Scan barcode
caitlinmchugh24's review
4.0
I liked the focus on women and the French revolution. Some of the characters I was familiar with and some I only learned about in the book. The women were a good cross section of the classes and sides of the French Revolution. I enjoyed the writing and the characterizations of the various women.
Would recommend for anyone interested in women-centered historical fiction.
Would recommend for anyone interested in women-centered historical fiction.
meganalexander16's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
abbey3's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book and I think by the end, I was glad I had at least finished it? I honestly loved the first character so much that it was hard to have to move onto others that I didn’t care about. But they ended strongly at least? I wish I could give it 3.5 stars
Merged review:
I wanted to love this book and I think by the end, I was glad I had at least finished it? I honestly loved the first character so much that it was hard to have to move onto others that I didn’t care about. But they ended strongly at least? I wish I could give it 3.5 stars
Merged review:
I wanted to love this book and I think by the end, I was glad I had at least finished it? I honestly loved the first character so much that it was hard to have to move onto others that I didn’t care about. But they ended strongly at least? I wish I could give it 3.5 stars
100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
The French Revolution was a time of immense change, violence and uncertainty for everyone in the country. The women of France eagerly became caught up in the Revolution hoping for change, for rights and for freedom. Many of these women died for their part in the revolution and their beliefs that women should have the same rights as men. Through the eyes of six amazing authors, six equally stunning and brave women of the French Revolution come alive: Sophie de Grouchy, Louise Audu, Elisabeth Philippine Marie Helene de France, Manon Roland, Charlotte Corday and Emilie de Sainte-Amaranthe.
Through their tragedies and triumphs, these women weaved in and out of one another's lives. While each section of the book is written through just one woman's eyes, the others are present. Each woman's perspective moved farther in time through the Revolution. I love that the focus was not on the intense politics of the Revolution or what the men were fighting for, but the beliefs of each woman and how she set about to accomplish her task. Sophie de Grouchy used her political fervor to educate and empower other women under the guise of entertainment. Louise Audu, a feisty fruit seller and student of Sophie bands with other women to storm the Bastille. Elisabeth of France takes a stance to protect her family and realize just what her family is being killed for. Manon Roland takes up the pen as her weapon using the endurance and graciousness as women for strength. Charlotte Corday is convinced that murdering a man that slings slander and incites violence and hatred is a step towards peace. Emile de Sainte-Amaranthe uses her beauty to keep those who control France's fate under her influence. Each woman's emotions, desires, convictions and bravery are placed in the forefront of the writing. While their beliefs may not have always aligned, the women's power of conviction shone through.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Through their tragedies and triumphs, these women weaved in and out of one another's lives. While each section of the book is written through just one woman's eyes, the others are present. Each woman's perspective moved farther in time through the Revolution. I love that the focus was not on the intense politics of the Revolution or what the men were fighting for, but the beliefs of each woman and how she set about to accomplish her task. Sophie de Grouchy used her political fervor to educate and empower other women under the guise of entertainment. Louise Audu, a feisty fruit seller and student of Sophie bands with other women to storm the Bastille. Elisabeth of France takes a stance to protect her family and realize just what her family is being killed for. Manon Roland takes up the pen as her weapon using the endurance and graciousness as women for strength. Charlotte Corday is convinced that murdering a man that slings slander and incites violence and hatred is a step towards peace. Emile de Sainte-Amaranthe uses her beauty to keep those who control France's fate under her influence. Each woman's emotions, desires, convictions and bravery are placed in the forefront of the writing. While their beliefs may not have always aligned, the women's power of conviction shone through.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
readingwithmygoldens's review
4.0
After sitting on this for a bit, I'm going to give this 4 true stars, up from my initial 3.5. This book was a heck of an undertaking since there were SIX authors and it was set during one of the most momentous historical events in the history of Western Civilization (aka The French Revolution).
I'm a huge history nerd, but I'm more of a WWI/WWII kind of girl so this is before my time and I can tell you I learned a TON. What initially drew me to this book was that it was all about real women from this time period who served in various roles throughout the French Revolution. The forward was written by Allison Pataki and she made an observation that never really occurred to me before. She talked about how the women of the book I was about to read might sound really progressive...Almost as if they belong in today's time and not in the 1790s. She mentioned that women have always been involved in causes to advance rights of ourselves and others, but it was never written about in our textbooks. Why? Simply, women weren't writing the history they were a big part of. Men were. And there you have it.
I was concerned that with so many authors it might be choppy or feel like it wasn't all one story. Let that fear fall by the wayside because I didn't notice at all. I thought each story had something to offer and was extremely descriptive (almost as if you were there), but not boring at all. I like how after you finished reading a particularly character's section, they made an effort to let you know how that character fared from the perspective of the next character.
This was extremely well done, but for some reason I'm holding back on giving the 5th star. I can't really say why. I would blame me, not the book. One word of advice: this is definitely not a book to rush through. I admit I kind of had to so that may have been the problem.
Thank you to Edelweiss, William Morrow & Company, Kate Quinn, Sophie Perinot, Laura Kamoie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Heather Webb and Allison Pataki (who wrote the forward), for giving me the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
Review Date: 11/4/19
Publication Date: 10/01/19
I'm a huge history nerd, but I'm more of a WWI/WWII kind of girl so this is before my time and I can tell you I learned a TON. What initially drew me to this book was that it was all about real women from this time period who served in various roles throughout the French Revolution. The forward was written by Allison Pataki and she made an observation that never really occurred to me before. She talked about how the women of the book I was about to read might sound really progressive...Almost as if they belong in today's time and not in the 1790s. She mentioned that women have always been involved in causes to advance rights of ourselves and others, but it was never written about in our textbooks. Why? Simply, women weren't writing the history they were a big part of. Men were. And there you have it.
I was concerned that with so many authors it might be choppy or feel like it wasn't all one story. Let that fear fall by the wayside because I didn't notice at all. I thought each story had something to offer and was extremely descriptive (almost as if you were there), but not boring at all. I like how after you finished reading a particularly character's section, they made an effort to let you know how that character fared from the perspective of the next character.
This was extremely well done, but for some reason I'm holding back on giving the 5th star. I can't really say why. I would blame me, not the book. One word of advice: this is definitely not a book to rush through. I admit I kind of had to so that may have been the problem.
Thank you to Edelweiss, William Morrow & Company, Kate Quinn, Sophie Perinot, Laura Kamoie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Heather Webb and Allison Pataki (who wrote the forward), for giving me the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
Review Date: 11/4/19
Publication Date: 10/01/19
guylou's review against another edition
4.0
I love rediscovering history through the eyes of new characters. Ribbons of Scarlet offers a female perspective of the French Revolution. This novel retells the story of these dark times in France in the voices of six heroines who faced violence, injustice, and death for their country. We witness their fight, their fears, and above all, their courage. This book was written by six phenomenal authors who beautifully captured the essence of these French women. It is must-read for all the historical novel lovers.
Merged review:
I love rediscovering history through the eyes of new characters. Ribbons of Scarlet offers a female perspective of the French Revolution. This novel retells the story of these dark times in France in the voices of six heroines who faced violence, injustice, and death for their country. We witness their fight, their fears, and above all, their courage. This book was written by six phenomenal authors who beautifully captured the essence of these French women. It is must-read for all the historical novel lovers.
oneazpixie's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
books_withcats's review
3.0
I hate the fact that some of the storylines stay unfinished and the fact that some of them are way too long without purpose. Some parts of it were really interesting, but some chapters were really boring.
Overall a good idea, but could have had a better execution.
Overall a good idea, but could have had a better execution.
khaben31's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0