kimberly_b's review against another edition
5.0
This book is very aptly titled; it really is "A Novel of the French Revolution". Although I'm a lover of historical fiction, I haven't read much HF set in France so went into this book largely ignorant of the events of the Revolution. As Moran states at the beginning of her "Historical Note" at the end of the novel, "It is hard to relate just how turbulent and bloody the years of the French Revolution really were...[they] make for what can be a challenging read, simply because so many innocent people perished in the name of liberty, equality, and fraternity." I'm still in a bit of shock at just how bloody and tragic it was. Moran does a great job at imparting knowledge of the events spanning from 1789 through 1794 while keeping the reader engaged and maintaining historical accuracy by taking very few fictional liberties. This is not a feel-good story, but it isn't meant to be. The witch hunt for those who are "traitors to the patrie" is reminiscent of our own HUAAC mixed with the Inquisition. And, as one part of the book says, "people's imagination has proven stronger than reality" in the conviction and execution of supposed traitors. They really were sad and tragic times.
As for Madame Tussaud herself, her character is incredible. I will admit when I first heard of this book I immediately thought of the slightly cheesy wax museums of our day and age. As Moran has pointed out here on GR though, people in the late 1700s didn't have the means or ability to travel and see people and places as we do now, nor did they have the media we do today where we know what everything and everyone looks like. Tussaud truly was an artist creating 3D portraits of people and places that the general populous would rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to see.
The novel is written in the present tense and reads almost like a journal or diary with a date given at the beginning of each chapter. Moran also starts off each chapter with a historical quote, which was a nice addition to the story and reflection of the time period. The novel certainly isn't fun due to the subject matter, but it is a very enjoyable read nevertheless. My only small issue (if you want to call it that) with the story was the portrayal of Tussaud. She is portrayed as a fair weather friend which she really seems to have been based on what Moran states in her "Historical Note". Moran also states that Tussaud's true opinion on the Revolution wasn't known. Based purely on her actions in the novel, a small part of me had to question how Moran portrayed Tussaud's personality. I wouldn't presume to say or think that her portrayal is inaccurate, but I can't help but wonder if she was a bit more ruthless in reality. Regardless of the historical truth, this is historical fiction and taking it as such, it really is excellent. I'm rating it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Moran really piqued my interest in French HF and I'm looking forward to reading more.
As for Madame Tussaud herself, her character is incredible. I will admit when I first heard of this book I immediately thought of the slightly cheesy wax museums of our day and age. As Moran has pointed out here on GR though, people in the late 1700s didn't have the means or ability to travel and see people and places as we do now, nor did they have the media we do today where we know what everything and everyone looks like. Tussaud truly was an artist creating 3D portraits of people and places that the general populous would rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to see.
The novel is written in the present tense and reads almost like a journal or diary with a date given at the beginning of each chapter. Moran also starts off each chapter with a historical quote, which was a nice addition to the story and reflection of the time period. The novel certainly isn't fun due to the subject matter, but it is a very enjoyable read nevertheless. My only small issue (if you want to call it that) with the story was the portrayal of Tussaud. She is portrayed as a fair weather friend which she really seems to have been based on what Moran states in her "Historical Note". Moran also states that Tussaud's true opinion on the Revolution wasn't known. Based purely on her actions in the novel, a small part of me had to question how Moran portrayed Tussaud's personality. I wouldn't presume to say or think that her portrayal is inaccurate, but I can't help but wonder if she was a bit more ruthless in reality. Regardless of the historical truth, this is historical fiction and taking it as such, it really is excellent. I'm rating it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Moran really piqued my interest in French HF and I'm looking forward to reading more.
riseclare's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved this book and wish there were more written about this time period and subject! Flawless work by Michelle Moran.
crey18's review against another edition
4.0
An entirely new perspective for me! I enjoy reading about this revolution and this was a refreshing take on a familiar story!
wildwolverine's review against another edition
4.0
I have been looking forward to reading this book for FOREVER, and it did not disappoint! Oh, the emotions! Oh, the changing of Fates! You know what's going to happen, and yet you just can't help but be engrossed and wondering just how everything will shake out. I think almost every American student studies the French Revolution, so I already knew what would happen with Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, her children, Lafayette, Marat, and Robespierre. I still learned new things. The era came alive to me in a way it never did during history class. Kudos to Michelle Moran!
This is by far Moran's most descriptive book, and I gobbled up every detail, particularly of Versailles. It has such a fascinating history! I also loved how Moran flooded the novel with tidbits about how Marie Tussaud (Marie Gorsholtz) lived, how she set up her museum, and how she monetized the news. It was intriguing watching her balance her business acumen with her principles. While we can't know today what the heroine's thoughts on the Revolution were, I think Moran did a great job guessing.
Sidenote: Moran's side characters were unique and just as complex as the heroine. Moran dedicated a lot of time and pages for this novel, and the effort shows. This is one of my favorite books by her.
What kept this from a 5 star rating for me was that the chapters often ended abruptly. I kept expecting more only to be thrown into a new chapter. Also, Marie Gorsholtz's character sometimes got lost in the flood of events. So much happened so quickly during the French Revolution that Marie became more of a reporter rather than a character with thoughts and feelings. I felt like Moran could've written her to be a little more present in her own story.
This is by far Moran's most descriptive book, and I gobbled up every detail, particularly of Versailles. It has such a fascinating history! I also loved how Moran flooded the novel with tidbits about how Marie Tussaud (Marie Gorsholtz) lived, how she set up her museum, and how she monetized the news. It was intriguing watching her balance her business acumen with her principles. While we can't know today what the heroine's thoughts on the Revolution were, I think Moran did a great job guessing.
Sidenote: Moran's side characters were unique and just as complex as the heroine. Moran dedicated a lot of time and pages for this novel, and the effort shows. This is one of my favorite books by her.
What kept this from a 5 star rating for me was that the chapters often ended abruptly. I kept expecting more only to be thrown into a new chapter. Also, Marie Gorsholtz's character sometimes got lost in the flood of events. So much happened so quickly during the French Revolution that Marie became more of a reporter rather than a character with thoughts and feelings. I felt like Moran could've written her to be a little more present in her own story.
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
4.0
I went back & forth between 3 and 4 stars on this one. I felt like the book was less historical fiction and more of a creative and exciting way of just telling the true historical story. The author did a lot of "telling, not showing" and it read a little too slowly compared to other historical fiction books. But the fact of the matter is that the story of Madame Tussaud is just incredible, so it was still an important story to tell and I really enjoyed the book.
megansgc's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting story that I was unaware of. To be living through such terrifying times and to be connected to both sides of the revolution. The writing really conveyed how uncertain life was at that time.
ttomassini's review against another edition
4.0
" One the very best things about historical fiction is having the opportunity to learn something new about a historical event or figure. As someone who claims the love of history, I am quite embarrassed to admit that all I knew about the titular Madame Tussaud was that she had several high profile wax museums named after her. In fact, her involvement in the French Revolution was a complete and total surprise (the good kind, of course). Having read Moran’s Madame Tussaud, I can say that I have now become extremely fascinated by the life of a woman who managed to straddle the tenuous line between two factions in one of the world’s bloodiest revolutions. Since finishing the book, I have done my own personal research and discovered endless information about Marie and the French Revolution that had evaded me for so long but has now captured my attention so fervently. As any fan of historical fiction can tell you, that’s when you know the book has succeeded….."
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog:
https://thebookwench.com/2016/11/28/review-madame-tussaud-by-michelle-moran/
To read the rest of my review, please visit my blog:
https://thebookwench.com/2016/11/28/review-madame-tussaud-by-michelle-moran/
sabregirl's review against another edition
5.0
I managed to finish this book while trying to struggle through all of my school reading and I'm glad I did. This wa sa lovely and refreshing change from the drab books of [b:Madame Bovary|2175|Madame Bovary|Gustave Flaubert|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1160691449s/2175.jpg|2766347] & [b:The Book of the Courtier|314582|The Book of the Courtier (Dover Value Editions)|Baldassare Castiglione|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173688563s/314582.jpg|515272]! I was sucked into the French Revolution right along with Marie. I'm not all that best at the topic so I really enjoyed all of the twist and turns that took place and what Marie actually had to go through with all of her close friends turning on each other and towards the end knowing that she will be taken to jail and imprisioned for refusing (finally!) to do death masks on her friends. This book was a nice read that had a lot of depth that I didn't think it would. There is a lot of Historical happenings in the book as well which somtimes you don't see in hitorical fiction and I enjoyed that aspect. It was interesting how 'close' Marie actually got with the Royals and how much she witnessed and was apart of. The ending was a bit rushed for me but I do like how she was finally reconciled with bother Edmund, and I would've liked to have known what happened to him or if that was a touch of the author and maybe he did really die when his bother did. I was surprised, not knowning this before, that she met her husband while in jail and how quickly that was ruined for her.
emiann2023's review against another edition
3.0
I adore Michelle Moran. But I didn't feel as attached to this novel as I have her others.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a favorite novel of mine, so I'm quite familiar with the French Revolution. The descriptions of that time were honest and surreal. I also really enjoyed Marie as a character. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't enjoy this book more, I just felt...meh about it all.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a favorite novel of mine, so I'm quite familiar with the French Revolution. The descriptions of that time were honest and surreal. I also really enjoyed Marie as a character. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't enjoy this book more, I just felt...meh about it all.
robin_jong's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5