Review: Revolution

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Summary: BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

My Thoughts: This was a very good book. I didn’t know a lot about the French Revolution, and found myself wishing I was more familiar with it. After reading the author’s comments at the end and seeing the (quite lengthy) bibliography, I am guessing that the facts of the revolution are pretty accurate – or at least as accurate as history can be. When learning about it in history classes, I remember thinking the French elite got what was coming to them. I never once considered the personal side of it all – and never heard of Louis-Charles before reading this. That poor, poor child!

Anyway, Andi is an interesting, and very depressed character. She’s unable to move on from her brother’s death. Unable to find a way to let go and move on. She’s basically on self-destruct mode. And, having been depressed (and still being a Zoloft taker), I can feel for her depression. I can empathize. BUT, she drove me nuts at times – mainly by the way she popped her pills (Qwellify, I believe) as if they are candy. I get that she wanted to dull the pain. I get that she preferred to be numb. I really do get that. But, I wanted to smack her once or twice. (And I do wonder how she managed to get away with that. It’s not like insurance companies would allow someone to refill their prescriptions as often as she’d have to if she’s doubling, tripling – even quadrupling – her dosage at times.)

Despite that, I felt the story was amazing. Especially the parts in Alex’s diary. The Revolution. An insider’s view. Wow. When taught about the revolution, we Americans are taught with empathy (or sympathy?) for the poor. I think we see it in light of our own revolution. But, it’s so vastly different. Not at all the same. Yes, the people were oppressed as we were oppressed. Yes, they were starving to death while the elite lived a life of luxury. But, our revolution was done across a vast ocean, and never resulted in the kid of tragedy, bloodshed, madness that happened in France. This book shows the side of those caught in the middle – and even the side of the king. And, again, that poor, poor child – Louis- Charles.

I feel like I’m rambling. Sorry. I think that, as a mother, this book affected me a great deal because of Louis-Charles. It’s haunting, and just horrible. Horrible. I can see why people would think that, while God loves us, the devil is the one who really is interested. (There’s a quote along those lines somewhere in the book.) To feel so hopeless. That poor, sweet child.

Rambling some more. Sorry. This was a great book. I’m glad I made sure to read it after all. If you like historical fiction, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Favorite Quotes: This book is chock full of awesome quotes. A few are below.

I’m wishing he could see that music lives. Forever. That it’s stronger than death. Stronger than time. And that its strength holds you together when nothing else can. ~ page 87

“Maybe the heart should keep its secrets. Some things are too painful to know.” ~ page 193

The decent people of Paris had hidden themselves behind closed doors as decent people always do. Massacres could not happen if it were not for decent people. ~ page 296

Ms. Hammond sighed. “History is a Rorschach test, people,” she said. “What you see when you look at it tells you as much about yourself as it does about the past.” ~page 300

There is only one thing I fear now – love.
For I have seen it and I have felt it and I know that it is love, not death, that undoes us. ~ page 302

Source: My local library.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

Challenges: Counts for 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 and the Wish I’d Read That Challenge 2011 (I had the opportunity to read this as part of a tour last year, but ran out of time).

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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