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Summary: a green flash
Review: I love the woman Rose-Josephine so much. She is so human and yet so goddesslike. She has faults and she has courage. Passion and fear. This is not a "historical fiction." It is a life. Rose-Josephine searched for the beautiful green flash that streaks the sky at sunset as a girl with her soulmate. The green flash is momentary--it is her innocence, her childhood love, and nostalgic memory. It becomes much more. Rose-Josephine spreads the green flash with her heart to all those around her. She takes the ethereal and nostalgic and presses it into the aching bosoms of reality. Her childhood soulmate, William is not longer her William. Her husband Alexandre is not loyal. Her lover loves his wife. Her sisters and father leave the world permanently. This is her life. Aches. But with tenderness, Rose-Josephine shares the stuff of her childhood's green flash through the very last page.
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Summary: Wow!! What a woman!
Review: I can't remember loving a novel of historical fiction more than this one. From the very first page Ms. Gulland captivates the reader with vivid descriptions of Rose's (Josephine) childhood in Martinico, her longing to one day travel to Paris, and we learn of her destiny to one day become Queen. Through her diary, we follow her life's journey of attaining that destiny. And as such, we accompany her through her many sorrows (including poverty, a husband she loves who does not love her, his many infidelities and her imprisonment), all of which she endures with grace, and with concern for her children as her utmost priority. While the book focuses on the politcal unrest and horrors of France during the 18th century, the story flows through one amazing woman's thoughts, courage, hopes and fears. At the end of the book, when she finally meets Napolean, I was delighted with the terrible impression he presented to society as well as to Rose, (his small stature, huge ego and very unfashionable appearance)and how he so haughtily decides her name will now be Josephine. Given this, I still could not help but like him. I am anxiously beginning book 2 in the series and recommend this book very highly to others with an interest in historical fiction.
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Summary: Presented the Facts in an Entaining Way.
Review: I like to read novels based on historical events. I couldn't put this one down. It is able to present history without turning into a romance novel, or overwelming you with dry lists of facts. I have already ordered the other 2 books in the series.
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Summary: Totally addictive
Review: This first book in Sandra Gulland's trilogy about the life and times of Josephine and Napoleon is wonderful, the second in the series is better, and the third will not let you sleep till you're done with it! There is a cautionary note at the end of the last book that warns that this subject is addictive. The warning came too late for me! The most incredibly wonderful historical writing since Michael Grant's Cleopatra.
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Summary: A Great Read, highly recomended
Review: If you like historical fiction or have any interest in the life of Empress Josephine then you will enjoy this book. I myself knew very little about this remarkable woman until I read this book but was captivated and it kept me reading and entertained until the very end. I enjoyed this immensely. A fantastic read!
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Summary: Witty and enthralling
Review: As the author of a site and book dedicated to Marie Antoinette and the 18th Century, I am an enthusiast about anything having to do with France in that era. I am also a stickler for historical accuracy and detail, difficult to please. This novel exceeded my expectations and delighted me page by page. The writing is fresh and clever. The author is obviously passionate about her subject and deftly weaves bits and pieces together to create an enthralling story. This is a fantastic novel and I highly recommend it.
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Summary: A wonderfuly devine and elegant book.
Review: I started reading this book because i had a grade 12 english assignment revolving around it. I initially thought it was going to be a book that I would have to force myself to read. However I was pleasently surprised to find that it was not going to be the case. THE MANY LIVES AND SECRET SORROWS OF JOSEPHINE B. is an increadably intense yet enjoyable book. I absolutly fell in love with the language and life of these couragious people in their quest for freedom, and of this fragile woman who made such a huge inpact on the lives of the people around her. It is a pufect portrail of life in these times.
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Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: I picked it up one night with the thought of skimming the first few pages and next thing I knew I had read the first Forty pages! It's an excellent narrative of the early years of Josephine and the suffering she went through when she went to France and during the Revolution. It is a very easy read which allows you to move through it quickly but still be engrossed in the story itself. This book is not to be missed!
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Summary: Excellent glimpse into a little known past...
Review: I began this book with less-than-enthusiastic ideas. I thought it would be dull, and trite. However, I loved this book, like I have loved few, in recent reads. It has a stunning read-ability. It is a treasure that is filled with historical information. I couldn't wait to discuss certain facts with my French stepfather, whom, I knew, would be impressed. The book is a quaint reminder that the French Revolution was not an entirely just event, and that one can read both sides of a story, and find equally poignant information in both. I recommend this book wholeheartedly!
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Summary: Fabulous historical fiction...Riveting!
Review: Riveting from the first page.....Gulland's technique of the personal diary with correspondence interspersed immediately creates an intimate connection between the reader and Rose. Deftly done. Highly literate, which I loved.....the use of the English language and the insertion of French terms and phrases was masterful. Gulland creates a feel for the environment, the culture and the emotional life of Martinique and the Caribbean Islands, as well as Paris and surrounding areas....this book positively transports the reader. Historical details about the French Revolution make Les Miz's portrayal of the Revolution seem like a fairy tale...the upheaval and fear during the Reign of Terror are portrayed with frightening accuracy. The context created by Gulland enables even non-historian readers to understand the parallels between the Fr. Revolution--and the chaos it spawned--and the Bolshevik Revolution that would ensue nearly a century later. One can't help also feel some of the fright that must have gripped the post-Revolutionary Americans in their newly-founded Republic as they watched events play out in France. Makes you wonder--Do the ends justify the means? Are we always a here hair's breadth away from anarchy? This is a compelling story told in a compelling way.....
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