a signed hardcover copy of MADAME TUSSAUD as well as a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings (I'm so jealous of the winner - these earings look great!)
Ms Moran was kind enough to send me a little bit of information about this fabulous book:
MADAME TUSSAUD: The Woman
When most people hear the name Madame Tussaud, the first thing that comes to mind are the eerily lifelike waxworks which crowd her museums throughout the world. But who was the woman behind the name, and what was she like in the flesh?
Madame Tussaud’s story actually began in 18th century Paris. While most people know her from her famous museum in London, it was in France, on the humble Boulevard du Temple, where Marie first got her start as an apprentice in her uncle’s wax museum, the Salon de Cire. At the time, the Boulevard du Temple was crowded with exhibits of every kind. For just a few sous a passerby might attend the opera, watch a puppet show, or visit Henri Charles’ mystifying exhibition The Invisible Girl. The Boulevard was a difficult place to distinguish yourself as an artist, but as Marie’s talent grew for both sculpting and public relations, the Salon de Cire became one of the most popular attractions around. Suddenly, no one could compete with Marie or her uncle for ingenious publicity stunts, and when the royal family supposedly visited their museum, this only solidified what most showmen in Paris already knew — the Salon was an exhibition to watch out for.
But as the Salon’s popularity grew, so did the unusual requests. Noblemen came asking for wax sculptures of their mistresses, women wanted models of their newborn infants, and – most importantly – the king’s sister herself wanted Marie to come to Versailles to be her wax tutor. While this was, in many ways, a dream come true for Marie, it was also a dangerous time to be associated with the royal family. Men like Robespierre, Marat, and Desmoulins were meeting at Marie’s house to discuss the future of the monarchy, and when the Revolution began, Marie found herself in a precarious position. Ultimately, she was given a choice by France’s new leaders: to preserve the famous victims of Madame Guillotine in wax, or be guillotined herself.
Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution is the story of Marie’s life during one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Her survival was nothing less than astonishing, and how she survived makes for what I hope is a compelling read.
I didn't read this book yet, but I did read Ms Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter and it was great. I have no doubt that Madame Tussaud will be the same or even better. If you'd like to read my review of Cleopatra's Daughter just click here.
The contest is International - it doesn't matter where you live, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment to this post. Contest ends February 22nd.
For extra entry post about this contest at your blog or facebook and leave link here in the comments. Be sure that I can see the post at your facebook page. The winner will be announced here on my blog on 23rd of February and he/she will have to contact me in a week or I'll have to draw another winner. The prize will be mailed directly by Ms Moran!
I want to say one big THANK YOU to Ms Moran for being so generous with the prize!
Visit MichelleMoran.com
Check out Michelle's blog at michellemoran.blogspot.com
I want to say one big THANK YOU to Ms Moran for being so generous with the prize!
Visit MichelleMoran.com
Check out Michelle's blog at michellemoran.blogspot.com
