"Escape from the Czar" is an intense novella that unfolds against the backdrop of late 19th-century Russia and the tumultuous times that shaped the destiny of Povilas Glamzo. Born to a serf family in Lithuania, Povilas dreams of escaping the drudgery of serfdom. His journey takes him to St. Petersburg, where he embraces the life of a factory worker, only to find disillusionment in the limited opportunities it offers. The narrative follows Povilas through various career choices, marriage, and the looming threat of war that forces him into the Imperial Russian Navy, making torpedoes for submarines. His internal struggles and the external forces of history collide as he faces an impossible choice that could determine the fate of his family.
"Velho’s tableau of the political tumult of the times is meticulously authentic—she captures with great verisimilitude the convulsions that roiled the lives of men like Povilas. In addition, this novella—not quite 100 pages—is based on the life of the author’s grandfather, and the loving attention she directs toward the subject is evident on every page."
ESCAPE FROM THE CZAR was featured in the BookMarc Alliance booth at the Frankfurt International Book Fair 2023. Watch for it on the shelves at second 32 of this short promotional video!
