"Sontag weaves a picture of the time of the French Revolution that shows us some of the brutal reality of the lives of both rich and poor during that time. She explores personal culpability and innocence in times of war and hardship. She also makes certain aspects of war all too real. I shuddered all over while reading about the beheadings of the French revolution. Whew! Keep a dictionary close at hand to enrich your vocabulary." ... Kelly
"Volcano Lover was a colorful look at changing times in Europe during times of change. Characters are distinct and somewhat eccentric in both speech and actions. These people were not your run of the mill nobility, sitting around waiting for life to happen. The trips back and forth from England to Italy were very interesting. I loved the descriptive language." ... Michelle
"The Volcano Lover is a book to feed your intellect. Susan Sontag presents her story with a rich and precise vocabulary. Character descriptions are drawn with subtlety as she explores a time of great cultural change in Europe. Her characters generally reflect the conventions of the time, but her unconventional characters are the most informing about the age. The novel is set in Italy and England in the years preceding and during the French Revolution." ... Jan
"I must admit that I started this book with great gusto and enthusiasm. However, after about 10 chapters I found myself getting bored with the "upper crust frivolity". After a brief break, I rejoined the book and am glad I finished. Ms. Sontag tests my intellect, my vocabulary, and my knowledge of world history. Needless to say, I fail the tests every time." ... Cheryl B-C