Venus of Empire: The Life of Pauline Bonaparte - Softcover

Fraser, Flora

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408844834 ISBN 13: 9781408844830

Publisher: Bloomsbury Paperbacks, 2013

Synopsis

Celebrated for her beauty and notorious for her passions, Pauline Bonaparte Borghese was a fascinating woman. Considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in Europe at the turn of the nineteenth century, she scandalised the continent with the boldness of her love affairs, her opulent wardrobe and jewels and, most famously, her decision to pose nearly nude for Antonio Canova's sculpture. But just as remarkable was Pauline's deep loyalty to her brother, the emperor. She was witness to Napoleon's great victories in Italy, and she was often with him and her rival for his loyalty, the Empress Josephine, at Malmaison. In Venus of Empire, Flora Fraser casts new light on the Napoleonic era while crafting a dynamic, vivid portrait of mesmerising woman.

About this title

About the Author:

Flora Fraser is the author of Beloved Emma: The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton, The Unruly Queen: The Life of Queen Caroline, and Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III. She lives in London with her husband and three children.

Review:

'Lively and enjoyable biography ... it's impossible not to be swept along by her story' Mail on Sunday 'With her fine historical sense, she gives Pauline's extraordinary story a rich background' Sunday Times 'It's a flamboyant story and Flora Fraser, no stranger to dizzy titles females, marshals all her resources to make it work ... it would make a wonderful film' Daily Express 'Fun' Evening Standard 'A page-turning read ... entertaining' Economist 'Juicy portrait of Napoleon's most flamboyant and favoured sibling' International Herald Tribune 'Fraser cleverly contrasts Pauline's callous offloading of successive lovers ... the success of a biography of an un-improving subject like this is whether or not we miss them at its close ... Pauline, with or without marmoreal buttocks, was clearly irresistible company' Literary Review 'Fraser tells her story, of course, with elegance, colour and style' Country Life 'Well-researched book' Terry Sutton, Dover Express & Folkestone Herald 'Intriguing biography' Scotsman 'Flora Fraser tells the story of Pauline Bonaparte's extraordinary life with elegancy and poise, avoiding the biographer's temptation either to exonerate or pass severe moral judgement on her subject ... A remarkably lifelike portrait' Standpoint

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1408844834
• ISBN 13: 9781408844830
• Binding: Print on Demand (Paperback)
• Number of pages: 304