The French Passion

By: Diane Du Pont

Narrated by: Jan Cramer

Manon d'Epinay is on her way to Paris to wed one of the most powerful nobles in France, an adviser to King Louis. But en route, her coach is attacked by marauding revolutionaries. To save her family, Manon strikes a devil's bargain with a seductive highwayman that will seal her fate. For revolution is about to tear France apart - and transform her life forever.

The French Passion is the vibrant story of three ardent people at a momentous turning point in history: Manon, a daring, impoverished aristocrat caught between two charismatic men, who does what she must to survive; Andre, whose past is cloaked in mystery and who risks his life to protect the woman he loves as he fights to bring justice and equality to his countrymen; and the Comte de Crequi, bound by the age-old laws of nobility and class, whose passions for his country and for Manon run deeper than anyone could have imagined.

©1977 Diane du Pont; This edition published in 2015 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Old fashioned bodice ripper, love it or hate it

This book was first published in 1977, so you have to be prepared for many elements that are not suitable for modern sensibilities; violence, rape, big age gap between h/H, ward and guardian to lovers and eventually to husband and wife relationships.

Heroine is 16 and endures a lot of heartbreak and violence thoughout the book. She is not most likeable character, a bit silly and flighty: I rolled my eyes many many times and had to remind myself that she is acting according to her age. Of course, she is the most beautiful woman and every man she meets falls madly in love with her. There is a love triangle and both man act violent against her at some point because of their great unrestrained passion ...
But despite all the craziness I greatly enjoyed the story and it will definitely be in my keepers shelf.
The book is well written and slowly pulled me in and made me care for these characters and what will happen to them.
I enjoyed the historical aspect of it as I didn’t read many books set in that time period ( French Revolution and Rein of Terror), the storyline was original and moved fast, there was never a dull moment.