In Paris 1870, three wandering souls find themselves in a city set to descend into war.
Anne is a former patient from a women’s asylum trying to carve out a new life for herself in a world that doesn’t understand her. Newcomer Lawrence is desperate to develop his talent as a photographer and escape the restrictions of his puritanical upbringing. Ellis, an army surgeon, has lived through the trauma of one civil war and will do anything to avoid another bloodbath.
Each keeps company with the restless beasts of Paris’ Menagerie, where they meet, fight their demons, lose their hearts, and rebel in a city under siege.
A dazzling historical epic of love and survival, Stef Penney carries the reader captivated through war-torn Paris.
Praise for Stef Penney
‘One of the best storytellers we have’ The Scotsman
‘Penney works hard to fill her canvas with colour and conviction’ Sunday Times
‘[Her] prose is cinematic’ Independent
‘What has marked Penney out from the start is her ability to make her extensive historical research come alive’ Sunday Herald
(P) 2023 Quercus Editions Limited
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
Hypnotically readable, suspenseful, romantic and humane, Stef Penney is a mesmerising storyteller
Enthralling , vivid and utterly original
Paris during the siege of 1870 and the Communard uprising are fabulous subjects and Stef Penney has triumphed . . . It's bold. It's beautifully written and totally absorbing
Brilliantly evocative of Paris under siege . . . I knew almost nothing about this shocking slice of history and now I feel I've lived through it
An exquisite, relevant and immersive novel of humanity and beasts, self-discovery and survival set amid a Paris in flames
A beautifully written story of the best and worst of humanity, of the triumph of love and the human spirit over the degradation and devastation of war . . . the characters will stay with me a long time
A thrilling novel . . . She follows the stories of both humans and animals with an eye for telling detail and a deep understanding of the human heart
What a stunning read! I was immersed in this epic of love and daring . . . The historical background is wonderfully vivid and thrilling. Stef Penney is one of our most exceptional storytellers
A haunting and immersive novel that weaves together the lives of caged beasts and lost souls against a sweeping backdrop of war and revolution, love and loyalty. . . A tour de force
A historical epic that Jessie Burton fans will adore
In its balancing of exhilaration and horror, love and terror, despair and resurgence, The Beasts of Paris is a triumph
A rich portrait of a city falling apart . . . [Penney] draws her main characters - and Paris - with great skill
Penney examines social class, gender and sexuality against a vividly imagined reconstruction of historic events. Readers will find much to enjoy in this exploration of love, loss and redemption
Intriguing cast of characters ... their fortunes intertwine in a multi-stranded narrative that highlights the lives and loves of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events
Engrossing . . . Readers will find much to enjoy in this exploration of love, loss and redemption