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We Shall See the Sky Sparkling
Set in London and Russia at the turn of the century, Susana Aikin's debut introduces a vibrant young woman determined to defy convention and shape an extraordinary future.
Like other well-bred young women in Edwardian England, Lily Throop is expected to think of little beyond marriage and motherhood. Passionate about the stage, Lily has very different ambitions. To her father's dismay, she secures an apprenticeship at London's famous Imperial Theatre. Soon, her talent and beauty bring coveted roles and devoted admirers. Yet to most of society, the line between actress and harlot is whisper-thin. With her reputation threatened by her mentor's vicious betrayal, Lily flees to St. Petersburg with an acting troupe--leaving her first love behind.
Life in Russia is as exhilarating as it is difficult. The streets rumble with talk of revolution, and Lily is drawn into an affair with Sergei, a Count with fervent revolutionary ideals. Following Sergei when he is banished to Vladivostok, Lily struggles to find her role in an increasingly dangerous world. And as Russian tensions with Japan erupt into war, only fortitude and single-mindedness can steer her to freedom and safety at last.
With its sweeping backdrop and evocative details, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling explores a fascinating period in history through the eyes of a strong-willed, singular heroine, in a moving story of love and resilience.
Like other well-bred young women in Edwardian England, Lily Throop is expected to think of little beyond marriage and motherhood. Passionate about the stage, Lily has very different ambitions. To her father's dismay, she secures an apprenticeship at London's famous Imperial Theatre. Soon, her talent and beauty bring coveted roles and devoted admirers. Yet to most of society, the line between actress and harlot is whisper-thin. With her reputation threatened by her mentor's vicious betrayal, Lily flees to St. Petersburg with an acting troupe--leaving her first love behind.
Life in Russia is as exhilarating as it is difficult. The streets rumble with talk of revolution, and Lily is drawn into an affair with Sergei, a Count with fervent revolutionary ideals. Following Sergei when he is banished to Vladivostok, Lily struggles to find her role in an increasingly dangerous world. And as Russian tensions with Japan erupt into war, only fortitude and single-mindedness can steer her to freedom and safety at last.
With its sweeping backdrop and evocative details, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling explores a fascinating period in history through the eyes of a strong-willed, singular heroine, in a moving story of love and resilience.
375 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2019
60 people are currently reading
1132 people want to read
About the author
Susana Aikin
12 books41 followersSusana Aikin is a writer and a filmmaker who lives between New York City and Madrid. She has a degree in law from the University of Madrid and a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. In 1986 she started her independent film production company in NYC, Starfish Productions, for the production of documentary films which multiple awards, including a Rockefeller Fellowship and an Emmy Award in 1997. She started writing fiction full time in 2010. Her novels include: Digging up the Salt Mines, Ishtar Press, NYC 2013; We Shall See the Sky Sparkling, Kensington Books, NYC 2019 (Winner of the 2019 American Fiction Award for Best Historical fiction); Nadine, Libros de Seda, Barcelona 2019; and The Weight of the Heart, Kensington Books, NYC 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 6, 2019
In this beautifully written novel, author Susana Aikin takes readers to the theater stages of London and Russia. Based on the story of the author's grandaunt, the fodder of family folklore, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling tells the brave and tragic tale of Lily Alexander Throop.
Lily was an exceptional woman, in my opinion. She defied expectations, societal norms, and her parent's wishes to leave home and become an actress. I can't imagine the courage that it takes to stand up for what you believe in, and then go for it full-force. Yes, she made some mistakes along the way, but who doesn't while trying to find their way in life?
My absolute favorite part of the novel was how Aikin included actual letters written by Lily to her brother and sister-in-law, and peppered them throughout the book. I thought that was a fabulous touch and made the novel that much more authentic. My other favorite was when Lily was in Russia. It was soooo fascinating!
This gorgeous novel kept me up to the wee hours of the morning! I just couldn't put it down and had to know how it would all end. I found Aikin's writing to be spectacular, and I can't wait for more for her in the future. Aikin did a wonderful job of bringing her ancestor's story to life and I am so glad that I got to know more about Lily.
I highly recommend We Shall See the Sky Sparkling! You will love it!
Lily was an exceptional woman, in my opinion. She defied expectations, societal norms, and her parent's wishes to leave home and become an actress. I can't imagine the courage that it takes to stand up for what you believe in, and then go for it full-force. Yes, she made some mistakes along the way, but who doesn't while trying to find their way in life?
My absolute favorite part of the novel was how Aikin included actual letters written by Lily to her brother and sister-in-law, and peppered them throughout the book. I thought that was a fabulous touch and made the novel that much more authentic. My other favorite was when Lily was in Russia. It was soooo fascinating!
This gorgeous novel kept me up to the wee hours of the morning! I just couldn't put it down and had to know how it would all end. I found Aikin's writing to be spectacular, and I can't wait for more for her in the future. Aikin did a wonderful job of bringing her ancestor's story to life and I am so glad that I got to know more about Lily.
I highly recommend We Shall See the Sky Sparkling! You will love it!
September 18, 2019
I’m not sure how excerpt works, but based on two chapters I wouldn’t request the whole book as the style of writing seems to be very drawn-out. Very little of significance has happened within those two chapters.
May 26, 2019
Why yes, I bought this book because of the cover. And theatre. And Russia. (I’m always happy to see more of Eastern and Central Europe in English-language fiction.)
Lily, the heroine, annoyed me right away. She was much too modern, all-tolerant, above all prejudices etc.:
"a part of her dreamed she could have stayed with the Buryat, loved with them in their yurts in the wilderness, cooked for them, helped them skin their catch; away from civilization, far from prejudices and twisted judgments, from the corruption of the white man."
