The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.: A Novel

I have always been fascinated by anything having to do with Napoleon Bonaparte and the love of his life, Marie-Josephe-Rose Tascher (Beauharnais Bonaparte). People flock to the Louvre every year just to gaze upon the Mona Lisa. As for me, I always head straight for my favorite painting in the world: Jacques-Louis David's THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON I. This painting is so immense that it would barely fit on a wall of a gymnasium (although it wouldn't make it through the door!). Napoleon, the new Emperor, is crowning his wife (not allowing the Pope to do it) and is surrounded by his court who are all weighed down by official and extravagant regalia. I even have a print hanging in my home that I bought many decades ago (at the Lourve) as a poor college freshman--my only souvenir! And then, a few months ago I visited the Caribbean island of Martinique, which is where Josephine was born and raised. One of the top attractions of this tiny island is the large and dramatic statue of the 'headless' Josephine with 'blood' pouring from her neck. Evidently the islanders despise their native daughter because she influenced Napoleon to reinstate slavery. Since I have just finished reading Book I of Sandra Gulland's Trilogy, I haven't covered that part!Anyway, after returning home from my vacation, I ordered several books about the famous couple while my curiosity was piqued. THE MANY LIVES AND SECRET SORROWS OF JOSEPHINE B. is the captivating historical (fiction) biography of Rose Tascher. It begins on the French island of Martinique on June 23, 1777.................Rose's fourteenth birthday. Told through entries in her diary, this novel is jam-packed with a cast of characters, most who actually lived and who shaped Josephine's life. Many were kind but several deceived our kindly heroine. We read about her unhappy marriage to the philandering and sanctimonious Alexander Beauharnais and about the births of her beloved children, Eugene and Hortense. Footnotes pepper the pages throughout this novel, giving factual information to further explain many of the diary entries. I found myself wondering if certain items that I had just read were true.We are introduced to Napoleon Bonaparte on the last few pages of this compelling novel. Rose actually agrees to marry this strange little Corsican as a favor to a dear friend. (Since I'm now reading book II, I do know that she does eventually fall in love with him). Upon their engagement, he changes Rose's name to Josephine. I loved reading this light little book. Since it is so chalk full of characters, I wish there had been an index to help me keep up with everyone. Having said that, I am looking forward to finishing all three novels; it makes for fabulous bedtime reading!

The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland is the first installment in a trilogy about Josephine Bonaparte. The first installment is fascinating, magnetic even, but so many things happen in the book that it feels long, longer than its four hundred-ish pages. The title couldn’t have been different; it pays homage not to a life but to the journey of a woman of modest beginnings who became extraordinary during the times and suffering she endured.I acknowledge that since the book more or less started with a prophecy I was desperate to see it play out, so much so that when the book became serious—too much so describing the events during The Reign of Terror and Rose and her friends’ incarceration—I felt tempted to leave it aside. It was a history lesson let me tell you, and not the pretty kind. It was ugly and messy and plain terrifying. The Many Lives…feels slow at times, particularly in the parts I have talked about, but it’s so meticulously researched and narrated in first voice –through fictionalized journal entries and family letters-- that it lends a more human perspective to the historical events and figures Gulland describes. The result is historical fiction at its best.I really liked that Gulland divided Josephine B.’s life in more or less three stages: the early years until she meets Napoleon, the marriage to Napoleon and what happens after. I really liked Josephine, or rather, Rose. Is it wrong that I also liked the Napoleon we got to know here?In summary, Sandra Gulland’s The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. is vast in scope and scale and meant to be savored as one of the best that historical fiction can offer.

Historical fiction lovers take note. This novel delivers. Learning the history of an impressive historical personage from her point of view, as told by journal entries and letters provides the reader with insight into the origins of Napoleon Bonaparte's beloved Josephine. A mulatto from a wealthy sugar can family in Martinique, with a gentle voice, who rose to high society in political circles during France's revolution. Understand her friendships, alliances, lovers and challenges in child rearing. Fate seems to have intervened at every twist and turn conspiring to keep Rose (our Josephine) alive. Here we begin to know her generous and benevolent personality, her love for her children and her cunning in navigating dangerous times. Her early journey from childhood is covered in this book and how she manages to secure a second marriage at what is considered an advanced age, with a small man who stands on spindly legs, despite her bad teeth, is fascinating. The prose flows beautifully while we engage with the historically significant characters and receive an education and the timeline during Frances' political fracas. This review of 4 out 5 stars is provided due to its' not being a work of fiction that will join the "classic's", though it is enigmatic and engrossing.The footnotes at the end of the book are a wonderful, clarifying addition. Notably, I can't wait for the 2nd installment in this trilogy having already identified with its' heroine.

I liked this novel. The diary format kept the story telling sharp and concise and ensured the reader saw the French Revolution through Josephine's eyes alone. She comes across as the same kind of heroine as Scarlett O'Hara, in Gone with the Wind, albeit one whose actual existence is a matter of fact, but like Scarlett her early life of wealth, privilege and indulgence, is soon swept away by events so vast they cannot be comprehended and she must learn to live by her wits. Unlike Scarlett, at the end of the novel, she knows exactly what 'tomorrow' will bring as she marries the future emperor Napoleon. But that, as they say, is another story.

I enjoy this trilogy. The author has done a great deal of research. However, the footnotes are cumbersome on the kindle. The link often doesn't connect and you end up turning a page prematurely. When you do connect to the footnote it is disorienting as it takes you to a separate page to read it. The link to return you to your place in the book works, but moves the text to the top of the page, which again is disorienting. I have read this trilogy before in paperback and it is a fluid read. The kindle functions stop the story from flowing.

Enjoyed this book written in diary form of the early story of empress Josephine.I liked the fast pace of the book but missed the detail which was lost due to the way it was written.

This is the best historical fiction I've read.Thoroughly enjoyed it.I am a big fan of Sandra Gulland's writing.A real treat.

o.k.