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A review by kleedc73
The Philosopher's Kiss by Peter Prange
4.0
In this historical thriller by Peter Prange, Sophie is a young girl betrayed by her neighbors and the church at an early age, suffering through tragedy and religious persecution. In the wake of that betrayal, Sophie moves to Paris and, years later, is working as a waitress at Café Procope, a cafe where many radical philosophers and "freethinkers" meet and confer. Although Sophie tries to maintain a low profile and distance from the cafe patrons, she unwittingly falls in love with one of her regular customers, Denis Diderot, a famous philosopher (who also happens to be married). As the romance develops, so too does the plot of the revolutionaries in the mid-1700s. Diderot and his cohorts are developing an encyclopedia, something that those in power would consider revolutionary and threatening. Sophie becomes embroiled in the scandal and her very life and freedom are threatened (along with her heart).
I very much enjoyed the political and religious underpinnings of this novel. The backdrop of revolutionary France is described with acute and vivid detail and the premise is interesting and historically significant. It is particularly jarring to think that something as basic (in modern times) as an encyclopedia could be so explosive and politically charged. That said, I thought the book was a little slow-starting and the romance between Sophie and Diderot a little bit overblown. Anyone who likes historical fiction, particularly historical fiction involving religion-oriented power struggles,will like this book but it is not one of my most favorite historical fiction novels. If I could give half-stars, I would probably give this a 3.5 but overall I give it a 4 for strong historical content.
I very much enjoyed the political and religious underpinnings of this novel. The backdrop of revolutionary France is described with acute and vivid detail and the premise is interesting and historically significant. It is particularly jarring to think that something as basic (in modern times) as an encyclopedia could be so explosive and politically charged. That said, I thought the book was a little slow-starting and the romance between Sophie and Diderot a little bit overblown. Anyone who likes historical fiction, particularly historical fiction involving religion-oriented power struggles,will like this book but it is not one of my most favorite historical fiction novels. If I could give half-stars, I would probably give this a 3.5 but overall I give it a 4 for strong historical content.