She also made one bad decision after another, and then was bewildered by the outcome. Ugh. I don’t mind silly or outright stupid main characters, far from it, but at least the author should recognize their stupidity. There were moments when I did feel for Lily, but for the most part I just didn’t care. She didn’t learn from her mistakes and I couldn’t understand why. You take a role away from the leading actress and act all surprised that she starts to hate you? Really?
The writing felt generic and flat. I would’ve liked more description, more everyday details about the life of a successful actress in the 19th – or was it early 20th? – century London and St. Petersburg. But instead… here’s an example:
“She then led the way to the back garden, through plush, pastel-colored rooms furnished with rare, beautiful furniture. In the garden, a large group of people sat in the shade of tall trees enjoying a luxurious picnic served on exquisite china arranged across small tables.”
This kind of writing does nothing for me. I hoped to see the proof that the author had been immersed in the culture of the period, especially in Russian culture, since so much of the plot is set in Russia, but instead I got some sort of a strange mix of details from… I’m not sure of the source. There is some snow, kvas and vodka drinking, and horse-carriage chases done by the police no less. Oh yes, Russia is presented as an absolute police state where nobles can be searched, arrested, and even beaten at whim – huh? It was not an equally oppressive state, it was not egalitarian like that! Case in point: in 1916, a bunch of spoiled society brats murdered the favorite of the imperial family (yes, I’m talking about Rasputin), and received nothing more than a slap on the wrist – a metaphorical one, you understand. At the same time, Russian peasants were not “slaves” anymore, and did not live “in the most miserable conditions”, as the book tries to show. The conditions of working people were improving, the only problem was that it was a much too slow process. The revolution was bound to happen, but it did not happen in the absolutist Russia under Nicolas I, it happened under Nicolas II.
But the theater and the political background are just that, a background. This book is first and foremost about the heroine’s romantic relationships. I don’t want to spoil much, but it’s in the book description anyway, so… Lily's Russian squeeze, Count Sergei, is this sort of a ridiculous character who is being painted as both a secret revolutionary and a dashing society lion who dreams of nothing but how to surround his lover with all kinds of luxury, while occasionally saying stuff like this:
“…all that will soon change anyway with the new Russia. Divorces and all sorts of free marriages and relationships will come about.”
Social connections, Sergei’s revolutionary friends, the whole complex political situation – it was all too simplistic for me, ridiculous at places, not believable at all. The plot would have been interesting, if it wasn’t so disjointed and jerky and all over the place. It was a good opportunity to explore the fascinating diversity of the pre-revolutionary Russia, but it only touched the surface.
Lily, the heroine, annoyed me right away. She was much too modern, all-tolerant, above all prejudices etc.:
"a part of her dreamed she could have stayed with the Buryat, loved with them in their yurts in the wilderness, cooked for them, helped them skin their catch; away from civilization, far from prejudices and twisted judgments, from the corruption of the white man."
She also made one bad decision after another, and then was bewildered by the outcome. Ugh. I don’t mind silly or outright stupid main characters, far from it, but at least the author should recognize their stupidity. There were moments when I did feel for Lily, but for the most part I just didn’t care. She didn’t learn from her mistakes and I couldn’t understand why. You take a role away from the leading actress and act all surprised that she starts to hate you? Really?
The writing felt generic and flat. I would’ve liked more description, more everyday details about the life of a successful actress in the 19th – or was it early 20th? – century London and St. Petersburg. But instead… here’s an example:
“She then led the way to the back garden, through plush, pastel-colored rooms furnished with rare, beautiful furniture. In the garden, a large group of people sat in the shade of tall trees enjoying a luxurious picnic served on exquisite china arranged across small tables.”
This kind of writing does nothing for me. I hoped to see the proof that the author had been immersed in the culture of the period, especially in Russian culture, since so much of the plot is set in Russia, but instead I got some sort of a strange mix of details from… I’m not sure of the source. There is some snow, kvas and vodka drinking, and horse-carriage chases done by the police no less. Oh yes, Russia is presented as an absolute police state where nobles can be searched, arrested, and even beaten at whim – huh? It was not an equally oppressive state, it was not egalitarian like that! Case in point: in 1916, a bunch of spoiled society brats murdered the favorite of the imperial family (yes, I’m talking about Rasputin), and received nothing more than a slap on the wrist – a metaphorical one, you understand. At the same time, Russian peasants were not “slaves” anymore, and did not live “in the most miserable conditions”, as the book tries to show. The conditions of working people were improving, the only problem was that it was a much too slow process. The revolution was bound to happen, but it did not happen in the absolutist Russia under Nicolas I, it happened under Nicolas II.
But the theater and the political background are just that, a background. This book is first and foremost about the heroine’s romantic relationships. I don’t want to spoil much, but it’s in the book description anyway, so… Lily's Russian squeeze, Count Sergei, is this sort of a ridiculous character who is being painted as both a secret revolutionary and a dashing society lion who dreams of nothing but how to surround his lover with all kinds of luxury, while occasionally saying stuff like this:
“…all that will soon change anyway with the new Russia. Divorces and all sorts of free marriages and relationships will come about.”
Social connections, Sergei’s revolutionary friends, the whole complex political situation – it was all too simplistic for me, ridiculous at places, not believable at all. The plot would have been interesting, if it wasn’t so disjointed and jerky and all over the place. It was a good opportunity to explore the fascinating diversity of the pre-revolutionary Russia, but it only touched the surface.
to-check-out
February 7, 2019Guest Post + Giveaway @ Let Them Read Books!
August 22, 2019
Lily is a beautiful young woman with dreams so big of being part of the London theater that she is willing to leave behind her beloved family, including an ailing brother, in pursuit.
It's more challenging than she imagined to rise through the ranks from page to understudy to lead actress, but the lead male part has taken an interest in her, in more than one way. He is cunning, clever, and cruel, and though Wade claims he loves her, it is another, kinder, poorer stage hand named Chet that captures her heart. But Wade is a jealous man and tragedies and drama during a run of Othello doom Lily to leave for Moscow, to help the man she loves and to save her good acting name of scandal and being shredded by the media.
