French Revolution Historical Fiction

A Tale of Two Cities

Book cover: 'A Tale of Two Cities'
Author(s): 
Charles Dickens
Number of pages: 
544 pages
Copyright: 
1859
Publisher: 
Penguin Classics
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Historical Fiction set in the French Revolution. For the uninitiated - the two cities are Paris and London. The story also involves two men - one a French aristrocrat, hated by the lower classes involved in the bloody revolution for crimes committed by his family - the other a wealthy British bachelor. Both fall in love with Lucie, the beautiful daughter of a man who was freed from the Bastille after being wrongfully imprisoned. It is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice amidst the horror and evil of the Reign of Terror. This was one of my very favorite books in high school (I even wrote one of my college entrance essays about it), but others (such as my husband) found it somewhat tedious.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Book cover: 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'
Author(s): 
Barroness Orczy
Number of pages: 
288 pages
Copyright: 
1905
Publisher: 
Penguin Classics
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Review: 
This classic romance/mystery set in the French Revolution is the story of a wealthy British nobleman, Percy, with a daring and secret side of his life which he keeps hidden even from his wife - a beautiful French actress. Percy and some close friends have found a sport much more exciting, noble, and dangerous than the typical fox-hunting: that of rescuing French aristocrats from the raging mobs and guillotine of the French revolution. Fast-paced and suspenseful, the story is both enjoyable and enlightening as to the evils of the French Revolution contrasted with the nobility of those who tried to counter evil with good.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

The Song at the Scaffold

Book cover: 'The Song at the Scaffold'
Author(s): 
Gertrud Von Le Fort
Number of pages: 
110 pages
Copyright: 
1931
Publisher: 
Lepanto Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
This novelette, set at the time of the French Revolution, follows the lives of the nuns of the Carmelite convent at Compiegne during those troubled times, all the way to their martyrdom at the guillotine. Despite the rather short length, the novel is very deep and very moving. The author, rather than having the charcters preach to the reader, created a story which causes the reader to consider some very substantial spiritual issues - suffering, pride, fear, and how God works in our lives. Far from a depressing tale, we are shown how the Christian spirit becomes stronger in the face of great evil. However, we also see a warning note very applicable to our own times - that human nature alone is not sufficient and that when we abandon God and religion a very frightening and chaotic side of mankind can be revealed.

The story is quite valuable from an historical perspective - particularly as we view the French Revolution from a Catholic perspective. This book would be appropriate for high school (probably Junior or Senior year) and would be excellent for teens and parents to read together in order to discuss the many facets of the story.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99