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Betsy and the Emperor
"Think, my dear -- just think what it will be like, to be known as the girl who freed the great Napoleon Bonaparte!"
Fourteen-year-old English girl Betsy Balcombe and her family have an unusual Napoleon Bonaparte, former emperor of France and the most feared man on earth. Once lord and master to eighty-two million souls, now, in 1815, Napoleon is a captive of the British people. Stripped of his empire and robbed of his young family and freedom, he is confined to the forbidding, rat-infested island of St. Helena.
The one bright star in Napoleon's black sky is Betsy, a blazingly rebellious teenager whose family is reluctantly housing the notorious prisoner. Betsy is the only foreigner Napoleon's ever met who is not impressed by him -- and Napoleon is more than intrigued.
An unexpected alliance is formed. And a remarkable friendship between emperor and girl spawns gossip, and inspires Betsy to hatch a daring and dangerous scheme that could threaten both their lives and shake entire empires to their foundations.
Fourteen-year-old English girl Betsy Balcombe and her family have an unusual Napoleon Bonaparte, former emperor of France and the most feared man on earth. Once lord and master to eighty-two million souls, now, in 1815, Napoleon is a captive of the British people. Stripped of his empire and robbed of his young family and freedom, he is confined to the forbidding, rat-infested island of St. Helena.
The one bright star in Napoleon's black sky is Betsy, a blazingly rebellious teenager whose family is reluctantly housing the notorious prisoner. Betsy is the only foreigner Napoleon's ever met who is not impressed by him -- and Napoleon is more than intrigued.
An unexpected alliance is formed. And a remarkable friendship between emperor and girl spawns gossip, and inspires Betsy to hatch a daring and dangerous scheme that could threaten both their lives and shake entire empires to their foundations.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2004
24 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
Staton Rabin
14 books11 followersStaton Rabin has a B.F.A. in film from New York University. In addition to writing for children, she is a screenwriter; a popular speaker about the art, craft, and business of writing for film; and a veteran story analyst for Scr(i)pt magazine, screenwriters, and producers. Staton Rabin lives in Irvington, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
June 18, 2023
Als Napoleon wordt verbannen naar St. Helena, verblijft hij eerst een tijd bij de familie Balcombe, omdat zijn definitieve verblijfplaats, huize Longwood, nog niet bewoonbaar geacht wordt.
Vooral met één van de dochters Balcombe, Betsy, sluit Napoleon een hechte vriendschap.
Betsy Balcombe heeft echt bestaan, en ze heeft een boek geschreven over haar vriendschap met Napoleon, maar Staton Rabin zegt dat hij dit boek niet gelezen en gebruikt heeft voor zijn historische jeugdroman.
Ik vond het interessant om enige anecdotes over Napoleon in dit boek te lezen, waarover ik voorheen nog nooit gehoord had. Het verhaal laat ook een zachtere en menselijker kant van Napoleon zien.
Vooral met één van de dochters Balcombe, Betsy, sluit Napoleon een hechte vriendschap.
Betsy Balcombe heeft echt bestaan, en ze heeft een boek geschreven over haar vriendschap met Napoleon, maar Staton Rabin zegt dat hij dit boek niet gelezen en gebruikt heeft voor zijn historische jeugdroman.
Ik vond het interessant om enige anecdotes over Napoleon in dit boek te lezen, waarover ik voorheen nog nooit gehoord had. Het verhaal laat ook een zachtere en menselijker kant van Napoleon zien.
December 19, 2021
"Dar ea trai pe-aceasta lume, in care frumusetea / O trista soarta are; / Fiind o roza, a trait viata unei roze: / Atat - o dimineata."
Am citit undeva ca aproape in fiecare casa de nebuni cineva se crede Napoleon. Nici nu este de mirare, caci imparatul Frantei a fost un om inzestrat cu multe calitati, putine slabiciuni (frigul din Rusia, Josephine, statura...) precum si un destin pe masura.
Romanul include un portret al lui Napoleon, a se citi un xerox destul de intunecat din care nu se desluseste mare lucru si un portret al lui Betsy Balcombe, din care ne dam seama ca era doar putin mai frumoasa decat o vrajitoare. Insa, cine stie ce savoir-faire avea, asa ca nu ne putem da cu parerea daca era doar o 'Betsy cea urata' sau nu.
De asemenea avem si o harta inserata a insulei Sfanta Elena la inceput, care cu greu poate fi considerata utila deoarece seamana cu o mare zacusca intunecata din care e aproape imposibil sa intelegi ceva. Scrisul este atat de mic incat nici cu lupa nu ai putea deslusi ce inseamna. Pare o harta pierduta a hobbitilor. Iata aici si dovada:
In ceea ce priveste actiunea, suntem in toamna anului 1815 pe insula Sfanta Elena si Betsy are 14 ani. Fiind foarte nazdravana ea se strecoara afara pe fereastra din castel pentru a vedea corabia care soseste in miez de noapte. Acolo il vede pe Bonaparte coborand de pe vas pe armasarul sau negru. El este escortat de amiralul Cocburne, fiind prizonier al englezilor si obligat sa-si petreaca exilul pe aceasta insula. Amiralul decide sa-l cazeze tocmai in castelul parintilor lui Betsy.
Imparatul este intrigat de tanara fata si la fiecare intalnire intre cei doi sar scantei, amandoi fiind foarte intepati si mandri. Pana la urma Betsy prinde drag de imparat si acesta de ea, iar ea chiar pune la cale un plan care sa-l ajute sa evadeze. Lucrurile insa esueaza si pana la urma istoria ne confirma: Bonaparte moare pe insula Sfanta Elena, ultimele sale cuvinte fiind: "France, armee, tete de l'armee, Josephine".
Desigur ca sunt multe controverse in ceea ce priveste moartea sa, unii istorici sustinand faptul ca a fost otravit lent cu arsenic. Betsy insa crede ca altul a fost motivul mortii imparatului: "Unii spun ca a fost otravit de dusmanii sai. Eu stiu adevarul - a murit de tristete."
Romanul este usor de citit, placut, destul de erudit, insa nu stiu cat de mult prezinta faptele istorice, fiind mai mult jumatate fictiune, jumatate adevar. Trebuie asadar citit avand in vedere acest lucru.
In incheiere atasez cateva citate care dezvaluie caracterul lui Napoleon si care mi s-au parut vrednice de retinut:
"Exista oare un om mai temut si mai detestat in toata Europa - sau in toata istoria? Generalul Bonaparte. Imparatul Bonaparte."
"Cata vreme am fost prizonier acolo, imi facusem un mic regat, spuse Bonaparte, apoi pe un ton de prefacuta suparare: era prea mic. Eu eram prea mare pentru el."
"Poate ca infrangerea lui Bonaparte nu a fost tocmai un motiv de bucurie pentru lume."
"Se stie ca femeile pot merge la razboi ca soldati, ca sunt capabile de un mare entuziasm si ca sunt in stare de cele mai mari atrocitati, remarca imparatul. Chiar mi-ar placea sa fiu de fata daca ar izbucni un razboi intre sexe. Ar fi mai interesant decat batalia de la Austerlitz!"
Am citit undeva ca aproape in fiecare casa de nebuni cineva se crede Napoleon. Nici nu este de mirare, caci imparatul Frantei a fost un om inzestrat cu multe calitati, putine slabiciuni (frigul din Rusia, Josephine, statura...) precum si un destin pe masura.
Romanul include un portret al lui Napoleon, a se citi un xerox destul de intunecat din care nu se desluseste mare lucru si un portret al lui Betsy Balcombe, din care ne dam seama ca era doar putin mai frumoasa decat o vrajitoare. Insa, cine stie ce savoir-faire avea, asa ca nu ne putem da cu parerea daca era doar o 'Betsy cea urata' sau nu.
De asemenea avem si o harta inserata a insulei Sfanta Elena la inceput, care cu greu poate fi considerata utila deoarece seamana cu o mare zacusca intunecata din care e aproape imposibil sa intelegi ceva. Scrisul este atat de mic incat nici cu lupa nu ai putea deslusi ce inseamna. Pare o harta pierduta a hobbitilor. Iata aici si dovada:
In ceea ce priveste actiunea, suntem in toamna anului 1815 pe insula Sfanta Elena si Betsy are 14 ani. Fiind foarte nazdravana ea se strecoara afara pe fereastra din castel pentru a vedea corabia care soseste in miez de noapte. Acolo il vede pe Bonaparte coborand de pe vas pe armasarul sau negru. El este escortat de amiralul Cocburne, fiind prizonier al englezilor si obligat sa-si petreaca exilul pe aceasta insula. Amiralul decide sa-l cazeze tocmai in castelul parintilor lui Betsy.
