Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring, Entertaining, & Well Written/Researched
Review: I applaud Gulland, the author, for choosing a lesser-studied historical figure and taking the time to write such an interesting (fact-based) fiction about her.Told in the form of diary readings by and correspondence to Josephine (aka "Rose"), this first of three volumes discusses her early life, adolescence, first marriage, children, imprisonment, and reluctant relationship with Napoleon. During these years, Josephine was surrounded by revolution, intrigue, love, fear, and poverty. Gulland bases the story on her years of reasearch. Her respect for Josephine and the historical period shows in her richly-crafted descriptions. I was entertained by many of the interesting tid-bits of information about he medical practices and beauty rituals of the day. (I am incredibly thankful that I was born in the 20th century!) This is one of those books I had difficulty putting down. Each diary reading seemed to bring about a revalation which urged me to read on further. I felt like a voyeur -- spying into the life of Josephine by reading her most private thoughts. My only criticism has to do with the pace of the book. At points the story zoomed forward, at other points it sputtered slowly ahead. Rather than pointing a finger at the author, I would likely attribute this varying pace to the subject matter. (Afterall, Josephine's life -- while interesting -- was not always at full throttle.) I expect that the pace will stay more consistent in volume 2, as it covers the most historically active part of Josephine's life. Speaking of the second volume, I have already purchased it. I can't wait to see what else is in store. Happy reading!
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasant surprise!
Review: A friend of mine read this book while on vacation in Hawaii. He loved it so much he immediately went to the bookstore to buy the second and third books in this trilogy. I had never heard of the book or the author, nor was I interested in the life of Josephine Bonaparte, but his enthusiastic praise was enough of an endorsement for me. He was right. This is a book you will lose yourself in. Sandra Gulland has done an enormous amount of research on her subject, Josephine Bonaparte, a.k.a. Rose. It is very entertaining, as well as educational. Gulland's Josephine is a classy, gracious diplomat who helped shape history. When faced with a dilemma after reading this book, you will find yourself asking "What would Josephine do?" The book is written in diary format, and spans the time from Josephine/Rose's adolescence in Martinique, through the French Revolution, and up until the beginning of her relationship with Napoleon. Each chapter leaves you eager for the next one, and growing more and more fond of Josephine along the way.
Rating:
Summary: A lovely historical novel...
Review: The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. is an interesting and entertaining historical novel. Sandra Gulland has a wonderful and engaging gift for storytelling. It's told in diary form, starting when Josephine (then called Rose) was a precocious fourteen-year-old. The story of this compelling woman begins when a fortune teller predicts that Rose will be "queen." She longs to leave her home in Haiti and travel to Paris. The opportunity soon presents itself and she begins an adventurous, remarkable life while at the same time enduring difficult times during the French revolution. Josephine is a survivor and her story is interesting and appealing. The language is beautiful and riveting. This novel is an excellent example of what makes historical fiction so irresistible to me. I'm a sucker for the same and I couldn't put this book down. Highly recommended...
Rating: 
Summary: Josephine B---Sad and Resigned
Review: After viewing the A&E presentation of "Napoleon", I wanted to reacquaint myself with Bonaparte, his wild family and his great love, Josephine. I remembered Annemarie Selinko's novel "Desiree", which tells in diary format the tale of Napoleon's first love, Desiree Clary, daughter to a Marsielles silk merchant. After reading a few pages, I realized that having read it so many times in the past, I almost knew each of Desiree's adventures by heart. Gulland's trilogy about Josephine popped up as a suggestion written in an Amazon review of "Desiree." In fact, the reviewer claimed she enjoyed "Josephine B." far better than my beloved "Desiree". I purchased the novel that afternoon and was pleased to finish it within 24 hours.
I am not going to tout this novel as the greatest historical piece I have ever read. Gulland's Josephine, if living in modern times, would most definitely be diagnosed clinically depressed and fed a daily dose of either Paxil or Prozac; her strength and ability to pass through tragedy is a resigned one. She accepts rather than demands. However, despite the main character's quiet accpetance, the novel does seem to be thoroughly researched---Gulland stars many items in her prose and footnotes in easily read explanations many of the comments and idiomatic conversations of her characters with historical citations. And, once you pick up this first novel of the trilogy also written in diary format, your eyes will move along at a break-neck pace; page upon page will pass from one side to the other and you will delve into the unintentionally hazardous life of a woman swept away by uncertain times.
