The Désirée Guestbook Volume 2, 2001-2003

The Désirée Guestbook Volume 2, 2001-2003

Here are some comments, questions, and suggestions submitted by visitors from mid-2001 through 2003. When you're done reading them, you can view the most recent entries, go to the Guestbook Volume 1, 1997-2000, or return to the Désirée page.

London, UK, Aug 9, 2001I too read the book "Desiree" in my teens and was inspired by it. I went on to study History & French at university and have enjoyed visiting Napoleonic sites ever since. It was a fascinating introduction to the subject.

Livonia, Michigan, Aug 18, 2001I have just finished readin Desiree and I enoyed it so much! It has also sparked an interest in history for me, especially aobut the Napolonic age. I love the sight, it was very helpful and interesting!

Franklin, Wisconsin, Aug 18, 2001I have multiple copies of the book in my home, and absolutely loved it! The movie was wonderful also. I too am an ancestor of Desiree, and was surprized to see how many others on here were related.

Portland, oregon, Aug 20, 2001Thank you for this informative web site! I was named after Desiree and I always like to read more about her to figure out why of all names my mother chose that one!

- Desire Guensch

Seattle, Washington, Aug 23, 2001Thank you so much for all the work you've done in putting together this fabulous website. I would state without hesitation that "Desiree" has been the most influential person in my life. I first saw the Marlon Brando-Jean Simmons film in 1969 (when I was 16) and was truly enchanted by the fairy-tale story and the beautiful costumes. I then went out and got a copy from a used bookstore (they were quite plentiful at the time) and have read the book numerous times. I still have two copies of the book and have seen the book offered on EBay for only a few dollars. Of course I have the video (VHS and Laser Disc versions), as well as numerous stills, costume photos, and posters that I have acquired over the years. I also visited the Bernadotte summer palace (I think it is called "Roserborg") outside of Stockholm in 1975, and of course, have been to Paris as well. I've read numerous biographies of Napoleon and other individuals associated with him (such as his brother Joseph) just to see how Desiree has been portrayed. My conclusion is that the biographers have not taken the time to paint an accurate portrait of her. This may be because she is viewed as a fairly minor character by Napoleonic scholars. She is either silly, scheming, or innocuous. I would hope that the Selinko version captures her real personality, but the definitive biography of this very interesting woman has yet to be written. The Selinko book also doesn't mention her very odd pursuit of the Duc de Richelieu, a minister under the Restoration government of Louis XVIII (if memory serves me correctly). By the way, I also have a copy of "A Queen of Napoleon's Court" (published 1905), which I bought on EBay. There is not as much information there on Desiree as one would have expected from a book that purports to be a biography. To all the younger fans who enjoy this website, I think I need to stress a very important fact: Desiree Clary benefited from a confluence of historical events which shaped her unique destiny. She had the unparalleled luck (which could have been good or bad) of living in an age of revolutionary upheaval, where people of fairly obscure origins (that is, not from the nobility or aristocracy) could rise to great heights in a very short period of time. Desiree herself was not a woman of great accomplishment nor did she possess any great intellectual gifts or great beauty, but she was associated with men - Napoleon and Bernadotte - both of whom, however they may be characterized by admirers or detractors, were major figures of their time. Desiree herself was from a wealthy merchant family and therefore, would have been (and was) sought after by men of ambition, such as the young Napoleone Buonaparte. It is highly unlikely that her story will ever be repeated in our age. While her life and destiny provide endless sources of fascination, it is best to remember that she is a historical figure and not a model to emulate.

Skopje, Macedonia, Sep 4, 2001Hi.... i'm 16 years old, and i hope to read lots of book in my life......BUT without doubt "DESIREE" is the best book EVER!!!!!! I LOVED IT my mom was telling me to read it all the time and finally i did..... Its her favourite book too....... I would like to see the movie but i cant find it anywhere.... the site is beautiful

Pensacola, Florida USA, Sep 12, 2001I love this book!!! I found it in the discard pile at my high school's library... I took it home and have since read it more than ten times. I now know more about Napoleon than anyone ever should, but this has helped me in many classes since.

