Tales Of Passion, Tales Of Woe

By Sandra Gulland

The much-anticipated second novel in the trilogy, Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe opens as Josephine awakens to the reality of her recent marriage to Napoleon Bonaparte. A remarkable portrait of a canny and compassionate woman emerges, set against one of the most tumultuous periods in European history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781443403542

Sandra Gulland

Sandra Gulland is the author of the Josephine Bonaparte series, Mistress of the Sun, and The Shadow Queen. She lives in Killaloe, Ontario and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Reviews for Tales Of Passion, Tales Of Woe

[snash_44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An intriguing story in terms of personalities, history, and plot twists. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and will assuredly read the last book in the series.

[andrew1theqm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a very entertaining book, written in Journal form by Josephine Bonaparte. This is the second book in the trilogy, the first book covering the period of the Great Terror. This book covers the early years of Josephine's marriage to Napoleon Bonaparte , including Bonaparte's Campaigns in Italy and Egypt as his power base grows. It ends as he assumes power in France. You would think it would be stilted being in diary form, but the book works very well and gives a very interesting snapshot into Josephine's life and France during this tumultuous period. I look forward to reading the final part of this delightful series.

[michellech_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a great introduction to Josephine (Rose). Typically I do not like the diary style of writing but Gulland skillfully makes it work. This is the first of series and I am sold. We meet Josephine as a young girl living on a sugar cane plantation and follow her to France to be married to her first husband. As the political upheaval in France progresses, you can feel her terror as she fights to protect her friends and family. The politics of it all are constantly shifting and make for excellent reading. Will be reading part two in quick order.

[anneearney · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As interesting as the first book in the series. Read very quickly over the course of a week.

[wjenkin2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story of Napoleon and Josephine from her point of view. Another one that I could not put down!

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This purports to be the diary of Josephine Bonaparte from the time she was a fourteen-year-old plantation owner's daughter in Martinique in 1777 to her marriage to Napoleon in 1796. That's its weakness and it's strength. The weakness, I think, being that diary format. There are novels told in diary form that I've found moving and riveting: Bridget Jones's Diary, Flowers for Algernon, and even, believe it or not, a Buffy novel, Go Ask Malice. I think what all of them have in common are very strong voices and the way the entries show a change in the character. Without a strong personality, diary format can come across as sketchy, with a jerky, stop and go quality, and I'm afraid I found the voice created for Josephine very bland and the voice doesn't vary from inexperienced creole girl to a mature sophisticated woman deeply involved and influential in the the politics of Revolutionary France. I don't feel the story gained from being in diary form or even first person.The strength? That this is the story of Josephine Bonaparte, and if the story it tells comes anywhere near the historical truth, she's a far more interesting character than I could have guessed. A generous, compassionate woman who took risks to save others against the backdrop of "the Reign of Terror" where she almost lost her own head to the guillotine. The content of her life and the history she lived kept me riveted, in spite of spare, restrained, dare I say dull, writing. The picture of Revolutionary France, that turned into a totalitarian state in the name of "liberty" was fascinating. However, I often found the footnotes in the book of real history more revealing, making Josephine sound more complex and interesting than the voice created for her telling her own story. As for Napoleon, he only enters the story in the last 50 pages or so, and comes across as a rather cold fish, while history (and his surviving letters to her) marks his love for Josephine as one of the great passionate affairs in history--not something that comes across in the book. I admit in the end I'm much more likely as the result of this novel to pick up a biography of her, than the next volume in the trilogy.

[emanoella_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have recently been craving a good historical novel, so I picked up this one seeing as it was a suggestion of one of my friends. I told her of my interest in this specific genre, and she said that this one was by far the best she had ever Though the trilogy has not gained much popularity other than in Canada, it still proved to be a very entertaining read. The fictional journal written by Rose, the future Josephine Bonaparte.

[ashwey_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I definitely liked this one better than the first of the series. Great book, especially if you like historical fiction.

[mikerr_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These fictional diary entries of Josephine Bonaparte rock! The time and place are brought to life and the drama of the period is the backdrop for the emotional landscape of one of Europe's most famous historical women. Could not put it down.This is part one of a trilogy.

[ames3473 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed it! I didn't know anything about Josephine Bonaparte, so it was interesting. I didn't know she was married before Napoleon & had it pretty rough. I look forward to reading the sequel to this book which is about her marriage to Napoleon. This book focuses on her first marriage.

