Book Club Questions For Napoleon's Other Wife

When I wrote Napoleon's Other Wife my aim was to uncover the story of a woman largely passed over in the history books. As the book evolved it brought up many questions regarding the character of this historical figure and the challenges she faced. For many of my readers, I know Napoleon's Other Wife was more than a historical biography. It raised a lot of questions. So, here are some of my questions for if you are discussing the book with another reader or your book club:

What was the basis of Marie-Louise’s relationship with Napoleon – was it merely fulfillment of patriotic duty or did she really love him, or was it something else?

What was her obligation towards Napoleon when she awaited her father at the Palace of Rambouillet?

Do you think she could have pursued other paths than the ones she chose? What do you think she might have achieved in following the course you might have taken in her shoes? Can you identify with Marie-Louise?

Do you think that, had she not be outvoted at the emergency meeting in March 1814, the French would have accepted her leadership?

Was she a person of moral courage or of weakness?

How far was she active or reactive?

How important is a first love relationship to a woman? To a man?

Male writers, often French biographers, have accused her of passivity – do you consider this accusation to be justified?

What do you make of her father, Emperor Francis’s role in her story? Was he motivated solely by personal and political ambition or was there any evidence of filial love?

How much more do you think she could and should have done for her firstborn?

Who betrayed who in her story? Are loyalty and fidelity different?

Do you think she had any inkling of the political sympathies of her daughter and son-in-law? And of the political divergence between her son and daughter?

What impact do you think Napoleon had on Marie-Louise’s character and political development?

Do you regard monarchs as having the same rights and entitlement as a commoner in the selection of a life partner and the supremacy of family, or do their sovereign duties demand a higher or different standard? If you answer yes to this question, how does this play out in the 21st century?

Has the book changed your perception of Napoleon?

I hope that you have enjoyed reading Napoleon’s Other Wife and that you will recommend it to your friends. I want people to know about Marie-Louise and to understand that a woman’s heroism is quite different to a man’s, and also to appreciate how precarious a woman’s existence was and remains – and that Napoleon wasn’t all Andrew Roberts and others might have you believe!