This short novel – just over two hundred pages – is told partially through the lens of Richard Lionheart and partially by Eleanor herself. The Eleanor presented here is sharp, witty, and hungry for power. Spanning the years from the revolt in the early 1170s to her death, The Revolt is very well-researched and captures the atmosphere of the era. Clara Dupont-Monod manages to present the family struggles within the Angevin dynasty both as a product of their time and as thoroughly modern characters that speak to us today.

It is a historical novel in that it puts a compelling narrative above strict adherence to the source material, but crucially manages to evoke the essence of the period. It is a lyrical novel, rather than a thrilling one, but nevertheless one that enthralls the reader. The Revolt is not only beautifully written by Clara Dupont-Monod, but also masterfully translated from the French original by Ruth Diver – work that needs to be acknowledged as it is only through her intermediary that this edition manages to capture the reader.

I do love anything related to Eleanor of Aquitaine so I was excited to read this translation. ‘The Revolt’ tells the story of the revolt against Henry II by his sons led by their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. In this relatively short book only a small portion is devoted to the revolt itself, with the rest of it describing the events leading up to it and afterwards.

It Is told mostly from the perspective of Richard the Lionheart, Henry and Eleanors son, Richard makes quite a dry narrator and the few sections that were from the perspective of Eleanor and Henry themselves were much more engaging.

I enjoyed the portrayal of these key historical characters, although they did seem a little one-sided and lacking in complexity there were some efforts to redeem Henry to the reader.

Overall, this is a solid retelling but I just felt the real, historical drama of the day wasn’t fully captured and capitalised on enough to make this book really stand out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A short, very well written historical fiction telling Eleanor of Aquitaine from her son Richard's perspective. This book is unlike the other fast-consuming historical fiction, and it tells the story in a refined and poetic way. Don't pick this up in hopes of a page turner. Fine writing and storytelling. Much better than the other, lengthy retellings of the same era.

Richard Lionheart is rebelling against his father, the Plantagenet king of England, together with his brothers Henry and Geoffrey. The rebellion unites the heirs to the throne with France, the southern lords and Aquitaine, the country of Richard's infamous mother: Queen Eleanor Of aquitaine. After having divorced the king of France, Eleanor remarried the Plantagenet only to be cast aside after having bared him 8 children. Now she's looking for revenge. One thing is sure: this battle will torn the family apart.

The revolt is a short novel that focuses on the rebellion of Eleanor Of aquitaine and her sons against Henry II, king of England in 1173. The novel is split up in three parts—before, during and after the revolt—and mainly told by Richard Lionheart. Although there are some chapters Eleanor, Henry and Alys (Richard's ex-fiancé) are at word.

I'm quite familiar with the story and I loved Elizabeth Chadwick's trilogy about Eleanor very much. But still the author managed to surprise me at some parts. Especially the fact that she chooses to tell the story from Richard's perspective, even the parts before his birth, was surprising. But somehow, it worked for me as long as the story was focusing on the revolt itself.

At the end, it gets a bit messy when Richard leaves for the Holy Land. It feels like the start of a different story because Eleanor wasn't near Richard at that time. And it's her figure that really makes this book compelling.

This Eleanor is mysterious, cold and intimidating. Just how I imagine her. I got some new insights on her relationship with Louis, King of France (Eleanor's first husband) and the role he played in the rebellion. I found Louis's relationship with Eleanor's sons one of the most interesting aspects of the story.

This might not be the best fictional retelling of Eleanor's life because of its shortness. But it's a well-written account of the revolt and how it tore a whole family apart.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to provide me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

I did enjoy this book especially because of the writing. But, the plot, the number of details, and the border between history and fiction pulled it back.
I'd check from the writer again though.
Thanks a lot to the publisher and NG for this copy.

The Revolt is a tale of loyalty, love, deception and bitter family infighting. It has a poetic style of narration, and is very descriptive in telling the story of the Plantagenets. It has been brilliantly translated by Ruth Diver. The story moves quickly from Eleanor’s life from Queen of France to Queen of England, the revolt against Henry II, her imprisonment, and finally the Crusades. Told mainly from Richard’s POV it is as much his story as Eleanor’s, and how she has affected his life, both in person and as the voice in his head influencing his thoughts and actions.

