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Ruth Hull Chatlien
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The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte Paperback – December 2, 2013

by Ruth Hull Chatlien (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,018
See all formats and editions
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Gold Medal Winner, Historical Fiction Personage, 2014 Readers’ Favorite Awards
First Place Winner, Turn of the 19th Century, 2014 Chaucer Awards for Historical Fiction

Tell the emperor that Madame Bonaparte is ambitious and demands her rights as a member of the imperial family.

As a clever girl in stodgy, mercantile Baltimore, Betsy Patterson dreams of a marriage that will transport her to cultured Europe. When she falls in love with and marries Jerome Bonaparte, she believes her dream has come true—until Jerome’s older brother Napoleon becomes an implacable enemy.

Based on a true story, The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte is a historical novel that portrays this woman’s tumultuous life. Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, known to history as Betsy Bonaparte, scandalized Washington with her daring French fashions; visited Niagara Falls when it was an unsettled wilderness; survived a shipwreck and run-ins with British and French warships; dined with presidents and danced with dukes; and lived through the 1814 Battle of Baltimore. Yet through it all, Betsy never lost sight of her primary goal—to win recognition of her marriage.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    495 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 2, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 1.12 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1937484165
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1937484163
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"With her first novel, The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte, author Ruth Hull Chatlien delivers." --Copperfield Review

"This is a laudable work from Chatlien. Her writing resonates with elegance, yet is simple and clear. It is easy to become absorbed in this well-written historical novel."(5 stars) -- Lit Amri for Reader's Favorite 2014 Reader's Favorite Book Award Gold Medal Winner in Historical Fiction--Personage

Meticulously researched, engrossing in detail, and full of the customs, values, and prejudices of the era, Chatlien's novel brings to life crucial moments in history alongside Betsy's quest for recognition.... A solid example of its genre, this account of one woman's stubborn determination will appeal to romance aficionados and historical devotees alike.--Publishers Weekly, starred review, May 26, 2014

The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte is well crafted and the research into the life and times of Betsy Patterson is quite good. Author Ruth Hull Chatlien covers early American history, from Baltimore to Niagara Falls,... Between the War of 1812, the Napoleonic Wars and other Waterloo, there is plenty happening around Betsy. She is an engaging character, though flawed in her pursuit of being royalty in more than just name. Overall, the book is an enjoyable look at an active period of American history from a different perspective than one usually finds.San Francisco Book Review

I highly recommend this book as a wonderful historical read, which like a fine art painting, will be an asset to your shelf of favorite French book collections. Such an amazing book rich with details and another to add to the list of book that speak to the amazing, almost forgotten women of the past.--Erin Al-Mehairi in Midwest Book Review: Reviewer's Bookwatch

About the Author

Ruth Hull Chatlien has been a writer and editor of educational materials for nearly thirty years, specializing in U.S. and world history. She is the author of Modern American Indian Leaders for middle-grade readers. Her award-winning first novel, The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte, portrays the tumultuous life of Elizabeth "Betsy" Patterson Bonaparte. Her second novel is Blood Moon: A Captive's Tale.

KIRKUS REVIEWS, kirkusreviews.com

Chatlien's debut historical fiction celebrates the drive and desires of the real-life Betsy Patterson, a Baltimore merchant's daughter who married a Bonaparte.

