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Masha #1
Masha
SET IN RUSSIA over 150 years ago, this book follows Masha through her 9 years at Smolni, an elite girls boarding school - years during which the shy, protected child grows to be a young woman about to face a challenging future. Mara Kay has evoked the sheltered world of Smolni with authenticity and has provided colourful glimpses of St Petersburg and the greater world outside.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1968
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420 people want to read
About the author
Mara Kay
11books8followersThe author of a number of children's novels, many of them works of historical fiction set in Russia or Yugoslavia, Mara Kay was (according to the dust-jacket blurb of The Burning Candle) "of Russian extraction, was brought up in Yugoslavia, but has lived in America since 1950."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 28, 2008
My favourite book of all time, if only it could be reprinted.
May 17, 2008
After her father dies at Borodino fighting Napoleon in 1812, Masha, an unsophisticated and shy child, becomes eligible to attend a boarding school for young ladies in St. Petersburg, called Smolni Institute. It's nine years of boarding school with any holidays. They are educated for a role in society but also receive a "proper" education. The school becomes Masha's home and her family, and this book follows her through heartbreak and triumph, to adolescence, graduation and a new life.
A wonderful evocation of Imperial Russia, with an almost-impossible-to-find sequel, The Youngest Lady-in-Waiting.
A wonderful evocation of Imperial Russia, with an almost-impossible-to-find sequel, The Youngest Lady-in-Waiting.
January 7, 2012
Childhood favorite. I just wish it would come back into print.
September 16, 2021
Not sure how this historical fiction, boarding school story got on my shelves. Seems interesting enough so far, as at least its setting is so different than anything else I've read (ah, maybe that's why). A little sad, but that's what juvenile HF has always been.
There are nice details, too. For example, as a new student, Masha makes a friend out of a newly planted birch tree in the gardens. Well, more like a confidant, but, yes, everyone needs someone who will just listen.
Anyway, the story got livelier as it went along and the nine years of education went by at an accelerated pace. The ending is just fine, too, especially for the target audience, a young girl reading it half a century ago.
There are nice details, too. For example, as a new student, Masha makes a friend out of a newly planted birch tree in the gardens. Well, more like a confidant, but, yes, everyone needs someone who will just listen.
Anyway, the story got livelier as it went along and the nine years of education went by at an accelerated pace. The ending is just fine, too, especially for the target audience, a young girl reading it half a century ago.
July 15, 2017
Really enjoyed this peek into the world of St. Petersburg, Russia circa 1814-1820. The concerns of the people: The men lost in the war of 1812, often leaving estates that become impoverished since they are gone. The adoration of the royal family. The not speaking of the native language, Russian, by the wealthy, as if its the poorest of English cockney. How, specifically, a wealthy girls school operated, what the students and teachers were like, how the students treated each other, their concerns and activities, etc. Must confess, part of this interest comes from having recently written a biography of Mary Atkins, an early owner of the school that became Mills College in California. Though Mary Atkins' school was in Northern California in the 1850's-1860's, the similarities and differences are informative and interesting.
The author writes about this time so comfortably that, reading the book, though it is filled with so much that is new because the place and era as used in a novel were relatively new to me, I felt like an insider rather than a newcomer.
Masha's reaction to the death of her mother. Understandable. The two were extremely close and the whole having to leave at the age of nine--for nine years--would have been a traumatic rupture triggering the clinging to memories of all Masha left behind.
Yet when mom dies, Masha has not seen her mother for eight years and these were the years when she grew from child to older teen, making memories more distant. Also, this is an era where people, of all ages, die much more frequently than they do now. While Masha is at the school, for example, five students die during a scarlet fever epidemic. And, of course, there is no phoning or even the sending of photos.
Masha is so overwhelmed with grief that she is unconscious for 10 days! then lingers in the hospital for days more, finally returning to her studies only to stop making an effort and letting her grades slide. This raises food-for-thought for me, about how are mental creations of people can become more real than their actual physical bodies/presence. A reason, perhaps, that purely Internet relationships--sometimes creating the image of a person that does not actually exist in the real world--can be so strong.
Perhaps the most special thing about the book is that it is a sort of Cinderella story, yet it is not a handsome prince that saves the day or marriage and motherhood that is the goal. The prize Masha receives is a career path! and it is admired and envied--back in the 1820's.