Imparatul este intrigat de tanara fata si la fiecare intalnire intre cei doi sar scantei, amandoi fiind foarte intepati si mandri. Pana la urma Betsy prinde drag de imparat si acesta de ea, iar ea chiar pune la cale un plan care sa-l ajute sa evadeze. Lucrurile insa esueaza si pana la urma istoria ne confirma: Bonaparte moare pe insula Sfanta Elena, ultimele sale cuvinte fiind: "France, armee, tete de l'armee, Josephine".
Desigur ca sunt multe controverse in ceea ce priveste moartea sa, unii istorici sustinand faptul ca a fost otravit lent cu arsenic. Betsy insa crede ca altul a fost motivul mortii imparatului: "Unii spun ca a fost otravit de dusmanii sai. Eu stiu adevarul - a murit de tristete."
Romanul este usor de citit, placut, destul de erudit, insa nu stiu cat de mult prezinta faptele istorice, fiind mai mult jumatate fictiune, jumatate adevar. Trebuie asadar citit avand in vedere acest lucru.
In incheiere atasez cateva citate care dezvaluie caracterul lui Napoleon si care mi s-au parut vrednice de retinut:
"Exista oare un om mai temut si mai detestat in toata Europa - sau in toata istoria? Generalul Bonaparte. Imparatul Bonaparte."
"Cata vreme am fost prizonier acolo, imi facusem un mic regat, spuse Bonaparte, apoi pe un ton de prefacuta suparare: era prea mic. Eu eram prea mare pentru el."
"Poate ca infrangerea lui Bonaparte nu a fost tocmai un motiv de bucurie pentru lume."
"Se stie ca femeile pot merge la razboi ca soldati, ca sunt capabile de un mare entuziasm si ca sunt in stare de cele mai mari atrocitati, remarca imparatul. Chiar mi-ar placea sa fiu de fata daca ar izbucni un razboi intre sexe. Ar fi mai interesant decat batalia de la Austerlitz!"
November 29, 2008
This book was one of the most touching books I have ever read. Betsy and the Emperor had the strongest most loved friendship I have ever read. This story was based on real historic events. This story will keep you reading untill the end. At the end of the book you will cry. This heartwarming story is the best Historical fiction bookI have ever read.
July 23, 2015
SO. MANY. FEELINGS. This is a spectacular story, one of the best historical fiction books I've ever read.
I started out with no expectations. I plucked it from the shelf at my local recycled bookstore and thought "Hey, this looks interesting," and went from there. Oh my sweet Mother Mary am I glad I did!
First of all, I love Betsy. She is a likable, headstrong heroine, but doesn't come off as your run of the mill "oh, I'm an independent, stubborn heroine that doesn't every want to fall in lo- OH MY WORD A BOY". She struggles with the confines of her gloomy home and family relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I completely adore how the author portrays Napoleon, and his friendship with Betsy. In this story the reader sees a completely different, kinder side to the Emperor that is rarely shown in any books or movies about him. He and Betsy have one of the sweetest, most wonderful friendships I have ever read in my life. They clearly grow to care very much about each other and it shows as the book goes along. Later the reader sees Napoleon's love for Betsy is a little more than merely platonic, but I think it makes there relationship that much sweeter.
In the end, I think the epilogue was the perfect touch to complete the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't elaborate, but again I say, it was perfect.
I started out with no expectations. I plucked it from the shelf at my local recycled bookstore and thought "Hey, this looks interesting," and went from there. Oh my sweet Mother Mary am I glad I did!
First of all, I love Betsy. She is a likable, headstrong heroine, but doesn't come off as your run of the mill "oh, I'm an independent, stubborn heroine that doesn't every want to fall in lo- OH MY WORD A BOY". She struggles with the confines of her gloomy home and family relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I completely adore how the author portrays Napoleon, and his friendship with Betsy. In this story the reader sees a completely different, kinder side to the Emperor that is rarely shown in any books or movies about him. He and Betsy have one of the sweetest, most wonderful friendships I have ever read in my life. They clearly grow to care very much about each other and it shows as the book goes along. Later the reader sees Napoleon's love for Betsy is a little more than merely platonic, but I think it makes there relationship that much sweeter.
In the end, I think the epilogue was the perfect touch to complete the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't elaborate, but again I say, it was perfect.
March 8, 2011
I think Anna will agree with me when I say reading this book was a little like death. I couldn't stand the main character, and I went from indifferent respect for Napoleon to pretty much hating him. His character was like gross
I think the writing might have been good...it was a few years ago that I read this book. Anna brought it to mind the other day though, so I decided to delve into that memory a little xP yeah. Not my favorite Sonlight read....
I think the writing might have been good...it was a few years ago that I read this book. Anna brought it to mind the other day though, so I decided to delve into that memory a little xP yeah. Not my favorite Sonlight read....
December 11, 2015
A somewhat far-fetched story about Betsy Balcombe's friendship with Napoleon, with a touch of The Wizard of Oz and a dash of National Velvet.
May 18, 2009
Napoleon Bonaparte, namanya tercatat di semua buku-buku sejarah dunia. Setelah ratusan tahun lamanya Perancis dipimpin oleh raja-raja, Napoleon Bonaparte merupakan pemimipin Perancis pertama yang bergelar Kaisar, ia memerintah pada tahun 1804-1814 dan 1815. Pada masa jayanya, Napoleon Bonaparte mungkin salah satu pemimpi paling besar sepanjang sejarah manusia. Melalui karismanya yang disertai kerja keras dan ambisi gilanya, ia bertekad untuk mewujudkan mimpinya untuk menguasai seluruh Eropa. Mimpinya hampir saja terwujud, seluruh dataran Eropa hampir saja dikuasainya baik dengan diplomasi maupun peperangan. Sayang kekalahannya di Waterloo melawan pasukan Inggris yang dipimpin oleh Duke of Wellington membuat ambisinya terhenti sekaligus mengakhiri kariernya sebagai Kaisar Perancis. Napoleon ditangkap dan diasingkan ke pulau terpencil St. Helena. (1815)
Betsy Balcombe, gadis tomboy berusia empat belas tahun, badung, memiliki jiwa yang bebas, pemberontak dan gemar berpetualang. Ia tinggal di 'The Briars', yang letaknya beberapa mil dari Jamestown- ibukota St Helena bersama keluarganya, ayahnya seorang kepala penjualan East India Company.
Takdir sejarah mempertemukan Betsy dengan Napoleon Bonaparte. Karena rumah tahanan Napoleon di Longwood sedang diperbaiki, mantan Kaisar Perancis yang paling ditakuti dan dibenci di seluruh Eropa itu harus tinggal sementara di paviliun rumah keluarga Betsy. Awalnya Betsy tak menyukai kehadiran Sang Kaisar di rumahnya. Namun, siapa sangka, lambat laun Betsy dan Napoleon malah bersahabat. Kerapnya mereka bertemu dan bercakap-cakap membuat Betsy mulai mengagumi cara berpikir dan keberanian Napoleon. Belum lagi ditambah dengan kemampuan Napoleon dalam menganalisis apa yang ada dalam benak Betsy. Begitupun dengan Napoleon, ia merasa antara dirinya dengan Betsy memiliki banyak kesamaan “Saat aku membicarakan perasaanmu, aku sama saja membicarakan perasaanmu sendiri – saat seusiamu. Kau dan aku sangat mirip…” (hal 87).
