The Mark of the King

Jocelyn Green's novel tells the story of Julianne, a parisian midwife unjustly accused of the death of an aristocrat mother in her care. Sentenced to life, she is branded a murderess with the mark of the King, the fleur-de-lis, burnt into her shoulder.

Given the choice to trade her sentence for exile in the Americas, Julianne joins the throngs of convicts, starved and abused, who are being shipped to New Orleans. Here, against horrific realities, Julianne begins to forge her own life and reputation, even in the face of mounting tensions between the French and the Natchez Indians. Ultimately Julianne is a survivor, and after journeying with her through the brutality she endures, the conclusion of the novel and the love story she discovers feels just, hopeful, and a vindication of everything gone before.

There is some fascinating French and American history woven through the story. The French desperately needed to colonise the harsh frontier they had claimed as Louisiana, in honor of King Louis XIV, and particularly the failing outpost of New Orleans. They did this largely through transportation, forcing marriages between convicts with much brutality, to populate the region.This part of the story is so horrendous it's hard to comprehend it is based on historical fact. 

This novel really drew me in, often confronting and heartbreaking, I was totally caught up in Julianne's story. There is a fair amount of tension throughout and betrayal, but in the midst of all the awfulness a moving love story develops. It's enjoyable to read a strong female character, who isn't rescued by her hero, but works hard to save herself.

Available as an eBook through Libby

Posted by Jaime

The Disappearance of Emile Zola by Michael Rosen

In 1898 the French novelist, critic and political activist Emile Zola writes ‘J’accuse’ an open letter in a newspaper supporting Alfred Dreyfus against the government. Dreyfus had been falsely tried, found guilty of treason and sent to Devils Island. Unfortunately the government was not impressed by his criticism and his friends advised him to flee the country rather than face trial. He quickly flees and reporters camp outside his Paris house awaiting news and newspapers openly speculated on where he has gone to.

Zola goes to England in what he hopes will be a short time but soon finds himself depressed and far away from the land he loves. For a man who loved every aspect of French life as Zola did, to be placed in such a foreign land was abhorrent and ‘the food was awful’. He was also separated from his wife, mistress and illegitimate children; and as his books stopped selling, his funds began to run out.

Emile Zola was much loved by the French people due to this sympathetic portrayal of them. However criticising the government and supporting Dreyfus who was a Jew brought him a lot of unwanted attention. There was a large anti- Semitic feeling which had been whipped up by the papers. This is a very interesting period in history, the ideas of socialism are gathering support and blind faith in leaders is being questioned openly. Even the everyday process of living is fascinating.

A few years ago now I read a large number of Zola novels, unfortunately not in French but at the time they left quite an impression on me. ‘Germinal’ in particular highlights the harsh lives of the French working class of this period. The movie is of course true to the book as it would have to be and is very grim. It clocks in at 2 hours 50 minutes and is available at the Havelock North library (sub-titled). Gerard Depardieu plays the villain and in the gets his come-uppance in a most gruesome way.

As well as the ‘Germinal’ DVD the library also has the books ‘Money’ and ‘Therese Raquin’.

Reviewed by Rob M

Catalogue link:  The Disappearance of Emile Zola