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Simon Haisell's avatar

It's wild to think a book where almost everyone loses their head could be this funny.

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Bren's avatar

Mirabeau - the "old man - was 42 when he died. You may like to consider recalibrating your age ranges. That said, getting to 42 will soon be quite an achievement for our leading characters and anybody else involved in French politics.

I'm really enjoying the way Mantel foregrounds the women - and not just to tell us more about the men. The exchange between Lucile and Caro is a delight - it brought to mind Cicely and Gwendolen in 'The Importance of being Earnest' - and tells us a lot about both women.

And Adele's response to being jilted by Robespierre is perfect. She's not a woman who will have a fit of the vapours and waste away - I almost expected her to be banging out 'I Will Survive' on the spinet.

The major impression I'm left with - not surprisingly - is that the French Revolution wasn't planned, it was a series of chaotic developments. At any point, it could have gone in a variety of directions. There certainly wasn't a business plan because that would have started with a vision - and I don't think any management consultant would let you get away with just 'Change things' as a vision. It's clear that there are a number of completely different agendas, so nobody should be surprised when everything falls apart.

Something I find interesting - and I don't know if this is me or some brilliant writing by Mantel - but I'm left with an impression of Louise (not a good one I might add), but Marie Antoinette seems to be a shadowy presence. And, of course, that allows you to mould her to your own thoughts and preconceptions - which is also what revolutionary Paris does.

And about the escape: surely everybody knows that royalty shouldn't travel together. (OK, it's planes really, but the principle is the same.) Surely they may have had better chances if they'd split up.

I'm trying to stick to my own advice: don't get too attached to anybody, they will more than likely end up with their head in a basket.

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