Ribbons of Scarlet

A Novel of the French Revolution's Women

By: Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot, Heather Webb

Narrated by: Marisa Calin, Lisa Flanagan, Barrie Kreinik, Saskia Maarleveld, Cassandra Campbell, Lauren Ezzo

Length: 16 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Six best-selling and award-winning authors bring to life a breathtaking epic novel illuminating the hopes, desires, and destinies of princesses and peasants, harlots and wives, fanatics and philosophers - six unforgettable women whose paths cross during one of the most tumultuous and transformative events in history: the French Revolution.

Ribbons of Scarlet is a timely story of the power of women to start a revolution - and change the world.

In late 18th-century France, women do not have a place in politics. But as the tide of revolution rises, women from gilded salons to the streets of Paris decide otherwise - upending a world order that has long oppressed them.

Blue-blooded Sophie de Grouchy believes in democracy, education, and equal rights for women and marries the only man in Paris who agrees. Emboldened to fight the injustices of King Louis XVI, Sophie aims to prove that an educated populace can govern itself - but one of her students, fruit-seller Louise Audu, is hungrier for bread and vengeance than learning. When the Bastille falls and Louise leads a women’s march to Versailles, the monarchy is forced to bend, but not without a fight. The king’s pious sister, Princess Elisabeth, takes a stand to defend her brother, spirit her family to safety, and restore the old order, even at the risk of her head.

But when fanatics use the newspapers to twist the revolution’s ideals into a new tyranny, even the women who toppled the monarchy are threatened by the guillotine. Putting her faith in the pen, brilliant political wife Manon Roland tries to write a way out of France’s blood-soaked Reign of Terror while pike-bearing Pauline Leon and steely Charlotte Corday embrace violence as the only way to save the nation. With justice corrupted by revenge, all the women must make impossible choices to survive - unless unlikely heroine and courtesan’s daughter Emilie de Sainte-Amaranthe can sway the man who controls France’s fate: the fearsome Robespierre.

©2019 Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Women of the French Revolution

At times, struggled to understand. So many names to keep straight, but I now have a better understanding of this time in France

Great narration!

The different characters brought the storyline together beautifully. The narration absolutely brought the story to life.

Fabulous

I very much enjoyed the individual stories weaved through this book, with the humanization of the various factions during this historic tragedy. Also found it interesting the reference to what leadership within the democracy forming at the same in America.

I struggled a wee bit recalling who was who, however that did not distract significantly for me.

Entertaining

Entertaining book, but often is like a sappy romance novel. I wouldn't read it again.

History Brought to Life

I had read this book twice before deciding to purchase the audiobook. I am so happy that I did. The concept of different narrators for each of the authors contributions--mind blowing. They are so talented. Their emotions came through the speakers, causing tears, making me laugh, creating fear.

I found excuses to listen just a little longer, then a little longer more. Why couldn't all of my history classes have been this enjoyable? I had always found the French Revolution a little gory. I had forgotten the human concept, just remembered the horrible violence.

The Ribbon of Scarlett audiobook reminded me that there was so much more that blood on the streets. There were beating hearts trying to save a country.

Great female perspective of the revolution in France

I did not find this book confusing as others did. I felt it was informative and well produced. The narration was very good.

Interesting historical fiction from women’s perspective

As someone who hasn’t studied or read much on the French Revolution, this was an interesting listen. I enjoyed the intertwined, yet separate stories and perspectives. Most entertainment these days, will only portray one opinion, this was a refreshing change from that. The writing and performance were fine.

So in depth in a different perspective!

How am I in my early 30's and just now learning of the French Revolution?!?! This is the best way to learn about it though, in many working class women's perspectives. Very inspiring and gut wrenching in many ways. In so many ways it reminds me of the Salem witch trials, again focusing on women.

Slow start but PLEASE stick with it

I bought Ribbons Of Scarlet after devouring Fatal Throne: The Wives Of Henry VIII Tell All. Fatal Throne had me hooked from word one and I loved every minute of it. Both books are an anthology of sorts. They both share the perspective of women during a crucial and tumultuous time in world history. I was expecting Ribbons of Scarlet to be just as addictive and engrossing...I was half right. While I wasn’t immediately hooked like I was with Fatal Throne, I am so glad I stuck with it. The writing is beautiful and vivid and the history utterly fascinating. It’s hard not to be captivated by these women. They’re fierce, intelligent, witty, independent, and surprisingly progressive. To see how and why each of them was swept up in the French Revolution and how they survived or fell to it makes for incredible listening. The fact that the various narrators bring so much power and personality to the prose certainly helps as well. While I don’t think people unfamiliar with at least the basics of the history of the French Revolution will get half as much out of this as people who are, I would honestly and heartily recommend this to anyone. It’s empowering, edifying, intelligent, and utterly topical. It’s hard not to imagine a book like this being written about our time and I can only hope it’s as good as Ribbons Of Scarlet. Each author and narrator has done something really special here and I really hope for more from each and every one of them. If you do find you enjoy this please also check out Madeline Miller’s Circe, the aforementioned anthology Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All, or The Silence Of The Girls by Pat Barker.

A wild decent into madness

This book so beautifully captures the timelines of the revolution. I’ve rarely seen a book that can mimic the effect history has on a life prospective but it does it so well. You feel hopeful in the beginning and at the end, stunned.

You will not regret it. But the last tale should be listened to privately for the emotions brought out by the fantastic narrator.