A revolution is sweeping through France... and all the royal family is in jeopardy. Marie-Thérèse Charlotte, daughter of Marie Antoinette, has been switching places with her best friend, Ernestine de Lambriquet, since Marie-Thérèse was 11 ½ years. Their appearances are so similar that they can fool all but the most observant. Marie-Thérèse wants to see the world outside the palace while Ernestine loves playing the role of princess. What happens when their switch becomes permanent?
Suzanne Weyn crafts a tale that makes me want to learn more about the history of Marie Antoinette and her daughter, Marie-Thérèse! FACES OF THE DEAD offers an eerie view of a deeply troubled period of French history as Marie-Thérèse socializes with famous historical figures such as Marie Toussad (nee Grosholtz) and the Bonapartes. I love the tidbits we learn, such as how the death masks were crafted. While the character of Henri is completely fictional, he adds a unique perspective to FACES OF THE DEAD.
FACES OF THE DEAD is a short but rich tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. Some of the scenes depicted are so vividly described that I could almost feel the terror of Marie-Thérèse as she sees the clash between the wealthy and the poor. Despite the fact we know how the story will end as FACES OF THE DEAD is based on true historical facts, the storyline still remains quite suspenseful. Suzanne Weyn does take a few liberties with history but her Author's Note about the story is equally fascinating. I look forward to reading more books by Suzanne Weyn!
When Marie-Therese, daughter of Marie Antoinette, slips
into
the streets of Paris at the height of the French
Revolution,
she finds a world much darker than what she's ever known.
When Marie-Thérèse Charlotte of France learns of the
powerful rebellion sweeping her country, the sheltered
princess is determined to see the revolution for herself.
Switching places with a chambermaid, the princess sneaks
out
of the safety of the royal palace and into the heart of a
city in strife.
Soon the princess is brushing shoulders with
revolutionaries
and activists. One boy in particular, Henri, befriends her
and has her questioning the only life she's known. When
the
princess returns to the palace one night to find an angry
mob storming its walls, she's forced into hiding in Paris.
Henri brings her to the workshop of one Mademoiselle
Grosholtz, whose wax figures seem to bring the famous back
from the dead, and who looks at Marie-Thérèse as if she
can
see all of her secrets. There, the princess quickly
discovers there's much more to the outside world - and to
the mysterious woman's wax figures - than meets the eye.
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