We meet fourteen year old "Rose" or Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher in Martinique where a voodoo woman adequately predicts the events that will haunt and and steer her life. She is to marry unhappily, become a widow and then a queen.
Indeed as we follow Rose from Martinique to Paris, we share her most intimate thoughts regarding her lot in life---a woman forced to marry someone she did not love and ignore the humiliation of his many indescrations. Rose is not a femme fatale; she does not think of herself as a great beauty, in fact she worries constantly about her bad teeth, keeping her lips shut tightly whenever in society. Gulland depicts a very real woman whom the reader can well imagine is as ordinary as him/herself. At the same time, the reader can comprehend the role the savage revolutionary times played in shaping her life.
Above all we savor Rose as a loving mother who would sacrifice anything for her children. We commiserate with her loneliness and forgive her her resigned acceptance of her lot in the great scheme of things.
Bonaparte appears only at the end of this installment. Wildly ambitious and oddly intense, he focuses on Rose as part of his destiny while she again seems resigned to deal with what sadness life offers to her.
I will read the second part of this trilogy (I have already purchased it)but I will wait until I am again ready to step into Josephine's rather sad existence. Hopefully this portion of her life with Napoleon will grant her some delicious release and abandonment of her travails. Since Napoleon will eventually divorce Josephine for the sake of producing an heir for his throne, I think I will forego the third and last part of this trilogy. I think "Desiree" a far more satisfying read in terms of the positive power one person has with regard to the history of nations. Rose does not uplift, she survives.
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs Up
Review: In which I am eternally grateful....to Ms. Gulland for producing such a beautifully written, impeccably researched, seamless blend of heart and intellect. This is fiction that reads like non-fiction; it is a remarkable, riveting, captivating story that will satisfy even the most demanding of historical fiction readers. Halfway through, if that, I went and bought the next two books of this trilogy, and could not have gotten more blissfully lost in all of them. Even the rought spots of my workday were smoothed, knowing I'd be coming home to this story. I began reading with a bare-bones, History 101 knowledge of this period of French history (let alone Josephine B.) and came away enriched and enlightened with new understanding...
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: All three of these books were wonderful! I couldn't put them down. You really get to know Josephine and her children. Also, the little historical tidbits at the bottoms of the pages were great. You really feel for these characters.
Rating:
Summary: A true heroine
Review: While I was reading this book, I discovered that it was the first in a trilogy about Josephine Bonaparte by this author. I was enjoying this book so much that I was ecstatic to discover the story continued. Written in diary format (as all three are), I felt like I was given a backstage pass to view Josephine's life. I learned so much about this woman and a time in history that I always wanted to learn about, but never did. Not only was it enjoyable reading, but it was educational as well. I loved that the author placed interesting footnotes throughout the book to explain and clarify circumstances, names, events and cultural practices of the time. Wonderful reading and worth your time (although it is a fast read).
If you get this book, don't forget to include the sequels, too:
Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe
The Last Great Dance on Earth
Rating:
Summary: Sit down with a tea...
Review: I brought right into Rose (Jospephine's) life! I absolutely did not want to put it down and had to run out immediately for the next two! Now I am on a crusade to read as much about Josphine B as I possibly can. Gulland's research was impressive and delivery was flawless. I enjoyed every minute!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: I browsed through the first couple pages of this book as I sat waiting for my mother to get dressed. I was hooked. I devoured the first book, "borrowed" the second one from her as I returned to my home city, and ordered the third from Amazon.com(paced the halls waiting for it to arrive). I never dreamed I would have any interest in Josephine and Napoleon. I highly recommend all three books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait to read the next one!
Review: I was a little uncertain whether I would really get into this book, as I'd never been *super* interested in the French revolution per say, but I do like historical fiction and the reviews here convinced me to buy it. It was a little rough for the first few pages, but after that - it sucked me right in. This is a fascinating account of Josephine's 'life'. The historical detail is riveting. If you like reading about the ins-and-outs of daily life in the not-too-distant past, coupled with a strong, courageous woman, I'd highly recommend this book. I'm going to buy the next two a.s.a.p.!
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