In Search of Honor

by Donna Lynn Hess

In Search of Honor is historical fiction by Donnalynn Hess set in the late 1700s during the violent days of the French Revolution. This Christian fiction for teens tells of young Jacques Chenier who is trapped in a prison stronger than the Bastille, a prison of bitterness. Jacques wants revenge for his father, his mother, his fellow artisans, and for himself. But escaping from a prison of the heart is no easy task. In Search of Honor is the story of this young man’s struggle for justice and truth.

Genres: Historical Fiction, School, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, French Revolution, Adventure

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

Donna Lynn Hess has over 25 years of experience working in the publishing business. She is a teacher at Bob Jones University and has also written textbooks and novels.
She is a member of the Modern Language Association and the National Art Education Association. She enjoys reading, exploring museums, and theater excursions with friends.

Reviews

[Bridget Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The revolution began for me the day my father was murdered."

Though only nine years old at the time, after reading this opening line I knew that I needed to read on. A lot of the book went completely over my head due to my lack of years, but with what I did manage to follow it held my attention to the end.

Rereading it a couple years later, it felt like a new book. That really boring scene that I really had no idea what was going on? A crucial moment that's keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Rereading it yet again as a teenager, I not only enjoyed an excellent story but realized for the first time the message in its entirety that the author was intending. Now the title makes sense.

It's been a few years..... Now that I'm thinking about it I want to read it again!

[mairiachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Somebody told me I should read this, so I did...and I actually really enjoyed it!

It's not anything spectacular, but I love books about the French Revolution and this one was especially interesting because it's told by the perspective of someone who was actually a follower and revolutionary enthusiast and then he comes to term with everything and realizes just how futile and unstable the Revolution is.

For those of you who don't like religion in books, this one isn't for you, because a Protestant (at least I think he's Protestant) is the one who brings him to the reality that the Revolution is a mess and that people turn on you in an instant, even if you've been revered a moment earlier.

But it's a very good book about someone who really does believe they need to bring down the king and then realizes his ideas are all based off of revenge for the people who murdered his father and that everyone (Danton, Charpentier, Robespierre) is going about it the wrong way etc. etc. - it's sad at parts, but it's interesting the whole time.

It's a good book. Go read it someday and then you can write a better review.

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it at the time. The writing made me itch.

[Snaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!

In Search of Honor by Donna Lynn Hess follows the son of a sculptor on the brink of the French Revolution. Throughout the book, Hess writes with an intriguing style, weaving in deep characters with equally deep goals.

As a novel with explicitly Christian themes, her attention to character arcs and other thematic elements kept it from being cliche or preachy.

I loved how each scene led into the next, the plot and conflict building off of each other.

All in all, I recommend this book to anyone looking for good Christian reads!

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this story in a collection of literature stories, then read it to my Mama. We both enjoyed it very much. It was very thought provoking...

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this along with my child for school. Interesting read about the events leading up to the French Revolution, the Revolution, and the aftermath of it. It raises ethical questions that are still of concern in our world. Some of the characters mentioned were real people and influenced the French Revolution for better or worse. I found it interesting that Dr. Curtius's daughter will turn into the famous Madame Tussaud fame in London.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I would love to write books like this. Books of historical fiction that bring to life the battles that we each must face. Books that can entertain, make history live, and cause us to look inward, stimulating growth.

15 year old Jacques Chenier is the son of a skilled sculptor in France on the brink of revolution. He practices every day with his father, until the quality of his work cannot be distinguished from that of his father's. Life changed drastically the day his father is killed, and the murderer's "justice" is no more than a fine because he is a nobleman's son. Jacques nurses his hatred for the aristocracy as he pursues the praise of men. Soon he is arrested for helping a nobleman out of some silverware in exchange for a bust that was not paid for. During his time in the Bastille, Jacques meets an interesting old "madman." Pierre-Joseph has two prized possesions -- a Book, and a crudely fashioned flute. Although he has been in a tower cell since he was a young man, and he is very old now, his music is not sad. The Book is the inspiration for the songs he writes, "Hear, and your soul will live." Jacques escapes from the Bastille to find that his mother has starved herself to death, mourning for his father. He agrees with the leaders of the Revolution that the nobility must no longer be allowed to run the country on their whims, or even to live. At the storming of the Bastille he rescues the old man from the tower cell. Despite the many years of imprisonment without hope of a trial, Pierre-Joseph does not rejoice to see the head of the fortress' governor on the end of a pike. He comes to live with Jacques. The boy is now associating with all the important, though fickle, people in his quest for honor; an honor to "see, hear, feel right now!" Pierre-Joseph warns him that the praise of men has a high, high price, and is not lasting. But Jacques is stubborn, and must experience this hard truth for himself. By the conclusion of the tale, Jacques has learned the value of true honor, and can say with Pierre-Joseph, "If you desire th worship, worship Christ."

