by Kate Quinn
"The French Revolution comes alive through the eyes of six diverse and complex women, in the skilled hands of these amazing authors."—Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls
A breathtaking, epic novel illuminating the hopes, desires, and destinies of princesses and peasants, harlots and wives, fanatics and philosophers—seven unforgettable women whose paths cross during one of the most tumultuous and transformative events in history: the French Revolution.
Ribbons of Scarlet is a timely story of the power of women to start a revolution—and change the world.
In late eighteenth-century France, women do not have a place in politics. But as the tide of revolution rises, women from gilded salons to the streets of Paris decide otherwise—upending a world order that has long oppressed them.
Blue-blooded Sophie de Grouchy believes in democracy, education, and equal rights for women, and marries the only man in Paris who agrees. Emboldened to fight the injustices of King Louis XVI, Sophie aims to prove that an educated populace can govern itself—but one of her students, fruit-seller Louise Audu, is hungrier for bread and vengeance than learning. When the Bastille falls and Louise leads a women's march to Versailles, the monarchy is forced to bend, but not without a fight. The king's pious sister Princess Elisabeth takes a stand to defend her brother, spirit her family to safety, and restore the old order, even at the risk of her head.
But when fanatics use the newspapers to twist the revolution's ideals into a new tyranny, even the women who toppled the monarchy are threatened by the guillotine. Putting her faith in the pen, brilliant political wife Manon Roland tries to write a way out of France's blood-soaked Reign of Terror while pike-bearing Pauline Leon and steely Charlotte Corday embrace violence as the only way to save the nation. With justice corrupted by revenge, all the women must make impossible choices to survive—unless unlikely heroine and courtesan's daughter Emilie de Sainte-Amaranthe can sway the man who controls France's fate: the fearsome Robespierre.
"The French Revolution comes alive through the eyes of six diverse and complex women, in the skilled hands of these amazing authors."—Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls
A breathtaking, epic novel illuminating the hopes, desires, and destinies of princesses and peasants, harlots and wives, fanatics and philosophers—seven unforgettable women whose paths cross during one of the most tumultuous and transformative events in history: the French Revolution.
Ribbons of Scarlet is a timely story of the power of women to start a revolution—and change the world.
In late eighteenth-century France, women do not have a place in politics. But as the tide of revolution rises, women from gilded salons to the streets of Paris decide otherwise—upending a world order that has long oppressed them.
Blue-blooded Sophie de Grouchy believes in democracy, education, and equal rights for women, and marries the only man in Paris who agrees. Emboldened to fight the injustices of King Louis XVI, Sophie aims to prove that an educated populace can govern itself—but one of her students, fruit-seller Louise Audu, is hungrier for bread and vengeance than learning. When the Bastille falls and Louise leads a women's march to Versailles, the monarchy is forced to bend, but not without a fight. The king's pious sister Princess Elisabeth takes a stand to defend her brother, spirit her family to safety, and restore the old order, even at the risk of her head.
But when fanatics use the newspapers to twist the revolution's ideals into a new tyranny, even the women who toppled the monarchy are threatened by the guillotine. Putting her faith in the pen, brilliant political wife Manon Roland tries to write a way out of France's blood-soaked Reign of Terror while pike-bearing Pauline Leon and steely Charlotte Corday embrace violence as the only way to save the nation. With justice corrupted by revenge, all the women must make impossible choices to survive—unless unlikely heroine and courtesan's daughter Emilie de Sainte-Amaranthe can sway the man who controls France's fate: the fearsome Robespierre.
