Camille Desmoulins, a pamphleteer and journalist, and a man devoted to his wife, Lucile, harbors a malevolent secret. His quill carries poisoned ink. He writes with misdirected passion that leads to the destruction of lives who come in contact with his writings. Will he use his pen to kill?
Excerpt
A spray of shot hit the wall near Camille, sending whistling stone shards across his hands as he grasped the balcony railing. Taking little head of the blood that ran between his fingers, his focus riveted on a knot of men. They made their way into the courtyard with a drum beating in attentive rhythm. A white flag fluttered above their heads. Men on the ramparts flapped their hats in reply as gunfire continued from the patriots in the yard.
Suddenly, cannon broke through the embrasures of the fortress. Camille waved his arms to gain the patriots' attention fighting below the guns. He shouted, "Beware the guns! The guns!"
Professional Reviews
Excellent read
Camille Desmoulins is a writer in Paris, France. He tries to support himself selling pamphlets he has written but finds it difficult to make ends meet. He wants to marry his love, Lucile, but her father refuses to agree to the match given Desmoulins’s inability to support her. Desmoulins circumstances change when he becomes a voice for the French Revolution and inspires men to overthrow the king. Lucile becomes his wife and supports his efforts to write about the turbulent times around them. All too quickly, however, Desmoulins learns how quickly one can fall out of favor, friends can turn and life can become very dangerous for one who chronicles dissent.
Katherine Pym writes a compelling tale of life in Paris during the French Revolution. With great world building, Pym's rendering of Paris, the language and the descriptions of life there during the Revolution, with just enough well-researched historical information, keeps the reader spellbound. The First Apostle is wonderfully written, I enjoyed it very much! I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
A young Lawyer caught up in the turbulent French Revolution
This compelling novel follows young lawyer Camille Desmoulins through his struggles to marry the woman he loved and to become important at the dawn of the French Revolution. Camille is shown with all his flaws, foibles (his deep love for his wife, Lucille) and determination to survive in a turbulent time.
The writing is smooth and the characters vivid. The events of the revolution, the furious rise of the tradesmen, peasants and middle class over a suffocating monarchy, (a rebellion that went so horribly wrong) are depicted in riveting detail. Power can indeed corrupt. If you've never understood this event, Desmoulins' story is a must read. And though I knew the tragic end, I was still moved to tears. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't studied this time period.
If you'd enjoy a fast-paced, page-turner about true events, this novel won't disappoint!
'Desmoulins' transports you!
It Lives! It takes you there! It's instructive as a marvellous piece of history, the French Revolution no less. It details the lives, joys, thrills, fears and deaths by guillotine of wonderfully built true characters.
I recommend all Kathy Pym's works. She is a masterful story-teller. Kev Richardson.
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