However, a new actor there named Stanislavsky has created a new method for acting, working with a rising star of a playwright, Anton Chekhov. And the girls, though at a small theater and miles from the former stars life they knew, soon perform for and befriend the granddaughter of a wealthy princess, who will connect them to a society of more than just the aristocracy, but even those desiring rights for the poor, for women, and even revolution.
While some of the altercations with Wade were a bit gruesome, though thankfully not terribly graphic, it is at times frustrating to witness Lily's helplessness in the face of savagery.
The romance between Lily and Chet could have been a bit more developed, but the overall desire-struggle is gripping among the triangle, and interspersed factoids about the period and its culture also keep the reader captured.
And the fascinating new life and challenges of the girls in Russia are simply hypnotizing.
We Shall See The Sky Sparkling is a novel for fans of historical fiction, and lovers of the arts, especially theater and ballet, and for those who love to witness a long-earned triumph, whether personally, professionally, or for those less fortunate.
Very dark, tragic, and sad, almost hopeless in tone. Definitely not something I enjoyed or would recommend to anyone, especially anyone struggling with depression or winter blues already.
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley and the publisher. Opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect the publisher.
It's more challenging than she imagined to rise through the ranks from page to understudy to lead actress, but the lead male part has taken an interest in her, in more than one way. He is cunning, clever, and cruel, and though Wade claims he loves her, it is another, kinder, poorer stage hand named Chet that captures her heart. But Wade is a jealous man and tragedies and drama during a run of Othello doom Lily to leave for Moscow, to help the man she loves and to save her good acting name of scandal and being shredded by the media.
However, a new actor there named Stanislavsky has created a new method for acting, working with a rising star of a playwright, Anton Chekhov. And the girls, though at a small theater and miles from the former stars life they knew, soon perform for and befriend the granddaughter of a wealthy princess, who will connect them to a society of more than just the aristocracy, but even those desiring rights for the poor, for women, and even revolution.
While some of the altercations with Wade were a bit gruesome, though thankfully not terribly graphic, it is at times frustrating to witness Lily's helplessness in the face of savagery.
The romance between Lily and Chet could have been a bit more developed, but the overall desire-struggle is gripping among the triangle, and interspersed factoids about the period and its culture also keep the reader captured.
And the fascinating new life and challenges of the girls in Russia are simply hypnotizing.
We Shall See The Sky Sparkling is a novel for fans of historical fiction, and lovers of the arts, especially theater and ballet, and for those who love to witness a long-earned triumph, whether personally, professionally, or for those less fortunate.
Very dark, tragic, and sad, almost hopeless in tone. Definitely not something I enjoyed or would recommend to anyone, especially anyone struggling with depression or winter blues already.
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley and the publisher. Opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect the publisher.
Want to read
January 25, 2019We Shall See The Sky Sparkling is an interesting piece of historical fiction. Lilly is the black sheep of her family for her acting dreams. She ends up accepting an offer to go to St. Petersburg. Russia in the late 19th and early 20th century was not necessarily a good place to hang around. Unrest between the very rich and the very poor creating a tense environment. Pre Bolshevik revolution mindsets everywhere. Lilly is a character who makes bad decisions repeatedly. She then gets upset about her own decisions. I didn't like Lilly overall. It's a good but kind of bleak story. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2019
I’m so excited to share my opinion about this well-written story, which kept me reading until far past my bedtime. In her debut novel, Susana Aikin really shows her talent in captivating the reader’s attention from the very beginning.
I was really fascinated by Lily Throop’s story, not only for her being such a strong female character in an era where women weren’t supposed to follow their dreams if those included independence and artistic ambitions, but especially for Susan’s beautiful and descriptive prose.
Each page perfectly recreates the atmosphere of that historical period, and I find superb the letters Lily sends to her family, because I think they reveal her intimate hope to be accepted by her family, despite all the social conventions, for her being a woman with her flaws but perseverance, a woman who is just looking for her special place in the world.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for my free copy!
I also posted my review at CometReadings.com
I was really fascinated by Lily Throop’s story, not only for her being such a strong female character in an era where women weren’t supposed to follow their dreams if those included independence and artistic ambitions, but especially for Susan’s beautiful and descriptive prose.
Each page perfectly recreates the atmosphere of that historical period, and I find superb the letters Lily sends to her family, because I think they reveal her intimate hope to be accepted by her family, despite all the social conventions, for her being a woman with her flaws but perseverance, a woman who is just looking for her special place in the world.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for my free copy!
I also posted my review at CometReadings.com
March 14, 2019
We Shall See the Sky Sparkling is a debut novel?? Susana Aikin writes like she was born to it. I’ve never used the word masterpiece in ANY of my reviews before, but this story is a work of art. I felt like I was watching a historical period drama unfold right before my eyes. It was an intricately woven story that completely came to life. There are many elements and situations in this story that completely captured my attention.
There is also an abundance of very dynamic characters who change and grow. Chut is a simple and very loyal character, I really felt sorry for how things worked out for him. Sergei was a lot more exciting, I believe he loved Lily in his own way. He was distant and at times a little selfish, but was he really? I think some of that could be attributed to his passion for the cause he was fighting for and trying to protect those he loved at the same time. I really liked his character. I shed a few tears for him. Lily was also distant and selfish, and at times even childish. She chafed against anything that she felt was holding her down or stripping away her freedom. I felt that lily and Sergei were two sides of the same coin. Lily and Sergei were not always easy to understand, but they were easy to love.
The ending wasn’t the happy ending I had expected but it was very moving. This is not a novel that you just read and forget, it is mesmerizing and unforgettable. A very impressive story that I can’t praise nearly enough.