London, Oct 2, 2001i LOVED THE BOOK!! DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW i CAN GET FULL OFFICIAL HISTORIES OF DESIREE AND JEAN BAPTISTE - IN ENGLISH OF COURSE!!

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, Oct 17, 2001I guess I'm not as unusual as I had thought! Like many, many others, I discovered "Desiree" in my mother's bookcase when I was 12 years old. I fell in love with her story. In the 30 years since, I must have read the book at least 20 times. My copy is falling apart -- the binding disintigrated and the pages began unraveling this summer, with my most recent reading. I'll have to see if I can find another copy somewhere -- I can't bear to think of not having a copy around, to pick up and become lost in. Your website is superb! I've always wondered what Desiree and her John-Baptiste looked like, and was excited to see the links to many portraits, both of them and the others in the story. Thank you so much for all your work!

Los Angeles, USA but was born in Hungary, Oct 20, 2001I have to agree with you. I was about 12 years old, when my Mom accidently gave me this book, thought it's just a nice story for little girls. Boy, I was stunned. I read it over and over again. I fantasized about Napoleon, Josephine (she deserved the champagne on her white dress though!) and of course of Desiree. I decided that I'll go to Paris, to the Sorbonne to learn more about Napoleon's life. It didn't happen. I went to Paris but only to see his tomb (in Invalids). I was shaking, I couldn't want to believe it, that he is laying there just few feet from me. This book taught me how wonderful history is, and how sad that I cannot go back to 1800 and live like Desiree.

San Pedro, CA, Oct 26, 2001As a young girl in Trinidad, I thought I too was named after a Saint like my brothers and Sisters, little did I know. When I was old enough to understand, my mother told me she read the book "Desiree" when she was 17 and would name her first daughter after her. Well here I am another Desiree who truly loves the book and her name. Thanks for a great website, when anyone has questions here is where I will send them.

- Desiree M. Hobson-Garcia

Virginia Beach, Virginia, Nov 8, 2001My mother gave me her copy of Desiree when I was twelve. Over the years I read it countless times, until the cover fell off, the pages yellowed, and finally I wrapped it and packed it away. That book fueled on interest in all things Napoleonic and especially in Jean-Baptiste and Desiree. I thought I was the only one.

- Martha Lee Head

Utah, Nov 13, 2001Is the spelling Desideria Swedish? My mother named me after Desiree after reading the book. I am very interested in Desiree is there any other imformaton about her?

- Desiree Urban

Chile, Dec 11, 2001Dear Julie, I read your page and I can tell you did a great job. I read the book when I was 12-13 and since then I've been somehow conected to Desirée's life. I think I read the book at least 6 times, and once I cought the movie on TV but couldn't watch it complete. The book was at home, my mom is a spanish teacher so I always could have reach a lot of books. I didn't know there was so many people who loves this book, and that tells a lot of the writer I think. If anyone knows where can I get a book on a spanish version please let me know, because I lost the book and I haven't read it for a long time. Thanks a lot for all the information, and thanks too to Annemarie Selinko.

Hessen/Germany, Dec 14, 2001Dear Julie! A great page, a great woman, a great book! I´m glad that I´m not the only Desiree-fan in this world!

Bridgeport, Conneticut, USA, Dec 18, 2001I have recently bought a copy of Desiree that was printed in 1953. I simply love it. I read it twice in three months, but I couldn't tell if it was a true story or not. This site as helped me a great deal in tellinf truth from fictiion. I'm glad that someone set it up. As I said it has helped me a great deal.

Nottingham, England, Jan 1, 2002Great site. I first read Desiree in August 1972 on a trip to Europe (i'm originally from NYC). I was in Amsterdam and did a swap with another traveller. I was instantly hooked. I've read it several times since and never get tired of it.

- AJ

Louisiana, United States, Jan 3, 2002Your intorduction explaining how you became interested in Desiree could have been written by me. I read the book many years ago and several times since. It is my favorite book of all time. Being an avid reader all of my life this is saying quite a lot about my liking of this great book.

