Queen Hortense: A Life Picture of the Napoleonic Era

"Queen Hortense: A Life Picture of the Napoleonic Era" by L. Mühlbach is the story of Hortense Beauharnais, stepdaughter to Napoleon Bonaparte, during the revolutionary Napoleonic times. As the daughter of Empress Josephine, Hortense experiences both hardship and success in a constantly changing world. The story begins with her childhood marked by her mother's struggles and the execution of her father, revealing Hortense's early strength. Despite difficulties for the Bonaparte family, Hortense finds ways to express herself through music and writing, even composing the well-known piece "Va t'en, Guerrier." This sets the stage for a journey through love, loss, and the challenge of being a Bonaparte, all during a time of great political change.