From Siberia with Love

In pre-Revolutionary Russia, Geoffrey Elliott's grandfather, David, was taken from rural exile to the brutality of an Irkutsk prison for his involvement with a group of anti-government activists. Here he met Manya, the love of his life, and the two become embroiled in a political protest resulting in raids by the police and the death of three friends. After a long spell in prison, David fled with Manya to London, where he joined the Russian tobacco trade at The House of Sobranie, and the couple started a family. A homesick about-turn took the family back to Siberia - but amidst the turmoil of revolution in 1917, they were forced to flee once more through Asia and Europe to the alien safety of London. Told with great affection, Geoffrey Elliott's compelling history of his extraordinary family is an epic and very human tale of exile, home, and hope for change.