- Melissa Capella

Perth, Australia, Jan 4, 2002Wow! I never knew there was so much information on Desiree Clary! I too was named after my mother saw the movie! And now I have my own copy of the novel - one of my realitves found in in a secondhand bookshop :)

- Desiree Kalkman

Athens, Greece, Jan 7, 2002Have been re-reading the book over and over for the last 25 years. I have the year 1954 book print out in Greek and have been keeping it as a treasure. This Xmas has been extremely wonderful as I finally visited Paris and was able to imagine Napoleon and Desiree (not to forget Bernadott and Josephine) at their very own places and positions....

- Helena Archontakis

Ireland, Jan 16, 2002Was Desiree's ancestry from Ireland? I have come accross accounts that the name Clary was a variation of the name Clery. Do records exist to trace Desiree's ancestry? If you have any suggestions I would aprreciate hearing from you

Memphis, Tennessee, Jan 31, 2002I found my book while working as an Administrative Assistant at a hospital here in Memphis. It was in a pile of books that the "pink ladies" sell for charity. I paid .50 cent in 1992. I fell in love with my book and have read it at least 20 times. It lets my imaginiation soar!

- Sandy H. McCord

Chesapeake, Virginia, Feb 5, 2002My mother gave me the book and I loved it. I still reread it from time to time. I can't tell you how often I have gone to specific parts of the book and reread them.

- Dani Feierstein

Shanghai, China, Feb 7, 2002i think this is the most fantastic site i have ever seen about my favorite DESIREE.the book i have read has been translated into Chinese,i think this book is so great and moving.i love it very much , to tell you the truth ,i think this book is one of my favorite books.After reading it for several times, i have been interested about the French history ,i admire Napoleon and i like Desiree Clary, i am deeply moved by their beautiful love story . i am so excited when i find this website about desiree,and i am so glad to know that there are so many people around world interested about Desiree and Napoleon, in my country ,there are not many people know them and their moving and great love ,i hope more and more people will know their story, and i do hope that i can have some friends who have the same interest with me. i have read some comments in this site ,and i hope i can be your friend.we can talk about the fantastic book, this wonderful website, and the excellent film Desiree(1954) by Marlon.brando and Jean.Simmons. Please e-mail me, and i would love to be your Chinese friend! my e-mail address is ;gracieirene@sohu.com

- gracie.irene.wang

Teheran, Feb 10, 2002"Hi, I visited the site and found it very interesting, thanks." J'ai vu ce site et je trouve ca tres interssant.J'adore l'histoir de Desiree et de Napoleon.J'ai lu beacoup de livre a propse de ces gens. Je vous en remercie pour faire ce site.

Chile, Feb 24, 2002 What can I say?! I have read the book about 200 or 300 times. It is a wonderful book, like this page. I read the book when I was 16 year old for the first time and I loved it. Thank you for the page and for this chance to express our thoughts about the book and the page. I think every woman who has read the book once, she realized, each one of us, has something of DESIREE. Thank you again.

Hamburg, Germany, Feb 25, 2002It is just the same with me. My partens gave Desireé (German version) to me Christmast 1957. I loved it very much an my friend and I were at that time able to quote quite some passages by heart. I am sure I read that book about fifteen times and later read another biographie about Desiree. All together I think she cannot have been too happy: living many years without her family. Still the historical background is very interesting. I now gave this book to a young girl to read and found that she is as thrilled about the book (I think Annemarie Selinko's style of writing is very nice) as I was. Therefore I now try to get it for her.

Germany, Feb 28, 2002Desiree has been my favourite book since I was only 15 and it stayed that ever since. Now I am desperately searching for the movie - has anyone here an idea how to get it?

Denmark, Mar 7, 2002I had read Desiree, and it`s a very good book. I`m write a project about the persons from the book.

Akron, Oh, America, Mar 9, 2002This page was so great! I am a great fan of Desiree, and I love her diary, it is my favorite book!Thi website helped me alot, I loved to see all the pictures of her and her lifetime and Napoleon. Thank you!!

America, Mar 9, 2002DESIREE has changed my life, no kidding! i love the story sooo much! i am 15 and Ive read that book soooo many times, i can never get enough of it! if anyon has more info about her or napoleon, please email me! i love napoleon so much also! i love them both!

Paris, Mar 24, 2002I read the book - may the fifth time - as I am living in Paris now I'd love to look for some places that are mentionend in the book. It really is one of the best books I ever read.

