So Julien is human after all. Jarring, but...I like it. It reminded me of the brief hubbub over the revelation that Kafka (gasp!) had **. No one's a statue; life goes on. Perfect people are dull.

I was glad to see that Diana's a part of this story arc. I had a bit of trouble buying that Julien would even consider forsaking the Cause for her after just one meeting, but I suppose there were other factors at play in his mind as well.

And now, cue the Combeferre family soap opera! I'm certainly looking forward to it.

(Also, the daguerreotype nerding was beyond adorable. Aww, science...)

Ah, where to start? I must admit that general squeeing is my first reaction. It lives! And grows! And is awesome! And contains the Jefferson Bible!

As I read through, I kept thinking that I had found my favorite passage of the chapter, only to have it eclipsed by another. Highlights are Helene's comments on Julien's contradictions, "I want to finish this chapter," the tension between Julien's shocking statements and "Christian" morality, and the blacksmith's revealing inability to identify with either political party and unwillingness to accept his new political power. I can't see Charles's support of the conservatives ending well.

I have to wonder when Julien accepted the "bonfire" mentality. Did it happen pre-1832 or while he was in prison?

I would so love to see him find his "widow of a certain age and education," but sadly can't see it happening. That would be far too kind of you.

If you're feeling motivated, there's a sprinkling of typos that you could fix, but nothing of import, especially as this is the interwebs. Aside from that, when I read this, I feel like it's an actual novel and not just fic.

Thanks for the update!

Sweet heaven, how has no one reviewed this??

The only things I can say are that I hope you finish it someday, and that your characters have taken up a permanent residence in my head.

I know I've already raved about BotM already (I'm the person who contacted you almost a year ago asking for the link to your LRF translation - what happened your site, by the way?), but...wow. Thank you.