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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Review posted here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2019/09/07/review-of-becoming-josephine-by-heather-webb/
It is very appropriate that Webb chose to include the quote "one is not born a woman; one becomes one" (Simone de Beauvoir) before she embarks on this amazing tale. In fact, Webb has embodied this throughout her story by putting the development of the woman behind the history at its very core. What's more, she does this with an elegance of prose that fits perfectly with both the time and the personality of her main character. From the very first paragraphs we are both swept up into the era and welcomed into her very heart, mind and soul. You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2013/12/15/the-making-of-a-french-empress/
I loved this book! I wasn't expecting much from it, to be honest, but it wildly exceeded my expectations.
Though historical events are technically not spoilers, this review will be limited, just in case you want to read this book, but don't know the history of Josephine Bonaparte.
Though this book is short, it moves along extremely quickly, because Webb has managed to fit years and years of history into 300 pages. At first, I wasn't used to the pace, and didn't know if I would like it, but I actually came to love it. The fast pace works here, because Webb is looking at Josephine as a person, not just an historical figure, and really understands the feelings and goals of this woman, who you can tell is incredibly important to her.
Going along with this, the book is, though quietly, incredibly feminist, which gets huge points from me! Josephine is outspoken, does the things she wants to do, and never judges a woman for their own choices. It was so refreshing to read about women making their own choices, regardless of if it was buying an extravagant dress, or sleeping with men, and not having to read other women gossiping about them being "sluts" and "whores". In fact, Josephine even makes a point to say that women can and should do what they want when they want, and it doesn't matter to her, and it shouldn't to anyone else, either. Her best friend, Fanny, also makes sly comments about women making the big decisions that men get credit for, and it had me smiling from ear to ear.
My only complaint is the end. Not because it was bad, in any means, but because I wanted to know more! It ended with Josephine going back to her house, Malmaison, to live out the rest of her days, and that's where it ends. I wanted to know about the rest of her life! Did the French citizens still love her? Did she still practice tarot? How did she spend her days? I want to know!
If you're a fan of French history, or just historical fiction in general, I highly recommend this book. It's a quick read, but I can (almost) guarantee you'll fall in love with Josephine, like I did.
Though historical events are technically not spoilers, this review will be limited, just in case you want to read this book, but don't know the history of Josephine Bonaparte.
Though this book is short, it moves along extremely quickly, because Webb has managed to fit years and years of history into 300 pages. At first, I wasn't used to the pace, and didn't know if I would like it, but I actually came to love it. The fast pace works here, because Webb is looking at Josephine as a person, not just an historical figure, and really understands the feelings and goals of this woman, who you can tell is incredibly important to her.
Going along with this, the book is, though quietly, incredibly feminist, which gets huge points from me! Josephine is outspoken, does the things she wants to do, and never judges a woman for their own choices. It was so refreshing to read about women making their own choices, regardless of if it was buying an extravagant dress, or sleeping with men, and not having to read other women gossiping about them being "sluts" and "whores". In fact, Josephine even makes a point to say that women can and should do what they want when they want, and it doesn't matter to her, and it shouldn't to anyone else, either. Her best friend, Fanny, also makes sly comments about women making the big decisions that men get credit for, and it had me smiling from ear to ear.
My only complaint is the end. Not because it was bad, in any means, but because I wanted to know more! It ended with Josephine going back to her house, Malmaison, to live out the rest of her days, and that's where it ends. I wanted to know about the rest of her life! Did the French citizens still love her? Did she still practice tarot? How did she spend her days? I want to know!
If you're a fan of French history, or just historical fiction in general, I highly recommend this book. It's a quick read, but I can (almost) guarantee you'll fall in love with Josephine, like I did.
Perhaps the similarities are just coincidences, but one can easily compare Josephine to the fictional Scarlett O’Hara. Both are willing to compromise their morals or flout society’s rules to achieve their desired goals. Both are selfish, petty, and ruthless in their revenge. Both use their beauty and sex to manipulate situations to their advantages. However, Josephine’s one saving grace is her devotion to her children, something genuine and touching and a trait Scarlett just never has towards anyone but her last child. It is the fact that Josephine does so much on her children’s behalf which prevents her from being a completely horrible person. That and her mad passion for the boorish Napoleon, which has the feeling of just desserts given everything she does to other people. Together, the two traits humanize her in a way all of her sufferings fail to accomplish, creating sympathy for a person it would be easy to dislike.
What Becoming Josephine fails to show – something Margaret Mitchell does quite effectively – is the alternatives Rose/Josephine has. Scarlett always had options and more acceptable methods by which she could live her life and make her fortune. Ms. Webb shows none of that for Rose. Perhaps it is her sphere of influence, her greediness, or her general disregard for society, but readers do not see how other women of similar social status fared during the fall of the monarchy, the Revolution and Bonaparte’s rise to power. One wishes this contrast did exist within the story if only to make Josephine a more fully-developed character than she already is. Without it, one does not really know the true depredations, if any, of her behavior.