Oldenburg, Mar 30, 2002I really love your site!! It helped me for a referat and I like to see photos of the real Désirée at all! The book is fantastic, I'd read it when I was about 13/14, like many others here. It was an old book of my dead grandmother and it also reminds me a bit of her... Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've always searched for a site like this!!

Canada, Mar 30, 2002This is a great site! It was just an accident that I saw the book Desiree in my high school library and started reading because I had time to kill, and I found it really interesting. Thank you for all the information you've put into this site.

Bratislava,Slovak republic, Apr 2, 2002It is so nice and interesting website.Thank you for it.I am only 16 years old and I do not read any book about it,but maybe later,when it would be in Slovak language.

- Linda Stasikova

Germany, 4. April 2002, Apr 3, 2002More than a book is this wonderful novel to me! I came across Désirée's story when I was 15 years old and I get totally "infected". Now I am 40 and still crazy for everything about Napoléon's private life and the women of his family and his court. My friend told me about this Désirée-website...and I love it!! It's very very interesting and I want to congratulate the webmistress: "Thank you, Julie. MERCI BIEN!" I also want to invite all the german-speaking readers to visit my napoleonic website. Ich möchte alle interessierten Leserinnen herzlich einladen, mich auf meiner napoleonischen Webseite zu besuchen. http://www.napoleon-bonaparte.napoleon-online.de My best greetings to all and keep on with the good work! :o)

London, England, Apr 7, 2002I read Desiree many times in my teens (I am now 51). It was "liberated" from me when I was student and I have recently bought a second-hand copy. The bookseller tells me that it sells out as soon as he gets any copies in. Why? I thought that perhaps it was the romance but on re-reading after all these years, when romance does not have the same effect on me as in my teens - it's not that. Is it that, in being drawn in to Desiree's story, one feels a aprt of the history of that time? I shall have to read the other comments to get their views.

New York City, Apr 11, 2002I don't know what brought this book to mind today but how astonished I was to find your site and the book on Amazon.com! I read this book many, many -- too many years ago. I estimate I was around 11 years old and perhaps in the sixth grade. How I loved it and read it over and over again. It went neck and neck with Gone with the Wind. It inspired me to become totally immersed in the history of the French Revolution. What was most surprising ......aside from finding your website was that I actually remembered the name of the author... Anne Marie Selinko! How somethings remain in out subconscious! Ask me where I left my keys and I probably could not tell you but ask me who wrote Desiree and right off the top of my head......Anne Marie Selinko. As mentioned I ordered the book and so look forward to reading it again. It will be interesting to see how I react to it today as opposed to so many years ago. I was such a romantic then......no more. Thanks for your site.

Illinois, Apr 24, 2002I am reading Desiree right now. My boyfriend found it in the library, and we found it funny that the title was my name! But after leafing through it, it seemed really interesting- especially because I take French classes, and am going to Paris next summer (I'm bascially obsessed w/France.) That was last night, and now I'm on page 115 today. It is soooooo good. I was wondering if she did exist, and found her as well as Josephine Bauharnais (spelling?) and was sooo surprised! I love the story and once done w/the book will rent the movie. Your website was very informative, thanks!

USA, May 9, 2002I didn't see any mention of the fact that the Clary family of France were actually of Irish extraction.They were descended from one of the oldest families in Ireland, directly descended from King Guare of Connacht through the Limerick branch of that family. The family in Ireland and France were always aware of this and never thought of themselves as being any less than other great families. In Irish the name is Cleirigh, now usually spelled Cleary, Clery or Clary. This is all verifiable.

Okaloosa Island, Florida USA, May 15, 2002This has been one of my favorite books and movies all my life

- Patrick Thomas McMillan

Köln, May 16, 2002Desirée ist eine tolle Geschäfte. Nach mehrmaligem Lesen begann ich mich sehr über Napoleon und Jean-Baptist zu interessierten, vorallem für die Geschichte. Somit 10 Jahr später, bin ich Geschichtslehrerin an der Uni in Köln.

half of the year in Germany in Rotenburg a.d. Fulda, half of the year in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 16, 2002At the age of 14 I read the book Desiree and one thing I wanted most was once to get a daughter I could name Desiree. And I got one! She is now 18.

