Book Review- Revolution

By Jennifer Donnelly

Published by Knopf Delcorate Dell/Random House Children's Books

Released on October 12th, 2010

Source- Random House

5 Stars- I Highly Recommend It

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, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart (quoted from Goodreads).

Revolution isn't a book I'm normally drawn to, but Jennifer Donnelly's unique writing style is so captivating, real, raw and edgy that I couldn't get enough. It took me about 100 pages to really get into the story and once I did I didn't put the book down until I was done. Revolution is how historical fictions should be written. Andi and Alexandrine's stories are woven together beautifully that I wanted to stop reading for a moment to go see if Alexandrine was a real person. Jennifer's story mixed in with historical truths is brilliant! If I can't distinguish between real historical characters and those who are made up, than I feel the author has done their job.

Revolution weaves together the stories of two young adults who's lives mirror each other's in the sense they deal with love, loss, pain, forgiveness and wanting to live. Their stories are at times broken, heart wrenching, hopeful, dark and are about redemption. This isn't a fast paced YA read. It's a beautiful written book that is full of well researched historical pieces and one that introduces us to normal people, who become extraordinary. It's full of bright, intelligent characters who are either trying to make their mark on the world, or are just trying to survive day by day.

Take Andi for example. To get to really understand Andie, Jennifer uses the first 100 or so pages to introduce Andi to us. A brilliantly minded young women who's talent lies in music. Her father is a well known Scientist who's won the Nobel Prize, her mother talented in her own right and a younger brother. Educated at a prestiges private school, fluent in english and french, Andi is someone you might admire for her gifts and life of privilege. Don't let looks fool you. Andi comes from a broken home and she carries the guilt of her brother's death, which has ruined her mother, Andi and possibly any future she may have had attending any college in the world. Andi becomes isolated and alone and turns to what others in her situation would, drugs and pushing everyone away from her. Her music is her escape and this once vibrant character becomes completely alone, has thoughts of suicide and dependent on pills to cope with what's happened.

Andi's absentie father brings her to Paris with him, as he and a friend are working together to prove that a heart found is that of Louis Charles-the young son of King Louis XVI (an article about his heart is what inspired Jennifer to write the story). It's her time in Paris that Andi discovers Alexandrine's journal, hidden in a guitar case and as her father is working on his case, Andi is whisked away into Alexandrine's life, as she is Louis Charles's companion/care taker. Through weaving together these two stories, Jennifer allowed me to feel so many different emotions, as I became completely invested into the two stories. Like Andi, I couldn't get enough of Alexandrine's life during the French Revolution. It's during this time Andi starts to transform and I won't give anything else away about her character.

Revolution is empowering, beautifully written, one that has left a profound mark on me, which I rarely say. Had I read this before I made our list for favorite 2010 reads, this would be at the top of the list. I also would have added Virgil, Andi's love interest to the list of favorite male characters. The closest character I could relate him to is Lisa McMann's Cabel, in the way he loves Andi and wants nothing more than to help her and be there for her. Revolution is a book that I highly recommend picking up this holiday season. I enjoyed it so much I ran out and picked up Jennifer's Northern Lights. I would caution I don't feel it's a read for younger YA readers, but one older YA readers and Adults would enjoy, as there is some language, sexual context and drug use. Over all, Revolution in my opinion is a beautiful YA/Adult cross over.

To find out more about Jennifer's inspiration for Revolution, watch her interview here