The Last Great Dance On Earth (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
Finishing the last fifty pages in a race to beat time before I had, really HAD this time to go to sleep, I found myself so wrapped up in the conclusion of this trilogy that, looking up from the last page, the light beside my bed startled me. I'd been expecting a wax candle and an inkstand, not a fluorescent light-bulb and a ballpoint pen.After the first two books had disappointed me in writing style and somewhat oddly developed characters and plot, this one was worth all the irritation I felt reading a series which everyone seemed to love and which I seemed destined only to like. But this one I raced through in a day, struggling to keep up with the pace of daily life as Josephine suffered. I couldn't drag my mind away from her. I read through lunch, I read under the table when people tried to talk to me. I was abominably rude to one of my friends who wanted to have a nice conversation.She, being a reader herself, was thankfully not offended, and had the good sense after I'd waved her off with much flapping of arms not to ask what book I was reading, and was it any good.On the last page of this remarkable novel, I didn't think I was going to cry until I read the epilogue, and then, all through the epilogue and the author's note, I sobbed in a very undignified way. It was too much. I'd been stressed out all day trying to finish Josephine's story, and the final, devastating end was, well, devastating. I'd followed Josephine through famine, terror, prison, marriage, childbirth, divorce - and now, to lose her?I guess my commitment to this remarkable woman and her life was much greater than I'd supposed.
I loved the trilogy of Josephine although I must say this final one was my favorite! What a remarkable woman she was! I am a French major and so the history of France is always of interest and what a part Napoleon played! He is the epitome of pure and blinding ambition. The writing was superb and I loved the diary format which made Josephine so human and not just a historical figure. The inside on being an Empress and the duty and responsibility to the people was also interesting. The book was well researched. The twists and turns with the government and who is in power or stealing power always keeps you guessing. Of course the worst lot were Bonaparte's many sisters and brothers who were openly aggressive about having power that they felt was owed to them. Their hatred of Josephine was very sad. And funny that they in so many ways were a typical Italian family.At the heart of this book is the love relationship of Napoleon and Josephine. While it stood the test of time it happened in a very non-traditional way - won't spoil it! She was always a deeply loving mother of her children and grandchildren who all had a big part in history. Addictive!
What do You think about The Last Great Dance On Earth (2000)?
If you enjoyed watching the John Adams mini-series, you'll really love the biography of John Adams on which that mini series was based! There is so much that no screenplay could cover and you'll love every bit of it.
—Gabrielle
I LOVED this series, perhaps because I'm a bit burned out on Henry the VIII -era England but I love historical fiction. I have never taken a class on French history, nor did I have any clarity as to how and when Napoleon fit into the scheme of things, and this series actually did clear up a few historical points for me. This isn't heavy reading, but the journal-style writing is effective and clearly illustrates Josephine's experiences. This is no Nobel-winning literature, but this book is SUCH an escape, and so intriguing... I entirely fell into the tale.. makes me completely thankful I never lived in that era and that I've never pursued or been a part of another person's pursual of power.
—Darci
What a sad conclusion to the Josephine B. trilogy. I really enjoyed these books and am glad I read them. What a life! Josephine had much more going on than the average person. It truly amazes me the things she survived and accomplished. This trilogy follows Josephine’s life from early age to her death. To have it end as it did, really broke my heart – but this is the real deal, so it had to happen this way. And to think; I actually understand Bonaparte to some extent, and cared for him as her husband. This unkempt, abrupt little man.There’s something to be said of a spiritual bond giving strength. It seems Josephine was indeed Bonaparte’s lucky token. With all of the threats on his life I can understand Bonaparte’s issue with wanting to secure the empire, but what I’m confused at is his turnabout feeling for needing an heir. He seemed perfectly happy with adopting Hortense’s son as his successor – why change your mind? Oh wait, the crazy in-laws?! What a mess they were. It’s a shame most lived to a ripe old age, if anyone should have been taken down, it was this family. It’s a shame Bonaparte didn’t leave them in Italy. They had no right to power and certainly couldn’t handle it.While I really came to like Josephine, was she created too sweet, too humbling a person? Not wanting the crown, only her simple life and husband. Was this really her?! I’d like to think so, but am not so sure. I’ll have to read a biography next to see if it is so.
—Sabrina
