes their friend and even joins the Russian side when WW1 breaks out.
For 2/3 of the book the day is pleasant. Summer reigns. There's sunny days and playful banter abounds. I love the wit and humor in this book. The characters felt real and I just loved how they would go back and forth with faux insults. If the portrayal of Russians is accurate they are a fun loving people. That is, when they're not at war. When war is declared, the revolutionists have their way everything starts falling apart..
If you like Russian literature in general (War and Peace, Anna Karenina etc) or are fond of Russian history as it relates to the Romanov family (always a fascination for me) then I think you would enjoy this.
CONTENT:
SEX: None (although there is some sexual innuendo in the bantering and one instance of nude swimming).
VIOLENCE: Some toward the end. There is a war and people are hurt.
PROFANITY: Pretty Mild
MY RATING: PG
Thus begins the tragic love story of John Kirby (Ivan Ivanovich) and Grand Duchess Olga. They were worlds apart in station but together in soul.
I found this story so GOOD. Yes, its fiction. But in real life stranger things do happen. So it didn't feel super far fetched. When we first meet John he is a British spy (but not against Russia or the Tsar). He eventually meets the Romanov family, becomes their friend and even joins the Russian side when WW1 breaks out.
For 2/3 of the book the day is pleasant. Summer reigns. There's sunny days and playful banter abounds. I love the wit and humor in this book. The characters felt real and I just loved how they would go back and forth with faux insults. If the portrayal of Russians is accurate they are a fun loving people. That is, when they're not at war. When war is declared, the revolutionists have their way everything starts falling apart..
If you like Russian literature in general (War and Peace, Anna Karenina etc) or are fond of Russian history as it relates to the Romanov family (always a fascination for me) then I think you would enjoy this.
CONTENT:
SEX: None (although there is some sexual innuendo in the bantering and one instance of nude swimming).
VIOLENCE: Some toward the end. There is a war and people are hurt.
PROFANITY: Pretty Mild
MY RATING: PG
July 23, 2017
The story itself is decent if not inspiring or memorable, and the writing delivers, but the characterisation is lacking. The main protagonist, John Kirby, is rather shallowly constructed, and the Russian characters are caricature-like, because of how exaggeratedly emotional, whimsy and flighty they are; probably the author was going for something like the classic Russian writers portray their characters, but without the same charm or dexterity for developing them up well. The Romanovs? They're so sainted and kind and perfect here that you've got to wonder why they'd ever be murdered, they're just so perfect.
Well, at least Stevens didn't go for the Anastasia/Olga/Maria/Alexei survived! resolution that's common in Russian Revolution novels, which is something to be appreciated.
Well, at least Stevens didn't go for the Anastasia/Olga/Maria/Alexei survived! resolution that's common in Russian Revolution novels, which is something to be appreciated.
October 20, 2010
This is one of the sweetest loves stories I have ever read. I read this about ten years ago and loved it and I felt it was time to read it again. It is a haunting story of a forbidden love between the agent of the British king and the daughter of the Imperial Tsar. I have always had an interest in the Romanov family and in this book the author does a wonderful job of helping the reader fall in love with them. It is a must read.
March 16, 2014
Mary Jane Staples' books are always witty and humorous and this one is no exception. Yet it's also hauntingly poignant and I needed a couple of tissues at its ending. When British agent, John Kirby, meets the Imperial family of Russia in 1911, he is immediately entranced with Olga, the eldest Romanov daughter. The scenes with all the Romanov children are entrancing and, although you know there can be no happy ending at least for John and Olga, the love between them is innocently tender and touching. Inevitably, with Russia hurtling into revolution in 1917, a more sombre mood creeps in. Yet even in the book's darkest moments, there is the odd spark of humour, usually between John and his servant, Katrika, a wonderful character in her own right. For her, at least, there is a happy ending.
January 18, 2012
I gave this four stars because it was my favorite book for a couple of years as a teen. I sobbed over it and reread choice parts and sobbed harder. Recently, I read it again and wondered why I'd loved it so, though I still enjoyed it and will probably read it again in a few years. There are a few risqué parts but I especially like the historical tidbits and the glimpse into the world of Russia's last czar.
