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Tales Of Passion, Tales Of Woe [Paperback]

Sandra Gulland
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 16, 1999
Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe is the much-awaited sequel to Sandra Gulland's highly acclaimed first novel, The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. Beginning in Paris in 1796, the saga continues as Josephine awakens to her new life as Mrs. Napoleon Bonaparte. Through her intimate diary entries and Napoleon's impassioned love letters, an astonishing portrait of an incredible woman emerges. Gulland transports us into the ballrooms and bedrooms of exquisite palaces and onto the blood-soaked fields of Napoleon's campaigns. As Napoleon marches to power, we witness, through Josephine, the political intrigues and personal betrayals -- both sexual and psychological -- that result in death, ruin, and victory for those closest to her.

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Gulland continues the saga of Josephine Bonaparte with her marriage to Napoleon in 1796. Although the revolutionary bloodbath has ended, France remains convulsed by political upheaval. Josephine's position depends on her cultivation of those in power and on her husband's military successes. Burdened by mounting debts and harassed by Bonaparte family members intent on destroying her reputation, Josephine survives through shrewdness and charm. Napoleon's adoration often weighs heavy, as when he summons her to join him near remote battlefields. But much of her time is spent waiting in France, especially during his disastrous Egyptian campaign. Told mostly through Josephine's journal entries, this installment is not as compelling as The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B, in part because much of the action occurs off stage. However, Gulland continues to integrate historical detail effectively. While this segment may not win the trilogy many new readers, those who enjoyed the first volume will remain intrigued enough to follow Napoleon's path to power in 1800 and to await the rest of the story. For public libraries.AKathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Alison Weir author of The Children of Henry VIII An often-moving book that keeps the reader in a happy state of constant anticipation.

Nancy Wigston The Toronto Star Sandra Gulland's second installment of her history of Josephine, Empress of France, is that rare phenomenon: a second novel even better than the first.

Faith Sullivan author of The Cape Ann Shrewd and engaging...moving, entertaining, conscientiously researched, and, yes, fun.

Diane Schoemperlen winner of the 1998 Governor General's Award for Fiction Utterly mesmerizing...a seamless blend of fact and fiction that moves historical fiction to a whole new level.

Merilyn Simonds Montreal Gazette Everything a reader could hope for and more...

Product Details

  • Paperback: 370 pages
  • Publisher: Scribner; Original edition (November 16, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0684856077
  • ISBN-13: 978-0684856070
  • Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Miami, Florida, in 1944, and lived in Rio de Janeiro, Berkeley and Chicago before immigrating to Canada in 1970 to teach in an Inuit village in northern Labrador for one year.

Settling in Toronto, I worked as a book editor for a decade before moving with my husband and two children to a log house in northern Ontario. Juggling children, a dog, three cats, pigs, chickens and a succession of horses, I worked as a freelance editor for five years before committing to writing full-time in 1985.

Ten years later, the first of the novels in the Josephine B. Trilogy was published. (The Trilogy is now published in 15 countries and in 13 languages.) Mistress of the Sun, my 4th novel, was published in 2008 (and is now in 8 languages).

Our children grown, my husband and I now live half the year in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and half in Ontario.

For more information, please see my website at http://www.sandragulland.com.

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
(45)
4.6 out of 5 stars
I am so addicted to this series and cannot wait to read book 3. B.E. Reader  |  14 reviewers made a similar statement
The story is exciting and well paced. Christine Hulten  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, Well Researched, and a Fun Read April 27, 2000
Format:Paperback
This book starts after Josephine and Napolean are married. It gives a deep insight into their marriage, their quarrels, and how they shaped and liberated France. While it is a love story, it isn't terribly gushy. It has its footholds in reality, making it a pleasant read for a man. It touches briefly upon war, but primarily explains the preparations and after effects. It doesn't really go into what happened on the fields. The author filled this book with so many facts that it would make a great reference. It would also give a highschool student who was anti-learning about history a different view, perhaps even peak their interest. The entire book is footnoted.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Josephine and Napoleon! Vivre la France! November 8, 1999
By MoiJill
Format:Paperback
I was a nervous wreck waiting for "Tales of Passion..." to be released. And when it arrived in NY stores, I had a salesclerk pull it right from the shipping boxes! It took me 3 days to complete this fabulous continuation of Josephine's life. I had feared it wouldn't even compare to the first, but now I can't decide which one I LOVE more. I haven't been this excited about a book since Memoirs of a Geisha (which I read 3 years ago.) I'll be in withdrawl from now until Part III. Hurry up Ms. Gulland! What will I do when its over!
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars VERY addictive! June 15, 2000
Format:Paperback
A wonderful book, far more interesting than the first volume. Once you begin to read the first words of this book, you will be slowly hypnotised into her world. You will be transformed into Josephine herself and relive the wars, the romance, the terror, her emotions and thoughts. A three dimensional feeling will overcome you, and suddenly you'll find that you are imprisoned in the world of the past; deep in a dark winter night in a jasmine-scented room, writing a letter with the light of a single candle where you can only hear the sound of the fire crackling and the cold wind rustling. And you WON'T want to return. You will bring Josephine to your dreams, in a mysterious night in the alluring melancholic music of a harp. Oh, it's completely mesmerizing!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive! December 30, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Absolutely mesmerizing. This is a book that invades your mind and soul completely. Historically rich, refreshing, provocative yet deep. Unique perspective on a subject often ignored in history- the role of the significant other. Definitely one of the best historical fiction books I've read.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating look at a Sometimes Tragic Life September 18, 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is the second novel in the Josephine Trilogy; here the story takes us to the beginning of Josephine's marriage to Napoleon. We are witness to the horrid and formidable Bonaparte clan, In-laws that would make anyone think twice about marriage, and the rise of Napoleon's power. Through Sandra Gulland, Josephine brings us into her world as she deals with her new and ever evolving role in society. It is an interesting and refreshing point of view, which Gulland brings to the pages. We see history through human eyes and actually experience this period time. If the Napoleonic Wars are of interest to you, or you enjoy getting a sense of history and a different society I highly recommend this book. Gulland makes Josephine real to us, sometimes we want to shake her, and sometimes we want to congratulate her. Always we want to sympathize with her.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B a few years ago and hadn't thought of reading the second volume until now. Well, in all fairness, I hadn't known there was a second installment until now. This historical figure has always intrigued me for being the wife of one of the most powerful military commanders in history. Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe is another intriguing and insightful historical/biographical novel centered on the woman who shared her life with the man responsible for the European wars of late eighteenth century to early nineteenth century. This novel covers the couple's stay in Italy during 1786 to 1800. In diary form, Josephine tells us about Bonaparte's self-declaration as First Counsel and becomes all the more powerful while she deals with her in-laws who had taken an instant dislike to her and try to ruin her reputation with lies and careful plotting. And through her many trials, she never loses her desire to help others in spite of having a compulsive need to shop and then hide her debts and expenses. And then she moves the reader when she realizes that she's developed feelings for her husband. There are various twists throughout the novel.

