Lisa L. (taaza) reviewed The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. (Josephine B., Bk 1) on + 56 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
Fascinating glimpse into how Josephine Bonaparte came to be...this first book of the trilogy by Sandra Gulland traces her girlhood days in Martinique (which was my favorite part of the book, full of exotic intrique) to her arranged first marriage in France. At the end of the book, she finally meets Bonaparte. I have started the 2nd book, which so far, is not nearly as enjoyable as this.
Karen H. (SashaFletch) reviewed The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. (Josephine B., Bk 1) on + 121 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I found this book while taking a cruise in 2005. It was in the library swap section, so I started it then and there and took it home with me. I had never read anything on Josephine Bonaparte or Napoleon before, so it was all new to me and I really enjoyed it. I subsequently got the other 2 books in the trilogy as gifts and read them too. This book, and the other 2 books, are very pleasant reading. They are fiction, but Ms. Gulland has done her research of the times thoroughly, so I felt that I had also learned an accurate account of French history from those years.
Since reading these books, however, I have read a purely historical, non-fiction book about Josephine and found that this trilogy of books is extremely sympathetic to Josephine to the point of leaving out some the less honorable parts of her life. So, even though the historical events are correct, I didn't feel her life was presented accurately at all. For example, in the non-fiction book, the introduction states that many people did not like Josephine and that she has not been portrayed kindly among historians. This was a shock to me since in Ms. Gulland's books, Josephine is shown in such a favorable, sympathetic light.
The books are written in diary form, so maybe the author is presenting the skewed facts as how Josephine would want them to appear to the public, conveniently leaving out some of her extramarital affairs for example, or turning them into platonic friendships. That could be the case. Anyway, the book was fun to read and very enjoyable as fiction.
Since reading these books, however, I have read a purely historical, non-fiction book about Josephine and found that this trilogy of books is extremely sympathetic to Josephine to the point of leaving out some the less honorable parts of her life. So, even though the historical events are correct, I didn't feel her life was presented accurately at all. For example, in the non-fiction book, the introduction states that many people did not like Josephine and that she has not been portrayed kindly among historians. This was a shock to me since in Ms. Gulland's books, Josephine is shown in such a favorable, sympathetic light.
The books are written in diary form, so maybe the author is presenting the skewed facts as how Josephine would want them to appear to the public, conveniently leaving out some of her extramarital affairs for example, or turning them into platonic friendships. That could be the case. Anyway, the book was fun to read and very enjoyable as fiction.
Leigh F. (phredhome) reviewed The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. (Josephine B., Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Fictionalized account of the early life of Josephine Bonaparte. (first of a trilogy) Solid historical fiction, extensively researched.
Helpful Score: 3
The first book in the trilogy of historical fiction about Josephine Bonaparte. Beautifully written, absorbing!
Paula D. (eddiandizosmom) reviewed The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. (Josephine B., Bk 1) on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book, it feels epic and is written in the form of her journals.... spans from her childhood to the marriage of she and Bonaparte... this is the first in the series.