February 10, 2014
These types of novels are always pleasant reads - in this one, an Englishman is posted in Russia and ends up meeting and becoming friends with the Imperial Family, at the end of their reign. Sweet story, nicely sweeping history, and - with much of the action being set in Yalta - the perfect Sochi Olympics read.
June 18, 2010
An English spy meeting and falling madly in love with a Russian Royal Princess. An interesting plot that caught my attention but did not live up to my expectation of it.
October 7, 2018
releido...
Esta es por mucho mi novela favorita, no he leído un romance tan intenso como el de Olga y John, así como no he conocido en otro libro un amor tan constante y sutil como el de Karita durante todo el desarrollo de la novela, la misma tiene demasiado altibajos emocionales que la hacen interesante al lector.
Esta es por mucho mi novela favorita, no he leído un romance tan intenso como el de Olga y John, así como no he conocido en otro libro un amor tan constante y sutil como el de Karita durante todo el desarrollo de la novela, la misma tiene demasiado altibajos emocionales que la hacen interesante al lector.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
Omg this book. I can’t even express how much I love it. It made me cry so hard my eyes were puffy the next morning. The wording is absolutely beautiful his writing just makes you think about how beautiful love is. 10000% recommend!!
May 5, 2025
Another Russian romance
Not so good as the London based books but okay. Some people enjoy these books but to me the magic is missing. Obviously still has the humour in the books and that is good.
Not so good as the London based books but okay. Some people enjoy these books but to me the magic is missing. Obviously still has the humour in the books and that is good.
April 20, 2022
Struggled to read this one. Was ok in parts but didn't grip me along with it been a chunk of a book and the chapters massive it just took me ages to get through
October 28, 2016
This was one of my favorite books as a teen--a sweet, historical romance involving doomed love, war, and a fair number of tissues before the end.
I wasn't sure it would hold up to re-reading as an adult, but I had just finished a book about the Romonov Sisters and so it seemed like a natural follow-up. The writing is just superb--witty and intelligent; not at all like many of the romances that are cranked out for mass consumption today. The story is just as thrilling and emotional as it was when I first read it.
However, there were things that tripped me up now, that wouldn't have in 1977. For example: John Kirby casually kissing his maid Karita as a sign of affection; or John's unending enthusiasm for being drilled by Alexi and playing with the children. Today both of those things are looked at with a raised eyebrow, at minimum. And, of course, a romance featuring a 30-something man falling in love with a 16 year old girl would never fly today. (Or maybe it would just be disguised as a very old vampire in the body of a teen. *cough* Twilight *cough*) Then again, I've given up on the Romance genre due to a preponderance of crappy writing, so what do I know?
I wasn't sure it would hold up to re-reading as an adult, but I had just finished a book about the Romonov Sisters and so it seemed like a natural follow-up. The writing is just superb--witty and intelligent; not at all like many of the romances that are cranked out for mass consumption today. The story is just as thrilling and emotional as it was when I first read it.
However, there were things that tripped me up now, that wouldn't have in 1977. For example: John Kirby casually kissing his maid Karita as a sign of affection; or John's unending enthusiasm for being drilled by Alexi and playing with the children. Today both of those things are looked at with a raised eyebrow, at minimum. And, of course, a romance featuring a 30-something man falling in love with a 16 year old girl would never fly today. (Or maybe it would just be disguised as a very old vampire in the body of a teen. *cough* Twilight *cough*) Then again, I've given up on the Romance genre due to a preponderance of crappy writing, so what do I know?
February 23, 2011
An enjoyable read. I did like the development of all the characters and the author's style. I certainly appreciated the romance although I hoped for a bit more of a breathtaking climax. I felt it was hard to really appreciate the main characters emotions and feelings as easily as it was to relate to some of the female characters.
December 20, 2014
This isn't the greatest book ever written but I read it as a child (the first time) and it piqued my interest in pre-Revolutionary Russia. To do that for a pre-teen is saying something. Maybe it is just me but I really liked it.
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June 21, 2011coool
October 9, 2013
I found this book in my mom's library and was enchanted from the first page. Great historical romance, even knowing how it will end!
Read
June 11, 2015Read this when I was high school - cried when it ended - one of my very favorite books from that wonderful time in my life!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews