The story of Napoleon Bonaparte's first love, Bernardine Eugenie Desiree. This classic bestseller, first published in the 1950s has never been out of print since, has been translated into every known language and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
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The story of Napoleon Bonaparte's first love, Bernardine Eugenie Desiree. This classic bestseller, first published in the 1950s has never been out of print since, has been translated into every known language and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Edition:
1st published 1953 This edition by arrangement with William
Publisher:
The Reprint Society, London
Published:
1954
Alibris ID:
16126190991
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Seller's Description:
Very good in good dust jacket. Binding: HB Condition: Very Good Dustjacket: Good Details: The author writes that nothing to do with Voltaire could be ordinary. Voltaire was a literary giant and a philopher, widely acclaimed in France. This book is an account of Voltaire's relationship with his mistress, the Marquise du Chatelet, who was not only a physicist and scientist, but also translator of the works of Newton. At the same time, she liked parties, gambling, clothers, jewels, eating and making love. Bound in red cloth. Foxing of pastedown and endpapers, otherwise a very clean copy. DJ is not price-clipped but with light foxing at the fore edges, and closed tears at the top edge and bottom front corner. Pages: 288pp Size: 21.5cmX14.5cm Weight: 480g ISBN:
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Seller's Description:
Fair. The dust jacket is missing. Previous owner's name written inside, some age tanning, Cover wear, pages are tight, text clean, book in acceptable condition! Fast Shipping-Safe and Secure!
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. German edition. (historical fiction, france, napoleon, novel, books in german) A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
D?sir?e, a last work written by Austrian novelist Annemarie Selinko and first published in 1951, was a New York Times Bestseller, being translated into 25 different languages as well as being made into an American movie in 1954. Sourcebooks Landmark has reissued the wonderful historical for new generations this October and I really enjoyed the insider's view Napoleon's personal life through the eyes of his first love, a young girl Eug?nie Clary, who preferred to be called D?sir?e.
D?sir?e, the daughter of a silk merchant, and Napoleon first meet when he is a poor soldier and she is fourteen; they become betrothed soon after but abide her mother's wishes to wait to marry until she is sixteen. Unfortunately, the wait becomes too much as the ambitious Napoleon instead becomes engaged to a richer and more notable lady, whom we know as Empress Josephine. The young D?sir?e is shocked at the betrayal and we become sympathetic to her plight of lost first love, but we are hopeful for D?sir?e's future as her life moves on.
D?sir?e Clary
I enjoyed learning about the family of Napoleon, as his brother is married to D?sir?e's close sister, Julie. The family mechanics are at the forefront of D?sir?e's story which become entwined with the Bonaparte's, and thus the politics of France as the controversial Rights of Man were being accepted and enforced. The story is being told during a turning point for France and the political ramifications that Napoleon causes directly effect D?sir?e's own happiness with her new family. Being told in a diary style, D?sir?e seems selfish and na've at times, but the fact that she is quite young gives her character a lovable quality. Although I enjoyed the first-person narrative, there was a little too much of jumping back and forth in the timeline as she tells the story with each new chapter which became slightly irritating.
The life of D?sir?e Clary Bernadotte is a fantastic one as she was witness to much of history's events as well as being a part of it, as the author tells it. In reality, how much D?sir?e actually participated in the politics between Sweden and France and with Napoleon can be debated, but the story takes full advantage of D?sir?e's ties to the Bonapartes and romanticizes the tumultuous events of the times of France and Napoleon's various political maneuvers. The author has superbly shown D?sir?e's character that this eccentric woman would have been proud of, and I am so glad to have learned some of D?sir?e's story through this author's talented work, as I was quite intrigued by the fact that this daughter of a silk merchant eventually becomes Queen of Sweden and mother of the successors to the crown of Sweden to this very day.
The story of France after the Revolution and the upheaval that Napoleon caused became much a part of D?sir?e's story, and was a fantastic backdrop to the heartwarming relationship D?sir?e had with her husband Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. The writing style was quick and easy to understand and not dated to its original fifties publication which is surprising. Not a literary masterpiece but just a fantastic story of an otherwise forgotten lady (who is not depicted well on Wikipedia), I am so glad that Sourcebooks Landmark has reissued the tale fifty years after its first printing. Timeless and epic are true adjectives even though I cannot fully explain the draw that the story had for me, it is just one of those novels that will be unforgettable. Annemarie Selinko dramatically relates the life of D?sir?e, her family, and the Bonapartes though with a blunt matter of factness that tugged at my heartstrings which showed D?sir?e had sacrificed much for her beliefs of the Rights of Man, but seemingly with no regrets.
Even though D?sir?e's character was flawed, I found the book to be addictive, accentuated with politics and romance, making this a classic tale for anyone intrigued with France, Europe and Napoleon; I recommend this to any historical fiction fan as one that you should not miss. As a Tudor addict, I now understand the compelling draw that Napoleon and Josephine novels are purported to have, and I cannot wait for the chance to read the trilogy by Sandra Gulland which feature the couple.