Hal yang perlu dicatat, kedekatan dan persahabatan mereka bukanlah kedekatan asmara, melainkan kedekatan persahabatan antara dua orang yang ternyata memiliki berbagai kesamaan. Perbedaan usia yang cukup jauh (32 tahun) tak menghalangi persahabatan mereka. Mereka saling berukar pikiran, berkuda, bahkan bermain kartu bersama. Bahkan Betsy memanggil sang kaisar dengan panggilan akrabnya “Boney”
Kehadiran Betsy bagi Napoleon bagikan secerah sinar di tengah gelapnya episode kehidupannya yang harus dilaluinya. Bagaimana tidak, statusnya sebagai tahanan membuat Napoleon tidak bisa bergerak dengan bebas, setiap hari ia dijaga oleh dua ribu tentara inggris, ditambah satu kapal di perairan St Helena yang selalu berjaga-jaga agar Napoleon tidak melarikan diri lewat laut. Ruang geraknya dibatasi, bahkan iapun tak bisa menambah porsi makanannya sendiri.Namun keadaan ini tak menyurutkan mimpi dan harapan Napoleon. Ia begitu yakin, bahwa dirinya akan kembali bebas dan memerintah sebagai kaisar Perancis. Tekadnya ini menyulut semangat Betsy untuk mencari berbagai cara untuk membantu sang kaisar melarikan diri dari St. Helena. Apalagi kelak jika rumah tahanan di Longwood telah selesai dan Gubernur baru tiba, maka dipastikan keadaan Napoleon semakin buruk ruang geraknya akan semakin terbatas, segala kemewahan yang selama ini diperoleh di The Brairs tak mungkin lagi diperolehnya Berhasilkan Betsy membantu Napoleon melarikan diri ? Sejarah telah mencatat bagaimana dan dimana akhirnya mimpi dan ambisi Napoleon harus berakhir
Di Amerika, novel ini dikategorikan sebagai Historical fiction bagi pembaca “Young Adult”. Karena diperuntukkan bagi pembaca remaja novel ini tersaji dengan ringan, pembaca akan disuguhkan tingkah laku Betsy yang badung dan superaktif yang selalu membuat sang kaisar tertawa. Selain itu novel ini juga berisi petualangan-petualangan seru Betsy, terutama ketika Betsy dan kawannya Huff berusaha untuk membebaskan sang kaisar dengan balon udara. Napoleon, yang selama ini hanya dikenal melalui kebesaran namanya, kini dikisahkan secara manusiawi dari sudut pandang seorang gadis 14 tahun. Karakter-karakter Napoleon baik yang positif maupun negatif terungkap seimbang sehingga pembaca bisa menilai Napoleon dari segi baik buruknya.
Hampir seluruh tokoh dan kejadian yang dimunculkan di novel ini memang benar-benar pernah hidup dan tercatat dalam sejarah. Tampaknya novel ini dikerjakan oleh Stanton Robin dengan riset yang mendalam. Ia tak segan-segan bertanya pada ahli-ahli sejarah Napoleon di seluruh dunia. Kutipan atau apapun yang dikatakan Betsy, Napoleon sebagian diambil langsung dari catatan-catatan sejarah: sumber-sumber asli yang kebayakan ditulis oleh staf Napoleon yang menyertainya ke St. Helena. Tidak hanya itu saja, kebiasaan-kebiasaan dan gerakan-gerakan pribadi Napoleon yang terungkap dalam novel ini, bukanlah hayalan Rabin, melainkan hasil riset Rabin atas kebiasaan sang kaisar. (hal 264)
Tokoh Betsy memang benar-benar pernah bertemu dan bersahabat dengan Napoleon. Berbagai fakta sejarah seperti Perang di Waterloo, penemuan batu Rosetta, penemuan formula senjata baru, penangkapan dan pembuangan napoleon hingga rumah tahanan Napoleon di Longwood, semua terungkap dengan rinci. Karena ditulis dengan penyampaian yang ringan maka muatan-muatan sejarah dalam novel ini bukan sesuatu yang membosankan, melainkan larut dalam rangkaian cerita yang menarik.
Bertebarannya fakta-fakta sejarah dalam novel ini tentu membuat pembaca bertanya-tanya, dimanakah batas antara fakta dan fiksinya ? Untunglah di bagian akhir buku ini, penulis memberikan catatan yang jelas dengan menginformasikan bagian mana dalam novel ini yang merupakan fakta dan fiksi. Hal ini merupakan pertanggung jawaban penulis yang sangat baik, mengingat sasaran pembaca novel ini adalah para remaja yang mungkin masih minim pengetahuannya akan fakta sejarah.Sebagai bonus, penulis juga menyajikan, peta geografi St. Helena, foto-foto lukisan diri Napoleon dan Betsy,Kodeks Napoleon dan keterangan pengenai Le Mersaille – Lagu Kebangsaan Perancis.
Betsy and The Emperor pertama kali diterbitkan pada tahun 2004 dalam bahasa Inggris di Amerika Serikat. Kini novel ini telah diterjemahkan kedalam berbagai bahasa antara lain Perancis, Jepang, Polandia, Chezna, Russia, Spanyol, Belanda, dan lain-lain. Kabarnya novel ini tengah dipersiapkan untuk dibuat film dimana sederet aktor Hollywood seperti Dustin Hofman, Anthoni Hopskins, dan Al Pacino mulai dijajaki sebagai calon aktor yang akan memerankan Napoleon Bonaparte.
Novel yang kini diterjemahkan dengan baik oleh Donna Widjajanto ini, oleh GPU diberi label bacaan ‘Teen-Lit’. Bagi bacaan remaja, novel ini memang agak berat dan leluconnya agak kaku. Namun tema yang diangkat dalam novel ini sangat baik bagi pembaca remaja. Petualangan, persahabatan, suka duka masa remaja, sikap pantang putus asa, dan, sejarah yang biasanya ditulis secara kering kini ditulis secara menarik dan menyenangkan . Bagi penulis-penulis Teen-Lit Lokal diharapkan novel ini bisa menjadi sumber inspirasi baru, mengingat saat ini tema-tema teen-lit lokal banyak didominasi oleh cerita-cerita cinta, “gaul”, hedonis dan semacamnya, walau bukan hal yang buruk, namun sudah saatnya penulis-penulis Teen-Lit lokal berani membuat cerita yang ‘lain’ yang disertai riset yang mendalam untuk memperkaya wawasan pembacanya.
@h_tanzil
Betsy Balcombe, gadis tomboy berusia empat belas tahun, badung, memiliki jiwa yang bebas, pemberontak dan gemar berpetualang. Ia tinggal di 'The Briars', yang letaknya beberapa mil dari Jamestown- ibukota St Helena bersama keluarganya, ayahnya seorang kepala penjualan East India Company.
Takdir sejarah mempertemukan Betsy dengan Napoleon Bonaparte. Karena rumah tahanan Napoleon di Longwood sedang diperbaiki, mantan Kaisar Perancis yang paling ditakuti dan dibenci di seluruh Eropa itu harus tinggal sementara di paviliun rumah keluarga Betsy. Awalnya Betsy tak menyukai kehadiran Sang Kaisar di rumahnya. Namun, siapa sangka, lambat laun Betsy dan Napoleon malah bersahabat. Kerapnya mereka bertemu dan bercakap-cakap membuat Betsy mulai mengagumi cara berpikir dan keberanian Napoleon. Belum lagi ditambah dengan kemampuan Napoleon dalam menganalisis apa yang ada dalam benak Betsy. Begitupun dengan Napoleon, ia merasa antara dirinya dengan Betsy memiliki banyak kesamaan “Saat aku membicarakan perasaanmu, aku sama saja membicarakan perasaanmu sendiri – saat seusiamu. Kau dan aku sangat mirip…” (hal 87).
