Subject
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Fiction Books
Best books
Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities
"A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens is a historical novel published in 1859. Set in London and Paris during the tumultuous French Revolution, it follows Dr. Alexandre Manette after his mysterious 18-year imprisonment in the Bastille and his reunion with his daughter Lucie. Their lives become entangled with a French aristocrat fleeing his heritage and a dissolute English lawyer who harbors secret devotion. Against the backdrop of revolutionary terror and violence, personal sacrifices and hidden connections shape their intertwined fates.
Alexandre Dumas
The Hero of the People: A Historical Romance of Love, Liberty and Loyalty
"The Hero of the People: A Historical Romance of Love, Liberty and Loyalty" by Alexandre Dumas is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds during the tumultuous period of the French Revolution, focusing on the events surrounding the royal family and the populace's response to their rule. The story introduces several characters, including a locksmith and a gunsmith, who engage in conversations that unveil the revolutionary fervor and class tensions of the time. The opening of the novel sets the scene in France during the Revolution, highlighting the moment when King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette return to Paris amid rising unrest. Through the eyes of various characters, the text explores their emotions and motivations, painting a vivid picture of life during this significant historical moment. A locksmith and a gunsmith engage over wine, discussing recent events with a mix of camaraderie and tension while suggesting their involvement in the broader narrative of revolution and loyalty. This sets the stage for a rich exploration of the struggles between the monarchy and the people's quest for freedom.
Emmuska Orczy Orczy
The Scarlet Pimpernel
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy Orczy is a historical fiction novel published in 1905. Set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, it follows a mysterious Englishman who rescues aristocrats from the guillotine. Sir Percy Blakeney appears to be merely a wealthy fop, but conceals a daring secret identity. When his wife Marguerite becomes entangled in a dangerous plot involving a French agent, she must uncover the truth about her husband before it's too late.
Victor Hugo
Ninety-Three
"Ninety-Three" by Victor Hugo is a novel published in 1874. Set during the French Revolution's bloody Vendée uprising of 1793, it follows a Royalist marquis, a Republican commander, and a revolutionary priest as their ideologies and loyalties collide in war-torn Brittany. When three orphaned children become trapped between opposing forces, acts of mercy and principle force each man to confront the human cost of revolution. Hugo portrays both sides as idealistic yet ruthless, exploring whether compassion can survive amid political extremism.
Rafael Sabatini
Scaramouche: A Romance of the French Revolution
"Scaramouche: A Romance of the French Revolution" by Rafael Sabatini is a historical novel published in 1921. A young lawyer is thrust into the chaos of revolutionary France after his idealistic friend is killed in a duel by a ruthless aristocrat. Seeking vengeance, he becomes a hunted man who must reinvent himself repeatedly—as an actor, revolutionary orator, and master swordsman. His journey transforms him from cynic to idealist as he navigates dangerous political intrigues, forbidden romance, and deadly duels in a world spiraling toward revolution.
Alexandre Dumas
The Companions of Jehu
"The Companions of Jehu" by Alexandre Dumas is a historical novel written during the early 19th century. Set against the backdrop of post-Revolutionary France, the narrative revolves around a group of bandits known as the Companions of Jehu, who are depicted as avengers of the royal cause while engaging in daring robberies of government funds. Through the characters, such as Roland and his enigmatic companion, the novel explores themes of loyalty, bravery, and the tumult of the times. At the start of "The Companions of Jehu," Dumas offers a detailed introduction to the historical context that shapes his story, focusing on the volatile political landscape of France during the late 18th century. As two travelers arrive in Avignon, they quickly become embroiled in discussions about the notorious highwaymen who are actively robbing government transports. The dialogue reveals the fear and excitement surrounding these bandits, framing them not simply as criminals but as outlaws with a purpose. The opening portion sets the stage for the impending adventures and moral complexities the characters will navigate as France grapples with its revolutionary identity.
