Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Who: Jennifer Donnelly
What: Revolution
When: October 12th, 2010
Why: Historical Fiction Love
How: Bought

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her
father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and
heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are
destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most
prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany
him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two
centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful
encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t
want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never
knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes
something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort
and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight
journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and
time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Revolution was just such a beautiful read. If you don't like Historical Fiction, you'll like it anyway. Jennifer goes an amazing job of combining Historical Fiction and Contemporary to flow in perfect harmony. Both Alexandrine and Andi were amazingly well-written characters with difficult lives.

A lot of times, "journal" books are a tough read. Especially when the main character and the person who wrote the diary are different people. But I felt that Alexandrine and Andi were two completely different people, just with similar situations. The story takes place both in Paris 21st century, and Paris during the French Revolution, following two girls struggling with love and loss. The writing was beautiful and lyrical, and the history accurate to everything i've learned.

Andi's story was so heartbreaking. I really felt like her past just leaped off the pages, and I suffered with her for her loss. Her journey through her pain really was beautiful, and you could see her transformation from beginning to end. Alexandrine made her feel the same, but I loved her more out of the two. I just think Alexandrine was so brave to do what she did, just to make Louis happy. If you didn't know, Alexandrine's story is that she had made the sullen prince laugh at one of her puppet shows and Marie Antoinette took her in as his companion. And it goes on from there throughout the whole revolution. It was really amazing.

Then there's Virgil, who's Andi's love interest. Revolution had just enough romance to keep me interested and really? The book was so fantastic that I wouldn't have needed it. And that's a big deal, since according to Julie, i'm a romance whore. He was sweet and really cared about her, and was a big part of her healing. Finally, the major connection the story had to music was woven so perfectly that I made me want to play some piano after. Andi's deep understanding of music was just beautiful.

My rating? AWESOMESAUCE

Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.