Feel Jacques' heartbreak when he realizes he has rejected everything of true importance, and the joy of his repentance. "In Search of Honor" draws a telling picture of the honor that brings lasting peace, and is not found in the praise of men.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Search of Honor is a fast-paced historical fiction set during the beginning of the French Revolution (1787-1793). It has injustice treatment, a prison break, historical figures, the Revolution, and other excitement.

While the characters were not precisely likable, I could fully understand and sympathize with why they did what they did. I certainly wanted to know what happened to them and read the book through in practically one sitting. I especially enjoyed the world-building as the excellent historical detail about the time, place, and Jacques' job as a sculptor was interesting and brought the story alive in my imagination.

I'm not sure if non-Christians would like it or not. It had a very definite Christian influence and quotes the Bible in several places, but only one minor character was actually Christian and I think non-Christians could relate to Jacques' attitude and desires.

I think both teens and adults would enjoy it. There was no sex and no bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this as well-written, clean reading.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

After his beloved father, caught hunting on the grounds of a local nobleman, is brutally shot and killed by the nobleman's son, 14-year old Jacques Chenier must learn how to make a living to support himself and his bereaved mother. He ends up working for the famous Philippe Curtius, the expert wax modeler who taught the art of wax modelling to Marie Tussaud, the founder of Madame Tussaud's wax museums. Jacques is eventually caught up in the events of the French Revolution, including the storming of the Bastille and the Reign of Terror led by Danton and Robespierre. Overly simplistic, even for young children, this story gives, nevertheless, a sense of the extreme social inequities and brutality of the times.

[The other John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one's a tale set in the French Revolution. It's the story of Jacques Chénier, the son of a sculptor. His father is killed by a French nobleman, an event which fills Jaques' heart with hatred and his mother's with despair. Other events give Jacques more reason to be angry. When the revolution comes, he then has the opportunity to settle accounts. Will he seek revenge? Or might he take a more honorable road? Overall it's a good enough story, but it lacks the drama, liveliness or character to raise itself above simple waiting room material.

[Kaydee Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written short story for teens. Though it contains some interesting historical and political background, this is mainly a parable meant for illustrating a certain value/moral. The characters are relatable and interesting, but I would have liked more depth to them and the story overall. The story seemed to come to a close quickly when Hess could have expanded on several details. Still, it is easy to read and I would recommend the book to a young teen - especially one that doesn't read a lot.

[SheWhoShallNotBeNamed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was set in the French revolution and it really did teach me about it. However the main character had anger issues (for understandable reasons though) Anyway, I don't know why but that always gets on my nerves, however he was really sweet sometimes so kinda made up for it.
Now for my ratings!!:
Humor: 1/5-bare minimum though still a goodread (haha, see what I did there?! AH I'm so corny)
Plot:4/5
Romance: 1/5
Drrraaammmmmaaaaaaa: 4/5 (Certain parts especially)
Fave character/s : Phillipe (He was so so lovely)

Thanks for reading my review!!

[Sharon Honeycutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not want to like this book. I'm not usually one to like books that are violent or gory. Since this book is set during the French Revolution it's a bit hard to avoid the violence and gore. However, I did enjoy this book in the end. I found the theme/exploration of what it really means to live honorably to be well worth the read and the discussion.

[Carrie Daws · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written story about a young man in pre-revolutionary Paris who makes the journey of discovering what is truly honorable. A good story for all youngsters, but it will probably appeal more to boys.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It was sad and grieving at parts, but I really think that everyone should read it.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a little too Christian for me. Reading the Bible and believing the word of God is how to live honorably. Um, my be 1 way, but it's not the only way.

[Savannah Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a wonderful book to teach the French Revolution in juxtaposition with. It is full of honesty and heart.

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, and it had a spiritual message about pride which I learned from greatly. All in all, other than the mild depression for the sad main character, I liked the book.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. A tad too preachy when it could have told more about the French Revolution.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but a little on the religious side.

[Amy]

I recall really enjoying this one

[Nadia Arensdorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the French Revolution.

[Madison]

The book was OK, I guess. It wasn't as interesting as the cover made it out to be

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with the boys.

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book.Very interesting,I didn't want to put it down.
A sad book.Great ending.Written very very well.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

*4.5 I had to read this for school and it was actually enjoyable

[Renee Zamora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read it for school.
It might be because of that I dislike it so much.
The plot was confusing and I lost interest halfway through.

[Christa R · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice story with a touching end but it just wasn't as deep or as well developed as I would have liked. We learned a bit about the french revolution from a different angle.

[Remy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining story thats both fiction and nonfiction!!!!! Great Book!!!!!!

[Rosy Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books - I've read it probably 5 or 6 times over the years.
"If you desire to worship, worship Christ."