There is also an abundance of very dynamic characters who change and grow. Chut is a simple and very loyal character, I really felt sorry for how things worked out for him. Sergei was a lot more exciting, I believe he loved Lily in his own way. He was distant and at times a little selfish, but was he really? I think some of that could be attributed to his passion for the cause he was fighting for and trying to protect those he loved at the same time. I really liked his character. I shed a few tears for him. Lily was also distant and selfish, and at times even childish. She chafed against anything that she felt was holding her down or stripping away her freedom. I felt that lily and Sergei were two sides of the same coin. Lily and Sergei were not always easy to understand, but they were easy to love.
The ending wasn’t the happy ending I had expected but it was very moving. This is not a novel that you just read and forget, it is mesmerizing and unforgettable. A very impressive story that I can’t praise nearly enough.
Did not finish
March 1, 2021DNF@ 25%
2019; Dreamscape Media/Kensington Publishing
LOVE this cover, and yes, I did request this book just based on the cover. There wasn't much information on the synopsis, but it looked like a historical mystery, historical romance or plain historical fiction. I am fan of all three so thought I could not go wrong. At first I tried the eBook and didn't make much progress, and decided to try the audiobook version. I hung in there for 25% but NOTHING was happening. I cannot even say what genre this falls in other than say it's set in the past and is fiction. A woman of means leaves her family to pursue acting/ Her father has disowned her. She meets up with a brilliant actor that sees her potential, but is also a rapist (that is my editorial). There is no real indication of where the novel is going so I had to DNF as I felt no investment in the characters or story...whatever it is meant to be.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2019; Dreamscape Media/Kensington Publishing
LOVE this cover, and yes, I did request this book just based on the cover. There wasn't much information on the synopsis, but it looked like a historical mystery, historical romance or plain historical fiction. I am fan of all three so thought I could not go wrong. At first I tried the eBook and didn't make much progress, and decided to try the audiobook version. I hung in there for 25% but NOTHING was happening. I cannot even say what genre this falls in other than say it's set in the past and is fiction. A woman of means leaves her family to pursue acting/ Her father has disowned her. She meets up with a brilliant actor that sees her potential, but is also a rapist (that is my editorial). There is no real indication of where the novel is going so I had to DNF as I felt no investment in the characters or story...whatever it is meant to be.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
September 15, 2019
A sparkling tale of courage and idividuality
The cover belies the story somewhat for me, although it provides an evocative insight into the protagonist, it misleads slightly into making one think it will be softer, more romantic tale than it is. This is an epic tale of courage and defiance but is not an epic task to read or enjoy. Susana Aikin’s ability to paint vivid pictures of place and circumstance shines through here and every scene became a vibrant reality in my head.
Much of the narrative takes place in Czarist Russia, where we are introduced to a cast of characters that tips a cap to Dostoevsky and Tolstoy without losing the reader in a mire of incomprehensible Russian hierarchies. I came away from it feeling I had a much stronger understanding of the geography of the subcontinent. The author made it easy to see places I have never been to in a truly cinematographic way.
Thirty or so pages from the end you feel like you have been on an epic journey but are struck by how quickly you have arrived and suppressing pangs of regret that it will soon be over.
This is a story of courage, ambition, love and loss through the eyes of Lily Throop whose experiences shine a light on 21st Century attitudes and approaches and leave one thinking that a 100 years should surely have brought more positive change.
I'm sad to say goodbye to Lily and this wonderful group of well-drawn characters. I look forward to Susana Aikin’s next novel. I feel sure I will come away feeling as well informed through her research as I did with this one.
The cover belies the story somewhat for me, although it provides an evocative insight into the protagonist, it misleads slightly into making one think it will be softer, more romantic tale than it is. This is an epic tale of courage and defiance but is not an epic task to read or enjoy. Susana Aikin’s ability to paint vivid pictures of place and circumstance shines through here and every scene became a vibrant reality in my head.
Much of the narrative takes place in Czarist Russia, where we are introduced to a cast of characters that tips a cap to Dostoevsky and Tolstoy without losing the reader in a mire of incomprehensible Russian hierarchies. I came away from it feeling I had a much stronger understanding of the geography of the subcontinent. The author made it easy to see places I have never been to in a truly cinematographic way.
Thirty or so pages from the end you feel like you have been on an epic journey but are struck by how quickly you have arrived and suppressing pangs of regret that it will soon be over.
This is a story of courage, ambition, love and loss through the eyes of Lily Throop whose experiences shine a light on 21st Century attitudes and approaches and leave one thinking that a 100 years should surely have brought more positive change.
I'm sad to say goodbye to Lily and this wonderful group of well-drawn characters. I look forward to Susana Aikin’s next novel. I feel sure I will come away feeling as well informed through her research as I did with this one.
August 19, 2018
I received an excerpt of this book from Netgalley so this review is based only on the first couple of chapters. We Shall See the Sky Sparkling initially appealed to me based on the historical fiction backdrop. The plot starts off quite strong with engaging prose and a compelling dual timeline narrative. The second chapter delves into the development of the protagonist’s character at the turn of the 19th century. It seemed the writing strayed at this juncture into mundane details that didn’t enhance either character or plot development. As a result, I gave the excerpt 3 stars because I was captivated with the first chapter but not so much with the second. Tough to know where this plot will go so I can see either absolutely loving it or being bored to death depending on which direction the author takes. I would certainly read further on to find out...
January 21, 2019
This book is about Lily who wants to become an actress. It is set in Edwardian England. Not all goes as planned. What I especially liked in this book are the historical details. The pacing is mostly slow, but sometimes picks of for a bit before becoming slow again. I didn't feel connected to Lily. Overall this was an okay read.
set-aside
February 15, 2020Wow. This is a fascinating concept that was so poorly executed. It's like family history fanfic complete with terrible sexual assault scene. My life is too short for this.