As a child and young woman, Betsy Patterson was precocious, lovely, dismissive of America and not terribly eager to sit around and do what she was told. Of her American suitors, she laments, "Marriage to any one of them would sentence me to a life...bearing child after child until my mind is rusted from disuse." When a European lieutenant comes to Baltimore, Betsy finds love and opportunity-the lieutenant is, after all, Jerome Bonaparte, Napoleon's youngest brother. The two wed, but when Napoleon refuses to acknowledge the marriage, which may hinder the potential for political alliances, the newly minted Madame Bonaparte discovers that a court life is not so easily attainable for an American girl. Her ambition doesn't subside, however. Instead, it underlies her new mission to receive recognition of her union, which means pitting herself against the most powerful man in the world. "Napoleon dismissed me as expendable because I am American and a woman," she says. "Someday I will make him see that he was wrong on both counts." Betsy is a captivating heroine whose independence and intelligence are given their proper due in Chatlien's novel. Against the backdrop of world events, such as the battle at Waterloo and the War of 1812, Betsy fights her own, smaller battles, ignoring censure from her stern father and other compatriots who criticize her tenacity and her scandalous French fashions. Her story has suspense, a rapidly moving plot and rich details of 19th-century life, from quotidian tasks to grand parties with Dolley and James Madison at the Presidential Mansion....It undoubtedly offers compelling insights into the minds of real, deeply engrossing individuals.

A fascinating account of one woman's fight to defiantly stray from her predetermined path.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amika Press (December 2, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 495 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1937484165
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1937484163
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.12 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,018

About the author

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Ruth Hull Chatlien

Ruth Hull Chatlien

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Ruth Hull Chatlien has been a writer and editor of educational materials for nearly thirty years, specializing in U.S. and world history. She is the author of MODERN AMERICAN INDIAN LEADERS for middle-grade readers. Her award-winning first novel, THE AMBITIOUS MADAME BONAPARTE, portrays the tumultuous life of Elizabeth “Betsy” Patterson Bonaparte. Her second novel, BLOOD MOON: A CAPTIVE'S TALE, retells Sarah Wakefield's ordeal as a captive during the Dakota War of 1862. Her most recent novel, KATIE, BAR THE DOOR, explores a young woman's emotional journey from loss and abuse toward healing.

She lives in northeastern Illinois with her husband, Michael. When she's not writing, she can usually be found gardening, knitting, or spoiling her dog Coco.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,018 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
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Great story that followed the life of madam Bonaparte. But she seemed a selfish person indulging her pleasure of living in Europe at the expense of her son's happiness.
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NewYorkCityGirl2014
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good read, but the main character is so obsessed ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2017
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Very good read, but the main character is so obsessed that she never lets go of anything. She seems to go in circles, constantly repeating her feelings, beliefs, desires, goals, plans, angers. Betsy manages to charm and aggravate at the same time. After a lifetime of planning and posturing on behalf of her son fathered by the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte in a non-recognized marriage, she winds up with a non-ambitious son who couldn't care less. He takes the easy way out on many levels even to the point of marrying a wealthy American girl in secret with encouragement from Betsy's father who has little patience for her, so that he doesn't have to hear his mother's complaints about not marrying into European aristocracy. The ending was abrupt and disappointing. Hard to believe she turned a cold shoulder to her dying son. It appears her devotion was driven by the desire for a European title. When that opportunity was no longer in play, Betsy's motherly devotion waned.
5 people found this helpful
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Azwildcat
5.0 out of 5 stars Love, Betrayal, Ambition
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2014
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When Betsy marries Jerome, the younger brother if Napoleon Bonaparte, it seemed that their lives would be the beginning of a fairytale life. Instead, Jerome , a man whose weaknesses Betsy had refused to acknowledge, bowed under Napoleon' s orders to divorce Betsy, in spite of her being pregnant with his sin, and marry other royalty.

The story revolves around Betsy' s dreams and ambitions for her son, Bo. She has dreamed of life outside of Europe and being part of royalty. A dream that takes her far from her home in Baltimore.

Betsy' s life is totally devoted to her son and the story chronicles her attempts to gain legitimacy for her son among the untrustworthy, powerful Napoleon family. She must overcome sadness through many losses in her life, but the s climax is when she stands at her son's deathbed and must face the truths of her life as well as her goals aambitons She had for son and what the cost was in both of their lives.

This story delves into family relationships, hypocrisy, power, dreams.