Reviews-
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September 1, 2019
This skillfully crafted novel of the French Revolution by well-known historical fiction authors Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb, and E. Knight tells of singular women during tumultuous times. Aristocrat Sophie helps her uncle defend unjustly condemned peasants and educates the poor; the saintly Princess Elisabeth longs to remain at her farm and continue her good works; the market woman Louise Audu leads angry citizens marching on Versailles; revolutionary salonnière Manon ghostwrites much of her husband's political texts; gentle Charlotte stabs a bloodthirsty tyrant to restore the decency of the Republic; chocolate shop owner Pauline also leads the march on Versailles; and lovely hostess Emilie uses her social and political connections to sway the fearsome Robespierre. The authors blend their disparate characters into one compelling tale of the women of France who fought for equality for all but, in the end, paid the price for being female. VERDICT Sure to appeal to devotees of historical fiction, feminists, and those looking for a stirring #metoo read. [See Prepub Alert, 4/15/19.]--Cynthia Johnson, formerly with Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA
Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Starred review from September 1, 2019
Six top historical fiction authors weave together the stories of seven real women pivotal to the French Revolution. The brilliant Sophie de Grouchy marries as the monarchy falls, while fruit-seller Louise Audu leads a women's march on Versailles and pious Princess �lisabeth flees Paris with the rest of the royal family. As the National Convention becomes progressively more radical, Manon Roland is imprisoned for her husband's written pleas for centrist politics, which she wrote. Chocolati�re Pauline L�on unwittingly crosses paths with Charlotte Corday, in Paris to murder Marat, and even Paris' great beauty, �milie de Sainte-Amaranthe, is not safe from the guillotine. Though each story has a different author, the narrative flows smoothly as the women's orbits cross. Despite their different stations and political leanings, the protagonists all share one thing: their work and opinions must be set aside for those of men. The disparate social and political views presented make this an excellent choice for a lively book discussion, and readers of historical fiction will appreciate this unique take on an era not often covered in English-language popular fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.) -
September 1, 2019
This skillfully crafted novel of the French Revolution by well-known historical fiction authors Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb, and E. Knight tells of singular women during tumultuous times. Aristocrat Sophie helps her uncle defend unjustly condemned peasants and educates the poor; the saintly Princess Elisabeth longs to remain at her farm and continue her good works; the market woman Louise Audu leads angry citizens marching on Versailles; revolutionary salonni�re Manon ghostwrites much of her husband's political texts; gentle Charlotte stabs a bloodthirsty tyrant to restore the decency of the Republic; chocolate shop owner Pauline also leads the march on Versailles; and lovely hostess Emilie uses her social and political connections to sway the fearsome Robespierre. The authors blend their disparate characters into one compelling tale of the women of France who fought for equality for all but, in the end, paid the price for being female. VERDICT Sure to appeal to devotees of historical fiction, feminists, and those looking for a stirring #metoo read. [See Prepub Alert, 4/15/19.]--Cynthia Johnson, formerly with Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA
Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls
"The French Revolution comes alive through the eyes of six diverse and complex women, in the skilled hands of these amazing authors." — Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls
"Seamlessly interwoven by a dream team of historical authors, Ribbons of Scarlet vividly transported me to the tumultuous days of the French Revolution... this timely masterpiece is sure to inspire both courage and caution. A spellbinding read from beginning to end."
— Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday"HERstory at its finest; this novel of the French Revolution, collaboratively written by titans of Historical Fiction, brings women to the forefront of the time known as The Terror. This novel has it all; the ability to move, entertain, educate, and inspire. We cannot forget these women, now that we've discovered them anew through this powerfully written book." — Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's Wife
"A deeply moving pageturner... Ribbons of Scarlet offers a potent feminist reminder that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Highly recommended." — Kris Waldherr, author of LOST HISTORY OF DREAMS
"Ambition. Heartache. Scandal. Brilliantly executed portrayal of women's participation in the French Revolution. When the characters crossed paths, the page sparked with tension. Six of your favorite writers writing about six fascinating women. I cannot think of a better way for you to spend your time than reading this book." — Dolen Perkins-Valdez, New York Times Bestselling author of Wench
"Read it for the entertainment value, read it for the history, read it for the wonderful tales about these strong, unrelenting, powerful, committed women. But most of all read it to be inspired." — MJ Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Tiffany Blues
"An excellent choice for a lively book discussion and readers of historical fiction will appreciate this unique take on an era not often covered in English-language popular fiction." — Booklist (starred review)
"This skillfully crafted novel of the French Revolution by well-known historical fiction authors Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb, and E. Knight tells of singular women during tumultuous times. Sure to appeal to devotees of historical fiction, feminists, and those looking for a stirring #metoo read."
— Library Journal"The French Revolution as you've never read it before–fast-paced, gut-wrenching, and told through the eyes of women who fought and lived it. RIBBONS OF SCARLET manages to do what few other novels set against this complicated backdrop have–make Revolutionary France both completely accessible and utterly compelling. This is historical fiction at its absolute best!" — Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud
