THE LAST EMPRESS OF FRANCE The Rebellious Life of Eugenie de Montijo

Jilly Bond paints a charming portrait of Eugénie de Montijo, the last empress of France. The Spanish-born aristocrat married to Emperor Napoleon III was a woman ahead of her time. The Napoleonic Code defined women as little more than chattel. They were uneducated, taught only to be good wives and unable to do or think for themselves. Bond's narration portrays a fierce advocate for women's rights whose flaming red hair was a testament to her passionate nature. Bond's minimalist presentation offers an intriguing woman who was aware of injustices and who worked to better conditions for women. A savvy politician who has been overlooked by history primarily because of her gender, she was instrumental in turning Paris into a stylish world capital. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2025]