Below is an excerpt from my Atlasphere review of Jeff Perren's novel Cossacks in Paris:
"Big events. That’s what I love about historical dramas.These days, Hollywood and modern novels deflate the audience with an uninspiring miasma of small people, personal demons, and futile actions. Art — good art — is more than depression and depravity. Art offers the opportunity to wrench one from the humdrum of daily life and to elevate one’s spirit with heroes transforming the course of history, often facing down long odds.
Historical dramas remain one of the few genres that capture the world-altering nature of big events and the opportunity for heroism.
[...]
Cossacks in Paris covers the same historical period as War and Peace — from Napoleon’s march to Moscow to his subsequent retreat to Paris and ultimate demise. In contrast with underlying flaws of War and Peace, Jeffrey Perren’s novel integrates purposeful decisions and actions that breathes life into the drama and bonds the reader to the characters.
The reader is first introduced to Breutier Armande, the protagonist, as a man intent on reshaping the future with his engineering perspicacity. Unfortunately for Breutier, his ambitions are thwarted by Napoleon’s grandiose and ill-fated designs to expand his power by conquering Russia.
However, all is not lost for Breutier when he is conscripted into Napoleon’s army. During Napoleon’s march to Moscow, Breutier meets a beautiful Finnish Countess, Kaarina, on a scouting trip to St. Petersburg. Timing proves once again a double-edged sword for Breutier, as his chance encounter with his ideal woman clashes with Alexander’s plans for the young beauty — to marry her off to a brutal Cossack adept at war named Agripin..."
Go forth and read the full review on Atlasphere.
Mr. Perren's novel is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle editions.