Couldn't stop listening to this book

Would you listen to Madame Tussaud again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to this book again. I loved this book. The main character of this book is in the unique position of being having a talent that appealed to both the royalty and the common people and that talent gave her insight into both sides of the revolution. I have read other books on this time period in France and ended up with knowledge of what happened but never really understood how or why it happened the way it did. Michelle Moran weaves a very absorbing story using the actual people and events of the time. I couldn't stop listening to this book. I was driven to get to the end, but was sad when I reached it. I loved the fact that at the end of the book she reveals what eventually happened to the main characters in their actual lives. It gave the book a kind of closure. I thought that the reader, Rosalyn Landor, was wonderful. I was not put off in the least by her slight British accent because her French pronunciation of names, places and events was flawless and she is very easy to listen to.

What other book might you compare Madame Tussaud to and why?

Although the style,situation,and time period is vastly different, I would say that I have not enjoyed a book so much since I read

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to Rosalyn Landor before but I will certainly look for other books that she has read. She is a wonderful reader with a pleasant voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did want to listen to it all in one sitting but I started to listen to this book on December 21st. I listened while wrapping presents, decorating the tree, and while baking cookies but there were some times that I did have to take the earphones out and pause the book.

20 people found this helpful

Tales from a turbulent time

As a high schooler in the UK we covered the French Revolution in some depth, round about the same time I had roles in various productions centered around those events so I used to think that even all these years later I had a reasonably good handle on that period. As it turns out I really didn’t. The revolution took place over a longer period than I remember and was both more strange and bloody than I ever imagined. This story retells the stunning events of those times through the eyes of Madame Tussaud. Our heroine gives modeling lessons to some of the royal family whist entertaining many of the instigators of the revolution in the rooms above their exhibit. It’s a terrifically successful device, allowing the reader access to both sides of the events through the same perspective. The wax works as the CNN of their day, with the displays changing almost day by day to mirror the rapidly changing events.
The author maintains historic accuracy whilst weaving a dramatic narrative through the protagonists; it feels authentic without being dry or dull. If I have any criticism; the story does wander a little into romantic fiction in a few spots, they are slight transgressions and she rapidly snaps back. If you have ever wondered about that turbulent time or wandered through the modern wax works inspired by the genius of Tussaud you will find this tale gripping. It’s also fascinating for the history enthusiast as it brings great detail and color to the events. For example; in modern terms the French Royal family and their many thousands of hangers on cost the French economy 166Bn a year….which is a lot when many of your populace are starving in the streets. It was also fascinating to see how the extremists of the time foreshadowed the excesses in thought and deed we have seen many times since, the same kind of madness which gripped Fascist Germany, Stains Russia and Pol Pots Cambodia.

29 people found this helpful

Entertaining and enlightening!

What did you love best about Madame Tussaud?

Learning about the "real" people that played huge parts in the French Revolution.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Madame Tussaud. A sculptor, as am I. What an adventure to be so closely entwined in the terrible events of the time.

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

It was fluid and well done.

If you could take any character from Madame Tussaud out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would be her. Obviously she was an amazing artist, who worked and lived hard. She is strong, and could fit easily into this modern time.

Any additional comments?

If you like historical novels, this one is packed with so much first hand information.
Wow!

10 people found this helpful

Excellent

I had no idea this story would be so interesting, or that Mme Tussaud was involved in the French Revolution. I really enjoyed this book.

8 people found this helpful

Intriguing look at wax and the french revolution

What made the experience of listening to Madame Tussaud the most enjoyable?

The narrator is easy to listen to. The story is wonderful. It beautifully merges the french revolution with an interesting look into the art and science of wax sculpting. I walked away with a marvelous impression of what it might have been like to live in the times and how the media of the day impacted the entertainment of the people of the time.

What did you like best about this story?

Enjoyed this story very much. It's not overtly feminine, Marie is not a flowery lady. The story features complicated relationships, political conflict, uprising factions, intrigue, and science. I found it to be an exciting romp as I followed Marie from just running her business to spending time among the courts of Versailles, to her inner turmoil about her loyalties, and her continuous strength and determination to see it all through.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator is easy to listen to. Her voice depicted each character in an original way that kept me engaged in the story. Will look for other narrations she's done.

Who was the most memorable character of Madame Tussaud and why?

Antionette. The story gave me a new perception of the character. And, of course Marie who is wonderfully complicated.

7 people found this helpful

Michelle Moran Does or Again!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Michelle Moran is an amazing historical futon writer. She gives you enough history so you learn something but also adds her personal touch so the story stays interesting. The narrator was also clear and engaging.

6 people found this helpful

Best performance I've ever heard for an AudioBook!

What did you like best about this story?

I love the little historical elements that didn't call attention to themselves. I'm a HUGE fan of historical fiction.. and this is some of the best I've "read:

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't.. but I'll track down more.. she's AMAZING!!! The best performer I've heard so far!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have if I'd had the time.

5 people found this helpful

I loved this book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Thoroughly engaging. Entertaining and INFORMATIVE. The book so got my mind involved that I went to Wikipedia to look up events and characters.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters were alive and captivating.

4 people found this helpful

Well, it IS about the French Revolution

Would you try another book from Michelle Moran and/or Rosalyn Landor?

I don't know much about the Fr. Revolution, and Moran claims she has deeply researched it for this book. However, it is historical fiction, so who knows what is real and what isn't?. (She does address that somewhat in the afterward.) The first half was lovely, but the last half was extremely morbid and morbid in great detail. I had to skip quite a few chapters and just listened to the last one to see how things turned out. Madame Tussaud had an amazing life! So, I'm conflicted about this book. The writing is excellent, the narration is beyond excellent, maybe the best I have heard. Will I read it again? No.

Would you recommend Madame Tussaud to your friends? Why or why not?

No, it's just too creepy.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accent makes it a thoroughly French story, not just a story about the French.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No way!!!

4 people found this helpful

Three Cheers for this Narrator!

I came to this book by way of Ron Chernow's biography of George Washington, which piqued my interest about Lafayette. Audible had only one short offering about Lafayette, so I opted for this book, which is set against the French Revolution. I found it informative and entertaining. The author has done her research, and she inserted many details that brought the era to life. Her plot positioned her characters very well to be in the midst of the turmoil. The last few chapters lagged a bit, but everything leading up to Marie's imprisonment was wonderful.

But let's talk about this astonishing narrator. She was able to sound like a man, a woman, and a child. She nailed French, German, and English accents. She pronounced everything correctly and had an even pace. She never faltered. I wish all narrators were as amazing as Rosalyn Landor. I'll be looking for her other books.

4 people found this helpful