Pages

▼

Friday, August 19, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway of Finding Emilie!


Finding Emilie is a precious gem.  I say this because rarely do I fall this much in love with a novel that is not totally the ‘true’ history.  Laurel Corona’s book has added to the history by writing a story about ‘what might have been’ and created a novel that captivated me in all of its beauty and prose.  
Based on the lives of both Emilie du Chatelet (Voltaire’s love) and (mostly) her daughter, Stanislas-Adelaide; known as Lili- the story takes you into the pre-Revolution time of the 18th c.  This was a time in France where women were not supposed to dabble in the sciences and other ‘higher’ learning subjects-let alone write. 
Emilie’s death a few days after giving birth results in Lili being raised by Julie de Bercy (Emilie’s close friend). Julie's daughter, Delphine and Lili are raised like sisters.  Lili however presents herself as quite trying and out of the ordinary in terms of all her questioning at the convent where she and Delphine were schooled. 
Lili finds herself intrigued by her defunct mother and wants to find out more about her.  Knowing that she resembles her not only physically, but also in spirit, Lili desperately wants answers for her own life through ‘finding Emilie’. This becomes a difficult task since her aunt is reluctant in sharing anything about Emilie’s remarkable life (she was the one who actually re-wrote Newton's work! Anonimously...one can only imagine how deep her understanding and knowledge of the material stretched)- But Lili is adamant about finding out the truth about her mother.
Unlike her despicable aunt, Julie is a constant and wonderful support for Lili as she blossoms into a great philosophical writer and lover of science. Lili does publish her work, but because this was a time where women’s brains were not something deserving of praise or recognition, she does this under a pen name.
I love that the author put this twist in history and added Lili’s life into it to give closure to what could have been a continuation to Emilie’s life.  I almost bet you Emilie would have expected nothing less of this remarkably strong and intelligent daughter! 
Bravo Laurel Corona!
Also check out:
LAUREL CORONA TALKS ABOUT FINDING EMILIE (video)
 

GIVEAWAY of 2 COPIES of this wonderful novel! 
Open to US and Canada
To Enter:
 Follow this blog
Get Extra chances for every FB, Twitter, Blog sidebar...Just send me the link!
Good Luck to All!

Winners Announced on:  Friday, August 26th
at

20 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 19, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    Thanks for the review and giveaway! I've been intrigued by this novel for a while - 18th century, Voltaire, and intelligent female characters? Awesome!

    I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/SusieBookworm/status/104618747536482304

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 19, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I'm a follower. Please enter me.

    mylife.onestoryatatime@yahoo.com

    I have two give aways this week on my blog. Hope you pop in to enter. Donna

    http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Literary ChanteuseAugust 19, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Count me in on the giveaway! I'd love to have this book!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway. I'd love to enter.

    I'm a follower.

    amandatheaker@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Colleen TurnerAugust 19, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    This book has been on my wishlist for awhile! Thanks for the giveaway.

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).

    candc320@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. DarleneAugust 19, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    I'd love to read this! Please enter me in the draw.

    I'm an email subscriber, and my email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  7. DarleneAugust 19, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    +1 for tweeting:

    http://twitter.com/#!/DarleneBookNook/status/104669961422778369

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. DarleneAugust 19, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    +1 for sharing on Facebook:

    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=153345594747206&id=100002541526103

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. AmyAugust 19, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    Ooohhh I'd love to win this book! Thanks so much!
    I am a follower.

    Amy
    tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  10. LindaAugust 19, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    I would love to win this novel. Thanks for the giveaway.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownAugust 19, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    This sounds like such a wonderful book! I follow you and I posted the giveaway on my sidebar. http://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/

    Thank you!
    Allisonmharper@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Laura's ReviewsAugust 19, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    This sounds like a fantastic book!

    I am a follower.

    laarlt78 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Thank-you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. RachelAugust 19, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. mamabunny13August 20, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    I follow you via gfc (mamabunny13)
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. mamabunny13August 20, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    tweet https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/104861968032206848
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. mamabunny13August 20, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    Shared on facebook-mamabunny shelor
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=183245545077103&id=100001199655476
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. The (Mis)Adventures of a College Book AddictAugust 20, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Wow, the book looks great. And the video was awesome too! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Leigh Ann
    insanityisnormal@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownAugust 20, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    No need to enter me, I have already won this one. I haven't yet read it but I too like to read books about what might have been. Not total rewrites of history but pushing the story in different ways. I really am looking forward to getting into this one.

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownAugust 20, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    wow. Thank you for this review. It sounds like just the type of book I want to read.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JessicaAugust 21, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Looks like a fascinating story. A beautiful book with a spot on a beautiful blog. Jessica

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments. And, although I may not always get to answer- I read every single one:)

I do however delete 'anonymous' comments..I do not speak to strangers;