January 29, 2019
This is an enthralling novel with a driven, fiercely independent, and vivacious heroine you’ll remember forever. Drawing from her own family's history and a series of fascinating letters, author Susana Aikin paints a masterful portrait of a young woman whose dream of becoming an actress conflicts with her family’s and society’s expectations. Lily Throop Cable’s passion for life and her determination to overcome social expectations make her instantly likeable and relatable, and her life unfolds in a whirlwind series of adventures and romances that make the pages fly. Aikin weaves the tale of Lily Throop Cable’s fight for success and respect against a riveting backdrop of places, including Edwardian England and pre-revolutionary Russia. Lily’s romance with Sergei is breathtaking, but more than that, it is Lily’s singular desire to protect her own identity and independence—her strength during dangerous times and heartrending circumstances—that make this novel shine. You’ll get deliciously lost in this book, fall for its heroine, and will be looking for the next book by Susana Aikin as soon as you turn its final page.
July 1, 2018
I received an excerpt from NetGalley for an honest review.
From the excerpt of this story that is set in the Edwardian period in England of a young woman called Lily Throop Cable who leaves home against her Father's wishes to be an actress. The first two chapters describe her feelings and her family members reactions to her leaving. From the rest of the descriptions on Goodreads and Amazon it looks like a very interesting book that I would love to read. There have not been many books that have used this storyline. I liked the style of writing that appeared in the excerpt and I shall be eagerly awaiting the publishing date which is in January 2019.
From the excerpt of this story that is set in the Edwardian period in England of a young woman called Lily Throop Cable who leaves home against her Father's wishes to be an actress. The first two chapters describe her feelings and her family members reactions to her leaving. From the rest of the descriptions on Goodreads and Amazon it looks like a very interesting book that I would love to read. There have not been many books that have used this storyline. I liked the style of writing that appeared in the excerpt and I shall be eagerly awaiting the publishing date which is in January 2019.
November 14, 2019
4.5 stars but I rounded up because this book kept me busy.
I started it in the paperback version but after getting about half way through I had to return it to the library, so I got the audiobook and... started it all over again.
I’m really on a books about Russia kick lately.
Only reason for the 1/2 star deduction is Lily was so annoying in the beginning of the book, and occasionally later. That said this novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
I started it in the paperback version but after getting about half way through I had to return it to the library, so I got the audiobook and... started it all over again.
I’m really on a books about Russia kick lately.
Only reason for the 1/2 star deduction is Lily was so annoying in the beginning of the book, and occasionally later. That said this novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
February 4, 2019
Lily Throop, despite her father’s vehement disapproval, has a dream to become a famous actress and leaves home to accomplish that plan. Although she has no recommendations or supporting patron, she manages to obtain an apprenticeship or low-paid position as an actress at London’s Imperial Theatre. She meets an actor/mentor, Wade, who truly helps to hone her already special skills but unfortunately she becomes a prisoner to him by way of a contract which she cannot break. That relationship also ruins a budding romance with a poor stagehand, Chet, who loves Lily but cannot get past Wade’s hold on her.
Lily does become famous and meets numerous wealthy men and women when she is not working very hard. Finally, she meets a Russian count, Sergei, who is also a true revolutionary supporter. Lily by that point has heard about the playwright and teacher, Stanislavsky, who is teaching a new method of acting. During one of Lily’s crisis scenes with Wade, Lily elopes to Russia with Sergei. The descriptions of her journey and of Russian cities and the country are stunning and make one want to visit there. After Lily becomes pregnant, her opportunities to return to England are stymied by the arrest of Sergei. Because of his noble background, he is exiled to the cold Siberian countryside, one which Lily shares. There they learn to endure and to support each other. However, their relationship begins to dim when Sergei refuses to give up his political visionary dreams and disaster occurs.
Lily will eventually find her true love but not until a lifetime of work, travel and dedication have welded her to both her career and her child.
This is a beautiful novel, written with great attention to setting, history and the arts. Lily is a dynamic character who although not deeply depicted moves readers profoundly because of the depth she expresses in her art. The Russian pre-Revolutionary period is also depicted with stark accuracy. Lily is the one who sees they skies sparkling but also becomes the same for her devoted fans.
Nicely crafted historical fiction, Susana Aikin!
Lily does become famous and meets numerous wealthy men and women when she is not working very hard. Finally, she meets a Russian count, Sergei, who is also a true revolutionary supporter. Lily by that point has heard about the playwright and teacher, Stanislavsky, who is teaching a new method of acting. During one of Lily’s crisis scenes with Wade, Lily elopes to Russia with Sergei. The descriptions of her journey and of Russian cities and the country are stunning and make one want to visit there. After Lily becomes pregnant, her opportunities to return to England are stymied by the arrest of Sergei. Because of his noble background, he is exiled to the cold Siberian countryside, one which Lily shares. There they learn to endure and to support each other. However, their relationship begins to dim when Sergei refuses to give up his political visionary dreams and disaster occurs.
Lily will eventually find her true love but not until a lifetime of work, travel and dedication have welded her to both her career and her child.
This is a beautiful novel, written with great attention to setting, history and the arts. Lily is a dynamic character who although not deeply depicted moves readers profoundly because of the depth she expresses in her art. The Russian pre-Revolutionary period is also depicted with stark accuracy. Lily is the one who sees they skies sparkling but also becomes the same for her devoted fans.
Nicely crafted historical fiction, Susana Aikin!
