La révolte

by Clara Dupont-Monod

« Sa robe caresse le sol. À cet instant, nous sommes comme les pierres des voûtes, immobiles et sans souffle. Mais ce qui raidit mes frères, ce n’est pas l’indifférence, car ils sont habitués à ne pas être regardés ; ni non plus la solennité de l’entretien – tout ce qui touche à Aliénor est solennel. Non, ce qui nous fige, à cet instant-là, c’est sa voix. Car c’est d’une voix douce, pleine de menaces, que ma mère ordonne d’aller renverser notre père. »
Aliénor d’Aquitaine racontée par son fils Richard Coeur de Lion.

Genres: Historical Fiction, France, Fiction, Historical, Roman, Medieval, French Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder what she will feel when she learns of my death. Will she suffer? Will I be the only crack in that rampart of a mother? Did she love me even a little?

This is a short and stylized retelling of the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her son, Richard I (Coeur de Lion/Lionheart). I'd say that it expects us to know the story behind the text as it swiftly moves through the known trajectory of her troubled marriage to Henry II, the rebellion of her sons, and her imprisonment. In the second half it follows Richard on the third crusade, so that Eleanor retreats to the background.

What makes the story, is the lovely writing and the voice of Richard: it's not historically accurate and doesn't pretend to be so - the language and the emotions are simply not medieval. But that's fine. Dupont-Monod gives us what is close to a monologue that depicts a troubled family and a woman who is strong and determined but who leaves her favourite (?) son wondering if she really loved him. Beneath all the political action and wars, is a story of difficult relationships.

At times, other voices interrupt Richard's: Eleanor herself 'speaks' a chapter, as does Alys, the woman who never completed her planned marriage to Richard.

The writing is lyrical and the length is just right - too much of this monologue-effect might have become monotonous but it's well-judged and brief enough to feel intimate and revealing.

Thanks to Quercus for an ARC via NetGalley

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both epic and intimate, The Revolt tells the stories of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her son Richard I—a complex piece of history deftly distilled down to about 200 pages in Clara Dupont-Monod’s novel. A baseline familiarity with the Plantagenets I think is a strong asset in approaching this book—its function isn’t didactic and as such I can imagine it’s easy to get a bit lost in the historical narrative, which is presented coherently, but without much interest in the broader historical context.

But as someone already deeply invested in this particular period of English history, this read like a dream. The characters are all so well-drawn and Ruth Diver’s translation is stunning. Dupont-Monod manages to imbue this period of history with a vibrancy and heightened emotional landscape that does border on the anachronistic, but this isn’t the sort of historical fiction that aims for perfect historical accuracy—these figures are more of a vehicle for Dupont-Monod to explore the bigger ideas that preoccupy us today when we look back at the Plantagenets. The complex and thorny relationships within that family are a never ending source of fascination, and here those relationships are excavated alongside a potent commentary on familial love and power. This won’t be for everyone, but it’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys looking at history through an imaginative, literary lens.

[Gianni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romanzo avvincente e dal ritmo incalzante; ”mi sono affidata a una trama storica verificata, ma mi sono anche presa alcune libertà.”, scrive l’autrice nella nota finale.
La storia della glaciale Eleonora d’Aquitania, donna capace di grande strategia politica e madre di Riccardo Cuor di Leone, re d’Inghilterra senza pace e, alla fine, più vicino al padre Enrico II il Plantageneto, che tradì in una rivolta orchestrata con la madre e i fratelli.
Il sangue scorre in Europa e in Terrasanta per più di 200 pagine, tra vendette, battaglie epiche, timori e confessioni.

[Evie Braithwaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara Dupont-Monod has gifted us with a short, beautifully written retelling of the story of the formidable and majestic Eleanor of Aquitaine; Queen of England and Duchess of Aquitaine. Enamoured by the ideas of freedom and independence, and as a cultured and learned lady, Eleanor maintained a lavish court in which her troubadours and poets occupied a privileged place. Through the eyes of her son, Richard the Lionheart, the reader discovers the eventful fate of this queen who made the Church tremble by not hesitating to revolt against the tyrannical authority of her second husband, Henry Plantagenet, the King of England.⁣
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Contrary to what the back cover suggests, this inspired novel is as much about Richard as it is about Eleanor. Even if the latter is still present in the background as his puppet master, we follow the tribulations of this beloved son to the borders of the East where he tries to take back Jerusalem. We thus discover a complex character, animated by unconditional love for his mother and his true country, Aquitaine, and endowed with a strong character in whom light and darkness are engaged in a fierce struggle.⁣
⁣
The Revolt brims with lovely and lyrical writing, and Clara Dupont-Monod infuses the historical tale with a touch of modernity to tell an engaging fictional narrative. Ruth Diver’s translation is also exquisite from cover to cover, bestowing the reader with some of the most beautiful metaphors and imagery you’ll have read this year. With richly detailed characters, clever manipulation of language, and boldly feminist themes, The Revolt is a pleasure from beginning to end. ⁣

