On this date ~ 220 years ago

July 14th, 1789 is a date recognizable around the world. In France, it is now a national holiday. That's right, I am talking about Bastille Day when angry mobs of Parisians stormed the Bastille and released the prisoners within. Did you know there were only 7 prisoners? This set off the French Revolution and would see the end of King Louis XVI's reign. I just thought it would be fun to post about a few books set during that time frame.


Abundance is a novel of Marie Antoinette. The exquisite cover on this one just caught my eye. Actually, there are numerous books on Marie Antoinette if you are inclined to read more about the lady.

Of course, you are all familiar with this next one by Charles Dickens. In fact, I would be willing to bet that you can quote the first two lines and name one of the main characters even if you haven't read the book in years.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a book I have never read but it sounds interesting though.This is just a brief synopsis from Barnes & Noble if you haven't read it either.

"In 1792, during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, an English aristocrat known to be an ineffectual fop is actually a master of disguises who, with a small band of dedicated friends, undertakes dangerous missions to save members of the French nobility from the guillotine."