Why have I never heard of this book before! Seriously one of the best books I have EVER read, and I downloaded it on Kindle for free as a lark. This book was written in the 1920s and should be included on the lists of classics that everyone should read. From the first sentence of the book, I was hooked, line and sinker:
“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.”
From then on, I couldn’t put the book down. André-Louis Moreau is one of the most fascinating characters in literature. I say that with confidence, having read a ton of classics. It is a revenge story tempered with a love story that takes place in the years leading up to the French Revolution. The intelligent and witty André-Louis compels you through each of his many adventures with numerous twists and turns that will both surprise and delight. He goes from country lawyer, to revolutionary, to comedic actor, to fencing instructor, then to a member of the government before throwing everything to the wind. To list the events of this plot would be to rewrite half the book. The audacious intensity of this character had me captivated throughout without pause, and his development as he discovers both himself and his own motive is remarkable. The conclusion stunned me with its genius and was one of the most satisfying endings I have ever read in this sort of story.
I honestly don’t have a single criticism of this novel and wish one day to write something approaching the greatness of this work. I will most likely read this again, and I rarely read anything twice. I am confident I will be just as delighted the second, third, and fourth time I read this. Goodness! I still have goosebumps from the book even as I write this. If you haven’t read it, you really must! It is truly amazing!
Check out my young adult fantasy fiction novels HERE for something optimistic and fun.
If you like this article, consider subscribing to my quarterly newsletter.
What do you think?