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Lost Splendor: The Amazing Memoirs of the Man Who Killed Rasputin
The autobiography of the man who killed Rasputin. Prince Felix Youssoupoff was married to a niece of Tsar Nicholas II. More than any other single event, the assassination of Rasputin helped to bring about the cataclysmic upheaval that ended in the advent of the Soviet regime.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1952
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July 24, 2020
Zavodljivo je misliti o Feliksu Jusupovu kao ruskom Dorijanu Greju. Obojica su bili dekadentne estete, razmaženi bogataši, lepi poročnici, ljubitelji dijamanata i ubice. Ako se zanemari razlika da je prvi istorijska ličnost, a drugi fikcionalni lik u romanu, izgledaju vrlo slično. Barem se meni tako činilo u sećanju na ove memoare. Sada, kada sam posle 8-9 godina osvežio pamćenje ponovnim čitanjem „Minulog sjaja”, Dorijan Grej, u poređenju sa Jusupovim, čini se kao jedno nevino, bezazleno, olindrano mače kome kandže tek niču.
Memoari započinju pričom o Jusupovim precima sa implicitnom porukom da je on jedan ruski mačak sa opasnim pedigreom: tatarski kanovi Zlatne Horde, orijantalne princeze, čukundeda koji je pao u nemilost jer je podvalio pravoslavnom patrijarhu guščiju paštetu u vreme posta, pradeda sa ličnim nagim teatrom, baba posle čije smrti su u tajnoj odaji pronašli kostur njenog ljubavnika (nisam razumeo da li ga je u toj sobi zaboravila ili je on umro pa je baba sentimentalno sačuvala leš?); svi su bili estete i bogatiji od Romanovih, a i loza im je starija, plus zna se ko je tu kome prvi plaćao porez.
A potom kreće da pripoveda o svom životu: kako ga je majka oblačila u žensku garderobu što ga nikako nije sramotilo već ga je činilo gordim te je kao četvorogodišnjak u haljini dovikivao prolaznicima na Nevskom Prospektu: „pogledajte nisam li lepa beba!”, kako su bili toliko bogati da niko u porodici nije znao koliko imanja imaju, o dijamantima, o provodima u romskim čergama, o tome kako se prerušavao u devojku pa po Petrogradu zavodio muškarce (čak se i hvali kako ga je engleski kralj odmeravao iz lože), o studiranju na Oksfordu, kurvalucima u Veneciji sa svojim tutorom, o polarnom medvedu i buldozima kao ljubimcima, balovima i maskenbalima, drugim pajtašima estetama (između ostalog tu je i Pavle Karađorđević), o pravoslavnim manastirima i želji da se zamonaši, o Đagiljevim baletskim igračima u pohodu na Evropu, kako je uspeo da oženi Irinu Aleksandrovnu, jedinu sestričinu cara Nikolaja II, uprkos svim glasinama koje su kružile o njemu i kako mu je supruga na venčanju nosila veo koji je pripadao Mariji Antoaneti i još trista čuda iz jedne evropske epohe zvane La Belle Époque, kada su živeli ljudi koji su farbali perje pticama kako bi se uklopile sa bojom fasade na kući i imali služavku čije je jedino zaduženje bilo da se brine o omiljenom krznenon mufu.
Jusupov nikad nije napadan i naporan pripovedač; više je dostojanstven nego arogantan. Šarmantan
je i duhovit, čak negde i dečački dobrodušan, jasno je zašto su ga ljudi voleli. Voljan je da priča o svojim slavnim danima mladosti, dok o decenijama nakon Oktobarske revolucije kada je živeo u izbeglištvu ne govori ništa, verovatno te decenije nije pronalazio lepim. I kad smo kod lepog, čini mi se da danas postoji jedno veliko nerazumevanja prema esteticizmu kao pokretu, koji se danas svodi na puki snobovski pozeraj, iako je on bio mnogo više od toga, možda i oblik religioznosti.
Vidim da mu pojedini gudridaši zameraju što nije uvek istorijski verodostojan. Meni to ne smeta. Jednim delom jer ne verujem u postojanje istorijski verodostojnih memoara (svi su malo bolji nego što jesu kada pišu o sebi), a drugo, svi ti paranormalni trenuci (porodična prokletstva, duhovi, sablasni vozovi, vidovnjaci) lepo se uklapaju i u duh epohe i u strukturu memoara gde atmosfera, kako se približavamo trenutku ubistva Raspućina, sve više postaje gotička. A ubistvo Raspućina je priča za sebe. Samo da napomenem da Jusupov detaljno opisuje kakvim je tepisima, stolicima i ukrasima uredio sobu gde je doveo čoveka sa namerom da ga ubije. Vrlo estetski. Ne znam da li je čitao Kvinsijev esej „O ubistvu kao lepoj umetnosti”?
Memoari započinju pričom o Jusupovim precima sa implicitnom porukom da je on jedan ruski mačak sa opasnim pedigreom: tatarski kanovi Zlatne Horde, orijantalne princeze, čukundeda koji je pao u nemilost jer je podvalio pravoslavnom patrijarhu guščiju paštetu u vreme posta, pradeda sa ličnim nagim teatrom, baba posle čije smrti su u tajnoj odaji pronašli kostur njenog ljubavnika (nisam razumeo da li ga je u toj sobi zaboravila ili je on umro pa je baba sentimentalno sačuvala leš?); svi su bili estete i bogatiji od Romanovih, a i loza im je starija, plus zna se ko je tu kome prvi plaćao porez.
A potom kreće da pripoveda o svom životu: kako ga je majka oblačila u žensku garderobu što ga nikako nije sramotilo već ga je činilo gordim te je kao četvorogodišnjak u haljini dovikivao prolaznicima na Nevskom Prospektu: „pogledajte nisam li lepa beba!”, kako su bili toliko bogati da niko u porodici nije znao koliko imanja imaju, o dijamantima, o provodima u romskim čergama, o tome kako se prerušavao u devojku pa po Petrogradu zavodio muškarce (čak se i hvali kako ga je engleski kralj odmeravao iz lože), o studiranju na Oksfordu, kurvalucima u Veneciji sa svojim tutorom, o polarnom medvedu i buldozima kao ljubimcima, balovima i maskenbalima, drugim pajtašima estetama (između ostalog tu je i Pavle Karađorđević), o pravoslavnim manastirima i želji da se zamonaši, o Đagiljevim baletskim igračima u pohodu na Evropu, kako je uspeo da oženi Irinu Aleksandrovnu, jedinu sestričinu cara Nikolaja II, uprkos svim glasinama koje su kružile o njemu i kako mu je supruga na venčanju nosila veo koji je pripadao Mariji Antoaneti i još trista čuda iz jedne evropske epohe zvane La Belle Époque, kada su živeli ljudi koji su farbali perje pticama kako bi se uklopile sa bojom fasade na kući i imali služavku čije je jedino zaduženje bilo da se brine o omiljenom krznenon mufu.
Jusupov nikad nije napadan i naporan pripovedač; više je dostojanstven nego arogantan. Šarmantan
je i duhovit, čak negde i dečački dobrodušan, jasno je zašto su ga ljudi voleli. Voljan je da priča o svojim slavnim danima mladosti, dok o decenijama nakon Oktobarske revolucije kada je živeo u izbeglištvu ne govori ništa, verovatno te decenije nije pronalazio lepim. I kad smo kod lepog, čini mi se da danas postoji jedno veliko nerazumevanja prema esteticizmu kao pokretu, koji se danas svodi na puki snobovski pozeraj, iako je on bio mnogo više od toga, možda i oblik religioznosti.
Vidim da mu pojedini gudridaši zameraju što nije uvek istorijski verodostojan. Meni to ne smeta. Jednim delom jer ne verujem u postojanje istorijski verodostojnih memoara (svi su malo bolji nego što jesu kada pišu o sebi), a drugo, svi ti paranormalni trenuci (porodična prokletstva, duhovi, sablasni vozovi, vidovnjaci) lepo se uklapaju i u duh epohe i u strukturu memoara gde atmosfera, kako se približavamo trenutku ubistva Raspućina, sve više postaje gotička. A ubistvo Raspućina je priča za sebe. Samo da napomenem da Jusupov detaljno opisuje kakvim je tepisima, stolicima i ukrasima uredio sobu gde je doveo čoveka sa namerom da ga ubije. Vrlo estetski. Ne znam da li je čitao Kvinsijev esej „O ubistvu kao lepoj umetnosti”?
November 13, 2010
this is a cool book about the lil' russian twink who killed rasputin with a some poison cake [mostly]. but that's not all this book has to offer imho! for example, when prince youssoupoff wasn't killing rasputin he was:
a) being dressed like a girl as a 4 year old by his mom, yelling "look at pretty baby" from his carriage at the peasants of st. petersburg.
b) apparently having a 3-some with some argentine dude and his russian girlfriend when he was 12???
c) whoring around florence with his art teacher
d) masquerading as a woman to get into nightclubs where high school students [or the imeperial russian equivalents] didn't belong
e) continuing to masquerade as a female soprano for an apparently successful week long concert run
f) hanging around in his dad's mid-eastern themed drawing room dressed as a satrap and holding mock executions with his servants
g) dragging like an entire zoo around the european continent.
