Reviewed by Lianne on
Becoming Josephine is a rich novel that follows Rose from her early days in Martinique to her experiences both in the French Royal Court, the rise of the French Revolution and into Napoleon’s life and his Court. It was interesting to see major figures of the time weave in and out of Rose’s life as well as the ideas and social sentiments that were prevalent at the time. The reader also gains a sense of the confusion and the precariousness of the period, especially around the time of the Revolution and its descent to the Terror–no one was safe and the reader is left unsure whether certain characters around Rose will live or die.
Rose herself is a fully-realised character. She has her own dreams, her visions of what she wants out of her life and sticks by them. Rose underwent a massive learning curve about Paris and Parisian/Court life and customs in the first few years that she was in Paris, including all of the hurt. She also has her own faults and makes mistakes, all of which fleshes her out further as a character, making her three-dimensional.
Overall I really enjoyed reading Becoming Josephine. The scope in which the author covered the character’s life is impressive and it feels like the reader is right with her as she lives through such uncertain times. Readers of French history and historical fiction will definitely want to check out this novel!
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 15 December, 2013: Finished reading
- 15 December, 2013: Reviewed