The author writes about this time so comfortably that, reading the book, though it is filled with so much that is new because the place and era as used in a novel were relatively new to me, I felt like an insider rather than a newcomer.
Masha's reaction to the death of her mother. Understandable. The two were extremely close and the whole having to leave at the age of nine--for nine years--would have been a traumatic rupture triggering the clinging to memories of all Masha left behind.
Yet when mom dies, Masha has not seen her mother for eight years and these were the years when she grew from child to older teen, making memories more distant. Also, this is an era where people, of all ages, die much more frequently than they do now. While Masha is at the school, for example, five students die during a scarlet fever epidemic. And, of course, there is no phoning or even the sending of photos.
Masha is so overwhelmed with grief that she is unconscious for 10 days! then lingers in the hospital for days more, finally returning to her studies only to stop making an effort and letting her grades slide. This raises food-for-thought for me, about how are mental creations of people can become more real than their actual physical bodies/presence. A reason, perhaps, that purely Internet relationships--sometimes creating the image of a person that does not actually exist in the real world--can be so strong.
Perhaps the most special thing about the book is that it is a sort of Cinderella story, yet it is not a handsome prince that saves the day or marriage and motherhood that is the goal. The prize Masha receives is a career path! and it is admired and envied--back in the 1820's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2010
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I recently remembered it for some random reason and thought it was interesting that it had gone out of print. Somehow that made me want to reread it. It's actually still quite good. It's a boarding school story and I always loved those. The history is woven in rather than going off in lecture tangents, which is a mixed blessing -- you don't get dragged out of the story but you don't learn all that much of substance. It was really interesting to notice how they'd just finished fighting Napoleon (several of the students had lost their fathers in battle and Waterloo occurs partway through the book) but everyone still spoke French instead of Russian and hired French tailors and teachers. It was more realistic than some modern stories in that you basically just get their day to day routines, with no adventures and with plenty of petty squabbling. I don't think you could sell that now. The abrupt, left field ending could have used more explanation. Time to order the sequel, which I also read repeatedly.
June 19, 2012
I still love to read these books, even forty years on!
August 13, 2012
My favourite book as a child I read it over and over again fantastic
January 9, 2014
This and the sequel 'The Youngest Ladt in Waiting' are my favourite books ...and I'm so excited that they are both to be republished in October...can not wait.
October 8, 2016
I remember borrowing this book, in a hardcover edition with the girls in their brown uniforms, from the library when I was a child. I have no idea how old I was, but we were living in Melbourne at the time, so it was most likely the summer I was 11.
When I discovered it had been reprinted, I was quick to put my name on this list for copies of this one, its sequel and another book by the same author (all of which I borrowed from the same library that same summer).
When my copy came, I immediately abandoned my others reads to reread it. And I was surprised at just how much I loved it all over again. I thought I'd enjoy it, but I didn't manage I'd be giving it a 10/10 over 30 years later. It's a book that has stood the test of time well and I'm so delighted I not only got the chance to read it again, but to have my own copy at last.
I would have happily gone on the read the sequel immediately, but I have some other reading I'm trying to do first before indulging myself by spending time in Masha's world again.
When I discovered it had been reprinted, I was quick to put my name on this list for copies of this one, its sequel and another book by the same author (all of which I borrowed from the same library that same summer).
When my copy came, I immediately abandoned my others reads to reread it. And I was surprised at just how much I loved it all over again. I thought I'd enjoy it, but I didn't manage I'd be giving it a 10/10 over 30 years later. It's a book that has stood the test of time well and I'm so delighted I not only got the chance to read it again, but to have my own copy at last.
I would have happily gone on the read the sequel immediately, but I have some other reading I'm trying to do first before indulging myself by spending time in Masha's world again.
June 1, 2014
I loved this book as a child. It stayed with me and I'm so glad it is to be reprinted. I remember her being given a glass ring and putting it on a branch of her favourite tree. Years later she goes back and the metal has long-since eroded away but the glass is still there, buried in the bark...
February 8, 2019
I read this book as a 13 year old. I borrowed it from the library as many times as l could. Unfortunately because their is only one copy of it in my library system, it went into the rare books and no longer allowed to be borrowed.But l can still quote the book all these years later.
March 28, 2016
I love this book.
