The Master Craftsman

By: Kelli Stuart

Scott County Library hardcover (large print) 540 pages plus author's note and acknowledgements

Published: 2022

Genre: Historical fiction

 

Alternating between Tsarist Russia (early 1900s) and modern day, we learn about Karl Fabergé and his work on the Imperial Eggs while our current day Ava tries reconciling with her absent father by helping him look for a missing egg while he's on his deathbed. I definitely liked the 1900s era and characters better than the crew looking for the missing egg.

One of my favorite things about this book was learning more about the Fabergé eggs. Here's what Wikipedia has to say:

As many as 69 Czarist Russia Era eggs were created, of which 61 are currently known to have survived. Virtually all of the original first edition eggs were manufactured under the supervision of Peter Carl Fabergé between 1885 and 1917. The most famous of the firm's creations are the 50 delivered Imperial Easter eggs, of which 44 are currently known to be in complete or partial physical existence, leaving the fate of those remaining unknown.

These eggs were commissioned for the Russian tsar Aleksandr III (10 eggs) and tsar Nikolai II (40 eggs) as Easter gifts for Alexander's wife and Nicholas's mother Empress Maria Feodorovna, and Nicholas's wife Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna. Fabergé eggs are worth large sums of money and have become symbols of opulence.

Two more of Fabergé Easter Imperial eggs (bringing the total to 52) were designed but were unable to be delivered. One egg known as the Karelian Birch Egg, has confirmed sketches but is not confirmed to have actually been made, and the other, the Blue Tsesarevich Constellation Egg, only partially completed due to the Russian Revolution of 1917.

 

I've requested some books about the jewelry house and the artisans from the library. I wonder if Peter Karl really was conflicted about creating such expensive items for the elite while he saw such suffering amongst the Russian people.

 

Page  28: "It was one of Zak's calling cards to talk like a ninety-year-old grandmother. What guy said things like 'splendid'?

Even though Zak was an extremely awkward computer nerd, I liked him. I also talk like a ninety-year-old, I guess.

Page 82: "She had a lilt to her voice that indicated she came from a refined background, as refined as one might be, living in America."

That comment made me laugh. Albert is pondering a customer from America.

Page 106: "Her mom had spent half her life reminding Ava to be prepared for the 'just in case.' 'You never know when life might throw you a curveball,' Carol would say every time Ava left the house. 'Do you have what you need just in case there's a change of plans?'

Ava would roll her eyes, but this morning as she made her way into the dark kitchen, she was immensely grateful to her mom for her 'just in case' preparation."

There's something about getting older (and being a mom) that makes a person more interested in preparedness and having contingency plans! I used to jokingly call my husband a boy scout, because he liked to be ready for any situation. There are many times I've been thankful for that propensity!

Page 127 on leadership . . . I need to include this. No commentary right now . . . just contemplation. 

Page 161: "There was, perhaps, nothing more thrilling to a young man than to feel the pleasure of his father."

Karl clearly respected his father's opinion of him and the direction he took the company. Gustav Fabergé was a jeweler who was happy to see his son follow in his footsteps. This comment makes me wonder about men who do NOT have fathers who are present and providing direction in their sons' lives.

Page 210: "Nick nodded 'The value of an object comes from the one who sculpts it - the one who crafts it with care and skill, and who breathes creative life into it. The master craftsman determines the worth.'"

When I read this, I thought about the true Master Craftsman, God, creating us.

Page 279: ". . . Karl found that he still enjoyed the thrill of the season, but he was more tired than usual this year. Perhaps it was his age, though he couldn't possibly admit that out loud because it felt like a concession of the winding down of life."

The "winding down of life" is what makes me want to LIVE life big right now while I can. 

Page 332: "'It's true. I am contractually bound to give you compliments whether they're accurate or not,' Carol replied."

This made me laugh out loud! It sounds like something my sons and I would have bantered about. Complimenting your children (genuinely) can be challenging. "You're saying that because you have to; you're my mom."

Page 346: "'History is one of our greatest assets. Knowing where we've been as a human race helps us navigate where we're going.'"

Although Xander (cool name!) ended up not being who / what we thought he was, I like his take on the importance of history.

Page 539 . . . Augusta "protecting" her husband . . . the final resting place of the egg . . . unsatisfying ending to me.