Monday, January 24, 2011

Revolution

Revolution
By Jennifer Donnelly
Delacorte Press, 2010. 471 pgs. Young Adult

Andi isn't dealing well with her younger brother's death and is in danger of being kicked out of her exclusive private school, so her father forces her to accompany him on a business trip to Paris, where he can keep an eye on her and make sure she's working on her senior thesis. While in Paris, Andi finds a diary dating from the French revolution. The writer, a young girl, Alexandrine, works for the royal family, entertaining the young prince, and she's desperate to keep him safe and happy when many in the country are calling for his death. As Andi reads from the diary, she finds herself drawn into the story more and more--and even sees herself in there.

I thought Andi's story was interesting, but I had a harder time staying interested in the diary entries. The history just didn't quite come alive for me; I liked the ending, but some parts leading up to it were boring or strange. Still, it's a decent mixture of contemporary and historical fiction, and it's definitely an original look at the French revolution.

AE

1 comment:

lw said...

I really liked Revolution and was surprised it didn't win any Printz honors. I especially liked the music stuff. I recently read an adult mystery about the dauphin in the tower only in that case, he is rescued and though deeply damaged by his experiences, finds a life in the country where he can be happy. Two interesting stories on the same theme.