also sort of a sad reminder that todays oligarchs of america and russia are fat gross men in crappy brooks brothers suites. it's a real shame that our feudal overlords, whose wealth make the romanovs and their cadet branches look like a piddling little sideshow, aren't nearly as ostentatious with their money. get it together, today's hyper-wealthy world ruling elite.
a) being dressed like a girl as a 4 year old by his mom, yelling "look at pretty baby" from his carriage at the peasants of st. petersburg.
b) apparently having a 3-some with some argentine dude and his russian girlfriend when he was 12???
c) whoring around florence with his art teacher
d) masquerading as a woman to get into nightclubs where high school students [or the imeperial russian equivalents] didn't belong
e) continuing to masquerade as a female soprano for an apparently successful week long concert run
f) hanging around in his dad's mid-eastern themed drawing room dressed as a satrap and holding mock executions with his servants
g) dragging like an entire zoo around the european continent.
also sort of a sad reminder that todays oligarchs of america and russia are fat gross men in crappy brooks brothers suites. it's a real shame that our feudal overlords, whose wealth make the romanovs and their cadet branches look like a piddling little sideshow, aren't nearly as ostentatious with their money. get it together, today's hyper-wealthy world ruling elite.
February 10, 2017
Prince Felix - the identity of the notorious, controversial and very provocative, but the key word here is Personality. Yes, with a capital letter. Whatever he was doing was trying on women's dresses, blowing money, accepted a gift of diamonds the size of a walnut, were killed Rasputin or fought for survival in an indifferent Europe - all of it comes easy, charming and graceful.
This book impressed me with its frankness. Before I no knew practically nothing about this person, but now I'm pleasantly surprised that actually Felix was a good man, devoted to his country, friends and faith!
This book impressed me with its frankness. Before I no knew practically nothing about this person, but now I'm pleasantly surprised that actually Felix was a good man, devoted to his country, friends and faith!
June 5, 2007
An account of one of the men responsible for the killing of Gregory Rasputin. First poison, then the gun. I recommend reading it while listening to Boney M's disco version of the story on repeat.
April 20, 2024
ترجمه ای که من خوندم، توسط عنایت الله رضا انجام شده بود. کتاب در سال 1368 چاپ شده بود اگر اشتباه نکنم، و زمانی که به دست من رسید (کاملا اتفاقی) کاغذ هاش زرد شده بودن و جلد قرمزش که عکس راسپوتین روش بود، خیلی پارگی داشت. (که خب نشان از خونده شدن بسیار زیاد اون کتاب بود-نه نگهداری بدش، البته تا حدی هم نگهداری بدش در زمان های خوندنش)
عکس روی جلد نسخه انگلیسیش البته، عکس خود شاهزاده فلیکس یوسوفف هستش که در این کتاب، به توضیح شخصیت راسپوتین که مورد علاقه زنان دربار روس هست میپردازه و خب از دید این شاهزاده، راسپوتین مرد منفوری هست و بالاخره بعد از کلی کشمکش و تلاش برای نشون دادن چهره واقعی این مرد منفور به دیگران و عدم موفقیتش، تصمیم میگیره که اون رو به قتل برسونه. ولی، مثل گربه ها، راسپوتین داستان ما نُه تا جون داره و این قضیه کار رو خیلی دشوار میکنه
کتاب خاطرات رو نمیشه زیاد درباره ش توضیح داد، چون اسپویل زیادی توش اتفاق میوفته اما اگر از اون دست افراد هستید که به بایوگرافی و تارخ علاقه دارید، باید بگم، چیزی از یک رمان جنایی کم نداره، به جز اینکه، تمام وقایع و اتفاقات داخل کتاب (از نظر نویسنده) واقعی هست. البته ترجمه عنایت الله رضا هم بسیار خوب بود. و فکر نمی کنم کس دیگه ای اصلا ترجمه کرده باشه کتاب رو. در هر صورت، پیشنهاد می کنم
عکس روی جلد نسخه انگلیسیش البته، عکس خود شاهزاده فلیکس یوسوفف هستش که در این کتاب، به توضیح شخصیت راسپوتین که مورد علاقه زنان دربار روس هست میپردازه و خب از دید این شاهزاده، راسپوتین مرد منفوری هست و بالاخره بعد از کلی کشمکش و تلاش برای نشون دادن چهره واقعی این مرد منفور به دیگران و عدم موفقیتش، تصمیم میگیره که اون رو به قتل برسونه. ولی، مثل گربه ها، راسپوتین داستان ما نُه تا جون داره و این قضیه کار رو خیلی دشوار میکنه
کتاب خاطرات رو نمیشه زیاد درباره ش توضیح داد، چون اسپویل زیادی توش اتفاق میوفته اما اگر از اون دست افراد هستید که به بایوگرافی و تارخ علاقه دارید، باید بگم، چیزی از یک رمان جنایی کم نداره، به جز اینکه، تمام وقایع و اتفاقات داخل کتاب (از نظر نویسنده) واقعی هست. البته ترجمه عنایت الله رضا هم بسیار خوب بود. و فکر نمی کنم کس دیگه ای اصلا ترجمه کرده باشه کتاب رو. در هر صورت، پیشنهاد می کنم
August 3, 2022
When I first read of Prince Felix Youssoupoff (henceforth FY) in Massie's classic NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, I thought there must be some misunderstanding or error of translation. But no, here is a purported memoir which tracks consistently, if not quite completely, with Massie's account. Truly one of the most delirious and hysterical books I have ever read! It took me a while to finish it because I had to stop for laughing and/or to keep circling back and make sure I had not misread some fantastic bit.
