Here is an adventure involving a young girl Gracie, her father Samuel, a young man called Gilbert and a very famous soldier called Napoleon Bonaparte. 

In fact the author Errol Broome, a Melbourne writer, balances her story between truth and fiction.  Truth, because the idea for the story came from her own family history spanning back to the island of St. Helena and the very house designed for Napoleon Bonaparte.  Fiction, because the wonderful character growth of Gracie is Errol’s own writing skill. 

The story begins when Bonaparte is exiled, along with his courtiers, to the island of St. Helena.  There Gracie and her father run a general store, but Gracie resents the fearful Bonaparte coming to disrupt their quiet life.  But is Napoleon Bonaparte the terrifying ogre Gracie has heard about? 

Errol Broome has researched the times and conditions of life on St.Helena and given flesh and humanity to the history book figure of Bonaparte. 

The story of Gracie moves with zest, surprise and leads to a greater understanding of the hard life that a girl of eleven lived at that time.  Gracie needed an after school job to help supplement her father’s meagre income.  Working in the temporary home of Bonaparte as dishwasher brings Gracie closer to understanding that the simple joys of great people mirror her own.  And that her own family’s problems are not too insignificant for a great man like Bonaparte. 

This book was so enjoyable, both in the unusual subject matter and the masterly writing of the author.  This is a must read book, suitable for ages ten years and upwards.

Review by Lorraine Marwood

© 2003 Lorraine Marwood