From Library Journal
Gulland continues the saga of Josephine Bonaparte with her marriage to Napoleon in 1796. Although the revolutionary bloodbath has ended, France remains convulsed by political upheaval. Josephine's position depends on her cultivation of those in power and on her husband's military successes. Burdened by mounting debts and harassed by Bonaparte family members intent on destroying her reputation, Josephine survives through shrewdness and charm. Napoleon's adoration often weighs heavy, as when he summons her to join him near remote battlefields. But much of her time is spent waiting in France, especially during his disastrous Egyptian campaign. Told mostly through Josephine's journal entries, this installment is not as compelling as The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B, in part because much of the action occurs off stage. However, Gulland continues to integrate historical detail effectively. While this segment may not win the trilogy many new readers, those who enjoyed the first volume will remain intrigued enough to follow Napoleon's path to power in 1800 and to await the rest of the story. For public libraries.AKathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Review
Alison Weirauthor of
The Children of Henry VIIIAn often-moving book that keeps the reader in a happy state of constant anticipation.
Nancy Wigston
The Toronto StarSandra Gulland's second installment of her history of Josephine, Empress of France, is that rare phenomenon: a second novel even better than the first.
Faith Sullivanauthor of
The Cape AnnShrewd and engaging...moving, entertaining, conscientiously researched, and, yes, fun.
Diane Schoemperlenwinner of the 1998 Governor General's Award for FictionUtterly mesmerizing...a seamless blend of fact and fiction that moves historical fiction to a whole new level.
Merilyn Simonds
Montreal GazetteEverything a reader could hope for and more...