Emmuska Orczy Orczy
The Elusive Pimpernel
"The Elusive Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy Orczy is a novel published in 1908. Set in September 1793, French agent Chauvelin plots his revenge against the legendary Scarlet Pimpernel. Using a young actress as bait, he lures Sir Percy Blakeney into an elaborate trap that forces him to France and lands his wife Marguerite in prison. With citizens threatened and escape seemingly impossible, Chauvelin believes he's finally cornered his elusive enemy in this classic adventure of deception and daring.
Emmuska Orczy Orczy
El Dorado: An Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel
"El Dorado: An Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy Orczy is a novel published in 1913. This sequel to "The Scarlet Pimpernel" follows Sir Percy's daring mission to rescue the young Dauphin from revolutionary Paris in 1794. When Armand St. Just betrays Percy to save his beloved actress, the legendary hero finds himself imprisoned and tortured by his nemesis Chauvelin. Percy must use all his cunning to escape captivity and outwit his enemies in a desperate race to the coast.
Anatole France
The Gods are Athirst
"The Gods Are Athirst" by Anatole France is a novel published in 1912. Set during the Reign of Terror in Paris from 1793 to 1794, it follows Évariste Gamelin, a young painter who becomes a juror on the Revolutionary Tribunal. As a fierce Jacobin devoted to Robespierre, Gamelin descends into ideological madness, sending even those closest to him to the guillotine. His love affair with Élodie Blaise highlights the stark contrast between his ordinary personal life and his role as an instrument of revolutionary violence.
Alexandre Dumas
Love and liberty : $b A thrilling narrative of the French Revolution of 1792
"Love and Liberty: A Thrilling Narrative of the French Revolution of 1792" by Alexandre Dumas is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative highlights key events surrounding the French Revolution, particularly focusing on the life and experiences of Réné Besson, a carpenter who becomes intertwined with the revolutionary fervor and political upheaval of the era. As the title suggests, themes of love and freedom play a pivotal role in shaping the characters and their motivations. At the start of the narrative, Dumas presents both an introduction and a prologue, explaining the significance of Louis XVI's flight and capture at Varennes, which serves as a critical moment in the Revolution. Réné Besson, an orphan raised by his uncle, emerges as the primary character whose reflections on his upbringing and early influences set the stage for his eventual political awakening. Through encounters with influential figures, like Jean Baptiste Drouet and the Duke d’Enghien, and the admiration he develops for Sophie Gerbaut, a young woman he meets while seeking work, Réné’s personal journey unfolds against the backdrop of broader historical tumult. The opening thus sets a tone of camaraderie, ambition, and emerging ideological conflict, foreshadowing the dramatic events to come.
Alexandre Dumas
The Whites and the Blues
"The Whites and the Blues" by Alexandre Dumas is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The narrative unfolds during the tumultuous period of the French Revolution, painting a vivid picture of the complexities and dangers of that era through the experiences of its characters. The central figure introduced is a young boy named Charles, who arrives in Strasbourg with the hope of studying under Euloge Schneider, a notable figure entrenched in the revolutionary government. At the start of the novel, Charles arrives at the Hôtel de la Poste, where he is greeted by a surly groom named Coclès, who leads him to his accommodations. As he navigates the harrowing atmosphere of a city under the shadow of the guillotine and the strict decrees of the revolutionaries, he learns about the grim fate that awaits those accused of treason. The opening chapters illustrate Charles's initial experiences and interactions with local citizens, including the enigmatic citizeness Teutch and his more adventurous new friend Eugene de Beauharnais. As the story progresses, themes of loyalty, danger, and the evolving political landscape are interwoven through their dialogues and encounters.
Emmuska Orczy Orczy
I will repay
"I Will Repay" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a sequel novel published in 1906. Set during the French Revolution, the story follows Juliette de Marny, who swore a childhood oath to destroy Paul Déroulède after he killed her brother in a duel. Ten years later, she infiltrates his home seeking revenge, but her carefully laid trap becomes complicated when she falls in love with the very man she vowed to ruin. A tale of vengeance, honor, and redemption featuring the legendary Scarlet Pimpernel.
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