Scan barcode
hoboken's review against another edition
2.0
Based on the diary of the narrator. I think that, as with Angle of Repose, I'd prefer to read the diary itself. This novel seemed too plot driven, that is, the author was retailing the events in the diary rather than building the characters and letting the actions flow from them. I don't know enough of this history to judge how much he embellished.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review against another edition
3.0
There is a broad spectrum between fiction and non-fiction. Historical fiction is somewhere in the middle. Some historical fiction is predominantly fiction drawing on the historical record primarily for the setting. [Disclosure, I am writing a novel like this set during the Thera explosion of the Minoan era on Crete.] Other historical fiction moves very close to non-fiction with historical figures as the main characters. Napoleon's Last Island by Thomas Keneally is of the latter type, focusing on Elizabeth Balcombe, a friend of Napolean during his exile on St. Helena. This is certainly a challenge as there is much published, both fiction and non-fiction, about Betsy, including other memoirs.
I found this novel to read much like non-fiction, and thought it might have been more enjoyable if I had been a better student of Napolean. In fact, I didn't know where St. Helena was located until I read this book.
I found this novel to read much like non-fiction, and thought it might have been more enjoyable if I had been a better student of Napolean. In fact, I didn't know where St. Helena was located until I read this book.
eclectictales's review against another edition
1.0
I was provided an ARC of this book by the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2016/10/03/review-napoleons-last-island/
I tried, you guys, I really did. The opening chapter didn’t quite grip me, but I read on in the hopes of the story picking up. Unfortunately it never did for me: I didn’t really feel for the story, the characters weren’t particularly compelling, and getting through the book was a chore that it was difficult to appreciate the themes of exile, social perception, and relationships. I suppose I did get a sense of place and setting in this book, how remote Saint Helena was from the wider world with all of its politics and happenings, but that was about it. I didn’t enjoy this historical fiction title, it didn’t capture my attention.
I tried, you guys, I really did. The opening chapter didn’t quite grip me, but I read on in the hopes of the story picking up. Unfortunately it never did for me: I didn’t really feel for the story, the characters weren’t particularly compelling, and getting through the book was a chore that it was difficult to appreciate the themes of exile, social perception, and relationships. I suppose I did get a sense of place and setting in this book, how remote Saint Helena was from the wider world with all of its politics and happenings, but that was about it. I didn’t enjoy this historical fiction title, it didn’t capture my attention.
nicmedia123's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this fictional account of Napoleon, the exiled Emperor, forming a playful friendship with Betsy Balcombe, daughter of the steward of the East India Company, William Balcombe. Unlike Napoleon, Betsy loves her island of St. Helena and thrives here. Her impertinent and sassy attitude attracts Napoleon, and they form a friendship founded on childish pranks and playful antics. Her family also befriends him. Appearances are deceiving though, as Betsy does not know all of what happens around her in the adult world. Politics ensue, and Napoleon's exile becomes more harsh- the Balcombes choose their own exile as they refuse to make the Emperor their enemy. This story builds to a satisfying climactic moment, and resonates with sadness that forgiveness is not granted, when truly forgiveness is what most people crave.
estellabelle92's review against another edition
4.0
Despite having visited Waterloo battlefield and knowing that Napoleon's last few years were spent on St. Helena, I was ignorant of what happened during those years.
This exploration of those last years via historical fiction pique my interest and desire to dive deeper into Napoleon. I admit that the history-lover in me relished the thought of these ordinary people deep in a colonial backwater of backwaters, playing host to one of the mightiest figures in history.
This exploration of those last years via historical fiction pique my interest and desire to dive deeper into Napoleon. I admit that the history-lover in me relished the thought of these ordinary people deep in a colonial backwater of backwaters, playing host to one of the mightiest figures in history.
littlecornerreads's review against another edition
1.0
I feel like you can't go to Europe and not get excited about history because it's literally all around you. Well, you if you don't want to feed that excitement, just read this book, and it'll completely kill any desire you had to learn more about European history.
This book is ridiculously long. It's probably 300 pages too long. The writing is flat, the characters are boring, the story has no plot, which all just makes the book drag on even longer. I honestly don't know how (or why) I got through the entire book, but I don't think I learned anything about Napoleon and honestly don't remember what happened in 75% of the book (though that may be because nothing happened.) I didn't care about anyone or any thing that happened. Reading it felt like a punishment...maybe Keneally was trying to make his book so painfully slow we'd understand how Napoleon felt in exile!
It really is a torturous book made so much worse by that one scene with Mrs. Balcombe that everyone hates and Thomas Keneally even gives a heads up/apology for in his intro. (Note: if you have to apologize to your readers for a scene in advance, maybe you should probably not include it in your book. Just a thought.) If for some reason you choose to read this book despite all the terrible reviews, you can at least be comforted by the fact that you'll probably quit before you read the infamous scene towards the end and at least be spared some pain.
For the rest of you, let me save you some time: Napoleon's Last Island tl;dr Edition: Napoleon is exiled, lives on an island, meets a family, and dies.
Now go on with your lives and read something else.
This book is ridiculously long. It's probably 300 pages too long. The writing is flat, the characters are boring, the story has no plot, which all just makes the book drag on even longer. I honestly don't know how (or why) I got through the entire book, but I don't think I learned anything about Napoleon and honestly don't remember what happened in 75% of the book (though that may be because nothing happened.) I didn't care about anyone or any thing that happened. Reading it felt like a punishment...maybe Keneally was trying to make his book so painfully slow we'd understand how Napoleon felt in exile!
It really is a torturous book made so much worse by that one scene with Mrs. Balcombe that everyone hates and Thomas Keneally even gives a heads up/apology for in his intro. (Note: if you have to apologize to your readers for a scene in advance, maybe you should probably not include it in your book. Just a thought.) If for some reason you choose to read this book despite all the terrible reviews, you can at least be comforted by the fact that you'll probably quit before you read the infamous scene towards the end and at least be spared some pain.
For the rest of you, let me save you some time: Napoleon's Last Island tl;dr Edition: Napoleon is exiled, lives on an island, meets a family, and dies.
Now go on with your lives and read something else.
More...