The Last Great Dance on Earth

The Last Great Dance on Earth, by Sandra Gulland (Third book of the Jospehine B. Trilogy)

...Josephine and Bonaparte have just gotten married...

I'm often asked if it’s possible to read this book without having read the previous two. First of all, the three volumes in the trilogy are a continuation of eachother. So, in order to appreciate the story in full, you need to read all three. Josephine's life takes such dramatic turns that it almost seems as though she lived three lives in one. Almost like three powerful novels culminating in The Last Great Dance on Earth. This one, I felt, was truly a touching and emotional read.

As the first two, the third volume is also written in diary form. In this book however, Sandra Gulland, develops the show more memoirs even further, without ever altering them. For me, this brought Josephine to life, closer than imaginable. From the beginning of this book, Gulland lures the reader further and further in, until you become totally captivated by Josephine’s life.

It was impossible not to befriend Josephine. Her letters called out to me and I often thought myself to be her priveleged confidante. Gulland skilfully captures our emotions throughout these letters. This can be seen in: Josephine’s unsuccessful and painful ordeals to have Napoleon’s baby; Bonaparte’s family’s disdain for her as well as their scheming plans to rid themselves of her; Josephine’s loneliness; Her pain and humiliation while enduring Bonaparte’s affairs; Her resilience, sacrifice and surrender for the name of love and a greater purpose…and more.

I was able to feel Josephine’s emotions throughout the book. At certain points, I even became angry at her for accepting Napoleon’s affairs; but this didn’t last for long. Despite my views, somehow, I made exceptions for Josephine. I understood her reasons and also came to accept them. She understood Napoleon’s greater purpose and all that it entailed. She understood that he was a man like no other, “Je le veux”- and he conquered. Her voice, feelings and motives came through clearly throughout this historical novel. Very often, I become teary-eyed when reading about the lives of historical figures- but with Josephine, I caught myself sobbing…several times (as though I’d learned about this for the first time). Josephine’s love, tenderness, understanding and total devotion to Napoleon, her man, came first, above all else.

Besides her great love for Napoleon, Josephine’s tremendous love for her children is constant throughout the book. The detail in portraying Josephine as a caring and encouraging mother who stood by her children in their every decision, made her all the more endearing to me. The way Josephine cared for Hortense through her painful family tragedy and marital problems - Her willingness to take care of her grandchildren when Hortense needed her most- her children could always depend on her to be there.

Eugene and Hortense’s letters to her are filled with caring words that reveal love and concern. There is a clear sense of their close and loving relationship in the way they all interact with eachother. They are together and united in every decision, regardless of their own personal feelings; the Divorce being a perfect example of this, as well as, their unity in accepting and welcoming Bonaparte’s decision to marry Marie Louise.

These unbelievably difficult situations which must have required an enormous sense of loyalty, love and acceptance, continuously surface the story to emphasize the passionate life that Josephine lived. And in the end, Eugene’s touching letter announcing the death of his beloved mother to Bonaparte, addressed: Sire, Emperor (Papa), completely moved me to tears. I know it’s history, and I’ve read this all before; Even so, The Last Great Dance on Earth is now forever sealed within my heart.

Up until her death, Josephine only wanted what was best for her Bonaparte, the man who “had inspired her to believe once again in heroes, in destiny, but above all in the miracle of love”. p.4

Passionate times, beautiful details, sorrowful moments, love beyond boundaries- Bringing history to life, The Last Great Dance on Earth is an exceptional book.

…Not difficult to see why this is my favourite Josephine historical novel. show less

The final volume in Sandra Gulland's Josephine B. Trilogy.

This was the perfect end to the series. The diary style contines to work well; instead of a straightforward, traditionally linear narrative, we get a story made up of hundreds of smaller layers. Each small piece works with all the others to give us not just a story but a moment in time. The book really captures the early 19th century and its people. It feels very real and very human.

The characterization remains superb; Gulland does a wonderful job of portraying Josephine as a sympathetic, very human character. I really felt for her, and cried my eyes out when things started going wrong for her. The other characters are also very nicely developed; though we only see them through show more Josephine's eyes, the simple descriptions and telling details really make them come alive.

Overall, I highly recommend this entire series. Start with the first book, though; this is more of a longer novel published in three volumes. show less

A very good, if sad, ending to this Trilogy. Well worth a read to see the events of the Revolution (Book 1) and the ensuing period of Napoleon's rule. Gives a very different perspective to this period and to Napoleon. As they say the victors write the history! (Just look at the case of Richard III to illustrate this). Glad I didn't have his family, and you wonder how much of his demise was of their doing and whether events may have been different if he'd stayed married to Josephine. She does come across as a remarkable woman who had a very interesting life.

The last book in the Josephine Bonaparte trilogy - her life told through her diary, interspersed with other correspondance. This described the elevation of of the First Consul Napoleon and Josephine to the Emperor and Empress - complete with crown, a court, and a heriditary line to the throne. It seems to me odd that this was allowed to happen again so soon after the Reveloution. This is the drawback about learning by reading about a period of history in a narrow format such as this - it was not within the scope of the novel to make all the political and military events make sense. Nevertheless, Josephine's struggles with her infertility, her love for her husband, and their sad ending came through in the narrative and made for an show more entertaining read.

I recommend the trilogy as a whole to historical fiction fans, especially women, who are looking for a lighter read - yet don't really want 'chick lit' per se. It has sparked an interest in the Napoleonic years and I may seek out some more meatier works. I am glad I read it and I am sorry for Josephine - she maintained her humanity and compassion through so much and deserved better in the end, in my opinion. show less

What a sad and remarkable life Josephine Bonaparte led. This novel chronicles what you might call her downfall- as it was for so many women of the past, the failure to provide a male heir lost her her marriage and her title. However, the grace and dignity with which Josephine accepts her fate, and the tenderness that Napoleon continues to feel towards her cushions the blow for her and for the reader. Highly recommended.

A very engaging third part of the trilogy of historical fiction about Josephine Bonaparte. The story of love and political intrigue is very well presented.

The back of this describes the book as "the triumphant final volume..." Did the person who wrote that read the same book as me? It was the final volume but I didn't find it triumphant. It was heart-breaking in places and was usually a page-turner.

The trilogy was a bit dense, I'm not sure I'll pick up any others by Gulland but they did make for a good read.