[Wendelle]

This short book features beautiful, lyrical prose.
As for the titular character herself, Eleanor of Aquitaine, I find myself indifferent. On one hand, she is a strong, ambitious woman at a time when women were supposed to be mere handmaidens of men. On the other hand, she is a strong, ambitious woman whose ambitions are entirely self-serving. She does not waste a whit of thought on the plight of her subjects, they might as well be nonverbal background elements of the land. She does not administer any affection to any one, not her besotted first husband nor even her own sons. She wields her sons merely as tools of conquest and vengeance against her husband. She is certainly not looking to steer a course for future women or pave a way for gender justice. She has only contempt for women who in her own eyes instantiate the weaker members of her sex. Her one implacable store of value is her rulership of Aquitaine, all else be damned. She seems merely a power-seeking ruler who wants to play the game of thrones, and it seems to celebrate her is to celebrate ruthless self-seeking behavior really. She shouldn't be judged more severely than her male peers, but she's their equivalent. To read of wars waged and peasants burned during this time is to read the condemnation of absolute monarchies, where the wealth and welfare of lone monarchs are identified with the welfare of the state.

[Jessie Pietens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really unsure how I feel about this book. Its beautiful and extremely poetic writing style was so impressive and detailed and it used such striking yet unusual imagery. I kept finding myself jotting down sentences from the book. Nevertheless, I could not really connect to the book as much as I expected to at first. One-third of the way through I was starting to feel bored. It felt like the story was slowing down rather than picking up (while it is not a very long book). I kept reading because the beautiful writing style really spoke to me and had the promise of a striking ending. Nearing the last third of the book the story did start to pick up and was much more involved, though still not as much as I would have hoped. I think this book and I possibly met at the wrong time (i.e. I wasn't in a good reading mood).

[stasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

[avril 2023]
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Dans le calme de cette grande salle, un messager l'attend. Il a été envoyé par le roi de France.
Louis voudrait savoir si tout va bien; si leurs années ensemble ont compté, néanmoins; et ce qu'elle projette maintenant. Il ne mentionne pas que, avec la séparation, Aliénor redevient duchesse d'Aquitaine, donc sa vassale. Elle doit obéissance et réponse au roi. Louis sait qu'elle n'en a cure, mais surtout il l'aime trop pour lui infliger ce rappel à l'ordre. Il sait aussi qu'elle pense au Plantagenêt. Mais, de cela non plus, il ne parle pas. C'est une lettre magnifique, de noblesse et de douleur retenue.
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Note : 4.5/5
Dingue dingue dingue !
Je l'ai lu après avoir lu Aquitania et ça colle tellement bien! Avec Aquitania on suit son premier mariage, et avec La Révolte on suit son deuxième mariage. Les deux portraits se superposent si bien...
La Révolte c'est l'histoire d'Aliénor d'Aquitaine par les yeux de son fils Richard Coeur de lion.

Pas la moindre parole tendre, je l'ai dit, ni non plus de caresses. Très tôt, nous avons senti que, pour ma mère, le bonheur s'accompagne toujours d'une menace. Si elle n'a jamais enlacé ses enfants, c'est bien parce qu'elle craint leur disparition. Elle flaire le danger, tapi quelque part, la peur qu'on lui enlève ce qu'elle chérit. Ainsi vont les êtres abîmés. Mais l'amour s'échappe quand même. Un jour, j'ai demandé à ma mère pourquoi elle n'assistait jamais aux entraînements d'armes puisque j'y excelle. Et je sais le prix qu'elle accorde aux combattants. Elle a levé sa main, et, intuitivement, j'ai baissé le front. Peine perdue. Elle m'a dit: «Je peux tout voir, sauf ton sang. » Aliénor est là: en étreintes suspendues, promesses cachées sous l'esquive. Je voudrais l'étreindre mais, bien sûr, je ne fais rien. Je me contente d'écouter ces serments muets venus d'un cœur méfiant, et ce sont eux qui, maintenant, me donnent la force de raconter l'histoire.

