This book has been on my list of books to read since it came out but I think it was NaNoWriMo and then it was December. When I got my Kindle it was one of the first books I downloaded.
The book follows Andi, a girl who is suffering from depression after her brother dies. The only thing she cares about anymore is music. Her mother is also suffering from her own grief over losing a child and isn't able to help Andi. Her father steps in brings Andi along to Paris for winter break while he does genetic testing on the heart that is believed to be that of Louis-Charles. Andi wants to return home but has to finish her outline for her senior thesis before her father will agree to let her go home.
While she is in Paris, staying with family friends who have a collection of items from the French Revolution, Andi finds a diary hidden in an old guitar case. In the diary she finds the words of Alexandine Paradis, a girl who lived during the time of the Revolution. Alex loves to perform and hopes to someday be on the stage. She ends up being hired by the Queen to entertain Louis-Charles.
Through the diary Andi finds she has a lot in common with Alex and she sees the Revolution through Alex's words. One night Andi finds herself transported to Alex's Paris after a late night party in the catacombs.
I love Donnelly's books and how she makes the past come alive. Alex's diary of her life during the Revolution is amazing. Alex wants to be an actor and some of the things she says about her desire to be on stage are so true to what I hear the actors I work with say. Andi's depression is so real and well portrayed. She seems to be in a downward spiral or a dark tunnel unable to pull herself up.
I loved reading about the complexities of the Revolution and how what was going on in the diary seemed to have relevance to Andi's life in the present day.
I highly recommend this book and any of Donnelly's other books as well.
What are you reading? What books are on your list of books you want to read?
4 comments:
Congrats on the new Kindle (or...relatively new, anyway). Revolution sounds interesting--thanks for the review! I'm currently reading The Help (I forget who the author is, but it's on the best seller list...)
By the way, you won an award on my blog if you want to pick it up! http://whosayscriticsarebad.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html
I really REALLY enjoyed this book as well!
Revolution sounds great. I'll have to add that to my TBR list
I haven't read Donnelly. I'll check into it! I just finished reading The Duff and then The Art of Racing in the Rain. Both were great!
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