Becoming Josephine by Heather Webb

 Before she became Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, she was a Creole girl named Rose Tascher.

Rose Tascher (1763-1814) grows up on Martinique plantation. She cherishes her Creole heart, but she dreams of France, “of the adventure of Paris and the grand court life of Papa’s tales. The elegant gowns and intrigue, the handsome men. And love without bounds.”

One night, her father informs her of “a marriage in a distant land.”

She moves to France to marry Alexandre de Beauharnais, an aristocrat and soldier. But he disappears for days at a time, sometimes weeks. Very quickly she learns about his liaisons.

A separation follows.

Meanwhile, the drift between Royalists and Republicans grows deeper with each day. The raiding of chateaus in the country and towns explodes. 

King Louis XVI is beheaded. The same fate follows his wife Marie Antoinette.

One night at a party, she is introduced to a new general of the new Republic. This odd little man, lacking manners, doesn’t make the best first impression on anyone. And with his provincial thinking towards women he makes everyone uncomfortable. But his strong determination catches everyone’s attention. His name is Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon, born in Corsica to a family of Italian origin, is ambitious and leads many successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars and becomes the First Consul of the Republic. His public approval inspires him to become the first Emperor of the French in 1804 and ruling over the people and not the state. 

The author skillfully captures turbulent life of Josephine, her first failed marriage, which matures her to a point to become an ardent lover fighting for her survivor to provide for herself and her children. With her second marriage to Napoleon, she becomes a beloved Josephine to the French people, known for her generosity towards those who need it the most. She becomes a mother to her children, her men, and her country.

I also highly recommend trilogy about Josephine Bonaparte by Sandra Gulland.

This book is about the first wife of Napoleon. If you’d like to follow his story and read about his second wife – The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon’s Court by Michelle Moran.

If you’re looking for a book bringing a vivid depiction of the French Revolution – Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran.

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