C'est l'histoire d'une mère, d'une reine et d'une femme. C'est l'histoire d'un combat de titan entre deux êtres forts qui, parcequ'ils se ressemblent, vont porter le serment de se détruire mutuellement après s'être uni devant la religion. Ce combat va impliquer leurs terres, le royaume de France, le royaume d'Angleterre mais surtout leurs enfants, qui vont devoir prendre position pour exister aux yeux de leurs parents.

Comme tout monarque affaibli, Philippe cherchera donc des victoires. Méfie-toi de lui. Vous avez grandi ensemble, lorsque Louis était en vie, et cela ne l'a pas empêché de te trahir en se rapprochant de Jean. Et n'oublie jamais ceci : tu es son exact opposé. Contrairement à ce que l'on croit, les différences rapprochent les gens, mais lorsqu'elles sont trop prononcées, elles apportent la guerre.»
Trop de ressemblances aussi déclenchent la guerre. C'est ce qui s'est produit entre elle en mon père. Alors, quand peut-on s'aimer?

J'ai adoré cette fiction historique! La narration est distante mais on sent l'amour maternel qui l'imprègne...
Les personnages sont tous caractéristiques, chacun ayant une relation particulière à Aliénor, véritable pivot de l'Histoire de France et d'Angleterre.
Un personnage fort, complexe et inspirant ! Elle a su prendre son destin en main, n'a pas hésité à aller contre-courant, à écouter son cœur en véritable femme de pouvoir. La narration tellement particulièrement rend hommage à la femme que fut jadis Aliénor.

[Persephonebook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bon 3,75 . Un roman historique qui a pour focalisation Alienor d’Aquitaine du point de vue de son fils Richard cœur de lion. Alienor d’Aquitaine est un personnage historique fort passionnant tant sa vie fut rythmé par des événements peu commun pour une femme de l’époque. Reine de deux royaume, elle fut une des rare femme à participer au croisades, grande mécène, elle fascine autant qu’elle terrifie. Le choix du point de vue est étonnant et nous offre par la même occasion le récit de la vie de son fils Richard qui fut roi d’Angleterre alors qu’il n’y était pas vraiment prédestiné. La fascination de Richard pour sa mère est indéniable, cependant cela biaisé la vision du personnage qui n’est fut que sur un prisme mélioratif. Alors que les autres personnages sont dépeint avec plus de réalisme démontrant à la fois leur faiblesse que leur force. La partit pris de l’autrice fait qu’en comparaison à Alienor tous les autres personnages paraissent plats ou affreux. Même Richard est perçu à de nombreuses reprises comme une personne détestable à l’inverse de sa mère qui ressemble plus à une forme de divinité que de véritable humaine. Si la première partie se focalise sur Alienor la seconde d’avantage sur Richard et les croisades qui est encore une fois sanglante et n’épargne pas les détails sordides de l’histoire pour les passer sous silence, au contraire le roi fait preuve de cruauté et cela est dénoncé par l’autrice de bien des manières. Un roman que je ne placerais pas dans toutes les mains pour certaines scènes mais un roman historique assez riche même si certaines libertés fonctionnelle sont à noter.

[Allen Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully-written imagined narrative story of the life of King Richard the Lionheart (Richard I) and his powerful and influential mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard serves as the primary narrator, although the voices of others also take over from time to time. The titular revolt refers to the one made by Eleanor and her sons, including Richard, against her husband and their father the tyrannical English king Henry Plantagenet (aka Henry II) for control of the English throne. Talk about family drama—wow.

Some of the themes visited here include the relentless, dramatic interfamilial struggle for power, and the complexities of family relationships, as well as thoughts on government, war, and religion in the medieval world. Richard is a multifaceted character, at times exhibiting thoughtful intelligence and sensitivity, and at other times cruelty and selfishness. His mother, the fearless and cunning Eleanor, who was Queen Consort of France and later of England, largely dominated his life and unduly influenced his decisions, including his decision to embark on a crusade in the Holy Land against the mighty Saladin.

I was blown away by the poetic yet economical style of the writing. Every word seems to be carefully chosen, and the descriptive detail is often exquisite. There is a pervasive feeling throughout this book of tragic destiny. And I couldn’t help but notice the obvious lack of happiness and joy in the depiction of the powerful—ultimately they are presented as paranoid, disturbed souls who are trying to fulfill an imposing duty. The book makes the struggle for power seem so unappealing, and just might be right about that.