Hal yang perlu dicatat, kedekatan dan persahabatan mereka bukanlah kedekatan asmara, melainkan kedekatan persahabatan antara dua orang yang ternyata memiliki berbagai kesamaan. Perbedaan usia yang cukup jauh (32 tahun) tak menghalangi persahabatan mereka. Mereka saling berukar pikiran, berkuda, bahkan bermain kartu bersama. Bahkan Betsy memanggil sang kaisar dengan panggilan akrabnya “Boney”
Kehadiran Betsy bagi Napoleon bagikan secerah sinar di tengah gelapnya episode kehidupannya yang harus dilaluinya. Bagaimana tidak, statusnya sebagai tahanan membuat Napoleon tidak bisa bergerak dengan bebas, setiap hari ia dijaga oleh dua ribu tentara inggris, ditambah satu kapal di perairan St Helena yang selalu berjaga-jaga agar Napoleon tidak melarikan diri lewat laut. Ruang geraknya dibatasi, bahkan iapun tak bisa menambah porsi makanannya sendiri.Namun keadaan ini tak menyurutkan mimpi dan harapan Napoleon. Ia begitu yakin, bahwa dirinya akan kembali bebas dan memerintah sebagai kaisar Perancis. Tekadnya ini menyulut semangat Betsy untuk mencari berbagai cara untuk membantu sang kaisar melarikan diri dari St. Helena. Apalagi kelak jika rumah tahanan di Longwood telah selesai dan Gubernur baru tiba, maka dipastikan keadaan Napoleon semakin buruk ruang geraknya akan semakin terbatas, segala kemewahan yang selama ini diperoleh di The Brairs tak mungkin lagi diperolehnya Berhasilkan Betsy membantu Napoleon melarikan diri ? Sejarah telah mencatat bagaimana dan dimana akhirnya mimpi dan ambisi Napoleon harus berakhir
Di Amerika, novel ini dikategorikan sebagai Historical fiction bagi pembaca “Young Adult”. Karena diperuntukkan bagi pembaca remaja novel ini tersaji dengan ringan, pembaca akan disuguhkan tingkah laku Betsy yang badung dan superaktif yang selalu membuat sang kaisar tertawa. Selain itu novel ini juga berisi petualangan-petualangan seru Betsy, terutama ketika Betsy dan kawannya Huff berusaha untuk membebaskan sang kaisar dengan balon udara. Napoleon, yang selama ini hanya dikenal melalui kebesaran namanya, kini dikisahkan secara manusiawi dari sudut pandang seorang gadis 14 tahun. Karakter-karakter Napoleon baik yang positif maupun negatif terungkap seimbang sehingga pembaca bisa menilai Napoleon dari segi baik buruknya.
Hampir seluruh tokoh dan kejadian yang dimunculkan di novel ini memang benar-benar pernah hidup dan tercatat dalam sejarah. Tampaknya novel ini dikerjakan oleh Stanton Robin dengan riset yang mendalam. Ia tak segan-segan bertanya pada ahli-ahli sejarah Napoleon di seluruh dunia. Kutipan atau apapun yang dikatakan Betsy, Napoleon sebagian diambil langsung dari catatan-catatan sejarah: sumber-sumber asli yang kebayakan ditulis oleh staf Napoleon yang menyertainya ke St. Helena. Tidak hanya itu saja, kebiasaan-kebiasaan dan gerakan-gerakan pribadi Napoleon yang terungkap dalam novel ini, bukanlah hayalan Rabin, melainkan hasil riset Rabin atas kebiasaan sang kaisar. (hal 264)
Tokoh Betsy memang benar-benar pernah bertemu dan bersahabat dengan Napoleon. Berbagai fakta sejarah seperti Perang di Waterloo, penemuan batu Rosetta, penemuan formula senjata baru, penangkapan dan pembuangan napoleon hingga rumah tahanan Napoleon di Longwood, semua terungkap dengan rinci. Karena ditulis dengan penyampaian yang ringan maka muatan-muatan sejarah dalam novel ini bukan sesuatu yang membosankan, melainkan larut dalam rangkaian cerita yang menarik.
Bertebarannya fakta-fakta sejarah dalam novel ini tentu membuat pembaca bertanya-tanya, dimanakah batas antara fakta dan fiksinya ? Untunglah di bagian akhir buku ini, penulis memberikan catatan yang jelas dengan menginformasikan bagian mana dalam novel ini yang merupakan fakta dan fiksi. Hal ini merupakan pertanggung jawaban penulis yang sangat baik, mengingat sasaran pembaca novel ini adalah para remaja yang mungkin masih minim pengetahuannya akan fakta sejarah.Sebagai bonus, penulis juga menyajikan, peta geografi St. Helena, foto-foto lukisan diri Napoleon dan Betsy,Kodeks Napoleon dan keterangan pengenai Le Mersaille – Lagu Kebangsaan Perancis.
Betsy and The Emperor pertama kali diterbitkan pada tahun 2004 dalam bahasa Inggris di Amerika Serikat. Kini novel ini telah diterjemahkan kedalam berbagai bahasa antara lain Perancis, Jepang, Polandia, Chezna, Russia, Spanyol, Belanda, dan lain-lain. Kabarnya novel ini tengah dipersiapkan untuk dibuat film dimana sederet aktor Hollywood seperti Dustin Hofman, Anthoni Hopskins, dan Al Pacino mulai dijajaki sebagai calon aktor yang akan memerankan Napoleon Bonaparte.
Novel yang kini diterjemahkan dengan baik oleh Donna Widjajanto ini, oleh GPU diberi label bacaan ‘Teen-Lit’. Bagi bacaan remaja, novel ini memang agak berat dan leluconnya agak kaku. Namun tema yang diangkat dalam novel ini sangat baik bagi pembaca remaja. Petualangan, persahabatan, suka duka masa remaja, sikap pantang putus asa, dan, sejarah yang biasanya ditulis secara kering kini ditulis secara menarik dan menyenangkan . Bagi penulis-penulis Teen-Lit Lokal diharapkan novel ini bisa menjadi sumber inspirasi baru, mengingat saat ini tema-tema teen-lit lokal banyak didominasi oleh cerita-cerita cinta, “gaul”, hedonis dan semacamnya, walau bukan hal yang buruk, namun sudah saatnya penulis-penulis Teen-Lit lokal berani membuat cerita yang ‘lain’ yang disertai riset yang mendalam untuk memperkaya wawasan pembacanya.
@h_tanzil
November 13, 2020
Such an interesting story about Napoleon Bonaparte and his imprisonment at St. Helena
March 22, 2018
In een ver verleden heb ik Betsy en Napoleon cadeau gekregen voor mijn verjaardag. Sindsdien heb ik dit boek altijd een warm hart toegedragen. Waarschijnlijk zal ik dat ook heel mijn leven blijven doen.
Toch moet ik toegeven dat ik niet zo heel veel weet over Napoleon Bonaparte. Ik ben vaag bekend met de stappen die hij heeft gezet en de oorlogen die hij heeft gevoerd. Misschien vind ik het daarom zo interessant om iets over hem te lezen. Dankzij Staton Rabin is hij geen statisch figuur uit de geschiedenisboeken, maar een persoon die echt heeft geleefd. In het naschrift las ik dat bepaalde gebeurtenissen (op Saint Helena) ook echt hebben plaats gevonden. Heel fascinerend! De volgelingen van Napoleon hebben zelfs hun best gedaan om de gesprekken van de voormalige keizer te noteren. Ook deze gesprekken zijn meegenomen in deze historische roman.
Het verhaal is geschreven vanuit het perspectief van Betsy. Best teleurstellend om er dan achter te komen dat Staton Rabin nooit het werk heeft gelezen van de 'echte' Betsy. Zij bracht gedurende de negentiende eeuw een boek uit met de titel To Befriend An Emperor: Betsy Balcombe's Memoirs of Napoleon on St Helena. Is het personage van Staton Rabin dan wel zo geloofwaardig? Misschien was de 'echte' Betsy een compleet ander persoon.
Desondanks is dit een bijzonder verhaal over het omgaan met familie, vrienden en verliezen. Het epiloog was trouwens ook een prachtige afsluiting van dit boek. Heel even had ik weer hoop (tegen beter weten in).
Toch moet ik toegeven dat ik niet zo heel veel weet over Napoleon Bonaparte. Ik ben vaag bekend met de stappen die hij heeft gezet en de oorlogen die hij heeft gevoerd. Misschien vind ik het daarom zo interessant om iets over hem te lezen. Dankzij Staton Rabin is hij geen statisch figuur uit de geschiedenisboeken, maar een persoon die echt heeft geleefd. In het naschrift las ik dat bepaalde gebeurtenissen (op Saint Helena) ook echt hebben plaats gevonden. Heel fascinerend! De volgelingen van Napoleon hebben zelfs hun best gedaan om de gesprekken van de voormalige keizer te noteren. Ook deze gesprekken zijn meegenomen in deze historische roman.
Het verhaal is geschreven vanuit het perspectief van Betsy. Best teleurstellend om er dan achter te komen dat Staton Rabin nooit het werk heeft gelezen van de 'echte' Betsy. Zij bracht gedurende de negentiende eeuw een boek uit met de titel To Befriend An Emperor: Betsy Balcombe's Memoirs of Napoleon on St Helena. Is het personage van Staton Rabin dan wel zo geloofwaardig? Misschien was de 'echte' Betsy een compleet ander persoon.
Desondanks is dit een bijzonder verhaal over het omgaan met familie, vrienden en verliezen. Het epiloog was trouwens ook een prachtige afsluiting van dit boek. Heel even had ik weer hoop (tegen beter weten in).