January 30, 2019
3.5 Stars bumped to 4 because I love the story within the story of this book.
We Shall See the Sky Sparkling has its inception in a real life story. In a family history and simple photo, Aikin's idea behind this book struck home for me. I, too, have a beautiful photo of my great-grandaunt, a woman who died a spinster, and relatively young and the lack of information about her story haunted me for years. In Aikin's story, more is known, thanks to her sleuthing, about her great-grandaunt, Lily Alexandra Throop. Lily left her family home in Manchester in the late 1890's, at the age of seventeen, without family blessing, to become an actress in London, a simply scandalous choice for a young woman in this era. Her peregrinations eventually led her to St. Petersburg in Russia, where she was rumored to have given birth to an illegitimate child. She later returned to England and died from tuberculosis at the young age of twenty-four. After finding a caches of thirteen letters that Lily wrote to her brother Harry and sister-in-law Alice, Aikin was able to piece together some of Lily's fascinating but tragically short life and build a novelization of it.
While I found some of the dialogue and manners in the novel didn't accurately reflect the Victorian and Edwardian era, overall, Lily's story is a haunting one. There are likely so many young women who didn't want to follow their narrow gender prescribed roles, and no doubt many whose lives ended sadly, as a result. In this era, where women were not permitted to own property, and were themselves counted as chattel of their husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, Lily envisioned a different path for herself. She paid dearly for her choices but led a fascinating life while she lived it.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from Kensington Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We Shall See the Sky Sparkling has its inception in a real life story. In a family history and simple photo, Aikin's idea behind this book struck home for me. I, too, have a beautiful photo of my great-grandaunt, a woman who died a spinster, and relatively young and the lack of information about her story haunted me for years. In Aikin's story, more is known, thanks to her sleuthing, about her great-grandaunt, Lily Alexandra Throop. Lily left her family home in Manchester in the late 1890's, at the age of seventeen, without family blessing, to become an actress in London, a simply scandalous choice for a young woman in this era. Her peregrinations eventually led her to St. Petersburg in Russia, where she was rumored to have given birth to an illegitimate child. She later returned to England and died from tuberculosis at the young age of twenty-four. After finding a caches of thirteen letters that Lily wrote to her brother Harry and sister-in-law Alice, Aikin was able to piece together some of Lily's fascinating but tragically short life and build a novelization of it.
While I found some of the dialogue and manners in the novel didn't accurately reflect the Victorian and Edwardian era, overall, Lily's story is a haunting one. There are likely so many young women who didn't want to follow their narrow gender prescribed roles, and no doubt many whose lives ended sadly, as a result. In this era, where women were not permitted to own property, and were themselves counted as chattel of their husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, Lily envisioned a different path for herself. She paid dearly for her choices but led a fascinating life while she lived it.
I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from Kensington Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2019
Susana Aikin’s novel, We Shall See the Sky Sparkling, starts out as a story of Lilly, a young woman born in 1880, who chose to leave her family in Manchester, England, to take her chances as an actress in the London theater scene. She was seventeen when she left home and she did NOT have her father’s approval.
The book takes a major turn when Lilly decides to leave England for an opportunity in St. Petersburg. She had achieved major professional success in London, but her personal life was in turmoil. Lilly was excited about what was going on with Russian theater and hoped to meet people such as the actor and producer Konstantin Stanislavski and the playwright Anton Chekhov, but she didn’t count on the political problems in Russia.
I loved the details in this fine historical fiction, especially the descriptions of the London theater scene, but what I found most interesting were the problems faced by a strong willed woman living in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The men in Lilly’s life had power over her and most of them did not treat her fairly. I liked the way Aikin approached their personalities. They ranged from brutal to loving and kind, but also included men who were caring, yet self absorbed. Minor characters often treated Lilly as if she were a child, sometimes with the best of intentions yet without the respect she deserved.
Overall, I found We Shall See the Sky Sparkling to be an outstanding read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Steve Lindahl – author of Motherless Soul, White Horse Regressions, Hopatcong Vision Quest, Under a Warped Cross, and Living in a Star’s Light.
The book takes a major turn when Lilly decides to leave England for an opportunity in St. Petersburg. She had achieved major professional success in London, but her personal life was in turmoil. Lilly was excited about what was going on with Russian theater and hoped to meet people such as the actor and producer Konstantin Stanislavski and the playwright Anton Chekhov, but she didn’t count on the political problems in Russia.
I loved the details in this fine historical fiction, especially the descriptions of the London theater scene, but what I found most interesting were the problems faced by a strong willed woman living in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The men in Lilly’s life had power over her and most of them did not treat her fairly. I liked the way Aikin approached their personalities. They ranged from brutal to loving and kind, but also included men who were caring, yet self absorbed. Minor characters often treated Lilly as if she were a child, sometimes with the best of intentions yet without the respect she deserved.
Overall, I found We Shall See the Sky Sparkling to be an outstanding read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Steve Lindahl – author of Motherless Soul, White Horse Regressions, Hopatcong Vision Quest, Under a Warped Cross, and Living in a Star’s Light.
December 28, 2018
We Shall See the Sky Sparkling is a vividly written historical novel about a female protagonist who progresses due to her hard work. Yes, the reader is informed that she was beautiful and talented, and she got her big break through an affair, but she also studied, improved her memorization skills, pushed herself, and learned multiple languages.
The novel begins with an introduction about how the story of Lily Throop was a contentious tale among the Throop descendants, with the men believing her to be a fallen woman and example of how ambitious women, particularly in the theater, bring themselves to ruin. The women, however, romanticize her travels from Manchester to London to Saint Petersburg and beyond, wondering about her loves and what happened to her illegitimate child. The intro's narrator finds previously unknown letters from Lily to her brother Harry, which appear occasionally between chapters. These letters work well for exposition and for orienting the reader after a skipping some time, but they also don't tell the whole story. The chapters are in third-person, following Lily's perspective and filling in the details that she doesn't—for various reasons—mention in her letters.
The plot hits all the points of romantic historical fiction, but it does it so well! The description of a turn-of-the-nineteenth-century English circus is fantastic, and the riches of the Russian aristocracy pre-Revolution are described lavishly. This is fun to read, with some very tense moments.
