The Queen's Necklace Book

This was a book I didn't have many expectations for, had seen and heard little about it, so when I sat down to read it I admit my expectations were low. After all, I thought, there had to be some reason I wasn't hearing anything about this book, right? Wrong, I found this book an entrancing read that somehow slipped past the notice of others. It wasn't the Regent/Pitt diamond that entranced me so much as the story of the French people from the time of the glorious court of the Louis XIV, the Sun King to the downfalls of Napoleon I and Napoleon III. The device of using Count Las Cases; Bonaparte's biographer and fellow Saint Helena exile, a man born an aristocrat and later a devoted follower of Napoleon I, lends an additional air of authenticity to this compelling historical narrative. I would give it 4 1/2 stars if I could.

Baumgold easily glides from the present day (1816) banter between Las Cases and Bonaparte on Saint Helena to the diamond's complex interwoven history between France and England. The overwhelming loss, confusion and tragedy of The French Revolution is captured so powerfully and poignantly, perhaps because the reader has walked the palace halls for 100 years before and the Paris streets for almost 100 years after. This immersion allows for a greater understanding of the changes and pains France went through during and for so long after the Revolution.

While the reader is seeing the changes in France unfold, Baumgold breathes life into the incredible duality of Napoleon Bonaparte's character. This especially shines in the scenes between Las Cases and Napoleon while they are in exile. It gave me different insights of Napoleon and a better understanding of the strength of his charisma. I also appreciated the inclusion, although only in black and white, of paintings of the many personages upon whom the diamond had touched, some of which include the said diamond. I found myself looking these paintings up, and others mentioned, just to follow the progression of the diamond. I don't know enough of the history to comment on its accuracy but events I did look up were correct.

The only fictional character included is used as a bridge from the time of Las Cases death through to the diamond's remaining story. This is the weakest portion of the narrative, and the use of this device may not sit right with some. But using multiple historical persons could easily have bogged down and confused the diamond's later history. The amount of historical data and persons that Baumgold enfolds within her pages could be confusing or overwhelming for some. When I locate my copy I will check to see if there is a character list included. I only wish she had expanded on some of the history and people more, there are so many that you want to spend more time with. This could have easily been fleshed out into a larger book, maybe that was an editorial decision because it just seems the author had more she wanted to say.

If you are familiar with the historical aspects covered you should enjoy this refreshing approach and if this is your introduction to this complicated time period you may have a difficult time deciding who or what you want to learn more about first. I hope others start discovering this book, if only so I can know if I am the only one to like it or if I have found a hidden gem.