I wish I knew the answer to that. A lot of people just seem to have some kind of victim-loving complex. My sister flat-out told me once that she would probably like the Commune (of 1871) less if the Communards hadn't all be massacred.
It's really as if Mantel doesn't actually admire Robespierre, at least not as far as his ideas or policies go, but likes his personality type so much she feels the need to make those ideas and policies not his "fault." At that point, I would say, why bother calling yourself a Robespierriste? But I guess that's what passes for admiration in Mantel's largely apolitical world.
I had forgotten a lot of the parts about Camille, because I've always been more interested in Robespierre and the Duplays, so those are the parts I've gone back to. But your "rant" really captures just how absurd her portrayal of Camille - who I think is the real central character - is as well. I do remember getting the impression reading it that Mantel never read anything he wrote pre-Vieux Cordelier.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-02-15 01:15 am (UTC)It's really as if Mantel doesn't actually admire Robespierre, at least not as far as his ideas or policies go, but likes his personality type so much she feels the need to make those ideas and policies not his "fault." At that point, I would say, why bother calling yourself a Robespierriste? But I guess that's what passes for admiration in Mantel's largely apolitical world.
I had forgotten a lot of the parts about Camille, because I've always been more interested in Robespierre and the Duplays, so those are the parts I've gone back to. But your "rant" really captures just how absurd her portrayal of Camille - who I think is the real central character - is as well. I do remember getting the impression reading it that Mantel never read anything he wrote pre-Vieux Cordelier.