I was a history major in college and took classes in the French Revolution so I was predisposed to liking this book. And it did not disappoint. This period of history is so, so fascinating because it was so crazily out of control and it really didn't happen that long ago. A whole country basically just went nuts and it is fascinating to read about the different sides and the many ways popular thinking twisted and turned.
I've read a lot about the main figures on the different sides, books from the point of view of the aristocracy and books on the leaders of the patriots, but this book was really interesting because it told the point of view of people who were trying to straddle both sides and really just come through the Revolution in one piece. It was so unclear who was going to emerge victorious that most people would have wanted to be cautious and not throw their support entirely behind one team until it became clear who the winner was going to be.
And making it more interesting was the fact that the book was about Marie Tussaud which is a name I know as I have visited a number of the wax museums named in her honor. I had never given much thought to who she was, but gosh, her story is pretty fascinating. I know this was a work of fiction, but the author clearly did a ton of research and said that the main details of her story were true. Based on that Marie played a very interesting role in the Revolution and led such a different life from most women of her time.
I really loved this book and had a very difficult time putting it down.
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