Synopses & Reviews
This irresistible literary love story set in Napoleonic France was inspired by the life of Sophie Blanchard, one of the first women to fly. Bringing to mind bestselling historical novels such as I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn, and Silk by Alessandro Baricco, The Little Balloonist tells the story of Sophie Blanchards journey from the humble seaside village of La Saliere to the battlefields and court of Napoleon.
Frolicking on the beach and falling in love with her childhood friend Andre Giroux, Sophie felt she had all she would ever need. But her parents have other ideas, and they marry her off to a wealthy and much older man. Jean-Pierre Blanchard leaves much to be desired as a husband, but he teaches Sophie the workings of his giant hydrogen balloons. Soon she is flying alongside her husband, at home in the air in a way that she never was on land. After Jean-Pierres death, Sophie gains fame throughout France for her daring feats and catches the eye of Napoleon himself, who is captivated by the petite young widows courage. But even as Napoleons interest becomes more intenseand therefore more dangerousAndre returns to rekindle their lost love. Capturing a fascinating era of history, The Little Ballonist brings to life one womans struggle to forge her own destiny. It is beautifully illustrated with seven period etchings.
Praise for Linda Donns The Roosevelt Cousins:
[A] powerful testament to their family, its character and its conviction.
JONATHAN YARDLEY, THE WASHINGTON POST
Elegant writing, psychological insight, and useful photographs make for absorbing reading. Highly recommended.
LIBRARY JOURNAL
Synopsis
This irresistible literary love story set in Napoleonic France was inspired by the life of Sophie Blanchard, the daring balloonist who was one of the first women to fly.
Synopsis
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 husbands 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.
Synopsis
Exquisite and beautiful . . . It will break your heart and take your breath away.”
National Book Awardwinning 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 smartsingularly high-spirited historical fiction.”
Kirkus Reviews
Whimsical . . . as pretty and slight as its heroine.”
Publishers Weekly
About the Author
LINDA DONN is the author of two works of nonfiction, The Roosevelt Cousins and Freud and Jung.