I could easily pull dozens of astonishing quotes, but instead decided as a sort of test I would simply open the book at three random places and report what I find:
First I land at page 48 where a twelve year old FY loses his virginity in a three way with a fetching Argentinian couple: "I don't know how long I was with them."
Flipping forward I land at 164 where we meet his Jersey cow: "I entrusted my cow to the care of "Madame," who (...) put a ribbon and a bell around her neck and called her Felicita. Felicita became as tame as a dog. (...) When the time came for me to return to Russia, I wanted to take my cow back with me to Arkhangelskoïe. But Madame grew deafer and deafer. She couldn't hear a word I said. I wrote on a piece of paper:"The cow belongs to me." She tore the paper up under my nose, tossed the pieces in the air, and looked at me with a mocking smile."
Flying past the Main Event with Rasputin I land at page 295 where we meet "an old nun of great saintliness who lived in Yalta and who was reputed to have the gift of great prophecy. She had been stricken by some mysterious complaint which left her half paralyzed, and had not stirred from her bed for nine years. She had a deep-rooted horror of fresh air, and never allowed the window of her cell to be opened. And yet, the story went, it smelled deliciously of flowers."
So here you have proof of the Prince's way with words. "A deep-rooted horror of fresh air"! If you do not like these samples you will not appreciate this book - UNLESS you enjoy reading about interior decorating! Because there are detailed accounts of FY's dozens of homes, including room-by-room color & lighting schemes, with full credit for furniture and drapes, complete with plenty of accompanying photographs. I am not much of a furniture buff but it really was enjoyable to 'visit' these spaces with the amusing guided tour. Finally, the climactic account with Rasputin is quite thrilling and should satisfy anyone who wants to flip right to it. Stunning!
I could easily pull dozens of astonishing quotes, but instead decided as a sort of test I would simply open the book at three random places and report what I find:
First I land at page 48 where a twelve year old FY loses his virginity in a three way with a fetching Argentinian couple: "I don't know how long I was with them."
Flipping forward I land at 164 where we meet his Jersey cow: "I entrusted my cow to the care of "Madame," who (...) put a ribbon and a bell around her neck and called her Felicita. Felicita became as tame as a dog. (...) When the time came for me to return to Russia, I wanted to take my cow back with me to Arkhangelskoïe. But Madame grew deafer and deafer. She couldn't hear a word I said. I wrote on a piece of paper:"The cow belongs to me." She tore the paper up under my nose, tossed the pieces in the air, and looked at me with a mocking smile."
Flying past the Main Event with Rasputin I land at page 295 where we meet "an old nun of great saintliness who lived in Yalta and who was reputed to have the gift of great prophecy. She had been stricken by some mysterious complaint which left her half paralyzed, and had not stirred from her bed for nine years. She had a deep-rooted horror of fresh air, and never allowed the window of her cell to be opened. And yet, the story went, it smelled deliciously of flowers."
So here you have proof of the Prince's way with words. "A deep-rooted horror of fresh air"! If you do not like these samples you will not appreciate this book - UNLESS you enjoy reading about interior decorating! Because there are detailed accounts of FY's dozens of homes, including room-by-room color & lighting schemes, with full credit for furniture and drapes, complete with plenty of accompanying photographs. I am not much of a furniture buff but it really was enjoyable to 'visit' these spaces with the amusing guided tour. Finally, the climactic account with Rasputin is quite thrilling and should satisfy anyone who wants to flip right to it. Stunning!
