The Paris June Rebellion started 190 years ago today, led by a group of students from the Sorbonne. The next day it was over. Had author Victor Hugo not been caught behind the barricades, we might never have known about it; it was the inspiration for Les Misérables.
Please enjoy this snippet from my own work, which was inspired by Hugo’s novel.
âA toast to fallen comrades, my friends. General Lamarque has gone to his reward.â
Grantaire drains Bahorelâs glass and smacks his lips in satisfaction as he returns it to his dismayed companion.
âWhat do you know of the funeral plans?â Combeferre inquires. âSurely there will be a procession, with catafalque and all.â
âIndeed,â Feuilly joins in. âThe people of Paris will want to pay their respects.â
âWe must find out.â Enjolras speaks with authority. âFor we may well use this somber occasion to make a change for the better, all over France.â
Grantaire sees the familiar light in his friendâs eye and shakes his head.
âInnkeeper,â he calls out genially. âMore of your wine, and good meat pies, for all. Plotting has ever been hungry work.â
With that, he throws some coins on the table. The innkeeperâs daughter snatches them up when she brings the requested items, barely acknowledging Grantaire as she slaps greasy trays on tables.
And so it is that the night wears on, in discussion of weapons, gunpowder and treason. Revolution has ever been thus.
Want your own copy of Two Days in June? Here are the cover copy and purchase links:
Starvation. Fear.
Fighting in the streets.
Itâs June 1832, and Paris is once again at war. The students of the Sorbonne rise up against those in power, believing that right and the people are on their side.
But King Louis-Philippe has other plans.
Read Two Days in June, the latest edition of Pocketful of Stories, and enter the world of Les Misérables.
Just 99 cents USD (or equivalent) at these fine booksellers:
Amazon (geo-targeted link); Angus & Robertson (Australia); Apple Books; Barnes & Noble; BOL (Netherlands); Booktopia (Australia); Chapters Indigo (Canada); Fnac (France); Kobobooks (available for 2400 SuperPoints); La Feltrinelli (Italy); LibrerĂas Gandhi (Mexico); Livraria Cultura (Brazil); Mondadori (Italy); Overdrive (via your local library); PorrĂșa (Mexico); Rakuten Japan; Smashwords
And, finally, a bonus track in honor of the occasion.
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