Golden Apple of Samarkand: A True Story of Splendour, Tragedy, Humour and Hope

Lala is invited to visit Lentvaris, her paternal grandmother's ancestral home, a East European estate with princely art collections, jewelry, balls, and performing dwarves. The First World War and Second World War altered the family's privileged lives, but Lala's family survived with courage, strength, and resilience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2021
Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group

Lala's diamond ring holds a captivating allure, drawing her into a world of distant dreams and the remarkable journey it has taken from Tsarist Russia to the vibrant streets of twenty-first-century England. An unexpected invitation has finally come her way, granting her the opportunity to visit Lentvaris, her paternal grandmother's ancestral home, a magnificent East European estate where princely art collections, dazzling jewellery, grandiose balls, and captivating dwarves coexisted alongside philanthropy on a grand scale and a profound sense of noblesse oblige. However, the First World War brought about a seismic shift in the family's privileged existence, as Lala's great-uncle was compelled to flee with the remnants of the Romanov dynasty, while her great-grandfather auctioned off his prized art treasures. Tragedy struck again during the Second World War, as Lentvaris was lost forever. Lala's grandfather met his demise in a Soviet gulag, while her grandmother, aunt, and father endured harsh imprisonment before embarking on a challenging journey that led them across continents, ultimately finding precarious stability as emigres in South America. This is a tale of epic escapes, hidden treasures, a lost paradise, but most importantly, it celebrates the unwavering courage, strength, and resilience displayed by the female members of Lala's family, as well as the indomitable power of love, humour, and hope.

Weight: 784g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913491802