The House of Special Purpose
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  • Published: 1 May 2010
  • ISBN: 9781409081982
  • Imprint: Transworld Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 496

The House of Special Purpose

Formats & editions
EBook
1 May 2010
Audiobook
23 Jul 2020
Paperback
1 Jul 2010
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The stunning new novel from the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

From the bestselling author of The Heart's Invisible Furies

Russia, 1915: Sixteen year old farmer's son Georgy Jachmenev steps in front of an assassin's bullet intended for a senior member of the Russian Imperial Family and is instantly proclaimed a hero. Rewarded with the position of bodyguard to Alexei Romanov, the only son of Tsar Nicholas II, the course of his life is changed for ever.

Privy to the secrets of Nicholas and Alexandra, the machinations of Rasputin and the events which will lead to the final collapse of the autocracy, Georgy is both a witness and participant in a drama that will echo down the century.

Sixty-five years later, visiting his wife Zoya as she lies in a London hospital, memories of the life they have lived together flood his mind. And with them, the consequences of the brutal fate of the Romanovs which has hung like a shroud over every aspect of their marriage...
  • Published: 1 May 2010
  • ISBN: 9781409081982
  • Imprint: Transworld Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 496
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About the author

John Boyne

John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, six for younger readers and a collection of short stories. Perhaps best known for his 2006 multi-award-winning book The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, John’s other novels, notably The Absolutist and A History of Loneliness, have been widely praised and are international bestsellers. Most recently, The Heart's Invisible Furies was a Richard & Judy Bookclub word-of-mouth bestseller, and A Ladder to the Sky was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award in association with Listowel Writers’ Week.

His novels are published in over fifty languages.

portrait photo of John Boyne

Also by John Boyne

Fire
Earth
Water
Noah Barleywater Runs Away
The Boy at the Top of the Mountain
All The Broken Places
This House is Haunted
See all

Praise for The House of Special Purpose

A poignant story with epic scope

Good Book Guide

A wonderful, many-layered novel, written with thought and tenderness... mesmerising

The Irish Examiner

Boyne exercises total control over pace and revelation. A work that chimes perfectly with our times

The Irish Times

Boyne is a skilled storyteller... his novel is an exciting, fast-paced story... absorbing and richly satisfying

The Times

Boyne writes with consumnate ease, and is particularly good at drawing the indecently rich world of the pre-revolutionary Romanovs

Independent

John Boyne has a talent for bringing big historical events to life... Boyne has skilfully drawn a living, breathing character who not only witnessed one of the greatest events of the 20th century but also had his own part to play in how the dramatic tale unravels

Daily Express

Painstakingly researched and the result is ornate and intricate. An engrossing read

Irish Mail on Sunday