Historical fiction has done it again! Because of reading this novel, I have once again learned about an enigmatic historical figure. How did I not know of this strong and industrious woman?!

Elizabeth Patterson decided early on, after a strange foretelling by an African slave woman, that she would marry a man from Europe, perhaps even marry into royalty. She did just that. She met and married Jerome Bonaparte. Yes, the brother of the one and only Napoleon. As can be imagined, the marriage did not go over well. Napoleon's concern was to have his family make influential marriages that would benefit him politically. What follows is a lot of turmoil and upheaval in Elizabeth's life. However, not one to take things lying down, she perseveres.

I am absolutely delighted to have discovered this new author. Ruth Hull Chatlien has written a fantastic and meticulously researched historical novel about an American historical figure--a woman-- who should be known to all. Her life and experiences living as a strong and independent woman, during a time when very few women did so, are a credit to all women. I have already been looking around online for more information about Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte. I just can't wait to read more about her!

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This novel reads like a biography. Where there should be a weaving of facts, letters, and narration, there is primarily facts and an occasional letter. It was dry and difficult to keep reading past the 1/3 mark because the action all but stopped. A remarkable woman should have been given a more sweeping portrayal, but this was a drag to read.


While Elizabeth's life is quite interesting, the novel itself fell short of my expectations. There was so much attention given to the monotony of Betsy's travels and livelihood, even the deaths of her family members. This had many good moments, but I can't say I recommend it. ( )

I had no clue who Betsy Patterson was when I accepted the book for review or really knew anything about Jerome Bonaparte, I just knew of Napoleon from what I learned in school and a few other historical novels I had read that were about the Bonaparte family. Betsy had always thought of herself as a "princess" from an early age and desperately wanted to live in Europe. When she met and fell in love with Jerome Bonaparte, brother to Napoleon, she thought her dreams had come true. They married and wanted to go to France to live but Napoleon would not acknowledge the marriage and forced Jerome to come to France without Betsy.

What happens from that time on in Betsy's life is fraught with disappointments, the biggest with her father and her husband. The only constant in her life is the love for her son "Bo", who is the legitimate son of Jerome, and she will spent her life doing what it takes for Bo to achieve the rank and title of which he deserves. This goal takes her to Europe, where she wines and dines with royalty, but is still not allowed into France, until the death of Napoleon. She is determined to see that her son has a European education. makes a good marriage and is recognized by the Bonaparte family.

I really enjoyed this novel that not only covers these historical families but also the details of Napoleon and his wars, the wars fought with Britain and the societies of both Europe and America at a time when America is still a young country. Betsy's life crosses paths with many notable people in Baltimore, New York, London and many other cities across Europe. Betsy of course is a woman of her times in that she is stymied in the course she wants for her and her son's life. She sacrifices a lot for her son and never marries again, and lives exclusively for the goals she has set for her son.
Ruth Hull Chatlien, in my humble opinion, has done an excellent job in telling the story of this strong, remarkable woman, in a time where women had little say in anything except maintaining a household and raising children. Full of historical detail, this is a novel well worth the read. It combines the history of both the United States and Europe in the 1800's that will capture the attention of the history buff. I highly recommend it. ( )

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/887654873 ( )

While I'm a fan of Josephine Bonaparte, I actually know very little about the Bonaparte family, so I jumped on the chance to read a novel about her sister-in-law. With the Bonapartes, I anticipated some drama, but I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this fabulous novel.

Baltimore belle Elizabeth 'Betsy' Patterson longs for more than the life as a merchant's wife, and as a child, is told she's destined for royal courts. When Napoleon Bonaparte's dashing younger brother Jerome appears in Baltimore, both are immediately smitten with each other. After a passionate courtship, they marry, and Betsy finds that being embroiled with the Bonapartes comes with a greater cost than she anticipated.

I'm being purposefully vague because I don't want to ruin any of the (historical) twists of the novel; if you, too, are unfamiliar with Betsy Bonaparte, don't google her -- just settle in and start this novel. I probably gasped aloud at least once a chapter -- the events of Betsy's life are shocking and surprising and make for a delicious novel.

Chatlien's writing is easy and reads quickly, although there were a few times where I wished the pacing had been tightened up, particularly early on in the novel during Betsy's childhood. However, once Betsy meets Jerome, the story races, and I found it impossible to put the book down.

While Betsy occasionally frustrated me with her life choices, she's portrayed sympathetically and with affection, and I couldn't help but like her. The numerous secondary characters, including the many famous 18th century American and European figures who crossed paths with Betsy Bonaparte, are evoked neatly and warmly.

The historical details are just wonderful in this book. I've never 'visited' 18th century Baltimore so this was a particular treat; Chatlien manages to evoke era and place in an effortless way, without the dreaded infodump.

There's a detailed bibliography and discussion questions included in this volume, although there was no Historical Note, sadly.

For Francophiles, this is a must read, as well as those who like historical novels about ordinary people coming up against the impossible (in this case, Napoleon Bonaparte's will!). A lovely, fast reading novel of a young American woman coming of age at an exciting time, caught up in a love affair that seems doomed from the start. I'm looking forward to Chatlien's next offering! ( )