February 25, 2016
Saya menemukan buku ini di tumpukan buku diskon 10 ribuan Gramedia Fair, pertama sih tertarik karena covernya yang "remaja banget" dan jelas ada bau-bau kerajaan disitu karena ada kata "Emperor" dan setelah saya membaca sinopsis singkat dibelakangnya, saya pun makin tertarik.
Karena tidak seperti TeenLit biasanya, yang menjadi tema utama dalam buku ini adalah persahabatan antara Betsy dan Napoleon Bonaparte. Saya selalu suka novel historical yang dikemas dengan ringan.
Perlu lebih banyak TeenLit seperti ini! Kisah yang umumnya ditemui dalam TeenLit yaitu cinta remaja masa kini amat membosankan bagi saya, dan maaf saja--dangkal.
Betsy Balcombe si gadis badung yang tinggal di kepulauan terpencil St.Helena, suatu saat kedatangan tamu yang tidak biasa. Dan kehadiran tamu istimewa ini akan merubah seluruh hidupnya. Ya, sang tamu istimewa tidak lain Napoleon Bonaparte, mantan Kaisar Prancis yang baru saja dikalahkan di Waterloo.
Yang paling saya sukai dari buku ini adalah bagaimana penulis menggambarkan Sang Kaisar sebagai sosok yang amat manusiawi, lepas dari kenyataan dia pernah menjadi orang yang amat berkuasa. Karakter Sang Kaisar kadang membuat saya sebal, tapi dia lebih sering dia membuat saya bersimpati. Persahabatannya yang unik dengan Betsy juga sangat menarik, ditambah dengan kebadungan Betsy, muatan-muatan sejarah yang tidak membuat pembaca mengerutkan dahi, semuanya membuat novel ini layak dikoleksi.
Karena tidak seperti TeenLit biasanya, yang menjadi tema utama dalam buku ini adalah persahabatan antara Betsy dan Napoleon Bonaparte. Saya selalu suka novel historical yang dikemas dengan ringan.
Perlu lebih banyak TeenLit seperti ini! Kisah yang umumnya ditemui dalam TeenLit yaitu cinta remaja masa kini amat membosankan bagi saya, dan maaf saja--dangkal.
Betsy Balcombe si gadis badung yang tinggal di kepulauan terpencil St.Helena, suatu saat kedatangan tamu yang tidak biasa. Dan kehadiran tamu istimewa ini akan merubah seluruh hidupnya. Ya, sang tamu istimewa tidak lain Napoleon Bonaparte, mantan Kaisar Prancis yang baru saja dikalahkan di Waterloo.
Yang paling saya sukai dari buku ini adalah bagaimana penulis menggambarkan Sang Kaisar sebagai sosok yang amat manusiawi, lepas dari kenyataan dia pernah menjadi orang yang amat berkuasa. Karakter Sang Kaisar kadang membuat saya sebal, tapi dia lebih sering dia membuat saya bersimpati. Persahabatannya yang unik dengan Betsy juga sangat menarik, ditambah dengan kebadungan Betsy, muatan-muatan sejarah yang tidak membuat pembaca mengerutkan dahi, semuanya membuat novel ini layak dikoleksi.
August 3, 2013
I liked the premise of this book, and the author knew her history pretty well. A good bit of it was fictitious, and a good bit wasn't. I didn't really enjoy the slut shaming going on in the text. Also vaguely uncomfortable were the insinuations that Napoleon had feelings for a 14/15 year old girl. Kindaaaa creepy.
But I really didn't appreciate the author's pitiful attempts to make you feel better about the fact that the Balcombe family owned slaves. Oh, yeah sure they felt so terribly awful about, but you know, what could they do? They had to have someone to work the farm! The heroine sure stood up to her father over Toby's treatment though! What wonderful person! Ha, no. FYI, just living on that island already showed their complacency in the system of British imperialism and oppression. There is literally no way you can ever try and make a character sympathetic by showing their acknowledgement of the plight of the slaves for a few sentences, and then furthermore try and use it as a metaphor for how trapped everyone was on the island. Disgusting.
In between the not-so-great bits though, the story was interesting. But I still can't give it three stars.
But I really didn't appreciate the author's pitiful attempts to make you feel better about the fact that the Balcombe family owned slaves. Oh, yeah sure they felt so terribly awful about, but you know, what could they do? They had to have someone to work the farm! The heroine sure stood up to her father over Toby's treatment though! What wonderful person! Ha, no. FYI, just living on that island already showed their complacency in the system of British imperialism and oppression. There is literally no way you can ever try and make a character sympathetic by showing their acknowledgement of the plight of the slaves for a few sentences, and then furthermore try and use it as a metaphor for how trapped everyone was on the island. Disgusting.
In between the not-so-great bits though, the story was interesting. But I still can't give it three stars.
July 4, 2014
Wow. Rarely do I ever read a book that makes me feel heart broken, and several other intense emotions. The author did an amazing job at making me feel all these emotions, though I feel like he should have gone into more detail on the emperor and Betsy's relationship. Spoiler alert, clearly the emperor has some feelings for the younger girl and while this may be repulsive because of the age difference and his lack of good looks, this book teaches us a lesson that looks aren't that important. You can be attracted to someone by personality, and I thought this made the book even more touching. It broke my heart, over and over again. it's hard to find good books like these. However, I do think it was strange that Betsy didn't feel a lot of remorse after Huff's death, I feel like her mourning was casual, as if she didn't care. also, in the beginning of the book, she didn't seem to surprised at the emperor's arrival. that should have been a bit more dramatic, in my opinion. overall, it is a great book that should be read!
Read
January 30, 2009Published in l4 languages, this YA novel of mine is in development as a movie with Al Pacino attached to star as Napoleon Bonaparte. It's a New York Public Library "Book for the Teen Age" and an ABA/Book Sense Pick for Teens.
"This fascinating story plays both with and against the stereotype of Napoleon. Even readers who don't know of Bonaparte will be caught up in the interplay between girl and emperor and the surrounding drama of the world's history-- and their own."
-- Kirkus Reviews
“An engaging novel, based on real events.”—
“The New York Times Book Review”
"This tender tale goes down smoothly, like a cool and fruity glass of Vouvray. BETSY AND THE EMPEROR is fun and witty, with a very human Bonaparte."
--Jacques Pepin
"Any school or public library searching for exciting and accurate historical fiction for young adult readers should purchase this novel." Jonathan Masters, VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"This fascinating story plays both with and against the stereotype of Napoleon. Even readers who don't know of Bonaparte will be caught up in the interplay between girl and emperor and the surrounding drama of the world's history-- and their own."
-- Kirkus Reviews
“An engaging novel, based on real events.”—
“The New York Times Book Review”
"This tender tale goes down smoothly, like a cool and fruity glass of Vouvray. BETSY AND THE EMPEROR is fun and witty, with a very human Bonaparte."
--Jacques Pepin
"Any school or public library searching for exciting and accurate historical fiction for young adult readers should purchase this novel." Jonathan Masters, VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
February 8, 2013
It's been a long time since I've read a book in one sitting but that's what I did with Betsy and The Emperor . I've actually been excited for this book for a while and I'm glad that I've finally been able to read this. I am a bit of a history buff and for some reason or another, I've always loved Napoleon Bonaparte so I may be a little biased when it comes to rating this book high.
The story itself was beautifully crafted from start to finish. It made me feel almost as though I were Betsy. Clearly you understood how important and deep their friendship was. Napoleon's character is strange and loveable. There was constant action but it never distracted from the plot. This story makes me want to read the real Betsy's accounts of her life on St. Helena as Napoleon's friend.
I would recommend this book to anyone, history-lovers or not. It is such a wonderfully written story.
The story itself was beautifully crafted from start to finish. It made me feel almost as though I were Betsy. Clearly you understood how important and deep their friendship was. Napoleon's character is strange and loveable. There was constant action but it never distracted from the plot. This story makes me want to read the real Betsy's accounts of her life on St. Helena as Napoleon's friend.
I would recommend this book to anyone, history-lovers or not. It is such a wonderfully written story.
June 10, 2023
I probably would have liked this more when I was younger. The friendship developed in an unconventional way, which makes sense given the circumstances and kept things interesting, but it became iffy when the emperor hinted at having not-so-platonic feelings toward Betsy. Kind of an ick there given their age difference and how Betsy initially hinted that he might have paternal feelings toward her.
