Title: Madame Tussaud
Author: Michelle Moran
Genre: Historical Fiction
About: (Goodreads synopsis) In this deft historical novel, Madame Tussaud (1761-1850) escapes the pages of trivia quizzes to become a real person far more arresting than even her waxwork sculptures. Who among us knew, for instance, that she moved freely through the royal court of Louis XVI, only to become a prisoner of the Reign of Terror?
My thoughts: Michelle Moran brings to life a familiar character while examining her place in history. I learned things I’d either forgotten or never knew about the French Revolution. Madame Tussaud and her family chronicled with wax models the royals and political figures of France in the time leading up to the revolution and beyond. It was not unusual for Robespierre and other revolutionaries to sit at their table for dinner and discussion. They also hosted private showings for the Royal family and other dignitaries. The common people of Paris who could afford the fee relied on the gallery to depict recent events and to always be of the moment. Because of her dedication to her profession Madame Tussaud had very little private time. She even tutored the sister of the King in wax modeling. As the Revolution turned into a bloodbath Marie was called upon to make death masks of beheaded Royals and royalists. She complied until the day she refused to make the mask of a friend. That sealed her fate as well as her mother’s. The story doesn’t end there but I don’t want to spoil it for other readers.
Michelle Moran’s gift for storytelling and detailed descriptions put me in the opulent halls at Versailles, the workroom at the Salon de Cire (the gallery), and in the middle of the crowd watching the executions-by-guillotine in the Place de la Révolution.
After reading Madame Tussaud I have a better understanding of this turbulent time in French history as well as an appreciation of one remarkable woman who is now much more than a trivia answer.
Recommend? Yes, if you like historical fiction I think you’ll like Madame Tussaud – it was a page-turner!
Source: Michelle Moran
Bookfan 
I have loved Michelle Moran’s earlier books! this must be a good one.
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Mary, I’ve got this on my NOOK wish list! Thanks for the review!
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This one is following me around the blogging world. I know I am going to have to give in soon and read it!
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This sounds good Mary. great review; thank you
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This book has been on my TBR list for a while. I am a big historical fiction buff and even though this is not my favourite period of history to read about, I can’t resist Moran’s writing!
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Before I started reading reviews of this book, the only thing I thought Madame Tussaud did was own a wax museum! I can’t wait to read this book – it sounds fabulous!
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Wonderful review! Now I really want to read this one.
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I’m so excited — I won this book and can’t wait until it arrives 🙂
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I’m looking forward to this book! But Like Kathy, I will forever associate her with wax museums. LOL
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I’m glad to see you really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to start reading it.
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I am glad you enjoyed it too 🙂 And it sure made it a bit easier to understand that time
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This is on it’s way to me from the library and I can’t wait. I just love the cover. Thanks for the great review.
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Fantastic! This is actually my next book. Love Michelle Moran’s writing. 🙂
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I do like historical fiction and I am very intrigued by this book!
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Glad to hear you liked it! Hoping I get my copy soon.
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Tragic to hear that she had been forced to make wax replicas of those who died at the hands of the Revolution.
Loved this review and will be on the lookout for it at stores.
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Terrific review. I’ve been wanting to read this one and this just makes it sound better and better. I need to check my library. 2 Kids and Tired Books
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Thanks for the review! I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while now (most unfortunately I didn’t receive an ARC of this one), but I’ll look for it in my local bookstore. I really enjoyed your review!
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I’m just starting this so I didn’t fully read your review. I did see you enjoyed it. Michelle is such a wonderful author.
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This is on my shelf and was hoping to get to it soon, but now you’ve pushed it higher. Sounds like it is full of interesting, spine-tingling scenes.
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This sounds like my kind of historical fiction. I’m a huge fan of this genre. I already have this one on my wishlist, it sounds amazing!
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I so loved your review on this one and makes me want to read it for sure. I’m really interested in learning about the wax figures and how that all came about.
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I LOVE this review! For some reason, I had this book listed as not releasing until April, and by the time I realized it released in February, my review schedule had me placing it up for a March review post! I did enjoy this book; I also got a MUCH better understanding of the Revolution and what type of person Robespierre really was, too.
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Glad to hear this one is worth reading. I’ve read Michelle Moran’s other three books and just know she won’t disappoint with this one. Need to go and request it from the library finally!
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