Alex Karmel (1931–2015)

A random but entertaining account of the French Revolution found on eBay! Based on the autobiographical works of eighteenth century novelist Nicolas Restif de la Bretonne (whose kinky passion for women's feet, particularly when shod in pretty slippers, coined the term 'retifism'), American author Alex Karmel penned what he imagined to be Retif's promised account of the French Revolution. Working from additional chapters in 'Monsieur Nicolas' and other works by Retif, My Revolution is part show more biography, part history of the events from 1789-1794, relying solely on first-hand accounts from Retif's writings and other memoirs from the time to avoid modern prejudices. Karmel calls the book 'a sort of collage', where he has 'supplied the composition and cement but borrowed many of the materials'.

Despite the rather bizarre narrator, or the author's take on his words - Retif has strong views on women and their dress, particularly footwear, which boils over into obsession: 'If you examine the individuals who try to confuse the two sexes you will always find vicious creatures' - I enjoyed this familiar promenade through the streets of Revolutionary Paris. I have read a few books on the topic, mostly fiction (Orczy primarily) but also historical sources, and Retif, though Republican, and Karmel, American, strike a fair balance between love and enthusiasm for the cause and stoicism in the final months of the Terror: 'Paris remains calm. Paris remains Paris'. show less

Interesting things about the history of the Marais district, but I expected a book less historical. I thought it was a little bit like the books by "Peter Mayle - A Year in Provence".