- Dr. Edith Rangkuty (my husband is from Indonesia)

Pennsylvania, Jun 3, 2002I grew up with the movie Desiree. My mother watched it as a child and promised herself that she would name her daughter Desiree. Many years later I came along and she held true to her promise. She made sure that I knew of the movie and watched it. Since the first time I watched it I fell in love with the romance of Desiree's life.

Bochum, Germany, Jun 8, 2002Thank you for a wonderful page! It is great to see that others care about my favourite book as well and like me were inspired by it. Like so many others I first read Désirée when I was 11 or 12. I've re-read at least 20 times so far (which means about twice a year since I am 21 now) and I still love it.

Newport, South Wales, UK, Jun 16, 2002I was thrilled to find this site and to know others llove this book as much I do.I have read the book several times and am looking to find a copy now as I am 50 this year and it is all I want for my birthday!!! Also I am hoping to go to Stockholm as the book made me fall in love with Sweden. Thanks again for a great sie.

Germany, Jun 25, 2002Hi! I just want to tell you, I've been named after Désirée Clary as my father read the book and was expelled by her character and strength. So he wanted to have a daughter similar to this woman and named me after her. And I am truely so very proud of being named after a person like her. When I read something about the crown princess of Sveden, Victoria Désirée, I always feel related to her. And to Désirée Clary. Now, after I've had my 18th birthday, my father actually told me that his dream of a daughter like Désirée Clary has become true!

- Desirée Kuthe

Brasil, Jun 29, 2002Your page is incredible!!! It's amazing the way you organized the information, everything can be found so easily! It's a wonderful place to research about swedish and french history!! A thousand times congratulations for the marvelous work!:o)

Montgomery, AL, Jul 12, 2002I've read the book three times. I read it first upon my mother's suggestion in junior high, then read it again in high school and in college. I'm a French culture afficionado, and this book helped spark my interest in the Napoleonic era. When visiting Versailles, I saw a picture of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte and I imagined him in a huge coat, wrapping his arms around Eugenie to protect her from the rain. This book is fantastic. I intend to continue the tradition and one day pass it on to my daughter. Thanks for this site. It's helping me in my quest for more real-life info about this fascinating daughter-of-a-silk-merchant-turned-queen.

Spokane, WA, Jul 23, 2002I wish that someone (the BBC?) would do this book as a mini-series.

- Mary Ann Brady

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jul 24, 2002Dear Ms. Julie: If I write you in spanish, you can read me? I have a lot of information about Désirée, and I saw you renew your page frequently. I can't write in english, but I can read it.

- Prof. Antonio Pugliese

u.s.a., Jul 25, 2002The author annemarie selinko is not austrian but swedish as far as I know .my name is clary because my grandmother read the book and urged my mother to call me clary if I was a girl and I was.

Greater metro area of Washington, DC , Montgomery Co. MD, Jul 27, 2002I am an American descendent of Desiree and Bernadotte via Charles XV of Sweden, their grandson, who had two "illegitimate" sons (one of whom sired my grandmother, Sally Lind, (legitimately) in Vasteras, Sweden in 1899) as well as two children by his wife, one of whom died in childhood.

- Emily C. Volz

Germany,Schwerin, Aug 7, 2002I`m very interested in Josephine de Beauharnais and of course in the people around her.I read the great book "Desiree",a lot of books about Napoleon and Josephine.I love it to find more and more informations about this time,interesting people and about France.

- Peggy Möller

iran, Aug 21, 2002i like bernadot.

Capital Federal, Argentina, Aug 24, 2002First of all I am from Argentina, so please sorry if my writing is not completly ok.I am 16 and my father gave me this incredible and amazing story as part of my gift for my 15th birthday. Since I started reading the novel y couldn´t stop. I have read the book about twenty times, and I never get tired or bored!!!is the greatest book on the world, and it deserves all delights!! I am charmed by this admirable woman, of course I am talking about Désirée, and by the way the writter tells the story. I think that if you want to read a book, this is the choosen. You will never find another all around the word like this.