Bottom line: The Revolt is superbly written and fascinating historical fiction, and is not overly long. Five stars.

[Noémie Courtois · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai beaucoup aimé ce roman, en grande partie parce que j’ai une fascination pour Aliénor d’Aquitaine, mais aussi parce que l’auteure à une plume magnifique et qu’elle arrive à insuffler à ces récits historiques une touche de modernité sans les dénaturer. De voir l’histoire de cette grande dame conté par son fils rend la chose à la fois touchante et intimidante, car on constate à quel point cette femme en imposait à tous, même à ces propres garçons.

[Gertrud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Che Clara Dupont-Monod sia un'eccellente narratrice ormai non ho più alcun dubbio. Qui siamo alle prese con un romanzo storico in cui si narra la vita di Eleonora d'Aquitania e della sua famiglia. Una donna dal grande coraggio e dalla grande determinazione, capace di guidare le sorti di Francia ed Inghilterra, ma non solo!

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sincèrement, il y a des défauts, parfois j'ai soufflé, mais je n'ai même pas envie de m'étendre dessus tellement j'ai passé un chouette moment de lecture...

[Annelies - In Another Era · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Lionheart is rebelling against his father, the Plantagenet king of England, together with his brothers Henry and Geoffrey. The rebellion unites the heirs to the throne with France, the southern lords and Aquitaine, the country of Richard's infamous mother: Queen Eleanor Of Aquitaine. After having divorced the king of France, Eleanor remarried the Plantagenet only to be cast aside after having bared him 8 children. Now she's looking for revenge. One thing is sure: this battle will torn the family apart.

The revolt is a short novel that focuses on the rebellion of Eleanor Of Aquitaine and her sons against Henry II, king of England in 1173. The novel is split up in three parts—before, during and after the revolt—and mainly told by Richard Lionheart. Although there are some chapters Eleanor, Henry and Alys (Richard's ex-fiancé) are at word.

I'm quite familiar with the story and I loved Elizabeth Chadwick's trilogy about Eleanor very much. But still the author managed to surprise me at some parts. Especially the fact that she chooses to tell the story from Richard's perspective, even the parts before his birth, was surprising. But somehow, it worked for me as long as the story was focusing on the revolt itself.

At the end, it gets a bit messy when Richard leaves for the Holy Land. It feels like the start of a different story because Eleanor wasn't near Richard at that time. And it's her figure that really makes this book compelling.

This Eleanor is mysterious, cold and intimidating. Just how I imagine her. I got some new insights on her relationship with Louis, King of France (Eleanor's first husband) and the role he played in the rebellion. I found Louis's relationship with Eleanor's sons one of the most interesting aspects of the story.

This might not be the best fictional retelling of Eleanor's life because of its shortness. But it's a well-written account of the revolt and how it tore a whole family apart.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to provide me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
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In the revolt maken we kennis met Richard Leeuwenhart die samen met zijn broer en moeder, de beruchte queen Eleanor Of Aquitaine, een rebellie plant tegen zijn vader koning Henry II Plantagenet.

Dit is een kort verhaal dat vooral inzicht wil geven in de persoon Eleanor Of Aquitaine en dat doet vanuit het perspectief van haar favoriete zoon Richard. Dat voelt soms een beetje, vreemd aan zeker als hij het heeft over de periode voor zijn geboorte.

Daarnaast zijn er ook nog wat andere korte tussen perspectieven zoals van Eleanor zelf en Alys, zijn ex-verloofde.

Het is niet het meest gestructureerde boek over de periode en de schrijfstijl is heel modern. Vooral naar het einde toe werd het wat messy.

Maar het stuk over rebellie op zich vond ik wel boeiend genoeg. Ik ken het verhaal, maar iedere keer doe ik toch weer wat nieuwe inzichten op, zoals nu over Eleanor's relatie met haar eerste man tijdens de rebellie. Ik vond Louis een intrigerend personage. En vooral Eleanor zelf is heel intimiderend neergezet, net zoals ik me ze voorstel.

Ik heb het dus zeker wel graag gelezen! Bedankt aan de uitgever en Netgalley voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.