Sandra Gulland paints a true and compelling picture of the historical Empress. She makes her likeable and yet conflicting and complex at the same time. Her trials with her in-laws are the most difficult ones for her and you feel her struggles while applauding her strength for enduring them with the patience of a saint. I also like how the author describes the ever-changing roles in Josephine's life as her husband gains political power and becomes a formidable figure in Europe. The historical accuracy is quite impressive and the footnotes were very insightful.
... Read more ›
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars NAPOLEON AND JOSEPHINE, A LOVE STORY May 16, 2006
Format:Paperback
Two days after Josephine's marriage to the funny little Corsican (on March 9, 1796), Napoleon leaves Paris to take command of the Army of Italy. Three and a half months later Josephine is summoned to Milan by Bonaparte. She leaves her beautiful home, her friends, and most importantly, her children for almost two years. During this period she must spend time with her husband's horrible mother and siblings and endure the most unbelievable and torturous therapies in order to get pregnant.

TALES OF PASSION, TALES OF WOE is book two in Sandra Gulland's trilogy about the life of Josephine Bonaparte. This novel only covers four years--the period between Josephine's marriage in 1796 through February, 1800 when the Bonapartes move to the Tuileries Palace. This takes place after the big Coup d'Etat when Napoleon overthrows the Directors and declares himself as First Counsel. In between the pages, written as a diary and peppered with a multitude of historical footnotes, we find Josephine, as usual, trying to help others. She continues to show exceptional patience when dealing with her offensive in-laws (who are constantly plotting against her, taking money from her and who spread lies about her). She also shops and shops and spends way too much money and then tries to find ways to cover her debts. She also is slowly falling deeply in love with her younger husband.

I really enjoyed reading this historical novel about characters I have always been intrigued with. TALES OF PASSION is not only beautifully written but is quite the page-turner. Included in this book are actual letters written by Bonaparte to the love of his life. Even though I know the tragic ending of this love story, I am still looking forward to book number three to see how it all transpires.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars MY FAVORITE SERIES OF ALL TIME!
The Josephine B trilogy is easily the best series of books I have ever read. I bought the first book in stores; because they did not have the second and third, I purchased them... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Ginger Master
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
Really enjoyable if you have the patience to read something historical in diary-form. I did and I couldn't wait to go on reading the trilogy
Published 18 days ago by louise zuckerman
5.0 out of 5 stars five stars
You must read all three of these books!!! Diary form, tons of history. Can not put down!!! One of my favorite books ever!!!
Published 28 days ago by Spencer Agnew
5.0 out of 5 stars Beware - very addictive book!
This book is the second in a three book set and is excellent. Gulland writes in a way that makes you think you are back in that time and walking along with Josephine B. Read more
Published 28 days ago by E. Russell
4.0 out of 5 stars History
Enjoyed reading the history and intimate details of Josephine Bonaparte. It was quite a life they led in those times.
Published 3 months ago by madonna marie
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Made our trip to Paris come alive. We visited all the spot she so vividly described in all the series!
Published 3 months ago by Karen
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story, fraught with typos.
Such a charming book, but the frequent typos, misspellings and grammatical errors were so distracting (in the Kindle version at least).
Published 4 months ago by tara
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Content, But Was It Edited?
I have very much enjoyed the content of this book. The story is fascinating, and it is a quick read. The drama of real life is much more captivating than fiction. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Marie Bayonet
5.0 out of 5 stars Book 2 (trilogy)
I have read this trilogy through twice, it is fabulous! 2012 this was my "go to" gift choice and I gave the complete trilogy set to numerous friends. Read more
Published 6 months ago by BoyMom
4.0 out of 5 stars A different Josephine
This book was a new and refreshing view of who Josephine might have been during the time in her life when her husband, Napolean, came into power.
Published 8 months ago by nvr-FL
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