'Recollections of the Revolution and the Empire' Summary

The memoir begins with the author's childhood in the opulent world of the French aristocracy. She describes the lavish lifestyle of the court of Marie Antoinette and the growing tensions between the aristocracy and the common people. With the outbreak of the Revolution, the author's world is turned upside down. She witnesses the storming of the Bastille, the execution of the king and queen, and the Reign of Terror. After narrowly escaping execution herself, the author flees into exile. She spends several years in England and Germany before eventually settling in Upstate New York. In exile, the author reflects on the events of the Revolution and the loss of her former life. She also observes the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and his eventual return to power. The memoir ends with Napoleon's return from Elba in 1815.