Desiree: The Bestselling Story of Napoleon's First Love

By: Annemarie Selinko

Narrated by: Nicole Quinn

To be young, in France, and in love....

Fourteen-year-old Desiree can't believe her good fortune. Her fiance, the dashing and ambitious Napoleon Bonaparte, is poised for battlefield success, and no longer will she be just a French merchant's daughter. She could not have known the twisting path her role in history would take, nearly breaking her vibrant heart but sweeping her to a life rich in passion and desire.

A love story, but so much more, Desiree explores the landscape of a young heart torn in two, giving listeners a compelling true story of an ordinary girl whose unlikely brush with history leads to a throne no one would have expected.

An epic best seller that has earned both critical acclaim and mass adoration, Desiree is at once a novel of the rise and fall of empires, the blush and fade of love, and the heart and soul of a woman.

©1953 Annemarie Selinko (P)2012 Nicole Quinn

Critic reviews

"An epic love story...irresistible reading." ( Chicago Tribune)

"This is a fascinating panorama, from the blood-and-sawdust reek of Robespierre's guillotine to the final collapse of the Hundred Days." ( New York Times)

“Presented as a series of diary entries over the course of her eventful life, Désirée's story not only sheds light on the life of a fascinating woman but also captures in haunting detail some of the century's most extraordinary personalities. Quinn admirably captures Désirée's unique voice at each stage of her life, from teenage petulance and crushing heartbreak to the confident tones of her eventual rise to royalty in the heyday of Napoleon's reign.” ( AudioFile)

One of the best historical novels ever written

Nobody brought Desiree to life the way Annemarie Salinko did. This book has always been a favorite book of mine. And Nicole Quinn did a fantastic job bringing it into life. It was as if listening to Desiree herself.
Loved it. Thank you Audible!

Great version of an old favorite!

Have read and read this book many times. It is a good read. The characters are well drawn and realistic, human. This may not be entirely on the dot accurate, but it does not deviate from the essential truths. After that the authors imagination creates the every day, which of course we have no documentation for. I love this version of a real person who must have been quite a person.

I was content with the narrator.
If you are interested in Desiree read this version, it outshines the Pataki version by many many stars.

A fascinating story

I've read this book many times over the past 45 years, and it is one of my favourites. When I saw that it had been recorded as an audio book, I was thrilled, and bought it immediately. However, I feel that the narration has let it down. The delivery is so stilted and pedantic, it was difficult to listen to and it took me some time to get used to it. The various European accents are excellent, but some of the characterisation seem almost ot be caricatures, very strange.
It won't stop me listening to it it again, though, but it will be in spite of the narration, not because of it.

History comes alive

For 60 years I loved this book and now am besotted with the reading by Nicole Quinn, who impersonates, with her voice, not only the first person writer. Desiree, but the characters of the French Revolution, who made history - the slippery Talleyrand, the stellar Lafayette, the greedy Moreau, and of course Napoleon as he changed from an ambitious youth to a power crazed tyrant. It is a collection of love found and love lost, with unforgettable scenes as when Empress Josephine - who ‘took’ Napoleon from Desiree- summons Desiree to the Tuileries, for comfort, when she is divorced by Napoleon. Hear this and fifty years of history comes alive.

Pretty incredible, especially as much is history

It's a remarable story spanning an incredible time in history from a unique perspective. She can be a bit irritating, but I think we meet her at maybe 14 years old, so spotting her that....

Nice history lesson

I enjoyed hearing about this period of European history even if it was through the eyes of a woman who didn't seem to give a care about it. The four stars is because there was quite a few flaws in the actual facts. It kind of bugs me that people who read this will take is as truth.

Spellbinding

The unfolding of much history in this rich tale kept me fact-checking and fascinated the entire time.

No mere silk merchant's daughter!

I am not inclined to write reviews but I truly enjoyed every moment of this particular Audible purchase. The characters came alive through the masterful narration of Annemarie Salinko and I feel thoroughly enlightened about this period of history. Desiree's story makes me believe that life can be extraordinary and full of purpose.

Brilliant!

I loved this book, it was rich with history and elements of the time period.

Although its a long listen, I found myself wanting more and more after the book ended. I wanted to listen to the rest of her life story.

I was a bit disappointed with Desiree and how she left her husband and went back to Paris. Considering this novel was based on true points in history of a real person, I cant really blame anyone for her character development.

The novel was dry at points and I found that it dwelled on certain moments in time, that were not relevant to the overall story.

Time period novels are my favourite and this is now among my top 3!

For anyone who like this novel, try listening to Philipa Gregory's novels.

Wonderful performance for a fascinating story

What made the experience of listening to Desiree: The Bestselling Story of Napoleon's First Love the most enjoyable?

The story is wonderful. I knew how it was going to end more or less, but found myself totally involved in the story and characters. Loved the history from a woman's perspective. Sure the battles are mentioned and described, but briefly and only so you can understand their impact on the characters' lives. Loved the lavish detail on hair, makeup and clothes. She is after all a silk merchant's daughter. In contrast to most portrayals of women of the 18th century, the main character is so much more sophisticated, intelligent, complicated, flawed and intuitive then normal history ever gives women credit for, yet remains feminine. This is in contrast to some strong modern female characters who seem to swear, drink, and fight like a man and only indicate femininity by admitting to a love for chocolate.

What about Nicole Quinn’s performance did you like?

Amazing performance! Each character had a unique voice that fit the personality of the character. Even minor characters voices suggest inner character (or lack of it). Then, even while doing these voices, Nicole Quinn would add the most subtle emphasis to a word or intonation that would hint at the inner motivations of the character.