The Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy
by Sandra Gulland (Goodreads author!)
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
| topics | replies | views | last activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trio of Passion, Sorrow and Fate | 0 | 2 | 03/31/2008 11:03PM |
groups with this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 487)
Read in July, 2005
i read this series for the first time when i was staying in london and i nearly made a trip to paris simply to visit malmaison.
i had no real knowledge of josephine prior to reading this series and precious little understanding of the french revolution. these books are loaded with history, but not to the point one feels 'lectured to'. written in the style of journals, they give the reader insight into the author's interpretation of josephine's personal development from childhood through deat...more
i had no real knowledge of josephine prior to reading this series and precious little understanding of the french revolution. these books are loaded with history, but not to the point one feels 'lectured to'. written in the style of journals, they give the reader insight into the author's interpretation of josephine's personal development from childhood through deat...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Lovers of historical fiction and lovers of strong female characters
I doubt that this is necessarily an historically accurate picture of Josephine's life, but it is most certainly an entertaining one. And there are some things that can be learned from the book.
The books are written in the fashion of Josephine's own diary entries, from her life as a teenager in Martinique, before she comes to Paris to marry, to the end of her marriage with Napoleon, including the time she spent in prison during the days of the Terror. The style cuts straight to the heart ...more
The books are written in the fashion of Josephine's own diary entries, from her life as a teenager in Martinique, before she comes to Paris to marry, to the end of her marriage with Napoleon, including the time she spent in prison during the days of the Terror. The style cuts straight to the heart ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2006
This was an excellent series. It brought the personality of Josephine to life for me. This was someone who used her position, even though it was quite limited, to help those who were less fortunate than she. This was told in the form of Josephine's diary, and you felt as though you were experiencing her life with her. Gulland was very careful with historical detail. She helped to show how Napoleon's endless thirst for glory was poison to him and to those around him, especially to Josephine....more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2006
I never would have picked this book trilogy off the shelf, but I received a copy of the first book as a gift from a well-read friend. The first few pages didn't grab me, but once I got to about page 10, I was hooked. I flew through these three books really quickly, and the book has to be good for me to do that! Through the books, I learned the story of Josephine Bonaparte, Napoleon's wife. And through her life, I learned so much about the history of France during some very turbulent, interes...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Katie by:
Patty W.recommends it for: anyone who likes historical novels
These three books are sooooooo good. They are written in the form of a diary - Josephine Bonaparts diary and so you get a very intimate look into the lives of Jesephine, Napoleon, and their surrounding friends and family.
They begin with Josephine as a young girl on the Island of Martinico and take the reader all the way through the Reign of Terror, Napoleons rise to power, his exile, and eventually the death of Josephine. There are tons of fascinating characters and all the stories are so fas...more
They begin with Josephine as a young girl on the Island of Martinico and take the reader all the way through the Reign of Terror, Napoleons rise to power, his exile, and eventually the death of Josephine. There are tons of fascinating characters and all the stories are so fas...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
A historical fiction novel, follows the life story of Napoleon's wife, very well written and I really liked it. It does take place during the French Revolution, so some of the subject matter is a little harsh, but historically interesting. I found Josephine to be so interesting and layered.
Warning; again, it's France (they love to love - which often had me in knots) and it's war (which is never pretty), but I do love a good historical fiction and the author does a great job anotating her...more
Warning; again, it's France (they love to love - which often had me in knots) and it's war (which is never pretty), but I do love a good historical fiction and the author does a great job anotating her...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2005
These aren't exactly biographies because they're fiction, but still, they give you a lot of history about Josephine & Napoleon and the French Revolution. I bought the first book only because it was $2 at the bookstore next to where I worked & it was a slow day & I was bored. But then I liked that one so much I had to go back & pay full price for the other two! I love historical fiction & this one is really well done. It's much more fun to learn about the F.R. in this kind...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2005
I can't imagine anyone disliking this series of books! What a fabulous rendering of what this remarkable woman's life might have been like. When I read Henry Fielding's Clarissa, I HATED the diary/letter entry style and never thought I would ever pick up a book that copied that method. Congratulations to Sandra Gulland on writing a book that is gripping, enriching, and a definite page-turner! And I really liked the historical footnotes - it left me with a greater understanding and knowledge ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2005
This is three books that center around the life of Josephine who was briefly married to Napoleon Bonaparte. This first book of the three relies heavily on her diary, and will pull you into her smart and delightful personality and love affair with Napoleon. This is historical fiction at its best. You'll learn all about the French Revolution and the extreme dangers of living in France at that time. The 2 books that follow are more fiction than history, which is why I probably found them even m...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I generally don’t like historical fiction. But I really like Gulland’s style of writing. This book deals with Josephine’s life before she married Napoleon. It’s powerful without being over-dramatic. The prose is succinct and poignant at the same time. I’m reading the second part now. It can be a bit romance-novely at some points but not so much that it isn’t tolerable.