[runaway84_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book #2 in the Josephine Bonaparte trilogy. This installment picks up where the last one left off: the day after Napoleon and Josephine's wedding in 1796. It ends at the beginning of 1800 when Napoleon and Josephine move into the Tuileries Palace.I can't remember how many times I thought, "Poor Josephine!" Those Bonapartes are a family to be reckoned with and they stop at nothing to foil Napoleon's marriage to her.This installment is probably going to end up being my favorite because it has my favorite character (so far): Captain Charles. The young captain is absolutely hilarious and adorable. I loved him.As with all historical fiction, there are some liberties taken, but I'm still learning a lot about a period of time I didn't know much about. These books were no doubt extensively researched, and it shows. Josephine is a strong woman who has been through a hell of a lot. Despite the limitations of women at the time, she uses her brains and charm to get things done.The world and characters in these books are exquisitely drawn up to where you feel like you're right there on the streets of Paris. The smells, colors and faces are clear as day.Josephine's story is only going to get more intense from here.

[sheri3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very intereresting. I liked it better than the "The Other Boylyn Girl" and "The Queens Fool" by Philippa Gregory because this was a shorter read and didn't go into so much detail that it got boring.

[lindymc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable novel, written in diary format. I was unaware of any of Josephine's earlier life, including her childhood on Martinque, and her first marriage to a French aristocrat turned revolutionary. Great background on the Revolution, the true horrors of "The Terror" under Robespierre.

[adonisguilfoyle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quick read and a concise biography of Empress Josephine's early life, from Martinique through the Revolution to marrying Bonaparte. The first person narrative is a little redundant, as there are no personal contradictions or omissions to tell the reader more about Rose than a straightforward ominiscient narrator would reveal, and the historical language of the text rather dilutes her 'voice'. Sandra Gulland's research and love of her central character shine through, however, and unobtrusive footnotes supply further information that would sound clumsy if delievered via dialogue.

[kathywoodall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is written in the form of a diary. It starts when Josephine is 14 years old and still living on the island of Martinico and ends with her marriage to Napoleon. Very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the other 2 books in this series.

[xicanti_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second volume of Sandra Gulland’s Josephine B. Trilogy traces Josephine’s life from her marriage to Napoleon through to his coup d’etat and appointment as First Consul of France. I’m pleased to report that this book is every bit as good as the first. Once again, Gulland manages to imbue her heroine with pathos and humanity. I felt deeply connected to Josephine throughout the whole novel. Her frustrations and fears became my own. I found it impossible not to root for her. The diary format continues to work to great effect. It made this a quick, readable book that builds in momentum as it progresses. By the end, I was hard pressed to put it down. I especially appreciated how Josephine’s reactions fit in with what had come before. At no point does Gulland dramatically foreshadow coming events; such an approach would have taken away from the book's overall feel. While there are hints of what’s to come, as there would be in real life, each triumph or betrayal comes upon Josephine in a natural, realistic fashion, and she reacts in kind. Overall: definitely worth reading and highly recommended.

[blondestranger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book of the Josephine Bonaparte trilogy is riviting. You really connect to her as a character and person in this book.

[mydomino1978 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting book, hard to put down. It begins with Rose as a girl and follows her marriage to a stranger, her unhappy marriage, her trials during the reign of Robespierre, and ends with a marriage proposal. This is the first of three books, and I wish I had the second in my hands right now. One of the better books I have read this year.

[littlebookworm_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is phenomenal. I feel truly like I know Josephine at this point, and care for her and what happens to her family. She literally leaps off the page. This and the first in the trilogy have managed to interest me in French history, which I have to confess has never managed to hold my interest. Gulland's prose is sparse but beautiful and manages to convey emotions amazingly well. I have become completely absorbed in these books, and I'm very glad I found them.

[eas_13 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

27/04/07-30/04/07Excellent fictional introduction to those people who were at the forefront of this crucial period of history - a pivotal point in the making of modern-day France.Told in 'diary' form, the novel engenders the sense of uncertainty, urgency and intensity existing at the time. The main characters, Napoleon and Josephine, come alive on the page. The drama and passion of their love and lives is enhanced by their interactions with family and friends.Highly recommended.