Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Robespierre : $b the story of Victorien Sardou's play adapted and novelized under his authority

Robespierre : $b the story of Victorien Sardou's play adapted and novelized under his authority

Written by Victorien Sardou,Ange Galdemar

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
Robespierre, Maximilien, 1758-1794

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"Robespierre" by Ange Galdemar is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book is based on Victorien Sardou's play and explores the complex life of Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure of the French Revolution. It delves into themes of power, ambition, and personal sacrifice amid the tumultuous backdrop of revolutionary France, focusing on characters such as Robespierre himself, Monsieur de Pontivy, and Clarisse. The opening of "Robespierre" introduces readers to the Hôtel de Pontivy, where we meet Monsieur de Pontivy as he searches for a lost document important for a secret debate in Parliament. Here, the reader is introduced to his daughter Clarisse, who navigates a sheltered life and shares a complicated relationship with both her father and Robespierre, her father's secretary. The tension rises as it becomes apparent that their lives are entwined through shared ambitions and the unacknowledged consequences of their interactions. The initial chapter sets the stage for the unfolding drama, hinting at themes of love, betrayal, and the heavy burdens of honor and reputation that will develop as the story progresses.

Read it with a club

Small groups reading the same books and talking as they go.

All clubs
Deep shelves of leather-bound volumes

News

  • 1 member
  • 1,813 discussions
  • Active 6h ago

Read Robespierre : $b the story of Victorien Sardou's play adapted and novelized under his authority alongside people who are reading it too.

Open the club

Also here: News Bulletin, Just Joking....

Chaptra Prime — paid clubs, every club feature, and unlimited reading support, for $5 a month or $60 once.

See Prime

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Robespierre : $b the story of Victorien Sardou's play adapted and novelized under his authority, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 9 hours
  • intermediate
  • dark
  • tense
  • historical

Ange Galdemar's "Robespierre" is a late 19th-century historical novel, adapted from Victorien Sardou's play, that plunges into the tumultuous French Revolution through the lens of its enigmatic leader, Maximilien Robespierre. The narrative intricately weaves Robespierre's political ascent and ruthless pursuit of revolutionary ideals with the personal dramas of Monsieur de Pontivy and his daughter, Clarisse, whose lives become inextricably linked with his. Exploring profound themes of power, ambition, sacrifice, and betrayal, the book portrays the human cost of revolution and the moral compromises demanded by political extremism. It sets a stage where love, honor, and reputation are tested against the backdrop of a nation in upheaval, ultimately questioning the true price of liberty.

“"The Revolution devours its own children, Monsieur de Pontivy, but only after they have served its righteous appetite."”

Key themes

Power and Ambition
This theme is central to Robespierre's character and the narrative. The novel explores how the desire for power, initially perhaps for noble causes, can corrupt and lead to tyranny. It examines the psychological toll of wielding immense authority and the justifications individuals create for their actions in pursuit of their goals.
Revolution and Ideals vs. Reality
The French Revolution serves as the tumultuous backdrop, allowing the novel to contrast the lofty ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity with the brutal realities of political upheaval, violence, and the Reign of Terror. It questions whether noble goals can ever justify morally reprehensible means.
Love, Betrayal, and Sacrifice
These interconnected themes are explored through the personal relationships, particularly the 'complicated' ties between Robespierre, Clarisse, and Monsieur de Pontivy. The novel delves into how revolutionary turmoil strains and breaks personal bonds, forcing characters to make heartbreaking choices between loyalty to loved ones and adherence to political causes.

Worth discussing

How does the novel portray Robespierre's transition from an idealist to a figure of terror? Is his ambition justified?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!