Anyway, good read if you want lighter fare while still getting your healthy does of history.
Anyway, good read if you want lighter fare while still getting your healthy does of history.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
recommended to JennyGranola by:
Amy Waren recommends it for: Any of my girlfriends who are looking for more than mere "Twilight" from their reading
What a fabulous series! I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud. I was completely happy and in the depths of sadness. I knew loosely how the whole thing was going to end, but wasn't sure of the details (or those the author would choose to add) and I have to say I was completely heartbroken (in a good way) What a wonderful story with such a dramatically sad ending. One of the few sad stories I think I will probably read again. I loved every page.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I loved being transported back in time with these novels. I got addicted to google-ing Napoleon & Josephine Bonaparte. Couldn't read without the "Les Miserables" musical numbers running through my head..."drink with me to days gone by..." I think everything I read reminds me of some song I know! I highly recommend these if you are looking for some entertainment that will make you feel smart too!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Fascinating, in-depth (though admittedly one-sided) view of a turbulent lifetime in 18th century France. Written as if it's the diary of Josephine Bonaparte, and through the trilogy of books she becomes a most fascinating and compelling character. But I hope this description doesn't make these books sound dry and historical. I found them completely entertaining, lively, moving, and a great read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
recommended to Judy by:
Laura Freemanrecommends it for: anyone who likes historical fiction
The historical novel captivated my imagination....in spite of the number of pages, the book was a relatively quick read. Insightful, historical and credible, I really enjoyed reviewing my French historical knowledge. I want to visit Mal Maison...Josephine's country property outside France.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
2 comments
Good old Sandra knows how to do it. I loved learning about the French Revolution and about her disappointments and heartbreaks and what a saucy fighter she is. At some points it was a bit more...in depth...for a little Mormon virgin like me, but yes. Definitely loved the reading. I felt like going to Paris was 38.92 times more enjoyable going there after reading about her.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is a 3 book series that you will love. It really gives a sweeping portrayl of Josephine's life and a time in history when things were different. These books carry you from her childhood, through turmoil with her first husband, and then into her falling for Napoleon and all that happens.
You will really love this series if you like historical fiction.
You will really love this series if you like historical fiction.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
Just finished the first book, and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to wait until I finish the series to write my review, but so far, very enjoyable.
Update: Finished the second book in the series. Josephine/Rose is a very charismatic character, and I like the letters/diary format.
New Update: I finished the third book. A wonderful series!
Update: Finished the second book in the series. Josephine/Rose is a very charismatic character, and I like the letters/diary format.
New Update: I finished the third book. A wonderful series!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
recommended to Lexie by:
Mykin
It took some time to get into the first book, but through most of the first and the second and third, I was very emotionally connected to the characters and the story. I enjoyed learning about Napolean and all that went on in his day. I was mad at him one day and pleased with him the next. I would definitely recomend these ones.
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Historic Fiction Lovers
Few times have I read a trilogy where all three books were equally good. I could not put them down. You will be shocked how much you don't know about the French Revolution and the Bonaparte's. What an eye opener. I bought this hard to find and out of print collection online and gave it to my mother for Christmas.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Came recommended from a few friends. I only wanted to read the first one to see if I liked it, but the bookstore only had the trilogy all in one, so I was committed from the start. It starts a bit slow and gets better and better and better and by the time you get to the third book you don't want it to end.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