- María Eva Maccione

Germany, Sep 18, 2002Hello! I have read "Desiree" not long ago! I´m very interessting in the women around Napoleon. I have a new homepage about this theme: http://www.die-frauen-napoleons.de.vu I am very happy about your visit! Adieu, Sabine

la paz -Bolivia, Sep 19, 2002este es un libro muy interesante que cambio mi vida y forma de verla la verdad quisiera conocer a las personas interesadas en el libro ya que en mi pais no conosco a nadie que lo haya leido con esepcion de mi mama y mi abuela esta histori representa mucho para mi.

la Paz -Bolivia, Sep 25, 2002escribi antes y no se si alguien se interese por mi comentario pero si alguien lee este espero que me escriba a mi pagina para desirme como puedo conseguir un video de la pelicula desiree ya que en mi país nunca e la a visto y no se donde la puedo consegui porfavor,gracias.

NY, Oct 1, 2002I was wondering if you have any information about desiree's brothers. my last name is Clary and that story has been passed down many generations as my great-great-great(probably a few more greats) aunt. it would be very helpful if u did have information about that if you were to put it on your website. i love your website and look forward to seeing new information put on it.

- L.

jacksonville beach, florida, Oct 6, 2002I found the Desiree book in an old bookshop when I was about 15 years old. I am now 64 and it has remained one of my favorites, and also my daughter's favorite. I becamed fascinated with her history and the history of Napoleon and Bernadotte. After reading the book I spent a lot of time in our local library researching the actual histories and even did my own family tree of the Bernadotte's. Most of this was during my highschool years, but I have never lost my interest in this era of history, and recently picked up the book again to re-read it. It still sparks my interest in the era. and my desire to know more of the Bernadotte dynasty.

PARIS, Oct 8, 2002I want to know if is it existing a french version of "Desirée" and by which editor ?

The Netherlands, Oct 18, 2002Like so many others, I have read the book Desiree for the first time when I was a young girl. The book always lies next to my bed and I read it at least once a year. Every time I read it, I try to find out what has really happened and what didn't. I am very interested in history and especially in Desiree and J.B. Bernadotte. In our libraries there are no books at all about them, so, thank God for the Internet. I am happy I have found your site, thank you for making it.

Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov 1, 2002I love your site! I never knew there were so many people interested in this book. I thought I was the only one. Like many others I read Desiree when I was about 12. I am now 47 and it is still one of my very favorite books. I cannot wait to go to France and visit all the places mentioned in the book. I wish they would remake the film and reprint the book! Thank You!

Oslo, Norway, Nov 10, 2002Excellent website! If you are interested in more portraits of the Bernadottes, see links from my website http://www.geocities.com/dagtho/sweden.html

- Dag T. Hoelseth

Carlisle, UK, Nov 10, 2002Wonderful to find this site! I found the book in a saleroom lot when I was 15 and have been fascinated by Desiree and her life ever since. I re- read the book regularly. I've been to Paris and it has been great to see some of the places associated with her. Well done with the site!

Georgia, Jan 1, 2003Wonderful! Thank you.

The Netherlands, Hengelo, Jan 24, 2003I've read the book twice and I am really curious how she really was. This site helped me get her knowing better. Thanks.

Philadelphia, Jan 29, 2003Interesting Website. I first read the book in the mid 60's and have been researching the Bernadottes ever since. On my first trip to Paris I went looking for the Ho'tel Bernadotte at # 28 Rue D'Anjou above the Rue St. Honore, only to find myself out in the middle of the Boulevard Malesherbes. It seems that in 1860 Baron Haussmann had the house demolished in order to build the new boulevard which crossed the Rue D'Anjou at that spot. Although Desiree left for Sweden in 1823, never to return, she always expected to and continued to own the house until her death in 1860. It was only then that her nephew by marriage, Napoleon III, allowed haussmann to procede with the demolition. Six months after her death the new street was open for business. Actually the boulevard existed on planning maps even before Napoleon I gave the house to Bernadotte in 1805 (Plus 100,000 FF to decorate it) and Desiree must have known this all the years she lived there. Once when I was browsing in the Louve bookstore I found a book on Paris streets that had a short history of the house. Before Moreau bought the house it was the residence of the ambassador from Holland. Some other interesting facts you won't find in the book; The Bernadotte's house in Sceaux still exists but it was only rented to them and they only lived there for 9 weeks before they bought the Rue Cisalpine house (which today is called the Rue Monceau). It was there that Oscar was born. That house has also been demolished. As in most large cities, most of the buildings in central Paris older then mid to late 19th centry are gone. In 1800 they sold that house and bought and moved to La Grange, 22 miles east of Paris. Until the Rue D'Anjou they didn't own a house in Paris but often stayed with her widowed mother and her brother Nicolas (Desiree was the youngest of 13 children) who lived for a time at 23 Rue d'Aguesseau, also in the Fauboug St. Honore. Good luck with your website and keep expanding it.

