The Russian Concubine
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Kate Furnivall |
| Products | Historical romance novel |
| Website | www |
The Russian Concubine is a 2007 novel authored by Kate Furnivall, inspired in part by the life of Furnivall's mother, Lily, who was a Russian refugee. The narrative unfolds across Russia and China, centering on the romantic journey of Lydia Ivanova and Chang An Lo. This book is succeeded by a sequel titled The Concubine's Secret and preceded by a prequel, The Jewel of St Petersburg, which explores the lives of Lydia’s parents, Valentina and Jens.
Plot
Set in 1917, the story begins with five-year-old Lydia Ivanova Friis and her Russian mother Valentina fleeing Russia amid the Bolshevik Revolution after the arrest of Lydia’s Danish father, Jens Friis. Assuming Jens has perished, they escape to China. Fast forward to 1928 in Junchow, China, sixteen-year-old Lydia supports her mother through theft, aided by Mr Liu, a pawnbroker. Her troubles are averted when Chang An Lo, a Chinese Communist rebel and freedom fighter, intervenes. As their bond deepens romantically, Lydia is abducted and subjected to torture by the Black Snakes, adversaries of Chang. Her salvation comes via Alexei Serov, who is later revealed to be her half-brother.
Characters
- Lydia Ivanova Friis: A sixteen-year-old with red hair and mixed Danish-Russian descent. Following her father Jens’s capture by Russian forces, her mother Valentina succumbs to alcoholism. Lydia sustains them financially through theft and attends Willoughby Academy. After Valentina’s death, she learns that Alexei is her half-brother and journeys to Russia seeking their father.
- Chang An Lo: A nineteen-year-old Chinese Communist rebel and kung fu expert educated in English. Orphaned early in life, he was raised by his uncle and received English lessons from an American tutor. He repeatedly rescues Lydia and faces arrest for murder after defending her.
- Feng Li Mei: Daughter of Feng Tu Hong, leader of the Black Snakes, and romantic partner of Theo Willoughby; she eventually consents to marry him.
- Theo Willoughby: British opium addict who heads Willoughby Academy where Lydia studies.
- Valentina Ivanova Friis Parker: Mother to Lydia and pianist who turned to alcoholism following Jens’s capture. She dies accidentally from a grenade intended for Theo Willoughby. Subsequently, Alfred Parker marries her and helps raise Lydia.
- Polly Mason: Friend to Lydia who informs her father about Chang’s survival.
- Feng Tu Hong: Leader of the Black Snakes who later accepts Theo as his son-in-law.
- Alfred Parker: Journalist for the Daily Herald and friend of Theo; he marries Valentina and becomes Lydia’s stepfather.
- Christopher Mason: Polly’s father involved in ruthless opium trafficking; eventually arrested; has a relationship with Valentina.
- Countess Natalie Serova: A Russian noblewoman antagonistic toward Valentina; Jens Friis is the father of her son Alexei.
- Live Popkov: Godfather to Lydia who reveals that Jens is alive; also engages in thievery like Lydia.
- Antoine Fourget: Frenchman and one of Valentina’s lovers; sent flowers to Lydia on her sixteenth birthday.
- Sir Edward Carlisle: Member of the Ulysees club.
- Tan Wah: Chang An Lo’s sworn brother who is killed by the Black Snakes.
- Yuen Dun: Cousin to Chang An Lo.
- Jens Friis: Danish engineer and father of Lydia and Alexei; abducted by Russian forces.
- Dong Po: Policewoman connected to Chang An Lo’s past.
- Anthea Mason: Wife of Christopher Mason and mother to Polly.
- Pu Chan: Brother of Li Mei and member of Black Snakes; poisoned by Chang An Lo; kidnapped Lydia before being killed by her.
- Mr Liu: Pawnbroker who employs Lydia as a thief; assaulted by Black Snakes.
- Sebastian and Constance Yeoman: Neighbors of Lydia and Valentina.
- Yuesheng: Ally of Chang An Lo who is killed by police.
- Kuam: Female associate working alongside Chang An Lo.
- Alexei Serov: Son of Countess Natalie who rescues Lydia from the Black Snakes; later revealed as her half-brother.
- Mrs Zarya: Landlady to Lydia; her husband serves as an officer.