This novel shows Eleanor as a strong leader and tactician; she’s powerful and influential, even during her decade long imprisonment. She is a looming presence in all Richard does and carves a place in politics, during a period when this was completely unheard of. Richard is shown to have extreme loyalty to his mother, and his country of Aquitaine. He is a strong fighter and leader, yet the novel does not shy away from his brutal actions, particularly in his time on Crusade.

Although this book is mostly a narration from Richard, there are times when the readers hear from Eleanor, Henry II and Alys, Richard’s betrothed. I enjoyed these additional voices, especially the women, as it gave the novel added emotion and context.

The book is very short, and this proved a little detrimental to the narration at times. There wasn’t time to delve deeply into the actions of the characters or the politics of the time. For this reason I wonder how someone who has no previous knowledge of this period will find the novel.

Overall I enjoyed this quick read about one of my favourite historical figures, and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this ebook to read and review

I love reading historical fiction so I requested this novel but somehow it felt short. The writing is good but it didn't work for me as a historical fiction. It would have been better if facts were not lost in the fiction. Overall an average read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an e ARC in exchange for my honest review .

Thought I would give this a read as I like this period of history.

It was a good yarn - but meandered into characters thoughts too much with no real direction - so was a bit hard going in places

A good concept - but lacked bite - I did finish it - but it didn't really grip me

Although beautifully written, I felt it was fiction trying to be history and failing on both counts. The historical facts were lost in detailed fictional thoughts of Eleanor and Richard. Even though it is a short book much of it is rambling thoughts that become tedious.

A great first line that really hooked me in to this story of an epic family feud, and of a formidable woman who was a feminist before there were even feminists. I was completely and utterly lost in the beauty of the language of this piece of historical fiction and was utterly transfixed by the menace and sheer power commanded by Eleanor of Aquitaine. This is a story of loyalty, cruelty and and honour and the relationship between a mother and her favourite son. Love, violence, volatility; The Revolt has it all and I’d really recommend it to anyone interested in this fascinating period of history.

The Plantagenet dynasty has always been my favrouite and for this reason, I have always loved reading historical fiction about this period. I love the figures from history I know so well being given life on the page. It is why I have always been a huge fan of using historical fiction to educate and keep history alive...The Revolt is an extremely beautiful and well-crafted example of this.
This was a period in time in which France and England were so intertwined and is taking place before the real identities of each as separate nations had been formed. I think what is special about this book is that you get a real sense of the 12th century because of this. This book does what all good books should do, it wraps you up in a feeling of being in the time when the book is set.

The Revolt is the story of a family, of a mother, a son and a father. Only this is a family that would produce a dynasty full of backstabbing, war, and betrayal.
The writing is so beautiful and elegant. I love the structure and how the voices of those within the book really shine through. I know when Eleanor was speaking, I knew when Richard was speaking and I knew when Henry was speaking, all through the style of writing alone.

The book did slow down a bit towards the end and I felt that even though the Crusades are important for telling the story of Richard I, it did fall out of step with the rest of the book. I also would have liked a little bit from John's prov. John is a large looming figure later in the book and yet he is kept in the background. I believe the book should have ended with him, especially as the child who was closer to his father (and betrayed him), as his opinion of his mother would have been interesting.

Clara Dupont-Monod has gifted us with a short, beautifully written retelling of the story of the formidable and majestic Eleanor of Aquitaine; Queen of England and Duchess of Aquitaine. Enamoured by the ideas of freedom and independence, and as a cultured and learned lady, Eleanor maintained a lavish court in which her troubadours and poets occupied a privileged place. Through the eyes of her son, Richard the Lionheart, the reader discovers the eventful fate of this queen who made the Church tremble by not hesitating to revolt against the tyrannical authority of her second husband, Henry Plantagenet, the King of England.⁣
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Contrary to what the back cover suggests, this inspired novel is as much about Richard as it is about Eleanor. Even if the latter is still present in the background as his puppet master, we follow the tribulations of this beloved son to the borders of the East where he tries to take back Jerusalem. We thus discover a complex character, animated by unconditional love for his mother and his true country, Aquitaine, and endowed with a strong character in whom light and darkness are engaged in a fierce struggle.⁣
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The Revolt brims with lovely and lyrical writing, and Clara Dupont-Monod infuses the historical tale with a touch of modernity to tell an engaging fictional narrative. Ruth Diver’s translation is also exquisite from cover to cover, bestowing the reader with some of the most beautiful metaphors and imagery you’ll have read this year. With richly detailed characters, clever manipulation of language, and boldly feminist themes, The Revolt is a pleasure from beginning to end.

