The Widow Clicquot: The Story Of A Champagne Empire And The Woman Who Ruled It (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
This is an interesting history of Champagne, both the bubbly drink and the region of France from which it originates. I unfortunately read another review on Goodreads by someone who said that it is too presumptuous, as the author uses "perhaps" and "probably" too much. As one with a degree in history, I know that it is hard to know everything, and sometimes educated guesses can take the place of fact if you're trying to make the story interesting, but that's what stood out to me as I was reading. A little dry at times, but it is a well-written history of a formidable woman, before businesswomen were an accepted species. An interesting woman, but a book that cannot make up its mind if it wants to be a biography or a historical novel. I feel like it would have worked better as a novel, as the author uses so many "she must have, certainly she would have, its very likely that she did..." and has precious few facts about the lady herself.We do get a lot of history of champagne, of the region, and of the winemaking industry, but thats the scope of the hard research. The widow Clicquot seem to remain an elusive figure. Not a bad read, but not as absorbing as I was hoping.
What do You think about The Widow Clicquot: The Story Of A Champagne Empire And The Woman Who Ruled It (2008)?
Sadly, this book reads like a bland history book rather than a story. Not interested in continuing.
—Irishpandagirl
Incredible story! Made for the silver screen!
—Jessica
v. interesting - quite amazing feat actually
—Emmanuel1921
