A Daughter of the Seine: The Life of Madame Roland

by Jeanette Eaton

This is a fictionalized biography of the French Revolutionary patriot and writer Jeanne Manon Roland de la Platiere (1754-1793), who became known simply by Madame Roland. She was the daughter of a Paris engraver who encouraged his daughter's interest in music, painting, and literature. As a young girl, she told to her "I'll call myself daughter of the Seine," and as an adult she often said that the river was part of her soul. As a young woman she became interested in the radical ideas of Jean Jacques Rousseau and the movement for equality. She shared these enthusiasms with her husband, whom she married in 1780. After the outbreak of the Revolution, she formed a salon of followers, who late became known as the Girondists. Under the constitutional monarchy, her husband became minister of the interior, a post he held after the monarchy was overthrown. Madame Roland both directed her husband's career and influenced the important politicians of the period.

Genres: Biography, History, France, Childrens, Nonfiction, Juvenile, Biography Memoir

324 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1929

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I both appreciate and have even enjoyed Jeannette Eaton's A Daughter of the Seine to a certain point, with both the main character (Madame Roland) and supporting personages interestingly and realistically enough depicted and presented, I also tend to feel that I am only and basically mostly reading "about" them on the surface, that I am just an observer, and not all that much an active participant. And while I thus am and remain intrigued by Madame Roland's life, her achievements, her contributions to and participation in the French Revolution, as well as her ultimate tragic fate, I also do not think that I am in any way getting to know her on what I would call a personal and intimate level. The basic themes, the basic plot and storylines, I actually do find both personally and emotionally satisfying, even at times heart-wrenching, so it is likely the authors's at times rather old-fashioned and declamatory narrative style, with word choices that do seem quite arbitrary and hit-and-miss to and for me that has created this often rather annoying narrative and textual distance and dissonance for me (but since A Daughter of the Seine was published in the 1920s, this is likely also very much the nature of the proverbial beast and a question of what was popular at the time with regard to biographical writing).

That all being said, and while I therefore am not in any way loving A Daughter of the Seine and definitely did much struggle with completing the novel for especially my first read in 2011, the storyline actually does manage to flow well enough and manages to at least somewhat retain my interest throughout (as while I struggled with completing A Daughter of the Seine in 2011, I did manage to do so, I did not just give up in frustration). And with that fact in mind, I actually rather wish that in particular this here novel had been available for us in grade 11 Social Studies (in Alberta, Canada), when we covered the French Revolution as a major theme. For reading a biography like A Daughter of the Seine would definitely (or at least more than likely) have been vastly more enjoyable and memorable for us as students than the exceedingly bone-dry textbook our teacher was using (as even being interested in the topic itself did not prevent my massive boredom in class, with the result that I now remember only the very barest of basic details).

And finally, it is rather interesting from a social and political point of view how many of the ideas and thematics described in and by A Daughter of the Seine are actually and sadly surprisingly current and modern. For indeed and in my opinion, more actively and harshly repressed, and the more uneducated and ignorant the repressers keep the repressed, the more violent and dangerous resulting revolts or revolutions are likely to be. This was true in 18th Century France and is still relevant and true today (and we just have to turn on our television sets and watch the news, or read the news in print or electronically); some things unfortunately never really seem to change all that much (and we do not seem to learn all that much from history either, constant admonishments by especially philosophers and historians frustratingly quite notwithstanding).

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born Marie-Jeanne Philipon in 1754, the heroine of A Daughter of the Seine - and heroine she must be called, for although this is a biography, it is written with such sympathetic partisanship for its subject, that it might just as easily be a romance - would go on to become the famous Madame Roland, the muse of the Girondist faction, and an important figure in the French Revolution. From her early years as a precocious and very willful student; her gradual awakening to the pernicious French class system which denied the meritorious the recognition they deserved, while elevating others through the accident of birth; her marriage to Jean-Marie Roland, de la Platière, an economist of some renown, who served the government in various positions; and the married couple's growing involvement in those political circles which would bring about the revolution, Jeanette Eaton traces the life of Madame Roland, painting a moving portrait of a woman of great ability and intellect, who, through her marriage, her entertaining, and her networking - the only methods available to her, as a woman of that time - influenced the history of her country.

Published in 1929, A Daughter of the Seine was one of six titles - together with Pran Of Albania , The Jumping-Off Place , The Tangled-Coated Horse and Other Tales , Vaino: A Boy of New Finland , and Little Blacknose: The Story of a Pioneer - to be chosen as a Newbery Honor Book in 1930. An immensely engaging biography of a fascinating historical figure, it was also a Junior Literary Guild selection, and is, in my judgment, probably best suited for older children and young adults. The text is simple enough to be followed by readers who have little familiarity with the period in question - I myself am not as well-versed in the intricacies of the French Revolution, as I no doubt should be - but never "dumbed down" in a way that would be insulting to young readers. I'm very impressed, in fact, that a book on this subject, running to this length (324 pages, including bibliography and index) would be considered juvenile fare. One wonders if modern children would be interested in reading it.