March 18, 2009
Absolutely love this book! I've recently read Sandra Gulland's trilogy on Josephine, the wife of Napoleon, and was fascinated. Upon reading this, the reader gets to see the softer side of Napoleon through his friendship with Elizabeth(Betsy). This book never gets boring and the ending was heartwrenching.
January 12, 2011
Betsy and the Emperor is a must read book! The characters are very deep, and you will see Napoleon in a new light. So join a young tomboy, and read about her trying to save the emperor from a home that she herself hates. Read this book filled with adventure, loyalty, and friendship. You will want to read more and more. This is a wonderful book.
August 2, 2021
I really loved this book! I read it for school and it was the best school book I had ever read. This book had so many good quotes “ if boney could go on, then I surely must. And the emperor would expect no less of me.”
“ some say he was poisoned by his enemies. I know better. He died of a broken heart”
“ some say he was poisoned by his enemies. I know better. He died of a broken heart”
July 10, 2021
Mungkin sudah sepuluh tahun lebih berlalu sejak saya membaca buku ini. Sungguh membantu menambah pengetahuan ttg masa-masa terakhir kehidupan Napoleon Bonaparte. Ceritanya juga mengalir hangat dan akrab dicerna kepala. Di bagian terakhir ikut sedih. Lain kali akan coba membaca lagi :)
August 6, 2011
This book is amazing. Loved it!
October 22, 2011
Relationship between Betsy and Napoleon Bonaparte when he was exiled to St Helena. Urgh I just love this!
February 24, 2020
I loved this book!
November 15, 2023
This book sounded interesting but quickly became one my kids and I couldn't wait to be done with. It merits two stars for the author's witty descriptions of characters and settings, which we frequently found delightful or amusing.
For all of us, the highlight of the story was the horse race, though there was relatively little build-up to what we suppose was meant to be the climax of the story. Betsy stated that it was going to be the most important moment of her life, yet it was only mentioned in passing several times prior to that point.
There are so many characters in the story that most received a rather cursory treatment. For instance, the bond between Betsy and Toby was stated but not much a part of the story. She seemed grieved to be leaving him behind, but that to us fell flat since he rarely made an appearance. Worst of all was Huff! *spoiler alert* The incident where Huff was lost could have been a climax in itself, and yet the trauma of losing her friend - and in such an awful accident was glossed over! Betsy recovered much too quickly for how devastated she appeared to be in the moment of loss and did so without confiding in a single person! Perhaps she was simply a cold-hearted person? If so, the entire premise of the book falls apart.
For all of us, the highlight of the story was the horse race, though there was relatively little build-up to what we suppose was meant to be the climax of the story. Betsy stated that it was going to be the most important moment of her life, yet it was only mentioned in passing several times prior to that point.
There are so many characters in the story that most received a rather cursory treatment. For instance, the bond between Betsy and Toby was stated but not much a part of the story. She seemed grieved to be leaving him behind, but that to us fell flat since he rarely made an appearance. Worst of all was Huff! *spoiler alert* The incident where Huff was lost could have been a climax in itself, and yet the trauma of losing her friend - and in such an awful accident was glossed over! Betsy recovered much too quickly for how devastated she appeared to be in the moment of loss and did so without confiding in a single person! Perhaps she was simply a cold-hearted person? If so, the entire premise of the book falls apart.
October 13, 2012
In 1815, after being defeated by the British in Waterloo, former French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was banished to the forsaken island of St. Helena. Fallen from grace, Bonaparte soon finds refuge in the form of fourteen-year-old Betsy Balcombe. Betsy, whose family reluctantly houses Bonaparte, also finds herself intrigued by the emperor. Their unlikely friendship inspires Betsy to hatch a dangerous plan to help the emperor escape.
To be honest, when a friend of mine suggested this book to me, I was not sure that I would read it. The plot sounded inviting, sure, but the whole package of the book discouraged me from picking it up. I guess that's the truest definition of "don't judge the book by its cover", because once I started reading the first several pages, I was immediately hooked.
Everyone has heard of the great emperor slash general Napoleon Bonaparte. He was, and is, a legend. He appears in history books and must be one of the most famous person from history the world has ever known. But how many people have ever heard of rebellious, brave and adventurous Betsy Balcombe? I had never heard of Betsy before this book. I was not even sure that Betsy really existed. But after a few researches, I found out that Betsy was a real person, and that her friendship with Bonaparte was not at all fictitious.
Well, this book depicts Betsy as a true heroine. A fearless, brave soul who was trapped in the prison-like island of St. Helena. She was a free and wild spirit, and is fun to read. She attracts attention, and that's exactly what kept me reading. The plot is also very brilliant and mindblowing. I learned a side of Napoleon Bonaparte that I didn't even know before. My resentment towards him grew into sympathy. The characters of Betsy and Bonaparte are described in such a way that not only do we fall in love with them, we root for them.
The pace of the story, though, is confusing to me. Some parts are described in close details, such as Betsy's first encounters with Bonaparte. While others, such as Betsy's last moments with the emperor on St. Helena, went by in a blur. I believe that the pace is wrongly placed in a few parts of the book. Adding a little more detail, a little more description on Betsy's thoughts or feelings would help. I was especially disappointed with Betsy's narration in the wake of Huff's death. She had a close relationship with Huff; she liked him, she looked up to him. Now he died, partly because of her fault. She was a fourteen-year-old girl. Fearless, yes, but she was still fourteen years old. How would a fourteen year old handle the death of a close friend, with the knowledge that she was partly to blame? I think Betsy handled Huff's death too lightly; or, at least, her grief was not clearly exposed, like I believe it should be. It was not only Betsy's daring actions that made us fall in love with her, but also her thoughts and characters. They are what makes Betsy Betsy.
Another criticism I have for this book, is the excessive use of the exclamation mark. There were parts where the exclamation mark was not necessary, and although they were placed to make an emphasis, it just didn't feel fit for me.
All in all, this book is great, and I regret for not reading it earlier. This book reminds me all over again why I love historical fiction. Bravo, Staton Rabin!
To be honest, when a friend of mine suggested this book to me, I was not sure that I would read it. The plot sounded inviting, sure, but the whole package of the book discouraged me from picking it up. I guess that's the truest definition of "don't judge the book by its cover", because once I started reading the first several pages, I was immediately hooked.
Everyone has heard of the great emperor slash general Napoleon Bonaparte. He was, and is, a legend. He appears in history books and must be one of the most famous person from history the world has ever known. But how many people have ever heard of rebellious, brave and adventurous Betsy Balcombe? I had never heard of Betsy before this book. I was not even sure that Betsy really existed. But after a few researches, I found out that Betsy was a real person, and that her friendship with Bonaparte was not at all fictitious.
Well, this book depicts Betsy as a true heroine. A fearless, brave soul who was trapped in the prison-like island of St. Helena. She was a free and wild spirit, and is fun to read. She attracts attention, and that's exactly what kept me reading. The plot is also very brilliant and mindblowing. I learned a side of Napoleon Bonaparte that I didn't even know before. My resentment towards him grew into sympathy. The characters of Betsy and Bonaparte are described in such a way that not only do we fall in love with them, we root for them.
The pace of the story, though, is confusing to me. Some parts are described in close details, such as Betsy's first encounters with Bonaparte. While others, such as Betsy's last moments with the emperor on St. Helena, went by in a blur. I believe that the pace is wrongly placed in a few parts of the book. Adding a little more detail, a little more description on Betsy's thoughts or feelings would help. I was especially disappointed with Betsy's narration in the wake of Huff's death. She had a close relationship with Huff; she liked him, she looked up to him. Now he died, partly because of her fault. She was a fourteen-year-old girl. Fearless, yes, but she was still fourteen years old. How would a fourteen year old handle the death of a close friend, with the knowledge that she was partly to blame? I think Betsy handled Huff's death too lightly; or, at least, her grief was not clearly exposed, like I believe it should be. It was not only Betsy's daring actions that made us fall in love with her, but also her thoughts and characters. They are what makes Betsy Betsy.
Another criticism I have for this book, is the excessive use of the exclamation mark. There were parts where the exclamation mark was not necessary, and although they were placed to make an emphasis, it just didn't feel fit for me.