Wherever possible, Ms. Webb quotes primary source documents to add authenticity to her story, including letters to and from Napoleon. Not only does this help readers identify the factual from the fictional, but it fills in some of the gaps and lessens the incredulity that Josephine and Napoleon really did share such a passionate love. Given Josephine’s tendency towards the dramatic, as seen by interactions with her first husband, it is well within the realm of author invention to create a relationship so extreme in its sentiments and jealousies. Quotations of the original correspondence between the two do much to lessen this doubt and sheds light on the tenor of their relationship.
Those readers unfamiliar with the life of Rose Josephine Tascher will appreciate Ms. Webb’s detailed glimpse into this unusual life. She’s judicious in showing Josephine’s flaws as well as her more positive attributes. Simultaneously, the historical details are vibrant and thorough in their explanations of one of the most tumultuous periods in European history. Ms. Webb wisely avoids judgment as she describes Josephine’s more questionable actions, allowing readers to make their own such decisions. The overall impression of Becoming Josephine is of a woman born into a complex period in history, in which everything familiar becomes hated and feared, who uses the gifts given to her to her best advantage and did what was necessary in order to survive.
What Becoming Josephine fails to show – something Margaret Mitchell does quite effectively – is the alternatives Rose/Josephine has. Scarlett always had options and more acceptable methods by which she could live her life and make her fortune. Ms. Webb shows none of that for Rose. Perhaps it is her sphere of influence, her greediness, or her general disregard for society, but readers do not see how other women of similar social status fared during the fall of the monarchy, the Revolution and Bonaparte’s rise to power. One wishes this contrast did exist within the story if only to make Josephine a more fully-developed character than she already is. Without it, one does not really know the true depredations, if any, of her behavior.
Wherever possible, Ms. Webb quotes primary source documents to add authenticity to her story, including letters to and from Napoleon. Not only does this help readers identify the factual from the fictional, but it fills in some of the gaps and lessens the incredulity that Josephine and Napoleon really did share such a passionate love. Given Josephine’s tendency towards the dramatic, as seen by interactions with her first husband, it is well within the realm of author invention to create a relationship so extreme in its sentiments and jealousies. Quotations of the original correspondence between the two do much to lessen this doubt and sheds light on the tenor of their relationship.
Those readers unfamiliar with the life of Rose Josephine Tascher will appreciate Ms. Webb’s detailed glimpse into this unusual life. She’s judicious in showing Josephine’s flaws as well as her more positive attributes. Simultaneously, the historical details are vibrant and thorough in their explanations of one of the most tumultuous periods in European history. Ms. Webb wisely avoids judgment as she describes Josephine’s more questionable actions, allowing readers to make their own such decisions. The overall impression of Becoming Josephine is of a woman born into a complex period in history, in which everything familiar becomes hated and feared, who uses the gifts given to her to her best advantage and did what was necessary in order to survive.
4.5 stars. "Becoming Josephine" is the historical fiction tale of Josephine Bonaparte, wife of the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte. I have been looking forward to reading this book for a long time and I must tell you, I was not disappointed and I am happy to wholeheartedly recommend this book to my fellow historical fiction lovers.
Before I read this book, I did not know much about Josephine at all except for the fact that she was married to Napoleon. This book takes us from Josephine's childhood where she was known as Rose, played second fiddle to her sister, and lived on a gorgeous island to her marriage and subsequent separation from Napoleon when she was a part of French high society. It's a great story and engaged me from the beginning until the end. It was really amazing to me how Josephine was able to go from a really bad marriage. She makes her way into the upper echelons of French society and catches the eye of Napoleon. She truly had an amazing life.
Underneath this fascinating story is an engaging character that you will absolutely love following. The book is told from Josephine's perspective, which I absolutely love. There was something really special about being able to see things from Josephine's perspective.
The historical detail in the book was fantastic. Webb was able to write in such a way that brought me right me to Josephine's time. I could picture exactly what Josephine was going through. I really, really enjoyed this book. The only thing I didn't like is that it ended so quickly (seriously, the book was not nearly long enough). Count me among those awaiting Webb's next release!
Before I read this book, I did not know much about Josephine at all except for the fact that she was married to Napoleon. This book takes us from Josephine's childhood where she was known as Rose, played second fiddle to her sister, and lived on a gorgeous island to her marriage and subsequent separation from Napoleon when she was a part of French high society. It's a great story and engaged me from the beginning until the end. It was really amazing to me how Josephine was able to go from a really bad marriage. She makes her way into the upper echelons of French society and catches the eye of Napoleon. She truly had an amazing life.
Underneath this fascinating story is an engaging character that you will absolutely love following. The book is told from Josephine's perspective, which I absolutely love. There was something really special about being able to see things from Josephine's perspective.
The historical detail in the book was fantastic. Webb was able to write in such a way that brought me right me to Josephine's time. I could picture exactly what Josephine was going through. I really, really enjoyed this book. The only thing I didn't like is that it ended so quickly (seriously, the book was not nearly long enough). Count me among those awaiting Webb's next release!
What a guilty pleasure for someone who loves historical fiction but occasionally wants something that isn't a heavy read.