Bonaparte: The romantic novelist?
French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte,one of the greatest military leaders of history, had a romantic side too. A novel, Clisson et Eug?nie, set to be released in English, has revealed the French leader?s talent as a man of letters and a romantic novelist, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported. It all dates back to 1795 when Napoleon, an ambitious young soldier, aged 26, penned his romantic manuscript shortly before he made his name by smashing a royalist coup in Paris in the same year. In fact, the inspiration for the novel was the general?s love affair with Bernardine Eug?nie D?sir?e Clary, whose sister married his brother Joseph. In one extract, Napoleon?s beloved Eug?nie writes: ?I am worried and unhappy. I feel numb. Come to me without delay. Only the sight of you will cure me. Last night, I dreamt you were on your deathbed.?