Fortunes of France: The Brethren – Sample Chapter & Giveaway!

Thanks to the generosity of the lovely folk at Pushkin Press, I have five copies of Fortunes of France: The Brethren by Robert Merle to give away. This is the first volume in a French  historical adventure series, set in France during England’s Tudor period. The series has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, and this is its first translation into English. Merle has been compared to Alexandre Dumas, and the series to the Flashman books and Game of Thrones.

This giveaway is now closed.

Book Description

The Perigord of sixteenth-century France is a wild region on the edge of the reaches of royal authority-its steep, forested valleys roamed by bands of brigands and gypsies, its communities divided by conflict between Catholics and converts to the new Protestant faith, the Huguenots.

To this beautiful but dangerous country come two veterans of the French king’s wars, Jean de Siorac and Jean de Sauveterre, The Brethren-as fiercely loyal to the crown as they are to their Huguenot religion. They make their home in the formidable chateau of Mespech, and the community they found prospers, but they are far from secure-religious civil war looms on the horizon, famine and plague stalk the land, and The Brethren must use all their wits to protect those they love from the chaos that threatens to sweep them away.

The Brethren is the first volume in the epic historical drama Fortunes of France-a lusty, exhilarating blend of adventure and romance set against the backdrop of a critical period in European history.

To be in the running to win one of 5 copies of Fortunes of France: The Brethren, leave a comment after this post.

Conditions of Entry

For your chance to win a copy of Fortunes of France, you must be subscribed to On the Tudor Trail’s newsletter (if you are not already, sign up on our homepage where it says ‘Free Enewsletter Subscription’).

Then simply leave a comment after this post between now and 4 February 2015. Don’t forget to leave your name and a contact email. Please note that I have comment moderation activated and need to ‘approve’ comments before they appear. There is no need to submit your comment twice.

This giveaway is open internationally.

Five winners will be randomly selected and contacted by email shortly after the competition closes. Please ensure you’ve added natalie@onthetudortrail.com to your address book to avoid missing my email.

Good luck!

A note from the Editor…

When Robert Merle published The Brethren in 1977, he had no idea
it would form the first volume in a series that would take him 26
years to complete, covering more than a century of French history,
and becoming a much-loved classic. Originally conceived as a
stand-alone novel, the book’s huge popularity (it sold more than a
million copies) prompted Merle to write a sequel, and then a sequel
to the sequel… and so on until the thirteenth and final volume was
completed in 2003.
Robert Merle worked for many years as an English teacher, and
adored English literature, the influence of which is everywhere in his
work. His colourful characters owe much to Dickens, while Thackeray’s
The History of Henry Osmond originally inspired Merle to try his hand
at a historical adventure. He even declared of Shakespeare: “For
me, he is God!”
And at last, his epic Fortunes of France, such a brilliant addition
to the historical fiction genre, has arrived in English. And what a
series it is! It has all the dash of Flashman, all the grit of Sharpe,
all the swagger of The Three Musketeers combined with historical and
philosophical insight worthy of The Name of the Rose.
This sample chapter will give a taste of the first book’s rich,
earthy flavour. It’s told from the perspective of Pierre de Siorac, son
of Jean de Siorac, one of the two Brethren of the title. Pierre is the
charmingly impetuous narrator of the first six volumes of Fortunes of
France, after which… But that can wait for another time!
To read The Brethren is to take the first step on a long, fascinating
and adventure-filled journey—one I’m sure many readers are going to
be taking over the coming years. They certainly have a treat in store.
Daniel Seton
Editor, Pushkin Press

Read the sample chapter here: The Brethren – Sampler Chapter

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Comments

  1. Katheryn Bowsher says:

    Sounds interesting! I’d definitely like to check it out!

  2. Sara hyman says:

    This series sounds fascinating. I enjoy reading historical fiction.

  3. Deborah Serrano says:

    Sounds like this book is right up my alley! I look forward to readin it.

  4. This sounds just up my street . Having read SJ Parris and CJ Sansom I’m fond of these Tudor murder mystery stories . Ever hopeful and most happy !

