#albine de montholon

[usergreenpixel]

MALMAISON MEDIA SALON SOIRÉE 20: NAPOLEON’S ELYSIUM (2011)

1. The Introduction

Hello, dear Neighbors. Welcome back to Malmaison Media Salon. Oh look, we have an anniversary already!

In order to celebrate the occasion, I decided to post a long overdue review of “Napoleon’s Elysium” by Diane Scott Lewis. The book was actually brought to my attention by @suburbanbeatnik , who did the cover art for this particular edition of the book.

Now, usually I’m not the biggest fan of romance novels (not a dig at the authors, just not my thing), but this book was recommended by a mutual I trust, so I did give it a try. As for my impressions, we’ll get to them in a minute.

By the way, the book is currently available on Amazon and Kindle, but @suburbanbeatnik (to whom this review is dedicated) sent an EPUB version to me by email many months ago, so I didn’t purchase it.

Alright, now let’s get to the review!

2. The Summary

Amélie Perrault is a nineteen-year old daughter of a cook, who joins her father and the rest of the servants in order to share Napoleon’s exile on St. Helena.

Dreaming of becoming a successful erotica author, Amélie hopes to work on her novel in her spare time and uses the information she obtained from other novels in order to write the details of her story.

However, her unexpected feelings for the former emperor and a desire to find out who has been poisoning him complicate the situation in more ways than expected.

3. The Story

As I said, I’m not the biggest fan of romantic subplots or novels where romance is the main plotline, so imagine my surprise when I found myself finishing this book in one sitting!

The romance between Amélie and Napoleon is portrayed very realistically, considering the differences in age and social standing. Both aspects are things that other characters point out, and it’s very clear that Amélie and Napoleon are at very different stages of life.

Their bond evolves very naturally over time, without the story feeling like a bad fanfic. I would say that it is a very slow burn kind of romance.

Not to mention, I really enjoyed the detective plot line of investigating who is poisoning Napoleon and the adventure plot line involving his plans to escape.

Also, Amélie’s attempts to write her novel are very relatable. She wants to be strong and independent like her main character, but she is clearly a different person and is not the protagonist of her novel. I aspire to be an author too, so I definitely relate to the scenes of Amélie picking up ideas for her story or asking for advice on how to improve it.

Oh, and also there are a few characters who die in the novel, but they stay dead and these become very important plot points.

4. The Characters

Amélie Perrault wants to be a strong, independent woman, but luckily it doesn’t feel out of place for that time period. She just has ideas inspired by Enlightenment mixed with being young and a free spirit.

She is a very flawed, realistically written spunky young woman, but her heart is in the right place and she is one of the few people genuinely loyal to Napoleon.

Napoleon himself is definitely jaded, occasionally prone to outbursts and quite petty at times, but he doesn’t want Amélie to feel like she’s being taken advantage of and he genuinely loves her. In fact, it’s her idealism that inspires Napoleon to plan an escape from his exile instead of giving up.

Chef Perrault, Amélie’s father, is quite realistic too. He does believe in education for women, but he is still very protective of his daughter and at times still treats her like a child, which is understandable.

Count and Countess de Montholon are portrayed as traitors and ass-kissers.

Fanny Bertrand is a sweetheart who genuinely helps Amélie with her novel.

Clarice, another servant, is a bitch who starts out very shallow, promiscuous and rude towards Amélie, but then reveals information that helps the investigation of who is behind poisoning Napoleon.

Jules, the manservant of Montholon, is a fucking creep.

Ali, Napoleon’s personal servant, becomes a friend to Amélie and an ally who helps her navigate the environment of the St. Helena “court”.

5. The Setting

Fantastic writing and vivid descriptions of the island and other locations!

6. The Writing

The writing is sublime for the most part, but sometimes the characters drop phrases in French, which I did find a bit jarring when compared to the rest of the dialogue (which is obviously in English). We already know these characters are supposed to be French.

This is a minor issue for me though.

There is a case of the term “n*gro” being used towards the island’s black population, but we’re talking about the 19th century so it was to be expecte. It’s a dated term but I’m censoring it just in case it is triggering to anyone in the audience.

