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A review by madamereads
Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin
5.0
SO. MANY. FEELINGS. This is a spectacular story, one of the best historical fiction books I've ever read.
I started out with no expectations. I plucked it from the shelf at my local recycled bookstore and thought "Hey, this looks interesting," and went from there. Oh my sweet Mother Mary am I glad I did!
First of all, I love Betsy. She is a likable, headstrong heroine, but doesn't come off as your run of the mill "oh, I'm an independent, stubborn heroine that doesn't every want to fall in lo- OH MY WORD A BOY". She struggles with the confines of her gloomy home and family relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I completely adore how the author portrays Napoleon, and his friendship with Betsy. In this story the reader sees a completely different, kinder side to the Emperor that is rarely shown in any books or movies about him. He and Betsy have one of the sweetest, most wonderful friendships I have ever read in my life. They clearly grow to care very much about each other and it shows as the book goes along. Later the reader sees Napoleon's love for Betsy is a little more than merely platonic, but I think it makes there relationship that much sweeter.
In the end, I think the epilogue was the perfect touch to complete the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't elaborate, but again I say, it was perfect.
I started out with no expectations. I plucked it from the shelf at my local recycled bookstore and thought "Hey, this looks interesting," and went from there. Oh my sweet Mother Mary am I glad I did!
First of all, I love Betsy. She is a likable, headstrong heroine, but doesn't come off as your run of the mill "oh, I'm an independent, stubborn heroine that doesn't every want to fall in lo- OH MY WORD A BOY". She struggles with the confines of her gloomy home and family relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I completely adore how the author portrays Napoleon, and his friendship with Betsy. In this story the reader sees a completely different, kinder side to the Emperor that is rarely shown in any books or movies about him. He and Betsy have one of the sweetest, most wonderful friendships I have ever read in my life. They clearly grow to care very much about each other and it shows as the book goes along. Later the reader sees Napoleon's love for Betsy is a little more than merely platonic, but I think it makes there relationship that much sweeter.
In the end, I think the epilogue was the perfect touch to complete the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't elaborate, but again I say, it was perfect.