  5. I’d love to read it, thank you for the giveaway!

  6. This book looks very interesting love reading about Tudor time and I’m sure the French court would be just as exciting and interesting as our own Regard Jenny

  7. Sounds like a very interesting book.

  8. Moni Leigh says:

    Oh, this does look interesting!

  9. Ainara Groenewoud says:

    I’ve heard about this writer though I’ve never read his books. Since the French period is also very exciting I certainly am very interested in reading this.

  10. I am in love with history. To get an insight in former times and living is always very interesting. I would love to read this book.

  11. Mary Preston says:

    This promises to be a fabulous read thank you.

  12. Victoria wigham says:

    I am a massive fan of the Tutor age. I have read loads about what life was like here in London and England but would love the chance to read something from the French view point as they played an important role all the way through Tudor history. Plus winning one of the books would lift my spirits as I’m recovering from a heart op at present. Thank you.

  13. It sounds really interesting, I would love to read it!!

  14. Andrea Miles says:

    I love historical fiction so this sounds great

  15. It sounds like a very interesting book

  16. I would love to win a copy of ‘Fortunes of France: The Brethren’ by Robert Merle. Thank you.

  17. linda mailer says:

    More Tudor books to read how wonderful! I must read more of this delightful book!

  18. Sharon Pisani says:

    Love this period!

  19. Debra Storch says:

    This sounds like an awesome series!

  20. Aleah Taylor says:

    Sounds fantastic! I am very interested indeed.

  21. Lila Brunacini says:

    Sounds like a good read! Can’t wait for the chance!

  22. Excellent, I’d love to check this out! Not enough French historical fiction been translated into English, glad to see the recent tide of them with Maurice Druon and now Robert Merle.

  23. Sandra Davidson says:

    sounds like a fantastic book, I can’t wait to read it

  24. This looks like a great read!!! I would be very happy to add it to my collection!

  25. I’d love to read this book!

  26. I would love to read this!!

  27. Sounds amazing! Would love to give this book a read. 🙂

  28. I am always looking for new and intriguing books to read and this one sounds perfect ! I am currently reading The Forest Laird and am completely engrossed in it, but alas it will come t an end, therefore I need new reading material ! There’s nothing better on a cold winter day than to cozy up with a book that transports you to another time and place.

  29. Lori Stoppel says:

    Would love to read! As a History major this sounds fascinating!

  30. Would love to read this!

  31. A new Alexandre Dumas!! How exciting!! I hope I win!! 🙂

  32. This book sounds great !

  33. I’d love to read it!

  34. Devon Marie says:

    This sounds like a fascinating book and would be perfect to go in my slowly building Tudor library. Thank you for the opportunity.

  35. Marguerite says:

    Hope Sieyes is mentioned. Would love to win a copy of ‘Fortunes of France: The Brethren’ by Robert Merle. Thanks.

  36. Book sounds fascinating! Would love to win a copy!

  37. This looks really good – would love to read it

  38. Breonna Filler says:

    Sounds fascinating!! I would love to read this book and learn some more about my favorite time period!!

  39. Christina Johns says:

    Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to have a copy. 🙂

  40. Sounds like an exciting read!

  41. KAREN PETERSON says:

    Viva Le Francois !

  42. robin chaney says:

    Sounds very interesting. I will love to read this!

  43. sean mcgoldrick says:

    I would love a copy of this book, and as the only man here, to not give me a copy would be downright sexist!

  44. I would love to read the French side of history during this period! I had no idea this series existed.

  45. Sounds great! Would love to read this.

  46. I love big, involved tales like this. Please enter me. Thank you for the chance to win.

  47. Heather McElyea says:

    As someone fascinated by this period in history and a former French teacher, it would be amazing to win a copy. If not, it’s to the bookstore for me!

  48. brandy violette says:

    Sounds like a good read! Would love to win a copy!

  49. Looks like a fantastic book, I would love to check this out!!

  50. Sounds like a good series! Excited!