This inventive, engrossing novel imagines Napoleon's escape from his exile on the island of St. Helena in 1821 which lands him in America.  Reunited with former army officers and surrounded by sympathetic Americans, Napoleon repeatedly protests of his desire to be a simple citizen -- but the lure of a new kingdom, Mexico, becomes too much to resist. 

I was immediately taken with this novel. Selin's writing style (you can read an excerpt at the author's website) sucked me in from the first page.

The narrative is peppered with diary entries, letters, newspaper articles, and other missives to round out the story as we experience it. (I just died of happy reading the diary entry by John Quincy Adams, then Secretary of State, wrestling with the news of Napoleon's request for asylum.) The feel of the book is slightly 19th century, which I enjoyed; the writing is wordy and philosophical.

While the cast of characters is huge, there's enough context in the story to understand who is who if one doesn't want to flip back to the list of characters included at the end.

More than once, I had to remind myself this was wholly fictional, not a fictionalized account of events that really happened. The strength of this book comes from Selin's ability to keep this story from being ludicrous, despite the outlandish plot. Her Napoleon is slightly delusional and very ambitious, surrounded by supporters and allies who bolster and encourage him.  Every decision made felt realistic and possible, and I read hungrily to see just how things would end. (I found myself kind of rooting for Napoleon to be successful!)

Included are two pages of sources and seven pages of who's who. There's no historical note as the events of the novel are entirely fictional; historically, Napoleon dies in May of 1821, without having escaped from St. Helena, while Selin starts the novel just a few months earlier, in February.

A fantastic read for fans of French history and those who like 'what if' kind of stories; any fan of Napoleon will want to read this, too, and imagine a world where this might have happened.  Those new to speculative fiction should give this a try -- it's dangerously addictive! ( )

I classify “Napoleon in America” as semi-historical fiction. Its premise is that Napoleon escapes from St. Helena and makes his way to America. I will leave it at that. To tell much more would spoil it for you.

It is semi-historical in that its characters are historical figures: Napoleon, his brother Joseph Bonaparte, John Quincy Adams, James Monroe, King Louis XVIII, the Marquis de Lafayette, the Duke of Wellington, “privateer” Jean Lafitte and Jim Bowie just to name a few. It is semi-fiction in that it is obviously not a true story. Napoleon did not, as we know, escape but much of the dialogue and storyline ring true. Napoleon speaks of his dreams and feelings for his son. John Quincy Adams thinks out loud about the rationale of United States foreign policy. Louis XVIII muses over his role in the restored monarchy. Listen as Lafayette balances his love of liberty with the practical politics. Follow as Wellington explains British policy in Europe. Let Lafitte try to convince you that he is a privateer, not a pirate. The events that fill this storyline are fiction. The people and themes that give it life are real.

Author Shannon Selin’s writing style is exceptional. The action flows seemlessly. The conversation is realistic. The saga is believable. Some novels of this genre reach a point that is so far-fetched that it undercuts the credibility of the work, but never in “Napoleon in America”. The mind’s can actually see the scenes described. Depending on your sentiments toward Napoleon it may generate horror or disappointment for what might have been. This book draws the reader in to think of the times, appreciate what Napoleon meant to the world, understand America’s role in that world and, most importantly, to just enjoy a great story.

I did receive a free copy of this book for review. ( )