All in all, this book is great, and I regret for not reading it earlier. This book reminds me all over again why I love historical fiction. Bravo, Staton Rabin!
December 26, 2012
Saat itu Oktober 2006 ketika aku menemukan buku ini diantara novel-novel teenlit lainnya. Aku selalu suka membaca teenlit ketika itu, apalagi kalau cover dari novel itu cantik. Walaupun aku tahu tidak bijak rasanya menilai buku hanya dari tampilan covernya saja, tapi sejujurnya aku sudah terpesona dengan cover novel Betsy and the Emperor. Jadi, meski ketika itu aku tidak terlalu menyukai buku terjemahan, tangan aku tergerak untuk mengambilnya dari rak buku.
Tapi saat itu aku tidak kecewa membeli novel Betsy and the Emperor. Saya menyukainya. Dan saat ini, ketika aku membacanya sekali lagi, saya merasa tetap menyukainya.
Adalah Elizabeth Balcombe, seorang remaja berusia 14 tahun yang dipenuhi rasa ingin tahu dan kebebasan. Berasal dari St. Helena, pada tahun 1815, Betsy kembali ke St. Helena dari pendidikannya di London. Meski telah melalui pendidikan, tetapi Betsy tidak berubah, ia tetap putri 'pemberontak' keluarga Balcombe.
Suatu hari, pada malam kepulangannya saat ia menyelinap keluar rumahnya melalui sulur-sulur di jendela kamarnya, seorang 'tamu' berlabuh di Jamestown. Seorang tamu penting yang menggemparkan St. Helena, Kaisar Perancis, Napoleon Bonaparte. Sejak itu hari-hari Betsy berbeda. Apalagi Boney - panggilan untuk Sang Kaisar - menginap sementara di the briars, kediaman keluarga Balcombe, karena rumah tahanannya di Longwood belum siap. Betsy dan Sang Kaisar pun menjadi teman. Hari-hari dilalui Betsy dengan melihat sisi lain Sang Kaisar. Masalah mulai timbul ketika gubernur baru tiba di St. Helena. Segalanya menjadi berubah, kebebasan untuk Sang Kaisar perlahan-lahan mulai tiada, dan Betsy pun mulai gelisah.
Pada kasus lain, aku membayangkan sosok Betsy adalah sosok yang indepeden dan pemberontak. Kisah dari Inggris, yang mungkin juga terjadi pada masa kehidupan Betsy banyak menggambarkan sosok gadis pemberontak, yang menyalahi aturan dan bertindak tidak seperti anak perempuan lainnya di keluarganya. Jo di the little woman, Lizzy pada pride and prejudice. Jadi tidak sulit bagiku untuk membayangkan akan seperti apa sosok Betsy ini. Begitu juga dengan pemikiran dan tindakkan Betsy.
Hanya saja ada beberapa hal yang disayangkan. Sayang untuk terlewatkan adalah surat-menyurat antara Betsy dan Carstairs. Aku rasa jika surat menyurat itu lebih disorot maka pembaca akan semakin terbawa dengan kekecewaan Betsy dibagian akhir cerita mereka. Selain itu, masih ada kalimat-kalimat yang kurang membangkitkan emosi. Seperti ketika rumor mengenai Betsy dan Sang Kaisar beredar. Itu adalah hal yang besar dan aku mengharapkan 'kejutan' pula untuk bagian ini, tapi aku tidak menemukan kejutan yang banyak. Meski begitu, saya sudah cukup puas dengan cerita Betsy dan pikirannya dalam buku. Bagaimana Betsy begitu ingin membebaskan Sang Kaisar dan bagaimana masa transisinya menuju remaja dengan pikirannya yang perlahan mulai menjadi dewasa. Selain itu bagian yang paling kusuka adalah, keseluruh buku memuat sejarah! Aku sealu suka sejarah dan pelajaran sejarah yang seperti inilah yang selalu aku tunggu.
Pertama kali membaca buku ini, aku mungkin memberikan 4.5, tapi kini, dengan pertimbangan perasaan yang kurang terpuaskan (well, ini selalu terjadi kan? Ketika cerita lama dibaca kembali, kebanyakan akan berubah karena sudut pandang kita juga berubah) aku hanya bisa memberikan 3.85 maksimal untuk buku ini. Tapi tetap saya menyukainya.
Tapi saat itu aku tidak kecewa membeli novel Betsy and the Emperor. Saya menyukainya. Dan saat ini, ketika aku membacanya sekali lagi, saya merasa tetap menyukainya.
Adalah Elizabeth Balcombe, seorang remaja berusia 14 tahun yang dipenuhi rasa ingin tahu dan kebebasan. Berasal dari St. Helena, pada tahun 1815, Betsy kembali ke St. Helena dari pendidikannya di London. Meski telah melalui pendidikan, tetapi Betsy tidak berubah, ia tetap putri 'pemberontak' keluarga Balcombe.
Suatu hari, pada malam kepulangannya saat ia menyelinap keluar rumahnya melalui sulur-sulur di jendela kamarnya, seorang 'tamu' berlabuh di Jamestown. Seorang tamu penting yang menggemparkan St. Helena, Kaisar Perancis, Napoleon Bonaparte. Sejak itu hari-hari Betsy berbeda. Apalagi Boney - panggilan untuk Sang Kaisar - menginap sementara di the briars, kediaman keluarga Balcombe, karena rumah tahanannya di Longwood belum siap. Betsy dan Sang Kaisar pun menjadi teman. Hari-hari dilalui Betsy dengan melihat sisi lain Sang Kaisar. Masalah mulai timbul ketika gubernur baru tiba di St. Helena. Segalanya menjadi berubah, kebebasan untuk Sang Kaisar perlahan-lahan mulai tiada, dan Betsy pun mulai gelisah.
Pada kasus lain, aku membayangkan sosok Betsy adalah sosok yang indepeden dan pemberontak. Kisah dari Inggris, yang mungkin juga terjadi pada masa kehidupan Betsy banyak menggambarkan sosok gadis pemberontak, yang menyalahi aturan dan bertindak tidak seperti anak perempuan lainnya di keluarganya. Jo di the little woman, Lizzy pada pride and prejudice. Jadi tidak sulit bagiku untuk membayangkan akan seperti apa sosok Betsy ini. Begitu juga dengan pemikiran dan tindakkan Betsy.
Hanya saja ada beberapa hal yang disayangkan. Sayang untuk terlewatkan adalah surat-menyurat antara Betsy dan Carstairs. Aku rasa jika surat menyurat itu lebih disorot maka pembaca akan semakin terbawa dengan kekecewaan Betsy dibagian akhir cerita mereka. Selain itu, masih ada kalimat-kalimat yang kurang membangkitkan emosi. Seperti ketika rumor mengenai Betsy dan Sang Kaisar beredar. Itu adalah hal yang besar dan aku mengharapkan 'kejutan' pula untuk bagian ini, tapi aku tidak menemukan kejutan yang banyak. Meski begitu, saya sudah cukup puas dengan cerita Betsy dan pikirannya dalam buku. Bagaimana Betsy begitu ingin membebaskan Sang Kaisar dan bagaimana masa transisinya menuju remaja dengan pikirannya yang perlahan mulai menjadi dewasa. Selain itu bagian yang paling kusuka adalah, keseluruh buku memuat sejarah! Aku sealu suka sejarah dan pelajaran sejarah yang seperti inilah yang selalu aku tunggu.
Pertama kali membaca buku ini, aku mungkin memberikan 4.5, tapi kini, dengan pertimbangan perasaan yang kurang terpuaskan (well, ini selalu terjadi kan? Ketika cerita lama dibaca kembali, kebanyakan akan berubah karena sudut pandang kita juga berubah) aku hanya bisa memberikan 3.85 maksimal untuk buku ini. Tapi tetap saya menyukainya.
June 20, 2013
I very much enjoyed reading Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin. As a general overview, this book is about a girl named Betsy Balcome and her efforts to decipher who her supposed friend, Napoleon Bonaparte, really is deep inside. The character of Betsy is based on a real girl who befriended Napoleon, but the majority of events in this book are fictional. The one most prominent theme or message throughout this book is: don't judge a person's character based on a common assumption. Or, an easier way of saying it is: don't judge a book by it's cover.