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September 21, 2021I DID NOT KNOW THIS EXISTED IN ENGLISH THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE I AM GONNA BE SO ANNOYING TO YALL. you HAVE to read the memoirs of this 19th century rich bisexual aristocrat who killed Rasputin and kind of got away with it. i am obsessed with him and his stories and i am fully gonna reread this in english now that i own an english edition. i am OVERJOYED
February 8, 2024
not afraid to say it.... yusupov may now be entering the ranks of my favorite historical figures
this was really excellent. i think memoirs will always be my favorite mode of consuming history. what can i say i am a big fan of bias
honestly with yusupovs background, upbringing, the overall state of russia during his youth and adulthood, i think it would be impossible for any book about his life to be boring. but his flamboyancy, arrogance, decadence really add to the read.
like who wouldve guessed the guy who killed rasputin also spent his adolescence cross-dressing to frequent bars and cabarets. did not anticipate finding him expressing both the joys of developing his female persona and the details of his murder plot in the same book but im glad he did. just a fascinating person
riddled with other interesting and entertaining stories, i like hearing about his friendships and romance
turn of the century history is just the best. there is still so much reverence for mysticism, and there are all these seismic shifts happening in centuries-old dynasties. plus, the aesthetic opulence of monarchy and religion, the drama of revolution. it rocks. spirituality, fantasy, ghosts, visions, magic all play a pretty serious role in this book, i love it. makes the whole thing feel like a fairytale
also filled in some gaps in my knowledge of the time / place, which i can always appreciate. i was intrigued by the fact that some revolutionaries revered yusupov (to his chagrin) for his role in taking down a major influence on the monarchy. in a similar vein, an informative (though obviously not un-prejudiced) look at rasputin on a personal, political, religious level. i dont think i understood how pervasive hatred for him was among other royals, and how inept the czar was viewed in comparison with the czarina. consider me further endeared to nicholas ii sorryyyyyyyy like he was just a guy
docking a star because a) definitely did not need all the fluff about his ancestral background at the beginning, or it couldve been considerably reduced. b) the whole reason i read this was to read about his time spent in paris post-revolution. unfortunately, the book ends right before that phase of his life. i think one of the last sentences is literally something like "and the i was in exile for a really long time." LIKE BRO AND????!!! sigh. maybe theres a sequel
this was really excellent. i think memoirs will always be my favorite mode of consuming history. what can i say i am a big fan of bias
honestly with yusupovs background, upbringing, the overall state of russia during his youth and adulthood, i think it would be impossible for any book about his life to be boring. but his flamboyancy, arrogance, decadence really add to the read.
like who wouldve guessed the guy who killed rasputin also spent his adolescence cross-dressing to frequent bars and cabarets. did not anticipate finding him expressing both the joys of developing his female persona and the details of his murder plot in the same book but im glad he did. just a fascinating person
riddled with other interesting and entertaining stories, i like hearing about his friendships and romance
turn of the century history is just the best. there is still so much reverence for mysticism, and there are all these seismic shifts happening in centuries-old dynasties. plus, the aesthetic opulence of monarchy and religion, the drama of revolution. it rocks. spirituality, fantasy, ghosts, visions, magic all play a pretty serious role in this book, i love it. makes the whole thing feel like a fairytale
also filled in some gaps in my knowledge of the time / place, which i can always appreciate. i was intrigued by the fact that some revolutionaries revered yusupov (to his chagrin) for his role in taking down a major influence on the monarchy. in a similar vein, an informative (though obviously not un-prejudiced) look at rasputin on a personal, political, religious level. i dont think i understood how pervasive hatred for him was among other royals, and how inept the czar was viewed in comparison with the czarina. consider me further endeared to nicholas ii sorryyyyyyyy like he was just a guy
docking a star because a) definitely did not need all the fluff about his ancestral background at the beginning, or it couldve been considerably reduced. b) the whole reason i read this was to read about his time spent in paris post-revolution. unfortunately, the book ends right before that phase of his life. i think one of the last sentences is literally something like "and the i was in exile for a really long time." LIKE BRO AND????!!! sigh. maybe theres a sequel
September 30, 2020
An interest in the Romanov Family lead me onto knowing a little bit about the Youssoupoff Family, in particular Felix. Felix in his own words makes for a fascinating read. The life he led seems almost unbelievable and perhaps some of what he wrote was embellished but nonetheless it made for an entertaining story. From his tales of his escapades such as a night out in Paris when he caught the eye of King Edward VII while he was dressed as a woman, to his account of Rasputin’s murder had me intrigued. I only wish that this book contained details of his life in exile.
December 28, 2017
This book is criticised for being historically inaccurate, which it is. However, that does not take away from the fact that this fascinating portrayal of extravagant aristocratic life that is a joy to read and 100% worth your time
June 8, 2022
It's obviously an interesting book, as it covers one of the most tragic and fateful events in the Russian history. Yusupov is a part of a pedigree Russian family, a prince (князь), his family - was one of the richest in Russia (so he says in the book). His wife was a granddaughter of Tsar Alexander III. The book is made up of two parts - his years in Russia from childhood and up until the Revolution and escape and then life as an exile in Europe.
