Desiree: The Bestselling Story of Napoleon's First Love

Through Desiree's eyes we get a glimpse into a fascinating era in history, meet thoroughly engaging characters (who actually lived) while being swept up by a story that is tumultuous, delightful and ultimately satisfying. The performance only enhances the brilliance of the text. It is full, rich and subtle. This should not be missed.

Love this book. Being a Napoleonic fan I will read anything that has a connection but this book is excellent as it shows another side. Mostly the court life of Napoleon rather than the politics, battles or the man himself. Written as a diary style the story is fiction but based largely on fact. Désirée did exist, was Napoleon's first love and was a big part of his life if not directly. Her husband General/Marshal/Crown Prince Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte - King Charles XIV John; comes off looking rather good. Most of Napoleon's family not so. Even her sister Julie who married Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon's oldest brother) is not all that well portrayed. Saying this, Desiree isn't portrayed being all knowing and the only 'smart cookie' in the house, she saids herself she is stupid at times. Nicole Quinn narrates this book and she does an excellent job changing from young girl to queen of Sweeden with the right amount of age and style as to not lose Désirée personality. Well worth the money, well worth the time spent listing to. Annemarie Selinko has created a wonderful peace of historical fiction that borders on creative non-fiction very nicely.

I have not read the print version of this book, however I must say that this has been the most enjoyable audio book I have ever listened to.

Nicole Quinn does an excellent job of all of the performances, it was funny and emotional and she is so excellent at the different voices, you never had to guess who was speaking.

I highly recommend this book to men and women.

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.

I have not read the book, but I was so entertained by the reading of it by Nicole Quinn I am looking forward to re listening!

I loved the depth and richness of all of the characters in this historical Novel. I was stunned by the beauty and depth of the characters.

. Nicole' Quinn's voice is a pleasure to listen to. Her characters all so delicious and delightful.

Desiree herself since the story is told through her diary

You will not be disappointed with this tale nor with the narrator.

I just this moment finished listening and I'm overcome with emotion. How will I find the words? It's the experience of having truly been there somehow. Was it a story I somehow knew from my past? I won't know. I only know I am truly grateful for Annemarie Selinko's writing of this book and for Nicole Quinn's artful narration. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to every single word of this book and I know I will listen to it again and again! It's a treasure!

Watch the movie with Jean Simmons. It's just as good and just as loved. Would recommend to others as well.

I first read Desiree about 35 years ago and loved the romance; I purchased the audio to get reacquainted with the story and I LOVED it. The narration brings Desiree to life. After researching the story (half the fun of historic fiction), I discovered that Desiree wasn't well educated or interested in politics. She wasn't stupid, but rather unsophisticated and as her adopted queen mother said "every inch a French lady and quite shallow," The character of Desiree is a simple silk merchant's daughter who gets caught up in the drama and politics of two very powerful men. While she doesn't "get" their political machinations, she never fails to see the humanity and the man behind their public public personas.

Desiree-because she loves so deeply. Even after Napoleon breaks her heart, she still cares for him and is always able to see the young man she fell in love with-even as he becomes the emperor who destroys the Republic for his personal gain. She loves her husband and child and always puts their welfare first and is plagued with doubt and low self esteem no matter how high she climbs. She has a good heart and wants to take care of everybody-she even empathizes with Josephine and relates to her as another woman rather than her rival. I also loved the parts describing John Baptiste fighting against the French when he was the heir to toe throne of Sweeden-heat breaking.

First time listener

Yes, but quite impossible being a 25 hr book. I did finish it is about 5 days!

I seems to me that the genre of ' historical fiction' has been high jacked by romance novels-one reason I bought this book was because I was tired of being disappointed by books heavy on the 'fiction' and light on the 'historical'. This book is so well researched and does such a good job of educating the reader of the events at the end of The Reign of Terror,the beginning of the French Republic and its transition into a dictatorial empire. It is still fiction-Napoleon didn't turn over his sword to his ex-fiancée and yet what a beautifully written passage! All the characters are real and if you really want to suspend your disbelief, don't Google Desiree and John Baptiste Bernadotte. Their story wasn't QUITE as romantic in real life

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.

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.

I read this book when I was a teenager and LOVED it. That was more than thirty years ago though and it doesn't totally stand up. Desiree is portrayed as not very smart (though she does smart things) self-deprecating and there are somewhat painful passages where old romance is retread. It is also clear that the reader is not quite right for this - the story starts when she is 14 and ends in her late 40s and the reader doesn't do either justice. It is a great way to live through the Napoleonic Wars though. Also it is very disappointing that she leaves her husband and child and returns to paris. I realize that is not the authors doing but made her a much less interesting person in my mind.

I did listen to most of the last half at 1.5x time and that worked perfectly!