City of Darkness, City of Light

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Robespierre and Danton are often remembered as the key figures of the French Revolution, but a vital narrative remains untold: the brave women who ignited the movement by taking to the streets. In this thought-provoking novel, Marge Piercy vividly brings to life three women who played significant roles during this tumultuous period. Claire Lacombe escapes poverty by joining a traveling theater troupe, becoming a symbol of defiance and testing the theory that women can effect change just as men do. Manon Philipon, a jewel's daughter, finds her political voice as the ghostwriter for her husband, Jean Roland, and the hostess of his salon, inspired by Rousseau’s ideals. Meanwhile, Pauline Léon, who owns a chocolate shop, witnesses the brutal realities of the Revolution and believes that women must apply pressure to prevent starvation. As the Revolutionary Republican Women emerge, the men engage in political infighting, with Robespierre, Danton, and Condorcet vying for power amidst the chaos. Piercy reveals their vulnerabilities and desires, intertwining their stories with the broader events of the Revolution, including the march on Versailles and the rise of the Terror. This novel captures the essence of the French Revolution while exploring the ideals and sacrifices of those who sought to change the world.