The first part is interesting in its fly-on-the-wall description of the inside world of the Russian royalty. Almost nothing seems to show the cracks in the world of luxury and hedonism, bar some infrequent assassinations. The Tsar, the Great Dukes and Great Duchesses are mostly interested in social events, it seems that the servants are happy and the richest families are ever ready to take up any assignments given to them by the Tsar. The Rasputin assassination is the apogee, after which everything, including the country, comes crashing down - a mere 3 months have passed from Rasputin's murder till Nicholas II abdication!
Only by reading the second part, you start seeing the problems with the Russian regime, that it was long overdue a change. Russian incompetence in the World War I and Rasputin's murder were only the catalysts of the sweeping change, but the change would have come either way. Those royals and nobles that were able to escape, all of a sudden lost all of their riches, their financial/entrepreneurial skills have turned out to be near zero. Even more, it seems that royals and nobles did not have any useful skills apart from being able to make (and participate in) grandiose parties. It's a sad, sad degradation, which turns out has only been masked in the first half of the book by the riches and status.
It is all too possible, that Yusupov is just not the best person to provide analysis of the period, as he readily admits that he quite enjoys socializing and bling and did not enjoy scientific / political | philosophical discussions. But then, it might be that the reason why he did not enjoy anything of substance was his upbringing, in an environment full of people, who never had to achieve anything in their lives and who had it made from the day they were born. In the end this book becomes a tale of decadence, class excesses and a useful lesson of sorts.
The first part is interesting in its fly-on-the-wall description of the inside world of the Russian royalty. Almost nothing seems to show the cracks in the world of luxury and hedonism, bar some infrequent assassinations. The Tsar, the Great Dukes and Great Duchesses are mostly interested in social events, it seems that the servants are happy and the richest families are ever ready to take up any assignments given to them by the Tsar. The Rasputin assassination is the apogee, after which everything, including the country, comes crashing down - a mere 3 months have passed from Rasputin's murder till Nicholas II abdication!
Only by reading the second part, you start seeing the problems with the Russian regime, that it was long overdue a change. Russian incompetence in the World War I and Rasputin's murder were only the catalysts of the sweeping change, but the change would have come either way. Those royals and nobles that were able to escape, all of a sudden lost all of their riches, their financial/entrepreneurial skills have turned out to be near zero. Even more, it seems that royals and nobles did not have any useful skills apart from being able to make (and participate in) grandiose parties. It's a sad, sad degradation, which turns out has only been masked in the first half of the book by the riches and status.
It is all too possible, that Yusupov is just not the best person to provide analysis of the period, as he readily admits that he quite enjoys socializing and bling and did not enjoy scientific / political | philosophical discussions. But then, it might be that the reason why he did not enjoy anything of substance was his upbringing, in an environment full of people, who never had to achieve anything in their lives and who had it made from the day they were born. In the end this book becomes a tale of decadence, class excesses and a useful lesson of sorts.
February 1, 2025
I don't know what to say about this book - I am not even sure were to place it - fiction or non fiction - what ever the book is or is not it definitely is one part of the personality that was Felix Yusupov. What ever you do this has to be taken with a pinch of salt - particularly the parts dealing with the murder of Rasputin and any time he presents himself as a decant man acting for the love of country.
The portrait of the prerevolutionary world that Yusoupov moved in is fascinating - but it has little to do with the reality of life - even for most members of the nobility. Although he does present a very louche portrait of himself he is more then tight lipped about his real activities he may mention dressings up in his mothers gowns when he was an adolescent but his seduction of the son of a prominent French politician which earned him a comprehensive beating by hired thugs and caused him to launch a, unsuccessful, libel suite against various European newspapers to defend his reputation, goes unmentioned.
Enjoy the book, it is a wonderful fairy tale - pun absolutely intended - but there is much more to know about this ridiculous character most of it unflattering. But I have no doubt he would have been a wonderful dinner/drinking companion.
The portrait of the prerevolutionary world that Yusoupov moved in is fascinating - but it has little to do with the reality of life - even for most members of the nobility. Although he does present a very louche portrait of himself he is more then tight lipped about his real activities he may mention dressings up in his mothers gowns when he was an adolescent but his seduction of the son of a prominent French politician which earned him a comprehensive beating by hired thugs and caused him to launch a, unsuccessful, libel suite against various European newspapers to defend his reputation, goes unmentioned.
