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10.18.2012

A Review: The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court by Michelle Moran


Ok, let's talk about these covers. Seriously. 
(The one on the left is the cover circulating in the states right now.) 

I mentioned the ugly cover situation when I read Moran's last novel, Madam Tussaud, and expressed my inability to understand why someone would ever have approved it. (I apologize if you enjoy these covers - I guess it's a preference). If it's an issue with my character, so be it. While I won't judge a novel on its cover art, or not entirely anyway, I'll admit a well designed cover will catch my attention and at least get me reading the jacket. This one... Not. so. much.

But I really liked Madame Tussaud. It was a historical novel about a female figure I didn't know much about and seemed to offer just enough truth and fiction for it to be smart and entertaining. So when I heard about The Second Empress I requested it from the library with the expectation that she would do it again.

Hmmm.. yes and no.

I'll be clear and say that I haven't read Moran's other novels about similar women in compromising/uncomfortable/crazy political situations in years past, but I've seen enough reviews to think she has a loyal following and reviews that state it's quality material.

The Second Empress follows the life of Maria Louisa of Austria after Napoleon Bonaparte has chosen her to be his "walking womb" wife once it's clear that his beloved Josephine will never bare him the heir he so desperately needs. Dragged from her home and the family she loves, she must learn to deal with Napoleon's erratic and selfish behavior in the hopes that she keeps both the Emperor and the French people happy (remember her great-aunt Marie Antoinette was beheaded just a decade before). Told from the perspectives of Pauline Bonaparte (Napoleon's sister and possible incestuous partner), Paul Moreau (Pauline's Haitian chamberlain) and Maria Louisa, we see numerous sides of the conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte and his life prior to his fall from grace.

After completing the novel, which I managed to polish off pretty quickly, I noticed that several people mentioned an annoyance with the multiple narrators and the fact that a story told from so many perspectives leaves a lot to be desired. It's clear that Maria Louisa finds herself in a miserable situation, but Moran doesn't ever really tap into Maria's emotions. The characters are one dimensional and lack their own voices. They all seem to possess the same pattern of thought, which seems highly unlikely as one character thinks of sleeping with and marrying their sibling, another longs to be home with their family and another reflects upon the life of conflict and misery they've left behind. I don't know about you, but it seems that three people in very different places wouldn't be going through the same steps of cognition and action. *I shrug my shoulders* Furthermore, despite the gossip the French court is infamous for, Maria Louisa speaks of her discomfort quite freely to individuals she's just met (all to keep the reader up to speed) which seemed completely unrealistic. So... I certainly had some issues.

Despite my annoyances with bits of this novel I did find it highly entertaining. Plus, I ended up walking away much more interested in each of these figures. Moran states that much of her writing is built on information she's gained from some of the most credible scholars of these public figures, but I wouldn't mind seeking out some nonfiction on these events to get another perspective. What type of person was Maria Louisa? Were Pauline and Napoleon actually engaged in incestuous relations? What role did Paul Moreau really play in the lives of Pauline and Napoleon?

If you enjoy historical fiction with a whole lotta drama this is a must-read!

9 comments:

  1. I'm with you - what's with these book covers? Ugh! They are just not good. They definitely do not make me want to read the book at all, which is a shame, because the books sound pretty good. Yes, I'm a book snob when it comes to the cover. Such a bad habit, but I can't break it. I could always kindle one of Moran's books, that way I could read the good book and not have to look at the cover :) Great post!

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    1. Nadia,
      Yeah, they were both so ugly. I read an ARC of the first so I didn't have to look at the hideousness! It's such a shame because MT was so wonderfully good. I would definitely suggest your read Madama Tussaud and then give this a go if you enjoy it!

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  2. The bummer about Moran's covers is that they misrepresent the work inside. I really enjoyed Madame Tussaud. I liked the history of it, etc. But the cover made it look, I don't know..trite?

    I love your review of this one, mostly because you have the same thoughts that I did, lol. I wanted to know MORE about each character and I do want to find some good nonfiction about their lives.

    Walking womb! Ha!

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    1. Jennifer,
      Yes! It really is such a disservice because Madame Tussaud was a great novel. This one definitely doesn't touch it. The characters were just so terribly bland - with the exact same voices! I couldn't stand it. I thought it was entertaining but wouldn't suggest it to all my friends. Glad to see I wasn't the only one!

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  3. Moran's book are a bit hit & miss for me. I loved Madame Tussaud but thought Cleopatra's Daughter was just...OK.#

    It's good to see an honest review of this one as I have a review copy waiting for me to read it.

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    1. I'm a little hesitant to read any of her other novels now. I really loved MT and just didn't enjoy this one as much. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think when you get to it!

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  4. I liked Madame Tussaud too, but I have heard from several people that MT is Moran's best book. I guess we have to give her a lot of credit for inspiring us to really research the fascinating women of history.

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    1. Lindsey,
      Yes! I admire that she chooses these often forgotten women in history to focus on. Before I'd read so much about Josephine but nothing about Maria Louisa. I just wish this one had a little more of what MT packed! I could see why MT would be named her best book.

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  5. I haven't read a lot of historical fiction but this sounds interesting - thank you for alerting me to it. Have you read any C.J. Samson? He's a local Sussex writer and his medieval series beginning with "Dissolution" is my favourite of the genre - I think you might like it. Judy.

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