I loved this novel and couldn't stop reading. Fast-paced narrative pulled me right in. The author is admirably handling the cast of three-dimensional characters and a complex plot. This is a must read for people who love a good historical novel.

This is one of those elegant, beautifully written books that blends history, myth, and literary fiction. Think Madeleine Miller or, to a lesser extent, Wolf Hall. The Revolt tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine through the eyes of her son, Richard, along with a handful of other witnesses. Except its not really about Eleanor, or the revolt against Henry II, since that all happens and is finished in the first 40% of the novel. It's also about Richard the Lionheart and his crusade.
As mentioned, it's exquisitely written. The prose is gorgeous and scenes flow from moment to moment, making it easy to fall into and get carried along by. And carried along at such a pace. That was, I think, my biggest issue with this novel. It goes too fast. There is no lingering, no domestic scenes or moments of quiet. Eleanor's entire life is told in matter of pages, her ten year imprisonment in less than a chapter. Time whips by, all great events and grand moments, and at least a thousand different ways to talk about how brave, and bold, and stunning Eleanor of Aquitaine is. I am not exaggerating much when I say that various characters talking about all the ways in which they admire Eleanor takes up as much page space as the history. There is a real issue with telling over showing - I think to attempt to show Eleanor's force of presence - but it doesn't work. By the last quarter I was rolling my eyes every time she was brought up.
Dupond-Menod has a genuinely stunning talent for writing. Even in translation, the twists and turns of the phrases is a delight to read. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for any other books of hers, I just feel like this one was perhaps a bit too big for her language.

My thanks to Quercus Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Revolt’ by Clara Dupont-Monod in exchange for an honest review. It was originally published in France in 2018 and was translated from the French by Ruth Diver.

“It is with a soft voice, full of menace, that our mother commands us to overthrow our father . . .”

This is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine as told by her son, Richard the Lionheart. In 1173, she and three of her sons instigate a rebellion to overthrow Henry Plantagenet, her husband and the King of England. What has brought about this revolt? How did Eleanor persuade her children to rise up against their father?

The adversarial relationship between Eleanor and Henry has been explored many times in historical fiction. She remains a towering figure credited with introducing the concept of courtly love into Western culture as well as promoting music and poetry.

This short novel was beautifully written, with lyrical prose passionately evoking this turbulent period in French and English history.

Highly recommended.

Aliénor d’Aquitaine always fascinated me: a strong and powerful woman in an age when women were considered inferior. This books talks about her and her son Richard Lionheart.
I loved the lyrical style of writing, the monologues that help you to understand the characters and the historical time.
It's an engrossing and fascinating read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A really good bit of historical fiction, I enjoyed this one but I didn’t love it in the way I was hoping. The Revolt is a translation from the original french and explores the lives of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and her son, Richard the Lionheart. Richard is the narrator and the novel starts off as Eleanor is asking her sons to revolt and overthrow their father (her husband) - which is about characteristic of the loving relationships portrayed in this family! It’s a lot of bitter infighting during the struggle for power at the very top of the English and French courts. Richard adores his fierce lioness of a mother and the novel strongly centres around Eleanor and her immense power and influence in this time period. Even though The Revolt is written from the point of view of a King, he is a character looking up in awe at his mother in this portrayal, always seeking her approval. I think this was a really interesting imagining of this period, and quite beautifully composed.

My thanks to #netgalley and to @quercusbooks for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This looks like a gorgeous book, but I wouldn't usually have chosen it if it hadn't been for recommendations from people on Twitter. It's not my usual period for historical fiction and is actually set in an era that I knew very little about - Eleanor of Aquitaine's revolt against her husband and King of England, Henry Plantagenet (Henry II). The novel is beautifully translated from the original French by Ruth Diver.