As already mentioned, this is a very sympathetic portrait of Madame Roland, although Eaton does occasionally insert some criticism - as when she mentions Roland's inability to see the "romance" of the royal family's story - and offer some apologia for her lack of foresight, when it came to her judgment of the more dangerous extremists who would one day be the cause of her death. The authorial interjections are fairly minimal however - with a notable exception, in which Eaton makes mention of Americans recently fighting in the Argonne in the "Great War," thereby dating her book - and the narrative reads smoothly. The final section, in which the Rolands find themselves caught in the growing tide of violence that would become "The Terror," is most involving, and simply flies by.

All in all, I enjoyed A Daughter of the Seine, finding it both engaging and informative. I am encouraged by this, as three more of Eaton's biographies - Leader by Destiny: George Washington, Man & Patriot (1938), Lone Journey: The Life of Roger Williams (1944), and Gandhi, Fighter without a Sword (1950) - were also chosen as Newbery Honor Books. I will look forward to reading them, in this long Newbery Project of mine!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, just not one I was particularly interested in and honestly, I'm not certain any child would be either unless they had an interest in French history during the Reign of Terror. Madame Roland is an intriguing historical figure who until now was unknown to me. She was born Marie (called Manon) Philippon. Her parents ensured she was well-educated. She was a talented writer who also had a knack for making friends. She used both skills once she married her husband, Jean-Marie Roland. He was 20 years her senior and never in the best health. She was the power in the marriage and as France turned toward Revolution, Madame Roland guided her husband's career. She used her writing skills and personality to advance him to a ministerial position during Louis XVI reign, a position she helped him keep after the king's arrest. They were part of the moderate Girondist faction, backing the principles of the people while keeping the status quo for the upper middle classes and clergy. There were two men she couldn't charm: Marat and Robespierre. Those two eventually accused the Rolands and sent the mob after them. Her husband escaped to Rouen, but she spent time in three separate Parisian prisons before going to the guillotine. This fictionalized biography was a Newbery Honor book in 1930. I also read it for my 2018 Reading challenge.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I found this book quite dull. A lot of late 18th century facts, mixed with a lot of early 20th century opinions. As I got into the book though, I found it very fascinating, and I learned a lot more about the French Revolution that I did not know, especially of course the part the Roland family played. However, there were far too many characters which were underdeveloped, but which the author seemed to expect a huge understanding of. I consider myself smart, but I lost track of which person held which post and had which opinion altered in what respect. I didn't know who was good friends with who or just allies, etc. etc. with dozens of characters thrown at you on nearly every page. Still, I like that the book even had a bibliography. It is quite good for finding a deeper understanding of the Revolution than you can find in High School or even a History of Civilization class in college.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first look, I was afraid that this old Newbery Honor would be dry and uninteresting. Actually, it wasn't too bad! Madame Roland was a fascinating character, and the author makes her admiration for her subject quite clear. The biography has plenty of detail and is easy to follow, though often romanticized. I don't picture the average child or teen reading this one, but that isn't really an issue because the book is so old and there are not many copies. Still, Newbery completists will probably be pleased with this one after reading some of the older clunkers.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject for a children's book - Marie -Jeanna Philipon Roland. An educated young women of the middle class who marries an older man (by 20 years) who serves in government at the end of the reign of kings in France. An early feminist in many ways, she supported her husband's work, had revolutionary sympathies and acted on her beliefs.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madame Roland lived a fascinating life. As a woman, she could not be a statesman or a politician, but she was undoubtedly an inspiration and a force to be reckoned with in the French Revolution. She ultimately met her death in the Reign of Terror as a result of her influence. Her "salons" have appeared in several works of fiction that I've read.

This book, however, was not fascinating. 316 pages and only 9 chapters. Definitely not for the middle grade crowd, but was maybe initially intended for the older stretch of the Newbery spectrum in the days before YA.

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't see a youth reading this book through, but as an adult I found it highly interesting and informative of the layers within the French Revolution and of a woman who was a key mover of politics, though she held no official position. It's misleading to call Eaton's work a "fictionalized biography," for she did not write historical fiction. Every action and thought of the different people involved is grounded in sources that include letters, autobiographies, testimonials, etc.

[Desiree']

1930 Newbery honor book

[Monica Fastenau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-r...

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marie Jeanne Philipon is born to her parents in France in the 1700s, and when she is eleven, she goes to a convent. Marie goes to school, learns to hate France's social system, and turns down many suitors. After her father starts drinking and gambling and her mother dies, Marie meets Monsieur Roland and later marries him against her father's will. The revolution begins, and the French government begins to change so poor peasants have a voice. Marie and her husband make many liberal friends, the king and his family attempt and fail to flee the country, and the king asks Roland to become secretary of the interior. Roland is fired, the king is removed from power, and Roland gets his position back. Violence breaks out in Paris, and the Girondists wind up becoming the conservative party. Marie is arrested and put to death.

This was an interesting albeit depressing read. I found it ironic that Madame Roland said violence was sometimes necessary, and then she was killed by people even more liberal than she was. I personally don't believe violence is ever the answer. It wasn't good that the king was living in great wealth and prosperity while peasants couldn't afford to pay taxes and survive, but it seems the pendulum swayed too far in the opposite direction and thousands of people were unjustly put to death. I'm not quite sure why they couldn't fix their economic issues without murdering everyone who disagreed with them. But those are just my opinions, and I am not an expert on the French Revolution.

[Scott Williams]

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