City of Darkness, City of Light: A Novel
City of Darkness, City of Light is Marge Piercy’s novel of women caught up in the French Revolution. It follows Claire Lacombe, Pauline Leon and Madame Manon Roland, combining their stories with those of prominent revolutionary men in a sweeping historical narrative.
At a glance
- Follows three women from different social positions as they engage with the French Revolution.
- Interweaves the women's stories with events and figures including Robespierre and Danton.
- The listing describes the story as based on a true story and emphasizes researched historical detail.
Reference price: $17.99
Price checked: Nov 13, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- The narrative centers women's political participation and experiences, rather than presenting the revolution only through its best-known male figures.
- The interwoven perspectives offer a broad view of revolutionary factions and social divisions.
- Kindle edition supports screen readers, Word Wise and Page Flip.
Technical specifications
12 specifications| Publisher | Open Road Media |
|---|---|
| Publication date | April 12, 2016 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 498 pages |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1504033367 |
| File size | 3.8 MB |
|---|---|
| Screen reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Page Flip | Enabled |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers of historical fiction about the French Revolution and women's roles in political movements.
- Readers comfortable following a large cast and intersecting character arcs.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a short book or a tightly focused story with only a few characters.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
43% 43% - 4 stars
42% 42% - 3 stars
9% 9% - 2 stars
4% 4% - 1 star
2% 2%
Customer feedback describes the book as insightful and immersive in its depiction of different currents and factions of the French Revolution. Reactions to character development and engagement are mixed, with some appreciating individual arcs and others finding the large cast difficult to track. That trade-off matters in a 498-page narrative that deliberately follows several intersecting lives.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the novel as insightful and engaging with the French Revolution's factions.
Mixed feedback
- Character development receives mixed reactions, including reports of compelling arcs and difficulty keeping track of the many characters.
Frequently asked questions
What is City of Darkness, City of Light about?
It follows Claire Lacombe, Pauline Leon and Madame Manon Roland as their lives intersect with the upheaval of the French Revolution.
Is this a Kindle edition?
The supplied listing gives Kindle format details, including a 3.8 MB file size and supported screen reader.
How long is the book?
The listing states a print length of 498 pages.
Does the novel focus only on women?
Women are central, but the account also incorporates prominent men of the revolution, including Robespierre and Danton.
Alternative options
He, She and It: A Novel
$7.99
Gone to Soldiers: A Novel
$3.99
The Thirty Years War (New York Review Books Classics)
$13.99
The Longings of Women: A Novel
$11.99
The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales
$9.99
Digital List Price: $11.99
$2.99
Woman on the Edge of Time: A Novel
$9.99
Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution's Women — An Epic Novel of the French Revolution
$1.99
A Place of Greater Safety: A Novel
$13.99
Sex Wars: A Novel of Gilded Age New York
$2.99
The Ox-Bow Incident (Modern Library Classics)
$6.99
Stay Alive: Berlin, 1939-1945
$14.99