I was totally caught up in the depth if the characters, the many emotions that the story produced, including tears. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading other books by Ms. Chatlien.
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Athena
3.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't get past the silliness this time
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
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I couldn't get past the silliness of young women of a marriageable age of that class in society who had not too much more to concern themselves with than charming an eligible young man into wanting to marry them. I enjoy some historical fiction/romance, and it may be a worthwhile read if you can get past that to the more worthy-of-your-time chapters of the story, but I've read too many like this lately to subject myself to another.
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Margaret C.
4.0 out of 5 stars When is a legal marriage not valid?
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2017
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This book is a fictionalized biography of Betsy Patterson, a young woman in post revolutionary Maryland who has grown up with the dream of marrying a prince and living happily after in Europe. Her dream seems to be coming true when she meets and falls in love with young Jerome Bonaparte, the younger brother of the Emperor Napoleon. With the permission of her family, they are married, but she discovers that her husband not only married without his family's consent, he also lied about his age. The Emperor will not recognize the marriage because he has plans for dynastic marriages for all of his siblings. Her attempts establish herself as the legitimate wife constantly fails as she tries to join Jerome in Europe and introduce herself and their son to the family. This book is recommended for all those interested in this forgotten bit of history.
2 people found this helpful
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Charlotte
5.0 out of 5 stars The plot of an ambitious young woman in love transcends all ages and audiences
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2016
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As a fan of historical fiction, I was interested to read about a woman from history I had not previously known. The plot of an ambitious young woman in love transcends all ages and audiences.The story and the writing draws you in and makes you feel as if you are there witnessing the events occur, wishing you actually were to shake some sense into this Madame Bonaparte! At times I had to put the book down because she was ambitious to a fault during points in her life, but then I realized I'm reading some really great writing if such a range of emotion can be produced by a character in a book. The amount of time and research that must have gone into the story will blow you away because this isn't your George Washingtons you can Wikipedia easily, this is a minute character in history that you will learn to love and hate and love all again.
14 people found this helpful
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Sevans
4.0 out of 5 stars The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2017
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Very intriguing reading on Betsy whom was blessed with living in America when it was first at its earliest stages of independence. Betsy had a goal of being a princess and making it to the bright lights, almost to the comparison of making it big in Hollywood. Betsy wanted to get from up under her evil father. One evening she had the chance encounter of meeting the young dashing brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, Jerome. Well let's just say this fairy tale didn't have the happy ending with the Prince Madame Bonaparte was hoping for. Several dollars later, divorce, being a single mother and finally breaking free of her father's grasp, Betsy finally breaks free from her Cocoon. But is it too little too late? I guess you will have to read to find out.
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Beezie Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful first novel!
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2014
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Ruth Hull-Chatlien does an extraordinary job of bringing this piece of history to life. She particularly wields a deft hand with Betsy Patterson Bonaparte, offering up a character who is the perfect mix of fire, determination, haughtiness and vulnerability. Besty suffers greatly from her unfailing belief in her need and ability to rise far above her common origins but her uncommon ambitions are not supported by her family, particularly her dour, sensible merchant father. Betsy is ambitious in a time where women were not supposed to have their own ideas about how their lives would be lead. Repeatedly and miserably failed by all the men in her life (from her father, to her feckless husband as well as her jealous brothers), her iron will and determination never failed her, except for where it blinded her to her reality. An excellent romp through history, which has authentically captured the spirit and flavor if the time. Well done! Bravo!
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Top reviews from other countries

