The Red Necklace: A Story of the French Revolution

Author Sally Gardner did her shopping well for the ingredients she chose for The Red Necklace. Everything on her list is topnotch: the orphaned 14-year-old gypsy boy who can read minds, being raised by a dwarf and a magician; the sad 12-year-old daughter of a marquis, isolated and loathed by her father; the cruel, spoiled French aristos, with their brocades, gilded buckles and pet monkeys; the chaotic bloodbath of the French Revolution; and an evil count trying to murder the boy, marry the girl, destroy the aristos and urge on the maelstrom. There are elements of magic in this rich historical adventure and the darkness of the tale and strange minor characters would please a fantasy reader. But The Red Necklace could also be read by those who like their plotlines straight; the magic seems to be based on traditional Gypsy physics of some kind unknown as yet to the western world. Gardner's storytelling skill makes this tale a pleasure to read and an easy book to recommend.

The Red Necklace is an unabridged audiobook production of Sally Gardner's novel for young adult readers age nine and up. Set in Paris in the winter of 1789, The Red Necklace follows a Gypsy boy named Yann Margoza, born with an uncanny gift for knowing what people are thinking as well as the talent to throw his voice; both skills come in quite handy while Yann works for an irresponsible magician. On the night of the magicians final performance, Yann meets Sido, a shy heiress with an aloof father. Yann must brave the wrath of a villain named Count Kalliovski for Sido's sake, and his life tumbles headlong into adventure amidst the stirrings of the French Revolution. Though The Red Necklace is suitable for young adults and teens, listeners of all ages are sure to enjoy this stellar audio performance by recording artist Carrington MacDuffie. 8 CDs, 9 hours 46 min.

In 1789 Paris, Tetu the dwarf has raised fourteen years old full blooded Roma orphan Yann as they both assist egomaniac magician Topolain. His arrogance leads to his death at the hands of evil Count Kalliovski who wants the automaton the mage used while performing. At about the same time, Yann meets reticent affluent aristocrat Sidonie; a lonely young girl who has no friends and never tasted love even from family members. Her cold distant father loathes her so much he has sold her to the vicious Count as his wife. The murder of Topolain leads Tetu to smuggle his ward out of France to the safety of London. However, when the Revolution begins to take over the French capital, Yann returns hoping to take the two people he cares about, Tetu and Sidonie, to London; knowing her father and her fiancé will attempt to kill him for trying. A Tale of Two Cities with an Oliver Twist spin, a serial killer leaving garnet necklaces on the victims, and an intimation of Gypsy magic make for an entertaining young adult suspense historical fantasy. The contrast between Paris and London is startling, but both cities have blood flowing in the streets; only the former is more in the open. Yann and Sidonie is a wonderful courageous couple while Tetu is heroic in his loyalty to his ward. Whereas the villains are a bit exaggerated, fans will appreciate this strong French Revolution thriller. Harriet Klausner

The novel starts in Paris, 1789. Yann Margoza is a young gypsy boy who can throw his voice as well as read minds and predict the future. He uses these talents in a magic show, with the magician Topolain and the dwarf Têtu. An imposing man with a scarred face, introducing himself as Milkeye, appears after a show and requests on behalf of his employer, Count Kalliovski, that Topolain bring his magic act to a party held at the château of the Marquis de Villeduval. Against the misgivings of Yann, Topolain is lured to the party by Milkeye's promise of payment. It is there that Yann meets the daughter of the Marquis, Sido, two years his junior at the age of 12. Sido has just returned from her stay at a convent, and is deeply hurt by the dislike which her father takes no pains to hide from her. Although their meeting is brief and followed by a long separation, it tangles Yann and his companions in a series of murders that are linked by a red necklace. With the drama of the French Revolution, mixed with political and social intrigue, "The Red Necklace" was an exciting book that I could not put down. In Yann and Sido we have two very common clichés: the dark, handsome boy with extraordinary talents and the pale, wide-eyed girl who walks with a limp and longs for her father to love her. However, both characters seemed remarkably lifelike to me (as did all the characters), and perfectly believable. I also loved the villain(s)--thoroughly sinister and, well, villainous. I found "The Red Necklace" to be very original in both plot and ploy. Ms. Gardner is an excellent author, and the book, at 372 pages, went along at a nice pace, without rushing things. I like her way with words. There is just a touch of magic that adds to the mix, making it even more interesting. I don't claim to be an expert on the French Revolution, but I found nothing to fault in the events of the French Revolution as related by the author. There are some chilling scenes that do well to highlight the absolute chaos of the Reign of Terror. "The Red Necklace" is an excellent, entertaining, and enjoyable read (and the gorgeous, textured cover and uneven page edges in no way detract from this!) . Between this and "I, Coriander", Ms. Gardner has become an author of which to pay note.