Black Rock: The Story of an Island, an Exile and an Emperor

by Louise Hoole

Should ambition cease with death? Napoleon Bonaparte doesn't think so. His ghost is actually hungrier than ever. The ex-emperor has no intention of allowing his premature end to thwart his destiny or threaten his legacy. But death holds unexpected surprises for the restless spirit of the nineteenth-century's most infamous tactician. Set in 1821 on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena during the week between Napoleon's death and burial, this historical who-done-it examines what powerful men do in narrowed circumstances and what ordinary people do when their lives collide with the exceptional. Louise Hoole, who lived on St Helena as a child, draws upon the letters and memoirs of those exiled on the island to bring to life the complex machinations of those who made up Napoleon's last court. Winner of the 2015 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold for cover design, fiction.

228 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Louise Hoole was born in England, grew up on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena, and has spent many years in Africa.

She is the author of seven books including Talking to the Ancestors (about East African art), Seven Wonders (about the world heritage sites of Tanzania), and The Mtwara Story (about deep-water exploration).

Black Rock, her first novel, explores the exile of Napoleon Bonaparte on St Helena, and is published by Barranca Press.

Louise travels widely between Africa, Asia and Europe, and works as a freelance writer and editor for a range of clients from the BBC to the United Nations.

Reviews

[Bryce Witte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to very interesting as I never read a book written from that point of view before.What I appreciated most is the author's afterword talking about the historical background, without it there would've been a lot of Googling to clear up questions and curiosities I had.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading in anticipation of Louise's arrival tomorrow! So excited

[Ali Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant story from such an unexpected angle - and historical too! I would recommend it to anyone.

[Fiona Bergmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary and intriguing historical fiction. I enjoyed every word and am very much looking forward to Louise Hoole's next novel.