Scan barcode
remarkablecows's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
A sweeping saga that tells the tale of Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and beloved first empress of the French.
Moving through her life from childhood to the end of her marriage with Napoleon, we get to know Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie on an intimate level. As a child on the island of Martinique, Rose is adventurous and outgoing, but not the favorite of the family. After the death of favored sister Catherine, Rose is sent to Paris to wed Alexandre de Beauharnais. Through their tumultuous marriage, war and imprisonment Rose keeps her strength and determination. Later, after becoming a mistress to many influential men, Rose meets Napoleon, finds what true love is and finally becomes Josephine Bonaparte.
Previous to reading Becoming Josephine, I did not know a lot about Josephine Bonaparte. I was immediately captivated by her spirit and strength. Through a work of fiction, I think author Heather Webb did a marvelous job finding the motivations in Josephine's life and her path to freedom. Through every step of Josephine's journey we are able to see through Josephine's eyes, a wonderful mix of history and fiction that makes me want to learn more about Josephine Bonaparte.
This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review.
Moving through her life from childhood to the end of her marriage with Napoleon, we get to know Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie on an intimate level. As a child on the island of Martinique, Rose is adventurous and outgoing, but not the favorite of the family. After the death of favored sister Catherine, Rose is sent to Paris to wed Alexandre de Beauharnais. Through their tumultuous marriage, war and imprisonment Rose keeps her strength and determination. Later, after becoming a mistress to many influential men, Rose meets Napoleon, finds what true love is and finally becomes Josephine Bonaparte.
Previous to reading Becoming Josephine, I did not know a lot about Josephine Bonaparte. I was immediately captivated by her spirit and strength. Through a work of fiction, I think author Heather Webb did a marvelous job finding the motivations in Josephine's life and her path to freedom. Through every step of Josephine's journey we are able to see through Josephine's eyes, a wonderful mix of history and fiction that makes me want to learn more about Josephine Bonaparte.
This book was received for free in exchange for an honest review.
shantti's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
justareader123's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
katevaliant's review against another edition
4.0
This is a must read for anyone looking for a book focused on Josephine's life. While this book covers her time with Napoleon, it also explores her earlier, less well known life. Josephine is well written and easy to sympathize with. I enjoyed reading about how she made her own way in a France dominated by men.
elisabethei85's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
truebookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
What a fabulous debut novel! I found myself thinking...when I was not even 50 pages in...how well-written it is. Coming in at only 300 pages, this novel packs a lot of punch. It easily rivals any of its more chunky counterparts.
Reading a book centering on Josephine was so refreshing. I have not, as of yet, read any historical novels about her. I was surprised by what an illustrious life she led. Not having read much non-fiction-wise about her, I have no way of determining how accurate Ms. Webb's story is, but I think it's safe to say that it is accurate and impeccably researched at that. I will now be in search of an excellent non-fiction book about Josephine. Any recommendations?
What Ms. Webb did best, in my opinion, was completely capture Napoleon's character as I imagined he would be. Such a passionate and intense person. Despite his faults, I found reading the parts involving him utterly fascinating.
Again, a strong debut novel here. An engaging and exciting story that will clearly delight even non-regular readers of historical fiction. I look forward to future offerings by Heather Webb. I hope I won't have to wait too long.
Reading a book centering on Josephine was so refreshing. I have not, as of yet, read any historical novels about her. I was surprised by what an illustrious life she led. Not having read much non-fiction-wise about her, I have no way of determining how accurate Ms. Webb's story is, but I think it's safe to say that it is accurate and impeccably researched at that. I will now be in search of an excellent non-fiction book about Josephine. Any recommendations?
What Ms. Webb did best, in my opinion, was completely capture Napoleon's character as I imagined he would be. Such a passionate and intense person. Despite his faults, I found reading the parts involving him utterly fascinating.
Again, a strong debut novel here. An engaging and exciting story that will clearly delight even non-regular readers of historical fiction. I look forward to future offerings by Heather Webb. I hope I won't have to wait too long.
eclectictales's review against another edition
5.0
This review in its entirety was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2014/01/06/review-becoming-josephine-giveaway/
Becoming Josephine is a rich novel that follows Rose from her early days in Martinique to her experiences both in the French Royal Court, the rise of the French Revolution and into Napoleon’s life and his Court. It was interesting to see major figures of the time weave in and out of Rose’s life as well as the ideas and social sentiments that were prevalent at the time. The reader also gains a sense of the confusion and the precariousness of the period, especially around the time of the Revolution and its descent to the Terror–no one was safe and the reader is left unsure whether certain characters around Rose will live or die.
