Revolution

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Narrated by: Emily Janice Card, Emma Bering

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Jennifer Donnelly (P)2010 Listening Library

Critic reviews

" Revolution is a sumptuous feast of a novel, rich in mood, character, and emotion. With multiple hooks, it should appeal to a wide range of readers." ( School Library Journal)

Amazing, unique, powerful

Profoundly moving, many years, also anger, pain and deep emotion. The connection of DNA, music, the revolution of France and of the soul of a brilliant and also troubled young woman. The layers and emotions of the revolution of growing up and recovering from how much that can hurt, and also enlighten. I was very much moved and involved in this story and the nakedness of its people, starting with the young heroine. The revelation of music connected to history, was so sensitive and also unbearable at times. But also beautiful. As growth and feeling can be. I found this to be a remarkable book and experience in so many ways. Excellent narrator as well. I’m still sitting here, absorbing the emotions and layers, sliding along my skin. So many of them. Looking out for the stars, above me. Beautiful…

Great for any age

I am a 55 year old father, as far away from the "youth adult / female" classification of this book as one can get. I generally listen to historical fiction and took a chance on this because of another adult review in Amazon recommnding it. It was one of the best audiobooks I have purchased ( over 400 and counting). It had everthing I ask for in historical fiction - characters to move the plot along, real history mixed with the story, and good enough writing to cause me to research the period ( the French Revolution) on my own. I have 2 quibbles. One, the character from the past is read by an adult ( Emma Bering), who sounds like an adult, and I had to continually ignore that - they should have used a teenage narrator as they did with the girl from the present (Emily Card), as that is the obvious intent - teenager to teenager. Second - SPOILER ALERT - the time travel thing at the end of the book, though entertaining, felt manufactured and unnecessary, a perplexing break the straight narrative that had been used to that point,
Other than that - wonderful. I recommend it for any age

lovely

The tie between past and present between both ladies was nicely done , unexpected love story was a nice hint , Chilling that people still believe in revolutions with all the suffering is causes .

Loved it,

I really enjoyed this book. both narrators were great. the research into the music was amazing.

Good!

It was good!! I likes it. I liked it. I liked it. I liked it. I liked it. I liked it. Descriptive

All time favorite book!

loved it! It brought history to life for me. I have read a bunch of other books and can't find one that can compete with this book. I Recommend it for sure.

Amazing! So sad I've finished it.

I'm a high school librarian and I've already started book talking this book to students and teachers. The title Revolution refers to the French Revolution and it is a wonderful combination of contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and mystery with a touch of romance thrown in. I think this one will appeal to both boys and girls. Musical references are woven into the story and now I feel compelled to visit itunes to check out the composers the main character loves.

I'm currently searching madly for another title that might fill that void I always feel when I've finished a really wonderful title. This is the best book I've read since finishing Life of Pi! Thank you so much Jennifer Donnelly.

Just okay.

Would you try another book from Jennifer Donnelly and/or Emily Janice Card and Emma Bering ?

I didn't care for this story much. If I had it in print, I'm not sure I would have finished it. I don't think I would try another book by Jennifer Donnelly. It wasn't bad, just not might type of story.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I don't remember the ending which probably says a lot.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

What a fun ride

Really enjoy the story and the narration. It's not earth shattering and many of the premise were historical fantasy standards. But the way it was all wrapped up was fun and entertaining. I'll definitely re-listen again down the road.

Good introduction to historical fiction!

Okay you guys, historical fiction is seriously not my thing; especially when the setting is in the 1700s. I’ve reviewed a few historical fictions here on the blog – Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood, Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, and The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell – only 3! That’s not very much considering how many books we review on the blog. And the reason for that is that I don’t usually enjoy historical fiction but oh my wow, Jennifer Donnelly’s Revolution was amazing.

It does go back and forth between the two girls, and Andi, our main character, lives in present day (Brooklyn, but the book also takes place in Paris). Her younger brother has died and she’s kind of like a manic pixie girl (read: emo) but when she finds young Alexandrine’s diary, I feel like Andi is able to find an outlet for her grief – or at the very least, something that she’s interested in. Is Andi emo? Yeah, but she never crossed into the “annoying emo” girl for me. And then she’s transported into the time of the French Revolution while she is in the catacombs, which kind of ties in a supernatural element to this historical fiction.

Despite the fact that I don’t consider historical fiction a favorite sub-genre of mine, Revolution has been one of my favorite reads this year. It’s a great read and a good introduction to historical fiction if you’re looking to dabble in it.