Enjoy the book, it is a wonderful fairy tale - pun absolutely intended - but there is much more to know about this ridiculous character most of it unflattering. But I have no doubt he would have been a wonderful dinner/drinking companion.
July 22, 2017
Ah, dear Felix! You were artistically gifted, alright, the book is more than readable. But what a fabulous diva you were. Full of sass and self-indulgence. Your memoir reads more like a fiction of which you are undeniably the HERO (pretty much annointed by God to great destiny), when in fact your greatest blessing was being born into a filthy rich and privilleged family, rather than any other personal gift or talent of yours. You even treat the assassination of Rasputin as another fun escapade in your awesome existence. Ah Felix. How I enjoy you!
November 30, 2016
This guy is basically the real-life Draco Malfoy.
December 31, 2024
Of course I read Felix Yusupov's memoir. That guys is an absolute icon. He was so bad at everything he did, except for being a total diva. This guy had no idea how to do anything actually productive. He was a total party boy, went to masquerades dressed as a woman for the thrill of it, and was the richest man in all of Russia, until his bullshit finance management came in the way of that. I've read every single article I could find on this guy, because bisexual, crossdressing, Rasputin murdering, fashion house founder, Russian prince who has a thing for the Romanovs (Pavlovich (not confirmed, but most likely true.) and his wife.) is a pretty compelling premise for anything imo. Honestly, I'm glad pop culture in Russia seems to have taken a hold of this character and been like, 'yes, absolutely yes. 100% yes.' and just exaggerated him to a bazillion. (Карамора, Евгений Шварц.) Anyways, in terms of the book, very entertaining. I read it online (you can find it on Alexander Palace. Along with letters to his mommy dearest Zinaida Yusupova.) and I did like it. Though of course, this overdramatic bitch (I mean that in a slay queen way) of course dramatised his life. A lot. Like a lot, a lot. He wrote some really crazy stuff in the book, which was even a bit much for the Romanovs. Anyways, crazy piece of work, but I LOVE HIM. In conclusion, Felix Yusupov is the definition of 'Chandeliers and caviar, the war can't touch us here! - Credits to Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. This guy was way too rich for his own good, and bad at everything he did with his life. But all in all, Felix Felixovich Yusupov was the ultimate, og slay queen, and I love him. And this book.
February 15, 2021
I picked this up because I wanted to know what took place when and why Rasputin was murdered. People say this book is historically inaccurate, it is a memoir afterall, but who the hell knows what really took place so I'll take Yusupov's word for it other than some opinionated academic and some armchair historians.
I got curious with Rasputin's connection outside Russia; a group of people Rasputin calls the "Greens" or "Greenish". There's some conspiracy material here and I might look into that. Everything seems to get worse once Rasputin is killed, the Bolshevik revolution, and even Yusupov thought whether this was some kind of divine punishment for what he did.
The aristocrats' lifestyle and personalities are engrossing. The Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna is a woman that people should be looked up to, a strong and wise woman, a true sage. The Russian world before that disgusting revolution seemed magical to me.
I got curious with Rasputin's connection outside Russia; a group of people Rasputin calls the "Greens" or "Greenish". There's some conspiracy material here and I might look into that. Everything seems to get worse once Rasputin is killed, the Bolshevik revolution, and even Yusupov thought whether this was some kind of divine punishment for what he did.
The aristocrats' lifestyle and personalities are engrossing. The Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna is a woman that people should be looked up to, a strong and wise woman, a true sage. The Russian world before that disgusting revolution seemed magical to me.
June 19, 2019
I gobbled this up like candy. Filled with so many details of what life was like for this fabulously wealthy man in Imperial Russia. Loved the vivid portraits of some of the elusive personalities which are hard to pin down elsewhere - like GD Elizabeth Fyoderovna Romanov. There are some factual issues with the history but I think they are forgivable given the wealth of intimate details provided. He must have kept a journal in order to have so much detail (or else he made it all up). As for the killing of Rasputin, unlike GD Dmitri, he was proud of his part in this fiasco and always believed it to be a patriotic act. I tend to believe his story though I know others do not. I wish he had written more about his time in exile. I felt as though the memoir ended abruptly while I was thirsty for still more.