Rose herself is a fully-realised character. She has her own dreams, her visions of what she wants out of her life and sticks by them. Rose underwent a massive learning curve about Paris and Parisian/Court life and customs in the first few years that she was in Paris, including all of the hurt. She also has her own faults and makes mistakes, all of which fleshes her out further as a character, making her three-dimensional.
Overall I really enjoyed reading Becoming Josephine. The scope in which the author covered the character’s life is impressive and it feels like the reader is right with her as she lives through such uncertain times. Readers of French history and historical fiction will definitely want to check out this novel!
Becoming Josephine is a rich novel that follows Rose from her early days in Martinique to her experiences both in the French Royal Court, the rise of the French Revolution and into Napoleon’s life and his Court. It was interesting to see major figures of the time weave in and out of Rose’s life as well as the ideas and social sentiments that were prevalent at the time. The reader also gains a sense of the confusion and the precariousness of the period, especially around the time of the Revolution and its descent to the Terror–no one was safe and the reader is left unsure whether certain characters around Rose will live or die.
Rose herself is a fully-realised character. She has her own dreams, her visions of what she wants out of her life and sticks by them. Rose underwent a massive learning curve about Paris and Parisian/Court life and customs in the first few years that she was in Paris, including all of the hurt. She also has her own faults and makes mistakes, all of which fleshes her out further as a character, making her three-dimensional.
Overall I really enjoyed reading Becoming Josephine. The scope in which the author covered the character’s life is impressive and it feels like the reader is right with her as she lives through such uncertain times. Readers of French history and historical fiction will definitely want to check out this novel!
ciska's review against another edition
3.0
Review
Heather Webb grew up a military brat and naturally became obsessed with travel, culture, and languages.
She put her degrees to good use teaching high school French for nearly a decade before turning to full time novel writing and freelance editing. Her debut, BECOMING JOSEPHINE will release December 31, 2013 from Plume/Penguin.
When not writing, Heather flexes her foodie skills or looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world. She loves to chitchat on Twitter with new reader friends or writers (@msheatherwebb) or via her blog, Between the Sheets (www.Heatherwebb.net/blog). Stop on by!
Review
I was asked if I would like to be part of this book tour for Becoming Josephine. Though this book does not forcefully fit in my preferred reading I got triggered by the synopsis anyway. I became curious what Rose would have to do to reinvent herself and how things would turn out. This made me decide to read this book.
The first fifty pages gave a clear idea bout the the feelings Rose has about her life and how things should be. You really get to know her and it becomes clear very fast that with her ideas she will be having a hard time in the world.
With the developments in the story you get easily connected to Rose. She is clearly making decisions that will give her the best chances in her life. It is clear Rose is a strong woman with a big heart. Even though at times I could not agree with her decisions I did understand why she made them and feel that for that period she did make smart moves.
The book was a great introduction into an important part of the French history. Without going into the historical or political facts to much the whole story on the revolution is told with the rise of Napoleon. It does help when you know a bit about this era because some terms are used for the political groups in this period but I do not feel it would be a problem to read this book without that knowledge.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the France Booktours in return for an honest review*
Heather Webb grew up a military brat and naturally became obsessed with travel, culture, and languages.
She put her degrees to good use teaching high school French for nearly a decade before turning to full time novel writing and freelance editing. Her debut, BECOMING JOSEPHINE will release December 31, 2013 from Plume/Penguin.
When not writing, Heather flexes her foodie skills or looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world. She loves to chitchat on Twitter with new reader friends or writers (@msheatherwebb) or via her blog, Between the Sheets (www.Heatherwebb.net/blog). Stop on by!
Review
I was asked if I would like to be part of this book tour for Becoming Josephine. Though this book does not forcefully fit in my preferred reading I got triggered by the synopsis anyway. I became curious what Rose would have to do to reinvent herself and how things would turn out. This made me decide to read this book.
The first fifty pages gave a clear idea bout the the feelings Rose has about her life and how things should be. You really get to know her and it becomes clear very fast that with her ideas she will be having a hard time in the world.
With the developments in the story you get easily connected to Rose. She is clearly making decisions that will give her the best chances in her life. It is clear Rose is a strong woman with a big heart. Even though at times I could not agree with her decisions I did understand why she made them and feel that for that period she did make smart moves.
The book was a great introduction into an important part of the French history. Without going into the historical or political facts to much the whole story on the revolution is told with the rise of Napoleon. It does help when you know a bit about this era because some terms are used for the political groups in this period but I do not feel it would be a problem to read this book without that knowledge.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the France Booktours in return for an honest review*