Content warning: Rape/sexual assault.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Publishing Corporation and Goodreads Giveaways.
The novel begins with an introduction about how the story of Lily Throop was a contentious tale among the Throop descendants, with the men believing her to be a fallen woman and example of how ambitious women, particularly in the theater, bring themselves to ruin. The women, however, romanticize her travels from Manchester to London to Saint Petersburg and beyond, wondering about her loves and what happened to her illegitimate child. The intro's narrator finds previously unknown letters from Lily to her brother Harry, which appear occasionally between chapters. These letters work well for exposition and for orienting the reader after a skipping some time, but they also don't tell the whole story. The chapters are in third-person, following Lily's perspective and filling in the details that she doesn't—for various reasons—mention in her letters.
The plot hits all the points of romantic historical fiction, but it does it so well! The description of a turn-of-the-nineteenth-century English circus is fantastic, and the riches of the Russian aristocracy pre-Revolution are described lavishly. This is fun to read, with some very tense moments.
Content warning: Rape/sexual assault.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Publishing Corporation and Goodreads Giveaways.
February 15, 2019
"We Shall See the Sky Sparkling" is the story of Lily, a young woman. Instead of getting married and starting a family, Lily dreams of being on stage. Actresses are very much looked down upon during this time period and Lily confronts the stereotypes of what an actress is (and more so what she will do) at every turn. Her dream career and her love will take her to places she has dreamed of and those that she never could have imagined. This is a great story with a lot of rich detail!
I am always drawn to fish out of water stories. Lily is a well-bred girl that dreams of being an actress. I was not very familiar with what life as an actress was like at the time so I loved getting insight into it through Lily's eyes. She is a spunky character who knows what she wants out of life. As we see in this book, when she commits to something, she really commits to something even when it might be challenged by society or incredibly difficult. We also see this side of her in the romance in the book. Ohhh, I don't want to give anything away but the romance in this book gave me life and kept me turning the pages.
The book takes place at the turn of the 20th century and the detail is oh so good. I absolutely love books set in England but there is something so exciting to find one set in Russia. I love historical fiction set in Russia, especially when it's set right when this book is set. Russia is very much an evolving place during this time period and as Lily finds out, it can be both kind and cruel in equal measure.
This was a great book!
I am always drawn to fish out of water stories. Lily is a well-bred girl that dreams of being an actress. I was not very familiar with what life as an actress was like at the time so I loved getting insight into it through Lily's eyes. She is a spunky character who knows what she wants out of life. As we see in this book, when she commits to something, she really commits to something even when it might be challenged by society or incredibly difficult. We also see this side of her in the romance in the book. Ohhh, I don't want to give anything away but the romance in this book gave me life and kept me turning the pages.
The book takes place at the turn of the 20th century and the detail is oh so good. I absolutely love books set in England but there is something so exciting to find one set in Russia. I love historical fiction set in Russia, especially when it's set right when this book is set. Russia is very much an evolving place during this time period and as Lily finds out, it can be both kind and cruel in equal measure.
This was a great book!
March 3, 2019
We Shall See The Sky Sparkling is a sweeping historical fiction romance novel and I am happy I was here for it.
Lily Throop is a young woman ahead of her time in that she wants it all and is not willing to settle. She dreams of becoming a famous stage actress. She turns down the marriage her father has planned for her to a local gentleman for whom she has no feelings and sets off for London to pursue her dream.
Lily is a theatre sensation! But her success is not without thorns. Namely the lecherous Mr. Wade who refuses to let Lily out of his contractual clutches. He even goes so far as to attempt to have her lover imprisoned on false charges. Thankfully his plans are foiled. But the scandal causes Lily to lose her lover and escape to St. Petersburg, Russia to join a theatre group and allow the scandal to blow over.
While there she finds love once again. This time with a Russian royal who also happens to be a political activist. And once again Mr. Wade threatens it. But will he succeed or will love triumph over all?
I loved this story and look forward to future books by Susana Aikin.
Lily Throop is a young woman ahead of her time in that she wants it all and is not willing to settle. She dreams of becoming a famous stage actress. She turns down the marriage her father has planned for her to a local gentleman for whom she has no feelings and sets off for London to pursue her dream.
Lily is a theatre sensation! But her success is not without thorns. Namely the lecherous Mr. Wade who refuses to let Lily out of his contractual clutches. He even goes so far as to attempt to have her lover imprisoned on false charges. Thankfully his plans are foiled. But the scandal causes Lily to lose her lover and escape to St. Petersburg, Russia to join a theatre group and allow the scandal to blow over.
While there she finds love once again. This time with a Russian royal who also happens to be a political activist. And once again Mr. Wade threatens it. But will he succeed or will love triumph over all?
I loved this story and look forward to future books by Susana Aikin.
December 17, 2019
An adequate English drama tale debut by about an adventurous actress seeking freedom to be herself in the staid European limits of the later 1800s.
The views into turmoiled Russia of the time are interesting from a historical perspective. We spend a lot of time there, but it was a tragedy in the making. No one should make major life decisions in the wake of a tragedy, but our MC has every reason to want to leave England.
If you're looking for early feminist flairs, you may find some here, but you'll find a lot that is the same - the sense of deep shame following assault and the trauma are universal to women, the desire to be ourselves in world of limited dictated boxes of what we're allowed to be. The MC doesn't come out on top though because real life is messy.
Descriptions are very pretty and build a scene well, but did occasionally feel as of it drifted into 'purple prose' with how effusive it could be. However, this could just be the perceptions of everything as seen through the MC, who is an effusive personality.
Not a favourite book, but an entertaining enough read for me.
The views into turmoiled Russia of the time are interesting from a historical perspective. We spend a lot of time there, but it was a tragedy in the making. No one should make major life decisions in the wake of a tragedy, but our MC has every reason to want to leave England.
