Jan 24, 2011

Guest Post and Giveaway: Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud

Today we welcome author Michelle Moran (Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic Queen, Nefertiti, Madame Tussaud), who's prepared a very interesting post about Madame Tussaud's history.

And read the end of the post to find a giveaway!



 

MADAME TUSSAUD: The Woman
When most people hear the name Madame Tussaud, the first thing that comes to mind are the eerily lifelike waxworks which crowd her museums throughout the world. But who was the woman behind the name, and what was she like in the flesh?
Madame Tussaud’s story actually began in 18th century Paris. While most people know her from her famous museum in London, it was in France, on the humble Boulevard du Temple, where Marie first got her start as an apprentice in her uncle’s wax museum, the Salon de Cire. At the time, the Boulevard du Temple was crowded with exhibits of every kind. For just a few sous a passerby might attend the opera, watch a puppet show, or visit Henri Charles’ mystifying exhibition The Invisible Girl. The Boulevard was a difficult place to distinguish yourself as an artist, but as Marie’s talent grew for both sculpting and public relations, the Salon de Cire became one of the most popular attractions around. Suddenly, no one could compete with Marie or her uncle for ingenious publicity stunts, and when the royal family supposedly visited their museum, this only solidified what most showmen in Paris already knew — the Salon was an exhibition to watch out for.
But as the Salon’s popularity grew, so did the unusual requests. Noblemen came asking for wax sculptures of their mistresses, women wanted models of their newborn infants, and – most importantly – the king’s sister herself wanted Marie to come to Versailles to be her wax tutor. While this was, in many ways, a dream come true for Marie, it was also a dangerous time to be associated with the royal family. Men like Robespierre, Marat, and Desmoulins were meeting at Marie’s house to discuss the future of the monarchy, and when the Revolution began, Marie found herself in a precarious position. Ultimately, she was given a choice by France’s new leaders: to preserve the famous victims of Madame Guillotine in wax, or be guillotined herself.
Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution is the story of Marie’s life during one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Her survival was nothing less than astonishing, and how she survived makes for what I hope is a compelling read.
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Giveaway time!
For a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Madame Tussaud, by Michelle Moran; and these lovely earrings below just leave a comment with your name and email.
The giveaway ends on Feb 22nd, and it's open internationally. So enter away!

21 monkey thought (s):

Victoria said...

I didn't know that, thanks for the history lesson. It's one of the reason I love to read so much - never stop learning. Thanks - Viki
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Kulsuma said...

Thank you for the great giveaway! Count me in please. I'd love to read this.

k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Sharli said...

I have to admit I've been to a Madam Tussaud's nuseum and I didn't give her story a second thought :P So thanks for the post!
I read Cleopatra's Daughter last year and I LOVED it. It's one of my favorite books of all time. It was so good and I learned so much about Cleopatra Selene and her world.

I'd love to get a chance to read this. Thank you for the giveaway :)

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

Loving the earrings!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Jess (The Cozy Reader)

thecozyreader @ gmail.com

Lucy said...

Thanks for the giveaway !! I don't know much about Madame Tussaud and her life, so I would really like to read the book and learn some new information :)

Lucy
lucysdreamsandbooks@gmail.com

Dani said...

Thanks for the chance :) I'd love to read it :)

dani dot prmr at hotmail dot com

Gracias,
Jaz

Anonymous said...

A fellow nerdfighter dropping by :) Loved the article and I'm thrilled about the giveaway!

Ana Laura
la.maga[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Thank you!

Spantonline said...

Really like history and historic novels. I've been last year to Madame Tussauds museum in London, but didn't think about her story.

spantonline at gmail.com

Spantonline said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

NO more words ........
Just Thanks


Tom
Ravenshoe Real Estate

Amanda said...

This was an interesting history lesson. So excited for this book!

amandatheaker@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I cannot wait to read this book! Thanks for having the giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

LOVE the earrings...and want that book!

nowakoski at sbcglobal dot net

Stacey said...

I'm excited for this book!! Thanks for the chance to win!

Stacey
secsec1 (at) gmail (dot) com

Bonnie said...

Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway and not making us jump through hoops to enter! I make my giveaways simple also:) It sounds like a fabulous book.


redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Vivien said...

I really want to win this book! I love historicals.

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

mrsshukra said...

Excited about Michelle's latest novel, have always been curious about Madame Tussaud!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Michelle Moran is a phenomenal writer! I've been wanting this book for quite sometime.
Thanks!
Allison
allisonmharper@hotmail.com

Carol N Wong said...

I really love historical fiction and this period of history in France was so fascinating. But Madame Tussuad was even more fascinating. I would love to learn how this intelligent and talented woman rose to the top! Please enter me in this contest.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Wolfluvr420 said...

Thanks for the great give away! I love historical fiction because there is always a fascinating story behind the book.
wolfluvr420(at)yahoo(dot)com

TheGirlOnFire said...

This book looks so great. I would love to learn more about this time period.
Stephanie
thegirlonfie27 at gmail dot com

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