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A review by mari1532
The Last Empress of France: The Rebellious Life of Eugénie de Montijo by Petie Kladstrup, Evelyne Resnick
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for review.
Eugénie de Montijo was not a historical figure on my radar until I picked up the recent dual biography (The Rebel Empresses) of her with Empress Elizabeth of Austria (aka Sisi) by Nancy Goldstone. After reading that work I became fascinated by Eugénie and started looking for work focused on her specifically. Luck for Kladstrup and Resnick delivered.
This book had everything that I love about biographical works. There is a clear reverence for the subject, but they do not shy away from the fact that she was indeed human and subject to mistakes and poor decisions. The scope of the work examined Eugénie as an Empress, but also as a wife, mother, and friend. In many ways, this work felt as if you were watching Eugénie's life unfold rather than simply reading words on the page. The authors use many sources to weave a vibrant and well-written portrait of Eugénie's life and her impact.
Eugénie's impact on culture and social programs throughout Europe was one of the most interesting parts of the book for me. It's clear that she had a thirst for knowledge and that she wanted to see women thrive in society. Her joy at Marie Currie's Nobel win and the development of several schools highlighted this. In many ways, I think this highlighted how some of her own experiences within the government impacted her approach to things.
I do wish that there had been just a little bit more about her involvement in the attempt to force European rule in Mexico. She played such a major role in that expedition and while Kladstrup and Resnick do not hide the fact that she was very involved and that it led to disastrous consequences it did feel as if the political interworkings of those events were a little less explored.
This book is a fascinating glimpse into a young Spanish noblewoman who rose to the heights of imperial power in France. Throughout the authors examine a woman who befriended artists, suffragists, and politicians, as well as Empress Elizabeth of Austria and Queen Victoria; a woman who had a deep interest in the life of Marie Antoinette and loved to sail; and a woman whose life was peppered with tragedy. Highly recommend.
Eugénie de Montijo was not a historical figure on my radar until I picked up the recent dual biography (The Rebel Empresses) of her with Empress Elizabeth of Austria (aka Sisi) by Nancy Goldstone. After reading that work I became fascinated by Eugénie and started looking for work focused on her specifically. Luck for Kladstrup and Resnick delivered.
This book had everything that I love about biographical works. There is a clear reverence for the subject, but they do not shy away from the fact that she was indeed human and subject to mistakes and poor decisions. The scope of the work examined Eugénie as an Empress, but also as a wife, mother, and friend. In many ways, this work felt as if you were watching Eugénie's life unfold rather than simply reading words on the page. The authors use many sources to weave a vibrant and well-written portrait of Eugénie's life and her impact.
Eugénie's impact on culture and social programs throughout Europe was one of the most interesting parts of the book for me. It's clear that she had a thirst for knowledge and that she wanted to see women thrive in society. Her joy at Marie Currie's Nobel win and the development of several schools highlighted this. In many ways, I think this highlighted how some of her own experiences within the government impacted her approach to things.
I do wish that there had been just a little bit more about her involvement in the attempt to force European rule in Mexico. She played such a major role in that expedition and while Kladstrup and Resnick do not hide the fact that she was very involved and that it led to disastrous consequences it did feel as if the political interworkings of those events were a little less explored.
This book is a fascinating glimpse into a young Spanish noblewoman who rose to the heights of imperial power in France. Throughout the authors examine a woman who befriended artists, suffragists, and politicians, as well as Empress Elizabeth of Austria and Queen Victoria; a woman who had a deep interest in the life of Marie Antoinette and loved to sail; and a woman whose life was peppered with tragedy. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
The medical content involves not only the discussion of kidney stones, but also the physical injury sustained by Eugénie during the birth of her son.