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Plot Summary

During a night out at the local bar, struggling writer Camille Desmoulins hears that the popular finance minister Necker has been dismissed from office. At Georges Danton’s behest, Camille stands on a table and gives a speech, telling the people of the Third Estate to rise against from the oppressive monarch of France, King Louis XVI. The people of the Third Estate successfully storm the Bastille, and the Revolution begins. Camille is in love with a noble 19-year-old girl named Lucile Duplessis whose father will not allow them to be together. Seeking his fortune, Camille agrees to write pro-revolutionary newspapers and pamphlets with the powerful Comte Mirabeau as his benefactor, but soon begins writing pamphlets criticizing Mirabeau, gaining admirers and death threats. Drunk on wine and his own popularity, Camille tries to convince Lucile’s father to let them wed, and after Camille is put on trial for his writings and saved by Robespierre, Lucile’s father agrees to the marriage.

Mirabeau gets sick and dies. Saddened, Camille writes an article questioning Mirabeau’s death and his methods. He and Danton lead the people to Champ de Mars fighting ensued with the National Guard. Later, Camille learns that Lucile is pregnant. Terrified, Camille runs off to live in the country. Danton sends him a letter, asking him to return and help rebuild Paris. Anarchy breaks out over a bread shortage; the people blame the King. The Prussians threaten to intervene to stop the riot if the King cannot end it. The people break into the King’s palace and capture him; learning of Louis’ capture, Prussia send troops into France. Hotel de Ville becomes a battleground and the people of France drive the Prussians out of the country. More riots erupt in the city as the people purge “traitors” and anti-revolutionists. Danton creates The Committee of General Defense to arrest and try anti-revolutionist, who are beheaded by the guillotine, a symbol for the Terror times.

Robespierre begins to denounce the acts of the revolution, calling it uncivil. He has the heads of the committee of general defense step down and then becomes the head of the now renamed Committee of Public Safety. Camille begins to distrusts Robespierre; his feeling is confirmed when Robespierre begins to take down those whom he deems a threat. Camille becomes increasingly paranoid; due to all the arrests and beheadings, he wants an end to the revolution. Robespierre tells Camille of his plans to become France’s new king, which Camille openly protests. Camille writes an article asking for moderation and an end to beheadings; he is promptly arrested along with Danton and other fellow Dantonists. All are tried by the Tribunal, found guilty, and sent to the guillotine; Lucile too, is guillotined. In the months following, Robespierre and his friends are also guillotined.

Publication History

Copyright 1996 by Tanith Lee. Published in 1996 by The Overlook Press. Dustjacket design by Michael Hornburg. ISBN: 0-87951-672-0. Retail Price: $26.95.