Young AdultPages: 496
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 12, 2010
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.
This book exceeded all and any expectations I had. This is the kind of book that is way, way more than a book, and way more than just a story. The words take life and create a full-on experience for the reader. Jennifer Donnelly has a true gift to make history become a character, to make the reader so involved that it almost hurts to close it at the end. I didn't want to let go. The plot is so layered and intense, it blew me away. The two characters were so vivid, so much more than characters. Andi's voice is like no other voice you'll ever read. A voice so powerful, so bitter and so heartrendingly real it's almost impossible to recreate.
I adored the way the crude contemporary world clashes and intertwines with the past in Donnelly's masterful words. The tiny fantasy element that consolidates the book had me skeptical for a few pages, but as I hoped on Andi's ride I understood the true power of the book's message. This is journey through grief and injustice leading to an understanding of why we live in the world we live.
This story will shine for generations to come. It deserves all its hype and so much more. I had a blast reading it, and I cant wait to re-read it soon! And I'm not a regular re-reader. But seriously, this is the kind of book that is so absolutely well done that you don't see it often. I warn you, you might fall in love with historical fiction after reading this. One of the best of 2010 and a YA lover's Must Read.
