Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe

November 1, 1999
Gulland continues the saga of Josephine Bonaparte with her marriage to Napoleon in 1796. Although the revolutionary bloodbath has ended, France remains convulsed by political upheaval. Josephine's position depends on her cultivation of those in power and on her husband's military successes. Burdened by mounting debts and harassed by Bonaparte family members intent on destroying her reputation, Josephine survives through shrewdness and charm. Napoleon's adoration often weighs heavy, as when he summons her to join him near remote battlefields. But much of her time is spent waiting in France, especially during his disastrous Egyptian campaign. Told mostly through Josephine's journal entries, this installment is not as compelling as The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B, in part because much of the action occurs off stage. However, Gulland continues to integrate historical detail effectively. While this segment may not win the trilogy many new readers, those who enjoyed the first volume will remain intrigued enough to follow Napoleon's path to power in 1800 and to await the rest of the story. For public libraries.--Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato

Copyright 1999 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.