At the start of this story Betsy's family is asked to provide a temporary living space for the recently defeated Napoleon Bonaparte before he moves on to a real prison. The overall opinion of Napoleon is that he is a vicious, cruel, and unforgiving murderer. Betsy agrees with this opinion until a couple weeks after she first meets Napoleon. Napoleon is initially drawn to Betsy because of her need for adventure. This attraction leads to the two of them spending quite a bit of time together. Over the weeks Napoleon slowly begins to show the softer, more comforting side of himself.
Betsy learns that he had once had a true love and now had a family. He was a wonderfully dainty dancer, and loved horseback riding. And her favorite quality of his, his love for reading and writing. She realized that despite what others thought of him, and despite his previous actions, Napoleon was really a decent man. From that point on, Betsy was determined to help the Great Napoleon Bonaparte.
I recommend this book to anybody that has a taste for adventure or likes big surprises at the finish of books. This only took me a short time to get through and was a great book to read.
At the start of this story Betsy's family is asked to provide a temporary living space for the recently defeated Napoleon Bonaparte before he moves on to a real prison. The overall opinion of Napoleon is that he is a vicious, cruel, and unforgiving murderer. Betsy agrees with this opinion until a couple weeks after she first meets Napoleon. Napoleon is initially drawn to Betsy because of her need for adventure. This attraction leads to the two of them spending quite a bit of time together. Over the weeks Napoleon slowly begins to show the softer, more comforting side of himself.
Betsy learns that he had once had a true love and now had a family. He was a wonderfully dainty dancer, and loved horseback riding. And her favorite quality of his, his love for reading and writing. She realized that despite what others thought of him, and despite his previous actions, Napoleon was really a decent man. From that point on, Betsy was determined to help the Great Napoleon Bonaparte.
I recommend this book to anybody that has a taste for adventure or likes big surprises at the finish of books. This only took me a short time to get through and was a great book to read.
January 2, 2018
A monster has descended upon Betsy Balcombe’s small island home. Her family are being forced to put him up in their house until his quarters are finished being constructed. So she’s got the terror of her childhood stories, the boogie man of her dreams, living in her house. Not only that, he is the terror of all Europe, the nightmare of all who get in his way. And what is this monster’s name? Napoleon Bonaparte.
But as the weeks wear on, this monster-man does not really live up to his reputation. Instead of the frightening killing machine that Betsy expected, she finds a short, eccentric man that misses his family. As she gets to know him, she finds that she has met her match in wit, daring, and spirit. And this discovery does not just have the potential to change her life and Napoleon’s life, but indeed, to change all of history.
‘Betsy and the Emperor’ painted a vivid picture of the last years of Napoleon’s life, as well as the lives of other characters that surrounded him. It was so fascinating to learn about another side of Napoleon than the one you normally hear in the history books – to learn about the man who loved children, who loved matching wits with opponents, and who loved certain people very deeply. The story was engaging, partly because of the fact that it was recounting a little known side to Napoleon’s character, and partly because of the new, vibrant characters it introduced. Betsy was a relatable and fascinating character, and I loved watching how she changed during the course of the book. Overall, this book was very informative, as well as engaging and funny! I learnt a lot through reading it, and feel that I have a much more rounded picture of Napoleon than I had beforehand.
But as the weeks wear on, this monster-man does not really live up to his reputation. Instead of the frightening killing machine that Betsy expected, she finds a short, eccentric man that misses his family. As she gets to know him, she finds that she has met her match in wit, daring, and spirit. And this discovery does not just have the potential to change her life and Napoleon’s life, but indeed, to change all of history.
‘Betsy and the Emperor’ painted a vivid picture of the last years of Napoleon’s life, as well as the lives of other characters that surrounded him. It was so fascinating to learn about another side of Napoleon than the one you normally hear in the history books – to learn about the man who loved children, who loved matching wits with opponents, and who loved certain people very deeply. The story was engaging, partly because of the fact that it was recounting a little known side to Napoleon’s character, and partly because of the new, vibrant characters it introduced. Betsy was a relatable and fascinating character, and I loved watching how she changed during the course of the book. Overall, this book was very informative, as well as engaging and funny! I learnt a lot through reading it, and feel that I have a much more rounded picture of Napoleon than I had beforehand.
January 17, 2015
This book was such a lovely piece of historical fiction for young adults. Betsy is such a headstrong, likeable character. Her friendship with Napoleon, a historical figure who today is often deplored, or the subject of many jokes, is so sweet and innocent. I never thought that there was a romance between them, but instead Napoleon cared for Betsy as a daughter-like figure, one that he could joke with and as someone who could provide him company on such an isolated island. Through his relationship with Betsy, Napoleon becomes a relatable and, dare I say, sympathetic character. The author transports the readers to St. Helena and shows them the man behind the rumors and legends. I was entranced by the characters and the beauty of the language, as well as the way Betsy grows, from an immature tomboy to a lovely young woman (who can still stick up for herself, as evidence from the way she treats the despicable Gov. Lowe's daughter!). My only complaint about the novel is the page and a half epilogue. For some reason, I found it less believable than the rest of the story and it just seemed as if it was thrown into the end as an afterthought. However, that minor complaint does not take away from the beauty and heartbreak of the novel. A great read for anyone interested in historical fiction, especially in a historical relationship barely covered in the fiction genre.
May 1, 2008
The problem with a lot of our history lessons is that you learn a lot of names, but you never get introduced to the people. I suppose that's one reason why I enjoy reading biographies. Anyway, this is a kind of biography. Technically, it's historical fiction, but a lot of it is based on source materials. The book tells the tale of a few years in the life of Betsy Balcombe. During her teens, she was living on the island of St. Helena when the deposed emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled there. Napoleon and Betsy became friends of sorts and years later she wrote a memoir of that time. This isn't that book however. Ms. Rabin admits that she refrained from reading Betsy's work while writing her story in order that she might craft her own take on Miss Balcombe's character. Since I haven't read the memoir, either, I can't comment on whether Ms. Rabin made a mistake or not. I do know, however, that Betsy and the Emperor is an enjoyable piece of historical fiction. One of those good books that makes one want to delve into some of the real history behind it. So check this one out first, just in case the real story isn't as entertaining.
July 28, 2012
Beberapa hari yg lalu baru ingat klo pernah baca buku ini..udah jaman SMA sih..dan klo sekalinya inget pasti bawaannya pengen baca lagi,,padahal bukunya udah gak ada..jadi coba ngorek2 ingatan nih..
Buku ini menceritakan (benar2) sisi lain dari Napoleon Bonaparte, dari sudut pandang seorang gadis berusia 14 tahun bernama Betsy. Cerita diambil ketika Napoleon menderita kekalahan perang dan dipenjara di pulau St.Helena, disitulah dia bertemu Betsy. Meskipun beda usia mereka cukup jauh (lupa brp) tapi mereka mempunyai banyak kesamaan pemikiran,hobi sehingga mereka sering menghabiskan waktu bersama padahal awalnya si Betsy ini tidak terlalu menyukai Napoleon. mendekati akhir cerita sempet mikir sih klo si Betsy ini jatuh cinta dan sayang banget sama Napoleon, sampai2 bikin nangis bacanya pas si napoleon ini udah mulai sakit2an yang akhirnya meninggal.
Meskipun ringan,tp novel ini cukup memberikan gambaran sejarah yg akurat krn sepertinya ditulis berdasarkan riset sejarah,,dan memang tokoh Betsy ini nyata dahulunya pernah dekat dengan si Kaisar.
Buku ini menceritakan (benar2) sisi lain dari Napoleon Bonaparte, dari sudut pandang seorang gadis berusia 14 tahun bernama Betsy. Cerita diambil ketika Napoleon menderita kekalahan perang dan dipenjara di pulau St.Helena, disitulah dia bertemu Betsy. Meskipun beda usia mereka cukup jauh (lupa brp) tapi mereka mempunyai banyak kesamaan pemikiran,hobi sehingga mereka sering menghabiskan waktu bersama padahal awalnya si Betsy ini tidak terlalu menyukai Napoleon. mendekati akhir cerita sempet mikir sih klo si Betsy ini jatuh cinta dan sayang banget sama Napoleon, sampai2 bikin nangis bacanya pas si napoleon ini udah mulai sakit2an yang akhirnya meninggal.
Meskipun ringan,tp novel ini cukup memberikan gambaran sejarah yg akurat krn sepertinya ditulis berdasarkan riset sejarah,,dan memang tokoh Betsy ini nyata dahulunya pernah dekat dengan si Kaisar.
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