- Chris Castelli

Shoreview, Minnesota, Feb 19, 2003I read Desiree for the first time when I was 13 or 14 years old. I couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one afternoon/evening. I like to imagine that I was Desiree in a past life. I have since read the book at least 40-50 times. Whenever I feel I need comfort - I reach for this amazing book. Since first reading the book I have become fascinated with Napoleon and French history from that time period. I have visited Paris and the Loire river valley in France - it was the trip of my lifetime. I would someday like to retire in France. Incidentally, several years after reading the book and subsequent books on Napoleon's life, I found out that Napoleon and I have the exact same birthday - August 15! Thanks for the website.

- Lisa Christine Magnus, MD

iran, Feb 21, 2003

- saeed hosseini

LAKE COWICHAN VANCOUVER ISLAND B.C. CANANDA, Mar 10, 2003HAVING ALSO READ DESIREE AT A YOUNG AGE (13 APPROX) AFTER MY MOTHER SUGGESTED IT AND SPENDING ALL THESE YEARS OBSESSED WITH FINDING OUT ABOUT THE REAL DESIREE IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY. IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE SWEDISH WEB SITE BARELY MENTIONS HER.HOW WONDERFUL TO FINALLY SEE A REAL PORTRAIT. I TOO HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT A&E SHOULD DO A REMAKE . THE MOVIE RAN A COUPLE OF TIMES ON BRAVO A FEW MONTHE AGO . IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD SEEN IT IN COLOUR ALTHOUGH THE MOVIE IS PRETTY BAD EXCEPT FOR BRANDO AND JEAN SIMMONS, THE COSTUMES ARE VERY GOOD. I HOPE THE PERSON WHO IS TRYING TO WRITE A REAL BIOGRAPHY SUCEEDS.THE SWEDISH ROYAL FAMILY MUST HAVE SOME LETTERS ETC. THERE SEEMS TO BE ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOOK AND REALTY. IT LOOKS LIKE ETIENNE AND SUZANNE WERE HER UNCLE AND AUNT AND THAT SHE HAD A MASS OF OTHER SIBLINGS BESIDES JULIE. THERE MUST STILL BE SOME CLARYS AROUND TODAY AS I THINK THERE ARE STILL SOME BONAPARTE RELATIVES. WHAT A PITY THEY REMODELED HER RUBY HEADPIECE WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT WAS VERY INTERESTING AS A PERIOD PIECE IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM. BEING HALF NORWEGIAN IT IS GOOD TO SEE SHE ACTUALLY LIKED NORWAY. ONE WONDERS WHAT TYPE OF PERSON SHE REALLY WAS, AND WHY SHE REALLY SPENT SO MUCH TIME APART FROM HER HUSBAND. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ANY NEW INFORMATION THAT MIGHT ARISE. THANK YOU FOR A GREAT WEBSITE.

Spalt / Germnay, Apr 04, 2003In 1983 I got this book for a christmas present. I never had heard of it befor. Since than I have read it(better said,I eat it up) countless times. And everytime it`s like reading it for the very first time all over again. So finally I did some intense research about it, beeing interessted who these people where and most of all how they looked like. I stumbeld over this excelent website. I' am glad to see there are more people like me beeing so obsesed with this book. And this absolutly great website is by far the best I found looking for info on this matter. Thank you for all the time and for putting this website together

- Connie Werzinger

London, UK, Apr 15, 2003I have read this book several times, perhaps 7 since I was 11 years old, and have loved it every time. Ms Selinko tells the story so well, one imagines being there in situ. Strangely enough, I have read this book only in Persian. I wonder if I can learn enough German to one day read the original! In any case, wonderful site here, thank you.