7. The Conclusion

Excellent book with realistic plot lines, colorful flawed characters, mostly great writing and vivid imagery that really sells the setting.I think I can definitely recommend it if you like historical romance.

Well, on this note, I declare this soirée concluded. Please stay tuned for future reviews!

Love,

Citizen Green Pixel

[empirearchives]

This is one of Napoleon’s alleged illegitimate daughters: Joséphine-Napoléone de Montholon

I found it on Wikipedia.

Little Joséphine was born on the island of Saint Helena in 1818 to Albine de Montholon. She was legally recognized as the daughter of Albine’s husband, not Napoleon.

She unfortunately died young.

She had an older sister who was also born on Saint Helena and was also believed to be the daughter of Napoleon. Her name was Hélène-Napoléone. She lived a very long life and died in 1907. She was said to strongly resemble Napoleon. I haven’t been able to find any pictures of her, though she lived long enough for there to be photographs.

[joachimnapoleon]

I’ve come across something very interesting. Allegedly, this drawing is a self-portrait of Caroline Murat holding an urn containing her husband’s ashes.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen this (and I’ve been digging for art related to Joachim & Caroline Murat regularly for years), so I can’t help but be skeptical? But the source given for this on the Wiki Commons page goes to what looks like a legitimate auction page (see the link below). The description reads:

Autoportrait tenant l’urne contenant les cendres de son époux Joachim Murat, fusillé le 13 octobre 1815 à Pizzo Calabro. Dessin à la pierre noire d’Italie, signé en bas à gauche : Carolina

31,5 x 25 cm

Provenance : Charles-Tristan de Montholon ou/et ? Albine de Montholon, puis Hélène Napoléone Bonaparte ( Sainte-Hélène 18 juin 1816- Aix-en-Provence 1910)

It sold for 1700€.

Thoughts?

*edit* As @northernmariette notes, if this is legitimate, the urn would be symbolic since Joachim’s remains were never recovered; he still remains interred under the church in Pizzo, where he was buried after his execution.

Also, the auction only occurred in July, and the image was only just uploaded to Wiki Commons at the beginning of this month, which explains why this is the first time I’ve ever seen it.

[northernmariette]

An annotated floor plan of Longwood

This plan of Longwood is dated 1821, and I assume it was drawn around that time. Neither scale nor North arrow are provided, unfortunately.

I have translated the annotations. The word à is consistently written a, which is another word. I transcribed it as à rather than using [sic] again and again. 

Starting with the grounds:

The word limite appears repeatedly. I’m not sure what it means in this context. Distance? Boundary? 

The “new house” is mentioned. Perhaps it was located closer to General Bertrand’s home.

Ravin dangereux et marécageux

Hazardous and boggy ravine

La ligne ponctuée indique l'enceinte après 9 heures du soir les sentinelles l'occupaient de 10 en 10 pas. L'Enceinte de 6 heures du soir était formée par les haies d'aloès à la limite déterminée à l'indication des chemins. Les Sentinelles étaient placées sur limite à 30 pas de distance derrière le fossé et la haie d'aloès.

The dotted line indicates the perimeter after 9 o'clock in the evening; sentries stood guard every 10 paces. The perimeter at 6 o'clock in the evening was defined by aloe hedges along the paths. Sentries were posted at a distance of 30 paces behind the ravine and the aloe hedges. Mauvais gazon bruyère

Poor-quality turf, heather

Chemin de ronde

Patrol route

Chemin des Ecuries et du Bois de Dead Wood limite à 60 mètres

Lane to the Stables and to Dead Wood limit at 60 meters

Allée d'arbres transplantés

Alley of transplanted trees

Berceau

Pergola

Chemin d'arrivée à Longwood limite à 100 mètres

Access road to Longwood 100 metre limit

Chemin de la nouvelle maison et de l'habitation du G[énér]al Bertrand limite à 80 mètres

Lane to new house and to General Bertrand's residence 80 metre limit

Longwood’s interior layout:

Montholon’s quarters seem to have been quite separate. I am not sure if the Montholons brought a child to St. Helena. Their oldest was left in Europe, and one daughter was born on St. Helena, presumed to be Napoleon’s from his affair with Albine de Montholon. Albine took that daughter with her when she left St. Helena after a few years. Unfortunately, little Napoléone died aged only two years.

