Book Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.

Product details:
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Hardcover, 496 pages.
Release date: October 13th 2010.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Ages: 14+
Source: Received from publisher for review.

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. 

Jennifer Donnelly’s Revolution is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. This one has something for everyone - characters with depth, an intriguing plot and some sublime writing. The story will captivate you and keep you reading late into the night. This is geared towards the Young Adult market, but I honestly think it will appeal to anyone, of any age. Personally, I had been looking forward to this book for a long time. Historical fiction that’s set in Paris, particularly during the French Revolution is always something that’s going to interest me.

But, I’m jumping ahead. Revolution actually starts off in present day Brooklyn. Andi Alpers is smart, streetwise, talented and privileged. She attends St. Anselm’s, a prestigious private school where she has every opportunity available to her. But she doesn’t care. She’s flunking out. Since her brother Truman’s death she’s been racked with guilt and deeply depressed. Her family has fallen apart. Her dad has a whole new life, and a whole new pregnant girlfriend, while her mother is having a breakdown. Things are pretty bleak in Andi’s world and I’m not sure if everyone will warm to her, but I did. Her grief is real and raw and honest.. The world that she lives in is completely alien to me, but I connected with her right from the start of the book. Andi and her friends are introduced to us as spoiled rich kids living with wild abandon. They party hard, and indulge in everything to excess. While their intentions are not evil, it’s true to say that they are selfish, thinking only of themselves and not concerned with those around them. One might say that it’s behaviour reminiscent of the French Royals in the Eighteenth Century and it's safe to say that such behaviour always ends badly for those involved.

The historical element of this novel is invoked when a reluctant Andi accompanies her father, a world renowned geneticist to Paris on a work trip. He’s there to try and solve the mystery of the Lost Dauphin, Louis-Charles, while Andi is there to work on her thesis. Here, Andi finds a lost journal, that of a girl called Alex who lived during the French Revolution. Alex’s journal offers a multitude of insights into life during the French Revolution and more importantly into the life of the Dauphin. Andi is captivated by Alex’s story and by the similarities between Louis-Charles and her brother, Truman, who died at the same age. The merging of past and present throughout the book is flawless and beautifully composed. Paris is one of my favourite cities, and while reading this I could imagine I was there. Even better, Jennifer Donnelly does a great job of recreating the Paris of the French Revolution, such is the strength of her writing and the meticulous research throughout this book.

There were  many things that I loved about Revolution. Andi is so damaged and she needs to be healed. The use of music in this book for that purpose is pretty special. Andi is a gifted musician and her life in this book is wonderfully soundtracked. I always feel like I get to know characters better if I can know the music they listen to. There’s also a love interest here. Virgil is there for Andi when she needs him most. He restores her faith in humankind, and their bond really rings true.

This is a book to curl up with when you have the whole night ahead to get totally lost in Jennifer Donnelly’s wonderful words. Highly recommended.