February 10, 2018
An old fashioned boarding school novel set in Russia where a poor girl makes good? Shut up and take my money! (Sadly this is out of print and copies are a couple of hundred dollars, so I'm not actually going to give anyone money for this, but I could get it from the library.)
Anyway, this is pretty much exactly what I wanted to read right now. I adore boarding school stories, Russian history, shy girls coming into their own. All of these tropes are in here and they are fabulous. Because it covers 9 years of school in less than 300 pages, it can feel a bit rushed at times, especially the years when the girls are in the white form, but I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Definitely looking forward to reading the sequel soon!
Anyway, this is pretty much exactly what I wanted to read right now. I adore boarding school stories, Russian history, shy girls coming into their own. All of these tropes are in here and they are fabulous. Because it covers 9 years of school in less than 300 pages, it can feel a bit rushed at times, especially the years when the girls are in the white form, but I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Definitely looking forward to reading the sequel soon!
April 18, 2020
My favourite book growing up. This a story about a young orphan in pre communist Russia who is offered a place at a prestigious boarding school for young rich girls who think they know what their future holds. Little do they know. Having read all of Enid Blyton's boarding school series of books, I thought it would be similar only in Russian..ha ha. Was I wrong...This book and its sequel 'The youngest lady in waiting' are probably the best written novels for young girs, may I say surpassing Little Women..?
April 29, 2017
I expected, owing to its setting and the fact that I was recommended this by a fan of Elizabeth Goudge, more and richer material and psychological detail, but it was its own wayward slightly spartan thing, possibly in deliberate contrast to so much boarding school fic. Also grudging claps for a heroine of the Fanny Price school who doesn't make me itch to throttle her on every page; the fact that she's true BFFs with the Mary Crawford here helps.
August 5, 2019
Rereading after nearly 40 years, still loved it.
Don't know how much of this was memories of childhood reading, but the emotions/confusion/misunderstandings of the protagonist seem very real.
I'd forgotten how much it's just a sequence of vignettes put together - the book covers 9 years but you have very little idea what happened in some of those years.
Don't know how much of this was memories of childhood reading, but the emotions/confusion/misunderstandings of the protagonist seem very real.
I'd forgotten how much it's just a sequence of vignettes put together - the book covers 9 years but you have very little idea what happened in some of those years.
Want to read
January 8, 2020I come from a small town in Australia and I borrowed this book from our library as a child , I have always loved the story and have been searching for it as an adult for over 30 years. I could never quite recall the another or exact name of the book but could tell you the whole story , I would dearly love to read it again ❤️❤️
July 3, 2015
Ah. A lovely nostalgic reread of one of my most favourite childhood books. And the best part? Reading MY VERY OWN COPY! After many many years of being out of print Margin Notes has reprinted both Masha and THe Youngest Lady in Waiting. SO HAPPY!
August 10, 2013
Another book I wish I'd read as a child. Pretty bleak in parts, for a children's book, but really good. (Knowing the name of the sequel made the suspense of "what will be become of Masha?" less tense, though.)
August 6, 2019
I read this book back in high school after reading "The Youngest Lady-in-Waiting" by the same author. Loved them both. It was years before I could find affordable copies to read. Am currently reading Masha for the 3rd time. These two books made me want to visit St. Petersburg, Russia.
December 9, 2019
I don't recall enough of the details to write a review but, oh, did I love this book! I must have checked it out 10 times. When I visited St. Petersburg, I instantly thought of Masha and her coming of age there. If only I could find an affordable copy!!!!
December 14, 2019
When I was 10-12, I would have adored this tale of a shy, provincial girl sent to the Smolni Academy in the late 1810s. It hits all the boarding-school story beats (the mean girl, the Nice Senior Girl, the impish chum) but is surprisingly deft in portraying grief, loneliness, despair
October 21, 2014
I absolutely love this book, its simplicity is beautiful. A childhood favourite. I am so disappointed it is no longer in print I am lucky enough to have a copy and hope it comes back soon.
June 30, 2022
I read this book as a child and it left a huge impression on me. I never forgot the story. I was fortunate enough to find a secondhand vintage copy of the book as an adult.
December 4, 2016
A sentimental re-read. This was a favourite when I was in my early teens and it didn't disappoint on a return trip. Set in Russia, this reads like YA but was written before the genre was invented. It belongs with books such as or .
July 24, 2017
Meredith, I can totally see you loving this book, I'll loan it if you don't know it
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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