The narrative covers the period of Eleanor's marriage to Henry II (after her first, to Louis VII of France, was annulled), the birth of their children and the revolt that Eleanor - supported by some of her sons - leads against Henry. The story then follows Eleanor's favourite of the sons, Richard I (the Lionheart), as he embarks on crusades in the Holy Lands.

What makes this book compelling is the fact that the narrative is delivered through monologues from the key characters; Eleanor and Richard lead the storytelling, but there are also chapters where we hear from the vanquished king Henry and others, including a poignant input from Alys, Richard's rejected fiancee. These imagined voices make the story vibrant and modern - this reads as real people exploring some pretty incredible events and emotions. The language is also striking in its beauty with some really vivid and striking imagery and snippets of songs recalled by the characters.

The character of Eleanor is a big draw for the novel. She is presented through her son's eyes as being absolutely formidable and majestic, something supported by the historical fact that she was Queen Consort to two kings and ruled Aquitaine in her own right. She is put in the impossible situation of a woman in that time period and patriarchal society, yet manages to find her own ways to gain power through her own determination and through her sons; however, we do also see her human frailty as in the scene when she is caught in the storm on board a ship, pregnant and afraid. The relationship between Eleanor and Richard is also explored in detail and seems a little claustrophobic and intense at times.

This is a highly engaging and fascinating book and I think can be enjoyed regardless of how much knowledge you already have of the time period. The voices are lively and feel authentic, linking us to these extraordinary events in history and an amazing woman at the centre of the French and English monarchy. The writing/translation is beautiful and this book is a short but sweet treat.

When I saw that Quercus Books were offering this novel of NetGalley, I knew I had to request it. I’m a Medieval history nerd at heart and Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my absolute favourite historical figures. Plus the cover is gorgeous. It was obvious to me that I had to read this!

This novel is mostly told as a monologue from the perspective of Eleanor’s son Richard the Lionheart. I thought this to be a really interesting and unique idea, as it allows you to see the events of Eleanor’s life through a man. Seeing Richard’s admiration for his mother made for an extremely refreshing read, as it’s not something we often see in Medieval fiction (being proud of your mum isn’t a bad thing folks!). So, whilst the novel didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know, I appreciated the new perspective. In addition, the novel treats us to a chapter from Eleanor’s perspective, which I relished reading.

Moreover, the prose is also a huge strength of this novel. In case you didn’t already know, this The Revolt is a translation from its original French. Maybe this is why the writing is so ‘lyrical‘ in way – the prose to be beautiful to read.

I also appreciated that the novel wasn’t too long nor too short. I’ve read a lot of half-fictionalised biographical novels on historical figures, and a lot of them tend to be mammoths to read. Although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, The Revolt is written with just enough information for the beginner Medievalist, whilst also providing a fun read for anyone who loves Eleanor of Aquitaine.

To conclude, I really don’t have anything bad to say about The Revolt – it’s the perfect read for any budding Historian. If you don’t know anything about Eleanor, I highly suggest researching such an inspirational historical figure.

This is a short and stylized retelling of the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her son, Richard I (Coeur de Lion/Lionheart). I'd say that it expects us to know the story behind the text as it swiftly moves through the known trajectory of her troubled marriage to Henry II, the rebellion of her sons, and her imprisonment. In the second half it follows Richard on the third crusade, so that Eleanor retreats to the background.

What makes the story, is the lovely writing and the voice of Richard: it's not historically accurate and doesn't pretend to be so - the language and the emotions are simply not medieval. But that's fine. Dupont-Monod gives us what is close to a monologue that depicts a troubled family and a woman who is strong and determined but who leaves her favourite (?) son wondering if she really loved him. Beneath all the political action and wars, is a story of difficult relationships.

At times, other voices interrupt Richard's: Eleanor herself 'speaks' a chapter, as does Alys, the woman who never completed her planned marriage to Richard.

The writing is lyrical and the length is just right - too much of this monologue-effect might have become monotonous but it's well-judged and brief enough to feel intimate and revealing.