Trilogy of books

[tvordlj]

Since we're on a book blogging day, i might as well get caught up on my 2009 books read list. I've been a bit remiss.

21. First of the Josephine B. Trilogy by Sandra Gulland,The Many Lives& Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. This is about the woman who later became Josephine Bonaparte, wife of Napoleon. The first book mainly goes through a bit of her childhood in St. Lucia and her first years in France where she was sent to be married. Her first marraige wasn't all that successful and then came the Revolution. She was in prison at one point and was the Lover of a Captain in the Army, who was also in prison while she was there. The first book ends when she's accepted Napoleon's offer of marraige. The book is written in journal/diary form by Josephine herself but with dialogue as well. It's based on what is known about her with fictional stuff thrown in. It's pretty good, seems to be well researched and characterized. The trilogy is huge, though, so it's kind of heavy to hold!

22. Second book of the trilogy, Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe. I'm not quite finished it yet but i needed a break from Josephine and started the next book below which i've read quite quickly and finished. This second book takes place during her marraige to Napoleon. As i've left it, he's all but calling himself Emperor, having taken over the government on his own.

23. Five Women, by Rona Jaffe. A friend had recommended one of Ms. Jaffe's other books but the library didn't have it. This one was the only one they had so i got it. I haven't been to the library in ages and i should really go more. When i've made a bit more of a dent in the unread stack! Anyway, this book is about four women that are unlikely friends who have dinner at a NY restaurant every week. The fifth woman is the owner of the restaurant but who doesn't really become close friends with the others. The book jumps back to each of their lives in turn. Each of the women are from very dysfunctional families and have contentious relationships with their mothers in particular and it points out how each of them has repeated many of their mother's patterns and the effects their upbringing has had on them. It was ok, a quick read, nice for a break. I may not get back to Josephine just yet. I have a new Fiona Walker that i think might just hit the spot before i delve back into history again.

Comments

[lola-is-naughty.livejournal.com]

I haven't read as many historical novels as you, still very big on my Spies. I have picked up the odd one though, in between for a change & enjoyed it.

However, I haven't really read one that's based on any famous historical figures. Do you prefer ones about actual historical figure or just set in the historical context. I read Pompeii (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Pompeii-Robert-Harris/9780099527947-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527pompeii%2527%3aFiction+and+Literature) and really enjoyed it. Any particular ones you'd care to suggest for a first timer or an author? If a book doesn't grab me by the end of the second or third chapter I end up starting something else.

[tvor.livejournal.com]

I like either one. Basing a novel on an actual historic figure can be a bit iffy if you really get it wrong though that also goes for any novel set in a historic setting. Obviously, dialogue is generally made up and a lot of situations are done with artistic license but the main facts and events have to stay true. Sometimes it's only meant to be fluffy but when you are aware of the facts, it's hard to get your head around the mistakes and just take it as a straight novel. Movies are worse for this. I read historic non-fiction too sometimes.