Mistress of the Revolution - Catherine Delors

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

01 Mar 2008 07:00 AM

"Mistress of the Revolution" is a beautifully packaged historical fiction novel by first-time author Catherine Delors. Set in the midst of the French Revolution, it features the romance, drama, and intrigue we have come to expect from books of that era. What sets this book apart from the rest is the personal knowledge the author has of this time and place - herself a Frenchwoman, she grew up with these stories as her own heritage.

Our story is about Gabrielle de Montserrat, a young lady who was sent off to live with a wet nurse as soon as she was born, then trundled off to convent school without returning home. When her guardian, her brother the Marquis, comes to collect her at the age of eleven, it's to bring her back to a home she's never known, to meet a mother she hasn't seen since birth and can't remember. Her mother doesn't seem inclined to have anything to do with her even now, and practically ignores her.

As Gabrielle grows into a young woman, she receives some unwanted attention from her brother, and he decides it would be best for both of them if she were to marry. He sets about finding her a suitor, but in the meantime, she has found someone on her own. He's a commoner, a doctor, and he challenges her mentally as well as stirring something inside her. He's willing to scrape together a dowry, but the Marquis has an idea of his own as to whom Gabrielle should marry.

This book is beautifully written. The language speaks to the reader's mind and makes the story come to life. I do caution, however, that the book does contain a higher sexual content than those I generally review, so if content is a concern, you may choose to skip certain passages. I also submit that the French Revolution was a time of horror and bloodshed, and this is depicted in the book as well. Content concerns aside, you'll find this a well-written, informative and sweeping story, engrossing and complex.

(This book will be released on March 13th by Dutton.)

Related Blogs:

Lady of the Roses

Genres in Literature

Celebrate Diversity with a Culture Night

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

ccmalandrinos (108) 06 Mar 2008 08:29 AM

I just finished reading this book and I loved it from beginning to end. The descriptions were so well done that I felt I was there.

Thanks for a great review Tristi!

Cheryl

Tristi Pinkston (10839) 06 Mar 2008 09:41 AM

You are certainly welcome!

CatherineDelors (5) 11 Mar 2008 08:33 AM

I was showing off this review to a friend last night, and I realized I had not even thanked you.

So thank you, Tristi, for all the great things you say about my book!

Tristi Pinkston (10839) 11 Mar 2008 09:59 AM

You are very welcome, Catherine!