About the Book
The highly engaging novel "Desirée" is a delightful work by the Austrian author Annemarie Selinko, which many critics and the general public consider to be the best romantic novel in history after "Gone with the Wind." The story follows Bernadine Eugénie Desirée Clary, a woman with a remarkable history who becomes engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1794.
However, after two years, when Napoleon meets the widow Joséphine de Beauharnais, Desirée is forced to separate from him. Still in love, Desirée's attempts to reconcile prove futile, and in 1796, Napoleon marries his new wife. This heartbreak eventually leads her to meet a capable and experienced man named General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte.
Jean-Baptiste, a hero of decisive battles, is later appointed by the Swedish National Assembly as the heir to the throne. He officially becomes King Charles XIV John of Sweden in 1810. Nineteen years later, in 1829, Desirée is crowned Queen of Sweden. Their marriage produces one son, Oscar, who ascends to the throne after his father's death. This novel masterfully blends France's political history with the personal evolution of a merchant's daughter into a powerful queen.
About the Author
Annemarie Selinko was born in September 1914 in Vienna, Austria. A journalist by profession, she began writing at the age of 13 and published her first novel, "I Was an Ugly Girl," in 1934. Her other successful works include "Tomorrow is Another Day" and "My Husband Marries Today." After a prolific career, Selinko passed away in July 1986.
Who Should Read This Book?
This book is an excellent recommendation for enthusiasts of historical fiction and biographies. It offers a unique opportunity to study a transformative period of European history through the lens of a deeply personal and romantic narrative.
Table of Contents
The novel consists of 58 chapters that track Desirée's journey from being a silk merchant’s daughter to her life in the royal courts of Europe.
