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millyficent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chelcyharrell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
laurapoulosky's review against another edition
3.0
This was another 3.5-star read for me. Although I was already aware of most of the events of the Revolution recounted here, it was interesting to have a chronological review in the form of a historical novel from a point of view I hadn't been given before, that of "survivalist" (rather than true royalist or revolutionary) Marie Grosholtz, who eventually becomes Mme Tussaud. The atmosphere of the Reign of Terror was evoked convincingly. The writing style was clear and straight-forward, not particularly elegant or poetic, which I suppose is why I wasn't as entranced by the book as I'd hoped to be.
franklyfrank's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bethsandford's review against another edition
4.0
Torn between 4 & 5 stars on this one. I really enjoyed traveling this historical fiction about Madame Tussaud the famous wax sculptor. Michelle Moran did a wonderful job describing the horrid situations that took place leading up to and during the French Revolution. Filled with rich history, wonderful characters, it keeps the reader turning pages to find out how her story ends. This is the second book I have read by this author and both have been well written and enjoyable tales of history and fiction!
erpedraja's review against another edition
4.0
Madame Tussaud is an engrossing read of the French Revolution, focused on the life of the famous wax figure mistress. Marie is a 28 year old artist in her "uncle's" household, helping him run his famous wax figurine Salon prior to the revolution. She comes close to the royal family after the sister of the king asks her instruction in the art of wax molding, while her uncle continually hosts some of the most famous voices of the revolution- from Marat to Robespierre.
Once the revolution starts, she is asked to make death masks for those who she had once loyally served, only to eventually find suspicion on herself.
Michelle Moran weaves an interesting story of the desire for love, duty, and the need to survive, as one must make the choice of what is most important. The story was interesting, constantly filled with emotional and gruesome details of the revolution.
What I felt was rushed was Marie's romantic entanglement. She has almost no feelings for her suitor, and then out of nowhere it seems she is in love with him, but not enough.
Once the revolution starts, she is asked to make death masks for those who she had once loyally served, only to eventually find suspicion on herself.
Michelle Moran weaves an interesting story of the desire for love, duty, and the need to survive, as one must make the choice of what is most important. The story was interesting, constantly filled with emotional and gruesome details of the revolution.
What I felt was rushed was Marie's romantic entanglement. She has almost no feelings for her suitor, and then out of nowhere it seems she is in love with him, but not enough.
cdel1313's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I finally read it.
I adore Michelle Moran - I think she's a fabulous author - Cleopatra's Daughter is one of my most favorite books of all time, and her other two are not far behind. I love that she interacts with her readers here on goodreads. Suffice it to say - I'm a fan.
I remember being slightly taken aback upon hearing that her next book was about Marie Tussaud. I knew virtually nothing about her, other than I'd walked past the museum a few times in NYC and never quite had enough of a hankering to go in and see what the fuss was all about. I couldn't make a connection between the grandiose ancient court-life stories and - a wax model maker?
Color me wrong. I learned so much about the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette that my fears about losing out on the court life she writes about so well were completely unfounded. I loved her characters, as I always do. Perhaps there was a little too much government background for my personal taste, but I do acknowledge that it was needed to tell the story. Definitely a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.
I adore Michelle Moran - I think she's a fabulous author - Cleopatra's Daughter is one of my most favorite books of all time, and her other two are not far behind. I love that she interacts with her readers here on goodreads. Suffice it to say - I'm a fan.
I remember being slightly taken aback upon hearing that her next book was about Marie Tussaud. I knew virtually nothing about her, other than I'd walked past the museum a few times in NYC and never quite had enough of a hankering to go in and see what the fuss was all about. I couldn't make a connection between the grandiose ancient court-life stories and - a wax model maker?
Color me wrong. I learned so much about the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette that my fears about losing out on the court life she writes about so well were completely unfounded. I loved her characters, as I always do. Perhaps there was a little too much government background for my personal taste, but I do acknowledge that it was needed to tell the story. Definitely a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.
beccalillian's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hnfive's review against another edition
3.0
I'm really torn on this book....
Pros:
- I learned a lot about French history
- I learned a lot about Madame Tussaud
- The information on what the salon was like and tableaus was really interesting
- Excellent depiction of the horror and chaos that was the French revolution
Cons:
- There were too many characters that were hard to keep straight. I didn't think it was necessary to include absolutely everyone who was a part of the revolution
- I felt like the psyche of Marie and how she was feeling could have been explored more
- I didn't love the end where we learn how she became Mrs. Tussaud (she was not married for a lot of the book and learned about that in about 10 pages)
- I didn't love the writing
Pros:
- I learned a lot about French history
- I learned a lot about Madame Tussaud
- The information on what the salon was like and tableaus was really interesting
- Excellent depiction of the horror and chaos that was the French revolution
Cons:
- There were too many characters that were hard to keep straight. I didn't think it was necessary to include absolutely everyone who was a part of the revolution
- I felt like the psyche of Marie and how she was feeling could have been explored more
- I didn't love the end where we learn how she became Mrs. Tussaud (she was not married for a lot of the book and learned about that in about 10 pages)
- I didn't love the writing
asl4u's review against another edition
5.0
Really good story - didn't know much about the French revolution before listening to this book - and had no idea that Madame Tussaud - of wax museum fame - was actually There. It was very interesting to consider the story from a Royalist perspective. Popular culture presumes Marie Antoinette was simply guilty... but according to this rendition - she was quite innocent. She was just a Queen in a country that went mad. Its also quite clear - to me - and to all of them that died - that God does not put much effort into saving the innocent. At every corner - the evil wins... without recourse - without equitable return for the suffering caused. Bad people live - do their crimes against humanity and then they live (either imprisioned = free food and air to breath) or they die (and so never really suffer any ramifications for their actions. One does not suffer beyond death.) No amount of individual suffering in either of these cases is sufficient to balance the number of deaths and personal grief that each individual hurt by the perpetrator suffered - coupled with the suffering of the families lived beyond them.