[Katell BOUALI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roman à plusieurs voix s'égrenant entre le divorce d'Aliénor d'Aquitaine d'avec Louis VII, roi de France, et la disparition de Richard Coeur de Lion.
Une femme ose défier les convenances, une femme qui aurait été roi si elle était née homme. Aliénor est une personne hors du commun, une grande dame lettrée, cultivée et savante qui fait en sorte que ses filles sachent lire, écrire et compter pour ne pas être cantonnées aux travaux d'aiguille. Seront-elles heureuses pour autant? Sans doute pas. Cependant la lecture et l'écriture seront une fenêtre dans leur vie.
Les voix d'Aliénor et de Richard sont poétiques, vibrantes, le lecteur est au coeur de leurs ressentis ce qui rend ces deux immenses figures historiques plus humaines.
Si Aliénor n'avait pas été cette femme savante, raffinée, éduquée dans l'amour de la poésie, des lettres, aurait-elle eu une aussi grande notoriété, de celle qui défie le temps? Sans doute pas.
Elle fut celle qui transgressa et résista... l'histoire fait d'elle une immortelle, une figure de femme libre et presque libertaire. A côté d'elle, le Plantagenêt n'est qu'un rustre paillard et violent.
L'union d'Aliénor et d'Henri Plantagenêt est un choc des titans: deux forces indomptables, deux volontés inaltérables qui ne peuvent qu'aboutir à la révolte, au vacillement du trône d'Angleterre sous les coups armés des fils contre leur père.
Aliénor et Henri II, deux visions du monde, deux rêves d'empire qu'un fossé sépare. Et au milieu? La rivière Richard Coeur de Lion coule, parfois chaotique, parfois apaisée, jamais sereine.
L'unique fois où Richard se sent en paix avec lui-même, ce sera devant les murs de Saint-Jean d'Acre, lien entre l'Occident et l'Orient, pont amenant Richard à s'ouvrir vers la culture musulmane, ses savoirs en art de la guerre comme en art de guérir et de philosopher. Les lumières de l'Orient scintillent auprès des lueurs occidentales. En cela, il est le digne fils de sa mère: esprit curieux de tout, scrutant les nouveautés, les nouvelles saveurs, les améliorations techniques pour en faire son miel.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know a great deal about Plantagenet history but we've all heard of Richard the Lionheart and perhaps also his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Both of these historical figures are brought to life by Clara Dupont-Monod in The Revolt. The Revolt is an absolutely stunning piece of historical fiction; it's so good that I read it in one sitting, being unable to put it down until I had greedily devoured every single word.

Never have historical figures spoken so clearly and vividly from within the pages of a book. It's highly commendable that Clara Dupont-Monod has managed to breathe so much life into these 12th century figures, making them so multi-dimensional that it's quite remarkable. Of course, the author has used her artistic license to create such amazing characters whilst still maintaining as much historical accuracy as possible. I did google a few things that intrigued me and found them to have a basis in fact.

Written in the voice of both Richard and Eleanor, with a few guest chapters from notable characters, I learnt so much more about this period of history than I have ever managed to absorb from a history book. I've always found Eleanor of Aquitaine to be a fascinating historical figure but I've struggled to find a book about her that held my interest for more than a few chapters. The Revolt is precisely the book I have been searching for; it didn't just hold my interest, it completely gripped and captivated me from start to finish.

Often lyrical and poetic in its prose, The Revolt is exceptionally well written by Clara Dupont-Monod and impeccably translated from French by Ruth Diver. It's a fascinating and captivating account of one of the most powerful and influential women in English history. I didn't have to think twice before awarding 5 stars to this stunning novel. A very highly recommended read.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Quercus Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Revolt’ by Clara Dupont-Monod in exchange for an honest review. It was originally published in France in 2018 and was translated from the French by Ruth Diver.

“It is with a soft voice, full of menace, that our mother commands us to overthrow our father . . .”

This is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine as told by her son, Richard the Lionheart. In 1173, she and three of her sons instigate a rebellion to overthrow Henry Plantagenet, her husband and the King of England. What has brought about this revolt? How did Eleanor persuade her children to rise up against their father?

The adversarial relationship between Eleanor and Henry has been explored many times in historical fiction. She remains a towering figure credited with introducing the concept of courtly love into Western culture as well as promoting music and poetry.

This short novel was beautifully written, with lyrical prose passionately evoking this turbulent period in French and English history.

Highly recommended.

[Luanlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

En 1173, Aliénor d’Aquitaine pousse trois de ses enfants à la rébellion contre le roi d’Angleterre, son époux.
L’histoire est racontée par l’un des fils, Richard Coeur de Lion, qui a été élevé par cette mère fière et distante, dont le but est de reigner sur son Aquitaine et ne pas être contrôlée par un mari.
J’ai adoré cette façon d’aborder l’Histoire du point de vue de ce fils qui cherche par tous les moyens un signe d’amour de sa mère, au point d’accepter de trahir son propre père.
« ...je voudrais qu’on écrive l’histoire d’Aliénor, la femme qui voulut être roi, échoua et devint bien plus encore. La mère qui ne disait rien mais dont les actes révélèrent tant. L’enfant qui enfanta, et enterra - la femme que je n’ai pas su consoler. Je voudrais écrire l’histoire de toutes les mères à la fierté inquiète, qui firent de leur mieux, sûres de vraincre les tragédies. »

[Kleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un très beau roman sur la relation intense entre Aliénor d'Aquitaine et son fils préféré, Richard Cœur de Lion. Racontée essentiellement du point de vue de ce dernier, l'histoire est servie par une belle écriture et par de nombreuses références littéraires à l'époque des protagonistes - montrant, s'il est encore nécessaire, que le Moyen-âge n'était pas obscurantiste.
Un seul détail m'a chiffonnée : s'il est beaucoup fait mention du goût de Richard pour les femmes, rien n'est dit sur ses penchants homosexuels, pour lesquels il avait fait pénitence.

[Dancing Booklion · Rating 3 out of 5]

C'était chouette de lire ce petit roman sur Aliénor, Richard et leurs contemporains. Je crois que je n'avais pas lu de roman écrit à la troisième personne depuis Twilight ! J'ai bien aimé le style. On traverse plusieurs décennies sans trop s'en rendre compte, on est vraiment plongés dans la façon de penser et les sentiments des personnages. C'est agréable de voyager avec eux ! J'ai passé un bon moment en lisant ce livre.

[Mariarosa Raffaelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleonora d'Aquitania, regina prima di Francia e poi d'Inghilterra, raccontata attraverso le parole del figlio Riccardo Cuor di Leone. Indomita, fiera, libera, anche crudele, ma determinata a mantenere il potere e i suoi domini.
Molto bellao lo stile di Clara Dupont-Monod.

[Paulinbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

L'histoire d'Aliénor d'Aquitaine, une femme forte pour son époque, cultivé, stratège, femme aimante avec ses enfants, et véritable cœur de Lionne !

[Maddie Curtright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely an interesting read. I’ve always been interested in Eleanor of Aquitaine, and this book had a unique perspective on her story

[Catalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Élégant et bref, suffisamment descriptif.

[Daniela Bussi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un bel romanzo storico. Scritto con un buon equilibrio tra fiction e cronaca.

[Brooke Jacobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictional first hand account from Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart about their uprising against Henry II. Translated from French, the writing has a lovely lyrical quality to it, and an introspection that I think was probably accurate for Eleanor, but maybe not so much for her son. An interesting and different take on a fascinating time in history.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love anything related to Eleanor of Aquitaine so I was excited to read this translation. ‘The Revolt’ tells the story of the revolt against Henry II by his sons led by their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. In this relatively short book only a small portion is devoted to the revolt itself, with the rest of it describing the events leading up to it and afterwards.

It Is told mostly from the perspective of Richard the Lionheart, Henry and Eleanors son, Richard makes quite a dry narrator and the few sections that were from the perspective of Eleanor and Henry themselves were much more engaging.

I enjoyed the portrayal of these key historical characters, although they did seem a little one-sided and lacking in complexity there were some efforts to redeem Henry to the reader.

Overall, this is a solid retelling but I just felt the real, historical drama of the day wasn’t fully captured and capitalised on enough to make this book really stand out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite book about this family, but still entertaining

[Gaëlle · Rating 4 out of 5]

On retrouve bien le style très littéraire de Clara Dupont Monod, mais j'ai trouvé qu'il y avait des longueurs.
Une épopée historique incroyable. Un amour filial hors norme.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it weird that such a short book feels so epic? Because this is epic. Eleanor of Aquitaine's life was very epic (yes, I'm overusing the word here), and this slim novel really does show that. Told mostly from her favourite son's (Richard the Lionheart) perspective, we get to see how powerful and determined Eleanor was, ready to fight tooth and nail for her rights.

And the way she writes is very concise, which helps her give a lot of information (like, A LOT happens in this book), but she does it in a way that gives you everything you need to know. And while it doesn't go deeply into the characters' psyche, you get a really good picture of Eleanor and Richard's relationship.

[Monosillabe]

aliénor was a girlboss… but this book…