Kai
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful !
Reviewed in Australia on July 3, 2017
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Loved it ! Not my normal choice of fiction ( urban fantasy is my usual ) but needed a change of pace and could not put this down
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Patricia Abdulla
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent reading! I could not put the book down!
Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2014
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The author brought this fascinating piece of history to life in this novel. One feels the strength of Madame Bonaparte, and yet also her vulnerability and struggles being a woman in that that time period. A fascinating piece of history I frankly knew little about. Historical accuracy woven through a very enjoyable account of Betsy's life. It leaves one asking
for another historical novel from this author!
One person found this helpful
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PEDRO PUECH
5.0 out of 5 stars We, readers, are the judges...
Reviewed in Brazil on October 13, 2014
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I wanted to read this book since I saw its description. I had never heard of an American Bonaparte family. Ruth Chatlien tells the story of Betsy Patterson, an American girl who falls in love with Napoleon's brother and spends her life trying to obtain the recognition of the Bonaparte family. Chatlien's writing is engaging and based on extensive research. The characters are shown with all the passion and feelings involved in the plot, but she still preserves neutrality, letting the reader to be the judge of who was right or wrong. It is historical, and teaches us much about the relations between France and the U.S in the early 19th Century. I strongly recommend this book to those who like Historical Fiction, as I do.
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James Davidson
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully crafted novel.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2015
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This is a beautifully written novel. It is set in the pivotal moment where the United States are consolidating their power base after independence while Europe is devastated by the effects of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Ruth Chatlien encompasses the writing style of Austen and Bronte and writes convincing characters who develop through the decades of this novel. I was particularly impressed by the quality of the political history (my own preference!) and also the standard of family dilemmas and the ongoing romances. It also highlights how the USA was following its own path after independence, but how the events in Europe remained central to the destiny of the country and its people. In short, a beautifully crafted novel that deserves to a movie!
3 people found this helpful
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Romance Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Great historical read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2020
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Ruth Hull Chatlien is a new author to me, but I did enjoy this book, which was very well researched & written. I only spotted a couple of typos (eg two words joined together). However, I didn’t award it 5* as I didn’t actually like the (main) characters! I studied part of the Napoleonic Wars at high school & how the British were affected, so I do know some of the events that were mentioned. However, the American side of things were completely new to me.

Most people have heard of Napoléon, but I had no idea he came from such a large family. Not surprisingly, he tried to ensure all his siblings made suitable matches for the benefit of France, although I was surprised when I was reading this book, as to the lengths he went to gain them. Having never heard of Jérôme & Elizabeth, I actually googled their backgrounds/ futures while I was reading this book (quite late on to be honest) as I couldn’t believe the things they did or were forced to overcome.

Elizabeth Patterson meets Jérome, Napoleon’s youngest brother when he travels to America. They are both immediately drawn to each other, & I do believe that they really did love each other despite their age. Unfortunately, Jerome is so determined to marry her, that he lies about his age, & this later causes problems for the young couple when they try to get his family to accept their marriage.

Elizabeth was determined to realise her ambitions & dreams (as part of being an European royalty), & she really never gave up on this dream, even trying to force it upon their young son. She loved him so much, that I was disappointed with his behaviour when I learnt what he did to avoid his mother’s anger & disappointment. However, at times I did feel that she let her enjoyment of life in Europe get in the way; she did break her promises to return to him.

I didn’t like her father, William. I couldn’t decide whether he was trying to secure & safeguard his daughter’s future or not. He had a “contract” drawn up for the marriage that would seem to protect her, but then he bore a grudge against her when she spent so much of his money while in England. How he treated her (& her mother) was despicable, especially filling her son’s head with ideas that she was against (their lies towards her while she was in Europe).

In the end, I did not like Jérôme as he was rather weak & refused to stand up against Napoléon regarding his marriage. I do believe they probably would not have been happy together in the long term, but they were never really given that chance. He had a fanciful outlook of life, liking the better things in life & living beyond his means. Whether being forced to annul his marriage to the woman he loved, pushed him over the edge, or not, I couldn’t say. He was however a rather selfish man & king.

This book is very long & there are so many characters; I struggled to remember who was who! I think it would have been nice to have had a family tree of both the Patterson’s & the Bonaparte’s. There are lots & lots of period details, confirming just how much research the author went into writing this novel. I think it was a job well done!
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