If you're looking for early feminist flairs, you may find some here, but you'll find a lot that is the same - the sense of deep shame following assault and the trauma are universal to women, the desire to be ourselves in world of limited dictated boxes of what we're allowed to be. The MC doesn't come out on top though because real life is messy.
Descriptions are very pretty and build a scene well, but did occasionally feel as of it drifted into 'purple prose' with how effusive it could be. However, this could just be the perceptions of everything as seen through the MC, who is an effusive personality.
Not a favourite book, but an entertaining enough read for me.
January 19, 2019
Lily Throop leaves her father's home to pursue her passion for the stage. She apprentices under a passionate actor, but when he betrays her, Lily flees with a theater troop to St. Petersburg. Life is not easier in Russia; in fact, it becomes increasingly dangerous for Lily.
The main thing I enjoyed about this book was the historical detail. The era came to life, and I especially appreciated that Russia was the focus of the last half of the book.
I found it difficult to sympathize with Lily. It felt as though she made a bad decision after bad decision and then cried about the consequences.
The pace seemed to go in spurts. It would slow well and then slow to almost being almost unbearably slow.
Overall, it was an ok read. I appreciated that it did not go into detail with the sex scenes. I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a turn of the century with an unconventional lead.
I received a free copy from Netgalley for reviewing purposes.
The main thing I enjoyed about this book was the historical detail. The era came to life, and I especially appreciated that Russia was the focus of the last half of the book.
I found it difficult to sympathize with Lily. It felt as though she made a bad decision after bad decision and then cried about the consequences.
The pace seemed to go in spurts. It would slow well and then slow to almost being almost unbearably slow.
Overall, it was an ok read. I appreciated that it did not go into detail with the sex scenes. I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a turn of the century with an unconventional lead.
I received a free copy from Netgalley for reviewing purposes.
February 18, 2019
This story of one woman's attempt to break out of the constraints of a stuffy Victorian childhood by becoming an actress on the London stage gripped me from start to finish. Teetering on the brink of downfall, the spirited heroine rushes headlong from Manchester, to London, to St. Petersburg, to the very edges of Russia, trying yet failing to find a place where she can be both free and live a fulfilling life as an artist.
Susana Aikin is a lyrical writer who sprinkles in enough period detail to bring the era to life without bogging the story down in tedious trivia. Yet despite the historical setting, the political agenda of this novel is thoroughly modern, chiming with the spirit of our own times where actresses are only just now speaking out publicly against the endemic sexism of the entertainment industry.
This is not a short book, yet I gobbled it up in under a week. A delight!
Susana Aikin is a lyrical writer who sprinkles in enough period detail to bring the era to life without bogging the story down in tedious trivia. Yet despite the historical setting, the political agenda of this novel is thoroughly modern, chiming with the spirit of our own times where actresses are only just now speaking out publicly against the endemic sexism of the entertainment industry.
This is not a short book, yet I gobbled it up in under a week. A delight!
January 29, 2019
Lily in "We Shall See the Sky Sparkling" is an independent woman who faces numerous challenges as an actress in the 1900s. It is so refreshing to have a strong woman overcome difficulties that women continue to face--sexual harassment, finding her voice, and choosing a partner that cherishes her beyond her good looks. This page turner kept me up all night...
The descriptions and settings in St. Petersburg, her travels across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and Novosibirsk are stunning. I've now added these places on my bucket list. I love that this book was inspired by the author's great aunt, and includes references to her letters to her family, as well as the different reactions of the men in her family as opposed to the women.
The descriptions and settings in St. Petersburg, her travels across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and Novosibirsk are stunning. I've now added these places on my bucket list. I love that this book was inspired by the author's great aunt, and includes references to her letters to her family, as well as the different reactions of the men in her family as opposed to the women.
October 21, 2020
It's unusual for me to get through an entire book when I don't like the plot. I would have abandoned this book unfinished if I didn't feel that I ought to review Goodreads Giveaway wins. I don't really have much good news here. The title seems wildly inappropriate. I found this to be a dark novel. The woman protagonist deals with being victimized for most of the story line. I like the fact that she is an actress, but there's a long period when she is unable to practice her profession. I would say that the book is historically authentic. The ending intends to be uplifting, but it seemed rushed. I didn't feel that readers get enough of a payoff to compensate for how grim the protagonist's life had been beforehand.
January 22, 2019
A swoosh of romantic historical fiction! Lily wants to be an actress, which is totally anathema to her family. She happily joins a troupe with which she travels to Russia. Pre-revolutionary Russia is a wonderful subject all to itself and Aikin does a nice job of describing some of the tensions. Lily's love affair with Sergei is a turning point for her. Vladivostok in this period is a stew of problems, not the least of which is war with Japan. Lily's a good character (and I liked the letters which rounded out the story) who you will root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.
March 23, 2019
This is a great read, amazing attention to detail, beautiful descriptions of everything, makes you feel you have been taken to another world. I fell in love with the characters ! all of them.
Lily is brave, daring, smart and romantic. She makes you believe she can do anything she sets her mind to. Miss Aikin is a wonderful writer !
Lily is brave, daring, smart and romantic. She makes you believe she can do anything she sets her mind to. Miss Aikin is a wonderful writer !
September 24, 2019
I probably would have loved this book when I was a teenager, but that was a long time ago, and I've long since lost my taste for melodramatic romances.
This was supposed to be set in the early 20th century, but the heroine has 21st century morals and values. The descriptions of pre-revolutionary Russia are nice, but there are historical inaccuracies. Worst of all, to me, there is no subtlety.
This was supposed to be set in the early 20th century, but the heroine has 21st century morals and values. The descriptions of pre-revolutionary Russia are nice, but there are historical inaccuracies. Worst of all, to me, there is no subtlety.
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