Revolution

Modern-day Brooklyn teen Andi Alpers grapples with depression and academic failure in the wake of her young brother's death. Her father, concerned about her deteriorating state, takes her to Paris where she must focus on completing her senior thesis about a French composer. In Paris, Andi discovers an old diary belonging to Alexandrine Paradis, a young woman who lived during the French Revolution. The diary chronicles Alexandrine's experiences in 1790s Paris and her connection to the doomed royal family, particularly the young prince Louis-Charles. As Andi reads deeper into Alexandrine's diary, her present-day life in Paris intersects with the historical narrative of the French Revolution. Her research for her music thesis becomes intertwined with Alexandrine's story, leading her through modern Paris and its underground catacombs. Revolution explores themes of grief, redemption, and the cyclical nature of human suffering across time periods. The parallel narratives examine how art - whether music or storytelling - can bridge centuries and heal wounds.

Readers describe Revolution as an emotional story that connects modern and historical timelines through grief and music. Many note they couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting. Readers appreciated: - The detailed research into the French Revolution - The musical elements and classical references - The portrayal of depression and loss - The parallel narratives that come together Common criticisms: - The modern protagonist comes across as privileged and unlikeable at first - Some found the ending rushed - A few readers felt the historical sections overshadowed the contemporary story Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (16,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Reader quotes: "The historical details transported me completely" - Goodreads reviewer "Took me 100 pages to care about Andi, but then I was hooked" - Amazon reviewer "The music references added another layer of depth" - Barnes & Noble review

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🎭 The French Revolution sections of the novel were extensively researched at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, where Donnelly spent months studying original documents from the period. 🎼 The musical elements in the book were inspired by Donnelly's own background as a classically trained pianist and her deep connection to Bach's compositions. 🗝️ The diary featured in the story was modeled after actual journals from the French Revolution era, including those of Gouverneur Morris, an American diplomat in Paris during that time. 🏛️ Many of the novel's Paris locations can still be visited today, including the Picpus Cemetery where many guillotine victims were buried, and the Conciergerie prison where Marie Antoinette was held. 🎨 The character development was influenced by Donnelly's own experience of losing a family member in her youth, which she channeled into creating authentic emotional depth for her protagonist.