April 21, 2024
tldr: russian twink kills rasputin, gets exiled and loses family fortune. writes the most fictionalized 'memoir' (literally all lies once he finally moves on from describing his old money legacy and starts talking about rasputin) to try and make the money back. and bc its rasputin, everyone eats it up.
my favorite quote, making it clear he's read don quixote:
This devil who was dying of poison, who had a bullet in his heart, must have been raised from the dead by the powers of evil. There was something appalling and monstrous in his diabolical refusal to die. I realized now who Rasputin really was. It was the reincarnation of Satan himself who held me in his clutches and would never let me go till my dying day. By a superhuman effort I succeeded in freeing myself from his grasp." (ch XXIII)
my favorite quote, making it clear he's read don quixote:
This devil who was dying of poison, who had a bullet in his heart, must have been raised from the dead by the powers of evil. There was something appalling and monstrous in his diabolical refusal to die. I realized now who Rasputin really was. It was the reincarnation of Satan himself who held me in his clutches and would never let me go till my dying day. By a superhuman effort I succeeded in freeing myself from his grasp." (ch XXIII)
July 4, 2017
I picked this up, because I always loved the Boney M song, Rasputin. I wanted to know more about what happened. Had to wait until half way (or a bit more) into the book to get to that part. The 1st half was more about the imperial family and who married who and who did what. Of course, an autobiography of sorts of Youssoupoff himself. Not an angel, that's for sure. Before actually reading the book, I read an article that claims that he was not alone in killing Rasputin and that he took full responsibility himself. Recent finds say a British agent (who only gets one or two mentions at the very end) pulled the trigger. What fascinated me was the murder of Rasputin may have driggered the revolution. So was it all Rasputin's fault to start with? "Oh, those Russians!"
October 21, 2020
Publicado en español con el título de "El asesinato de Rasputín", es un relato trepidante, con un buen ritmo de suspenso y lleno de dramatismo; es la crónica a sangre fría de un magnicidio que aún sigue dando mucho qué hablar; la confesión del asesino aristócrata que acabó con la sombría figura de Grigori Rasputín, quien puede ser considerado el monje más misterioso de la historia, y el cual fue una pieza clave en la bisagra que abrió la puerta a un nuevo imperio: la URSS. Pocos libros existen que describen un magno asesinato contado por el autor intelectual y material del crimen, este es uno que vale la pena leerse, y de cuyo impacto no puede uno sustraerse.
January 19, 2026
This had been on my TBR for a decade, and im so glad I finally got my hands on it. Felix Yusupov was certainly a flamboyant and extraordinary man. Besides being known for killing Rasputin, he escaped the revolution with his life, and went on to found a Fashion Line in Paris called IRFE. I half expected this book to be all about Rasputins murder but it was rich with his personal history. He shared the emotion of losing his brother, finding love in Irina almost at first sight, and really detailed the struggle and mental anguish over the decision to end Rasputins reign of terror, it was a great read.
September 2, 2021
very fascinating...felix lived quite a life and what mysterious times filled with miracles and both devilish and god like ventures .. he chooses to tell what he likes and discloses the rest..not being completely truthful ..and its funny how everyone was smitten by him and i wonder if all the saints and sinners praying for him were real....however its the best account you can get about the splendor and the horrors...he enlightened me about the real power behind the execution of the royal family.. without saying it in actual words...we need a screen adaptation of this which would never happen
December 8, 2019
Fascinating book by one of the richest young aristocrats in Russia in the years leading to the revolution, but the author shows no understanding of the roots of the Russian revolution. The tzars ignored the suffering of the oppressed for too long, they did not interfere and even encouraged pogroms against Jews, their attempts to cling to status quo and avoid real reforms brought the bolshevik revolution and the subsequent terror.
January 24, 2024
The first part of this book is the only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars. The last part brings color to the murder and the events of the Romanov dynasty following it. It gives a personal perspective that documentaries just don’t touch on. I really loved this book but the guy likes to gossip about socialites and talk about furniture, art, and architecture a little too much for my tastes. 4 stars but also 5 stars.
October 24, 2020
It was my first time reading something of this genre/period. Absolutely fascinating. A must-read. He is the one who killed Rasputin. Please recommend me any other work regarding Rasputin. That said, only the last two chapters deal with that part. This is the reason it is so provoking, he was the last person to do such a thing, but it just worked out that way.
June 19, 2024
What can I say? It has all my favourite things. Imperial Russia, a larger than life character, absurd stories from a time that feels pretty much surreal and juicy gossip just absurd enough to be believably true. After reading this book, I am fully convinced that Felix Yusupov was a giant liar. But also, his story is nearly a dark fairy tale. What an exceptional ride.
January 28, 2018
I don't know enough about the particulars of Russian history to comment on the accuracy of this account, but I get the impression that like many vain people Yusupov's lies tell you more about him than the truth could. Either way this book is wildly entertaining.
May 8, 2022
Read for background information on the man who killed Rasputin and why and how he and his conspirators decided to take that step to save the Romanov dynasty. It was an interesting book and you could tell that in some parts Prince Felix tried to play things up to build his own legend.
October 5, 2020
Well-written & clear.
April 19, 2025
THIS DIVA????????
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