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
Sounds good!
This series sounds really good.
this sounds fantastic! I would love to read them!
Love to read a good series of books…can’t wait till the next one comes out to carry on the adventure…. the only drawback is you have to wait, but then gives you an excuse to re-read the books… happy reading to whomever wins
I love historical novels, especially the tudor era.
Would love to win this giveaway, thank you 🙂
Sounds like a fantastic read! Thanks for the chance to win! 😀
I would love to read the series and see the connections to that time in history.
I’ve always enjoyed reading about this period in history, both factual & fictional, so this would be perfect to get a different perspective! I would love to win a copy of this book! Thank you for the opportunity.
Sounds interesting!
Thanks for the giveaway! So fun! Got my fingers crossed!
This sounds awesome! I’d never heard of this series before but I’m definitely going to check it out.
Sounds a great read!
Spunds a really interesting book, can’t wait to read it!!
Sounds like my kind of book!
I would love to read this!! Will def. be buying if I don’t win.
I would love to read about how the other countries viewed the Tudor dynasty during that time period, and to get a sense of what they thought of Henty The Eigth, Katheryn of Aragon, and of course Ann Bolyn and her larger than life daughter Queen Elizabeth. But if I do not win I will certinally get a copy of the book on my own!
Best Wishes
Laura Eckel
I love to travel and have been to France many times. So looking forward to the chance to read these incredible books.
Oh, this sounds wonderful! Ii would love to win–the comparison to Dumas reeled me in! My email is acbarnhill@yahoo.com. THanks fo the contest!
Would love to read this book and learn a little more about French history. Thank you for the chance to win.
I would love to win this, it sounds fantastic! Please enter me in the giveaway, and thank you!
Amy
passagestothepast@gmail.com
Intrigue and history are always a great read. This book will be amazing I just know it! Thanks for giving us the heads up about it!
Thanks so much for this opportunity ! It sounds like a truly excellent read!
I can’t wait to explore the French during the same time that Henry was driving England crazy. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the world was behaving while the royals ran amuck.
Sounds like a great read!
This sounds interesting and I would to get my hands on it.
This book sounds wonderful! I have added it to my TBR list.
Sounds very interesting, enjoy historical fiction. Thank you for the chance,
sounds interesting, will definately look out for this book
This is a part of Tudor history I haven’t read much about, it sounds so very interesting! I’m always looking to find new authors to fall in love with, and new stories, this would fulfill both of those wishes I’m sure!
This book sounds interesting- a definite departure from my usual reading collection!
Love reading Tudor history this sounds a great book
Anyone compared to Dumas is a must read for me! Been hooked on historical fiction since English lit class and ventured to The Three Musketeers on my own . Bring it on!
Thanks you. I love books like this.
This sounds wonderful. Fingers crossed!
Sounds like a great read, would love to add it to my collection.
Can not wait to read this. Looks very very interesting!!!!!!
Sounds fascinating!!
I love historic novels,
Its a period that has always fascinated me , there are stories in the family that we were Huguenot refugees who fled to Cornwall , before ending up in Wales .
LOVE TUDORS TIMES
Just got your newsletter 🙂 this sounds so amazing.
26 years to complete sounds like a great series, the Emile Zola of sixteenth century! I do like Alexandre Dumas, so definitely count me in.
denannduvall(at)gmail(dot)com
Fingers crossed!
Sound like a great read!
I have read the first chapter and fallen in love with this book. I really like the writer’s style. He really brings 16th century France to life. My ancestors are said to be Huguenots so this story is one that I really enjoy. Having lived a pretty comfortable life it is hard to imagine what our ancestors went though when they had less freedoms. It gives one pause for a new respect for those who have gone before us. Great story so far.
would love to read 🙂
This sounds splendid!
This one sounds really interesting, it’d be quite exciting to read more about France during this period!
Awesome???????? can’t wait!!
I have been so entrenched in English history, I haven’t read about the French. I think it’s time to broaden my horizons. Thank you for sharing this.