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blackoxford's review against another edition
4.0
But I Really Am He
Simon Leys has written an antidote to the What If Novel. What if Napoleon had used a double to escape from St. Helena? Well perhaps nothing significant except that he saves a failing fruit business in a Paris suburb and gets loved up by a plump widow. The fly in the strategic ointment is that by the time of his return to national politics there is an entire hospital devoted to men who believe they are Napoleon. Could have been, why not?
Simon Leys has written an antidote to the What If Novel. What if Napoleon had used a double to escape from St. Helena? Well perhaps nothing significant except that he saves a failing fruit business in a Paris suburb and gets loved up by a plump widow. The fly in the strategic ointment is that by the time of his return to national politics there is an entire hospital devoted to men who believe they are Napoleon. Could have been, why not?
iamjudgedredd's review against another edition
4.0
A one-day-read to get me out of a slump. This little novella is an exploration of identity, masks, death, fate, and genius. It packs a lot into such a small space, and has some really great allusions, both literary and historical.
arrrshia's review against another edition
THIS WAS SO GOOD. I loved it. It was the perfect length, and even though it was a disappointing ending, it was a slow burn. Haven't read much alternative history, but I loved it.
bmip666's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sallybates's review against another edition
The Man Who Died revisited
Leys' writing is rich, delicate and involving. This story touched my heart; surely it was a nod to the D H Lawrence story, The Man Who Died, and an honorable nod at that.
Leys' writing is rich, delicate and involving. This story touched my heart; surely it was a nod to the D H Lawrence story, The Man Who Died, and an honorable nod at that.
kingkong's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the cripple who pretended to have been a soldier and scammed people by giving Waterloo tours
whats_margaret_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating "what if?" novel about Napoleon escaping from Elba. It's interesting to read the interior monologue of a great (but physically short and in this case not all that recognizable) man who has to reinvent himself in a world he's not accustomed to. He might also be crazy (I though the ending might have left some ambiguity, but I'm reviewing this two months later so don't take my word for it).
blackoxford's review against another edition
4.0
But I Really Am He
Simon Leys has written an antidote to the What If Novel. What if Napoleon had used a double to escape from St. Helena? Well perhaps nothing significant except that he saves a failing fruit business in a Paris suburb and gets loved up by a plump widow. The fly in the strategic ointment is that by the time of his return to national politics there is an entire hospital devoted to men who believe they are Napoleon. Could have been, why not?
Simon Leys has written an antidote to the What If Novel. What if Napoleon had used a double to escape from St. Helena? Well perhaps nothing significant except that he saves a failing fruit business in a Paris suburb and gets loved up by a plump widow. The fly in the strategic ointment is that by the time of his return to national politics there is an entire hospital devoted to men who believe they are Napoleon. Could have been, why not?
roseofoulesfame's review against another edition
3.0
A short, slightly surreal ,yet strangely plausible 'what if' story, in which Napoleon escapes St Helena, leaving a doppelganger in his place, and heads back to France in an attempt to seize power once more.
Amusing in parts (a sort of wry humour) but mostly desperately sad, especially the ending.
Would still reread though (possibly in the original FR, for comparison).
Amusing in parts (a sort of wry humour) but mostly desperately sad, especially the ending.
Would still reread though (possibly in the original FR, for comparison).