Considering how many people were in Napoleon’s entourage, the house would have been quite crowded. I’m not sure where Gourgaud and the Las Cases were staying.

My translation of Office to Pantry is not a mistake. A French office will be a cabinet or bureau.

The Pharmacie seems rather vast for a repository of medicines. I wonder if it had other purposes also.

I have proceeded fairly linearly from top to bottom.

Salle de bain

Bath room

Chambre à coucher

Bedroom

  M[ais]on [?] du Général Montholon

General Montholon’s quarters

Salon

Reception room

Chirurgien

Surgeon

Aumônier

Chaplain

Pharmacie

Pharmacy

Officier d'Ordonnance

Aide-de-camp [?]

Argenterie

Storage room for silver tableware

Poulailler

Chicken coop

Lavoir

Laundry room

Cour

Courtyard

Cuisine

Kitchen

Lingerie

Storage room for household linens

Salle à manger de Service

Staff dining room 

Office

Pantry

Bibliothèque

Library

Salle à manger

Dining room

Va[le]t de cham[bre] de Service

[Bedroom for] manservant on duty

Bain

Bath [room]

Cabinet de l'Empereur

The Emperor’s office

Chambre à coucher de l'Empereur

The Emperor’s bedroom

Salon

Reception room

Cabinet des Cartes et Billard Maps room and Billiards room

[bookishhollow]

Spring Book Scope! 🔮🌌 ♌️ QOTD: what is your zodiac sign? Do you fit your sign’s personality? I am al Leo, but I definitely don’t fit the bossy, center of attention attitude of a Leo. I’m definitely more of a fan of fading in the background with my nose in a book lol. My friends at @booksparks have put together a TBR list of titles, one for each zodiac sign and they sent me a few to share! I am so excited for these titles and I totally recommend them for my fellow Leo pals! The titles are listed below with an excerpt from their official synopsis. ————————————————————— FINDING NAPOLEON by Margaret Rodenberg @margaretrodenberg With its delightful adaptation of Napoleon Bonaparte’s real attempt to write a novel, Finding Napoleon offers a fresh take on Europe’s most powerful man after he’s lost everything. A forgotten woman of history―the audacious Albine de Montholon―narrates their tale of intrigue, love, and betrayal. PERMISSION TO DREAM by Cris Gardner @ceoofhappyness On a winter’s day, Chris Gardner set off with his nine-year-old granddaughter Brooke to find the harmonica of her dreams. The search sends them North “beyond the wall” into a foreboding Chicago neighborhood and, soon, on a harrowing adventure that will change both of their lives—and ours. KATE IN WAITING by Becky Albertalli @beckyalbertalli Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are not codependent. Carpooling to and from theater rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway. #booksparks #SpringBookScope #SPRC2021 https://www.instagram.com/p/CONzTjULUZm/?igshid=bfux5bvj6iom

[conpreenting-nook]

[KINDLE] Something in the Water

Esteu buscant aquest llibre?  Finding Napoleon By Margaret Rodenberg

 Book Excerpt :

"In a league of its own...writing is beautiful and poignant.?? Allison Pataki, NYT Best-selling Author of Historical Fiction"Moving compassion, humor and wit. Highly recommended!?? Sandra Gulland, Author of The Josephine B. TrilogyWith its delightful adaptation of Napoleon Bonaparte's real attempt to write a novel, Finding Napoleon offers a fresh take on Europe's most powerful man after he's lost everything. A forgotten woman of history--Napoleon's last love, the audacious Albine de Montholon--narrates their tale of intrigue, passion, and betrayal. After the defeated Emperor Napoleon goes into exile on tiny St. Helena Island in the remote South Atlantic, he and his lover, Albine de Montholon, plot to escape and rescue his young son. Banding together African slaves, British sympathizers, a Jewish merchant, a Corsican rogue, and French followers, they confront British opposition--as well as treachery within their own ranks--with sometimes subtle, sometimes bold, but always desperate

 >>> START READING NOW

"This book is available for download in a number of formats - including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. You can also read the full text online using our Ereader."

