Friday, June 10, 2011

A wonderful historic novel

Revolution by: Jennifer Donnellly

Review written by: Besiana

Within seconds of reading this book I was completely rapt. Beneath its thick covers lies a girl struggling to keep living. Pressured by the weight of her younger brother’s death, Andi’s life went deep into chaos. Rage and grief threaten to destroy her, threatening her to make the final step that would end her and her pain. Her family is so deep in separation it is as if they don’t exist. Her mother is too lost in her own pain to even look at Andi, and for Andi to see her father is practically unheard of. After her brother’s death Andi’s father cut himself off from their family and remarried; until one fateful day when he barges back into her life uninvited, unwanted. His appearance changes everything; he puts Andi’s mom in psych ward and forces Andi to come to Paris with him. Armed with only her music and her brother’s key she goes with her father. There she meets Alexandrine (Alex) a girl who lived more than two centuries ago. Alex’s past soon becomes Andi’s present as she fights the revolution inside herself, and finishes Alex’s quest.

Jennifer Donnelly beautifully constructs a world that ties the horrors of the French Revolution with our present time. She vividly depicts the endless struggle of our hearts; the revolution we fight inside ourselves.

I adored this book, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good historical fiction novel. If you enjoyed The Red Necklace you will most definitely love this book. I would rate this book a five out of five stars.