The Devil's Laughter

The Devil's Laughter follows Jean Paul Marin, a young man born to wealth in pre-revolutionary France. Despite his privileged background, he becomes increasingly aware of the stark inequalities and injustices perpetrated by the aristocracy. Set against the turbulent backdrop of 18th century Paris, the narrative tracks Marin's evolution from merchant's son to revolutionary leader. His path intersects with three women who each represent different facets of French society during this pivotal historical period. This historical novel combines elements of romance, political intrigue, and adventure as Marin navigates the dangerous waters of revolution. The story moves through the streets of Paris and the halls of power as tensions build toward violent upheaval. The Devil's Laughter explores themes of class struggle, personal loyalty, and the price of idealism in a time of radical social change. Through its protagonist's journey, the novel raises questions about the nature of justice and the moral compromises required by revolution.

The Devil's Laughter appears to have limited reader reviews online, with most comments found on vintage book forums and old paperback trading sites. Readers appreciate the historical details of colonial America and French Revolution settings. Multiple reviews note Yerby's vivid descriptions of 18th century Boston and Paris. Some highlight the complex relationship dynamics and political intrigue. Common criticisms focus on the convoluted plot structure and large cast of characters that can be difficult to follow. Several readers mention the pacing drags in the middle sections. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (17 ratings, 2 reviews) Amazon: No current listings or reviews LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (4 ratings) A representative review from Goodreads states: "Interesting historical fiction that suffers from trying to cover too much ground. The characters get lost in all the historical events." Most discussion of the book appears in collector forums rather than review sites, as it's currently out of print.

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🔷 Frank Yerby was the first African American author to become a millionaire through his writing, and also the first to have a book purchased for a Hollywood film adaptation. 🔷 Despite being best known for historical fiction set in the American South, Yerby spent much of his adult life as an expatriate in Spain, where he moved in 1955 in response to racial discrimination in the United States. 🔷 The French Revolution, which serves as the backdrop for "The Devil's Laughter," resulted in the execution of over 16,500 people by guillotine between 1793 and 1794 during the Reign of Terror. 🔷 The novel's setting of pre-revolutionary Paris had an estimated population of 600,000 people, making it Europe's second-largest city at the time, where stark wealth inequality meant 96% of the population owned only 50% of the nation's wealth. 🔷 "The Devil's Laughter" (1953) was published during Yerby's most prolific period, during which he released nearly one bestselling novel per year throughout the 1950s, earning him the nickname "King of the Costume Novel."