Kansas City, Missouri, May 13, 2003It was fun to see the results after typing in my great uncle's name, Barye Phillips. I had no idea how many book covers he had painted.

- Alice Wilson Wilhelmus

Italy, May 15, 2003I find notable that we can see, in the actual King of Sweden and his family, the living descendants of legendary persons such as Désirée Clary and Josephine de Beahuarnais. By the way, considering that Napoleon didn't marry Désirée and divorced from Josephine to have an heir and an imperial one, it's a destiny compensation that the descendats of both the rejected women are still reigning, while the Bonapartes and the Habsburgs don't.

- Valerio Spada

Bayshore, Long Island, United , Jun 02, 2003Long been fascinated with Desiree, Bernadotte, and Napoleon connection,it is most fascinating to see them all now for first time,but was she really Napoleon's fiancee?

- Naomi Doudera

Jerusalem, Jun 24, 2003It's nice to come across a group of Desiree's fans.

Antioch, CA, Jul 01, 2003I was named after the character Desiree' when my mother saw the movie. I have since seen the movie a few times and, have also read the novel. A very fascinating read.

- Desiree' Duemling

Ottawa, Ontario, Jul 09, 2003What a great site! Having been named Désirée (after the queen herself), I also grew up with a copy of the book and it was passed on to me by my mother when I left home. I loved the book and the story of her life and always love learning new things about Queen Desideria

Norrköping, Sweden, Jul 18, 2003Here I am back again. I'm re-reading Désirée right now. I'm hoping that someone someday will make a new movie out of this book or perhaps a mini-series. By the way. I love the dress wore by Désirée on the starting page of the guestbook. Anyone who knows where I can get thepattern for it?

California, Aug 01, 2003My mother found the book at a yard sale when I was 10 and I read it some time during my Junior High year. Its an original copy from 1954. Its starting to fall apart, but I absolutely love the story.

Houston Texas, Aug 02, 2003The Consular Ladies' Book club (Women associated with the nternational Houston Consular Corps) read the novel "Desiree" in Late July 2003 and all were charmedand delighted with it. Several who formerly had little interest in Swedish history want to learn more. Members of our group were from/associated with/ UK ,Poland, & Belgium. My husband, a retired UK ambassador, (once posted to Sweden) who usually doesn't like fiction, praised the book for its historical accuracy as well as its high literary quality.

- Mrs Raven Wenner

Madrid, Spain, Sep 09, 2003I read Desirée when I was 11 years old. I completely loved this book. I lernt more of French Revolution than in school. I reccommend it to all people.

Brasil- SC, Oct 13, 2003Meu nome tambêm é Désirée graças ao livró "Désirée" de Annemarie Selinko minha vó leu e deu a sugestão para minha mãe, desde de pequena escuto minha mãe e minha vó falarem desse livro e sempre tive curiosidade para ler e só agora eu tive a oportunidade de ler e fiquei simplismante dislumbrada com a historia desde então pesquiso tudo que posso para saber mais sobre ela. Me encantei com sua vida,aliás acho que não sou a única, volto ao tempo e me imagino em sua vida como se ela fosse eu novamente, em outros tempos... Adorei o site e acho muito legal poder compartilhar meus pensamentos e idéias com pessoas que entendo o que eu falo.

- Désirée Branco do Valle

Italy, Oct 29, 2003My mother named me Desiree after watching the film.I am very interested in Desiree, and thank a lot for all this informations Manu kissis

- Desiree Rotta

Williamsburg, OH, Nov 05, 2003Hey my name's Desiree too! Cool!

Germany, Nov 09, 2003My mom first gave me Desiree to read when I was 11...today I´m fifteen and have become obsessed with anything about Désirée, Napoleon, Joséphine...oh, the whole times. I basically EAT UP every book I can find about the times, f.e. the Joséphine Triology by Sandra Gulland (highly reccommended). Thanks for your awesome site!!!

germany, Dec 28, 2003hello! really good page! i have to say that the book about desiree is one of the best books i read! it's so funny, lovely and only good! best wishes. daniela