 #AMZBOOKS, #EPUB, #POPULARBOOK2020

[shannonselin]

21 August 1853: General Charles de Montholon died in Paris at the age of 70.  Montholon was one of the few officers allowed to accompany Napoleon Bonaparte into exile on St. Helena. His wife Albine became Napoleon’s mistress. The British governor of St. Helena, Sir Hudson Lowe, wrote of Montholon:

“[I]t was impossible for a person to express himself more clearly, or to explain himself with more correctness than Count Montholon did when he thought it was necessary to do so; but if he wished to insinuate anything – to drop any remark – to state any doubtful circumstance upon which he was desirous to evade reply, his pronunciation became rapid, indistinct, and he spoke in so muttering a tone, that it became difficult to catch his meaning, or to follow exactly what he said.”

Some people claim that Montholon murdered Napoleon by poisoning him with arsenic. This has been convincingly refuted in a number of scientific studies. See, for example, William J. Broad  in the New York Times and Ted Chamberlain on the National Geographic website. Michael Sibalis, a history professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, provides an excellent account of why conspiracy theories about Napoleon’s death (as well as his purported escape from St. Helena) thrive.

After Napoleon died, Montholon threw his support behind Louis-Napoléon (the future Napoleon III), the son of Napoleon’s brother Louis and Josephine’s daughter Hortense. In 1840, Montholon was imprisoned for participating in Louis-Napoléon’s attempted coup at Boulogne-sur-Mer. After the French revolution of 1848, Montholon supported Louis-Napoléon’s election to the presidency. In 1849, Montholon was elected to the French legislative assembly as a deputy of the Charante-Inférieure. He  was buried in the family cemetery at Bouray-sur-Juine in northern France.

Portrait by Edouard Pingret, around 1840 

[jacquelinethings]

Bouguereau portrays Countess Montholon wearing 1840s day dress with a violet waistband forming a double vee in back and extensive ruched trim. The tip of a vee waistline should show in front, but it does not. The sleeves and bodice are cross-hatched with colored thread ending in black bands at the wrist and neckline complementing the black trim of her violet waistband and ribbons. Albine de Montholon (1779-1848).

[joachimnapoleon]

My current read (it just came out at the beginning of April). I’m only about a quarter through but so far I’m really enjoying it. The author weaves the course of Napoleon’s own novel, Clisson & Eugenie, into Napoleon’s exile on Saint Helena, which we see alternately from Napoleon’s third-person POV and the first-person POV of Albine de Montholon, his alleged final mistress (the novel takes the “alleged” out). Albine’s husband, Charles de Montholon, comes across so far as a rather lackadaisical and slovenly figure, who offers his wife to Napoleon in their shared hope that Napoleon will return the favor by paying for their son’s schooling; a clear comparison to a later flashback in which Napoleon’s/Clisson’s mother gives herself to a French officer to ensure that *his* schooling is paid for. Albine is also portrayed at being deeply traumatized by her experiences during the Revolution... and excessively preoccupied with the appearance of her breasts, and her faded youth in general (Napoleon has just met Betsy Balcombe, so Albine is feeling even more insecure).

Unfortunately the author decided to entirely leave out Gourgaud, who despised the Montholons and would’ve made a great foil to them.

I haven’t gotten to the arrival of Sir Hudson Lowe yet but I’m looking forward to it. Napoleon’s relationship with Admiral Cockburn up to this point has been increasingly contentious. She’s done a great job not only capturing Napoleon’s personality, biting wit, and sardonic humor, but also his inner torment as he is gradually forced to come to grips with his fallen state, the inescapability of his exile, and the loss of his son. This is the type of deeply empathetic historical fiction I enjoy most.

Overall, an excellent read so far.