The Little Balloonist
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is indicative only and does not represent the condition of this copy. For information about the condition of this book you can email us.
A soaring love story set in Napoleonic France This irresistible literary debut novel was inspired by the life of Sophie Blanchard, one of the first women to fly. In Paris, a young widow inherits her late husband's considerable debts, as well as his celebrated hydrogen balloon. Drawn by the allure of flight despite its dangers, Sophie takes to the skies with a boldness that wins her fame throughout the country. Along with her new celebrity, Sophie wins the love of two very different men: one, her faithful childhood friend Andre Giroux, and the other a brash young Napoleon Bonaparte, soon to be emperor of France. Beautifully written and enriched with seven historical etchings, "The Little Balloonist" distills themes of love, freedom, and loyalty into a powerful tale that brings to mind bestselling historical fiction like "Silk" by Allessandro Baricco and "I Was Amelia Earhart" by Jane Mendelsohn. BACKCOVER: "Exquisite and beautiful . . . It will break your heart and take your breath away." --National Book Award-winning author Lily Tuck "Delightful. . . . Glimpses of the history of primitive flight, tales of high romance and juicy anecdotes about Napoleon make this sweet novel soar. . . . Charming and smart--singularly high-spirited historical fiction." --"Kirkus Reviews" "Whimsical . . . as pretty and slight as its heroine." --"Publishers Weekly"
Author: Linda Donn
Format: Paperback, 206 pages, 130mm x 197mm, 172 g
Published: 2006, Plume Books, United States
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
A soaring love story set in Napoleonic France This irresistible literary debut novel was inspired by the life of Sophie Blanchard, one of the first women to fly. In Paris, a young widow inherits her late husband's considerable debts, as well as his celebrated hydrogen balloon. Drawn by the allure of flight despite its dangers, Sophie takes to the skies with a boldness that wins her fame throughout the country. Along with her new celebrity, Sophie wins the love of two very different men: one, her faithful childhood friend Andre Giroux, and the other a brash young Napoleon Bonaparte, soon to be emperor of France. Beautifully written and enriched with seven historical etchings, "The Little Balloonist" distills themes of love, freedom, and loyalty into a powerful tale that brings to mind bestselling historical fiction like "Silk" by Allessandro Baricco and "I Was Amelia Earhart" by Jane Mendelsohn. BACKCOVER: "Exquisite and beautiful . . . It will break your heart and take your breath away." --National Book Award-winning author Lily Tuck "Delightful. . . . Glimpses of the history of primitive flight, tales of high romance and juicy anecdotes about Napoleon make this sweet novel soar. . . . Charming and smart--singularly high-spirited historical fiction." --"Kirkus Reviews" "Whimsical . . . as pretty and slight as its heroine." --"Publishers Weekly"