THE SECRET LIFE OF JOSEPHINE Napoleon's Bird of Paradise

Carolly Erickson creates a marriage of fact and fiction to bring historical figures to life. Her latest endeavor is an intriguing, though imaginary, first-person account of Josephine Bonaparte. Margot Dionne is believable as she relates the story of how a 15-year-old Creole girl from the island of Martinique finds herself in an unhappy arranged marriage that brought her to the cosmopolitan world of Paris. She becomes witness to the Revolution, survivor of the Terrors, first wife of Napoleon, and a key player in his ultimate downfall. Dionne gives voice to a fascinating, compelling woman of history, whose ambition and strong will stirred fear and hatred in the powerful while inspiring admiration in the common folk. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]