Louise Michel....the more I know, the more I marvel!

[PassingFair]

I ran across her story while I was looking up the history of New Caledonia.
I have always revered the ill-fated Communards. She was a huge part of
that progressive uprising.

What a crazy ride she had. All for speaking up.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Michel

[ismnotwasm]

1. A badass of history

Nice one

[boston bean]

2. Thank you for the introduction to Louise Michel!

“Since it seems that every heart that beats for freedom has no right to anything but a little slug of lead, I demand my share. If you let me live, I shall never cease to cry for vengeance.”

[PassingFair]

3. Apparently there was a movie made in 2008 about her.

I'm fascinated by her story.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. there is a film titled Louise-Michel from 2008 but, I don't think it is about her =

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1264890/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Louise-Michel (2008)

I think this is the one you are looking for:
The Rebel, Louise Michel (2009)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1264890/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

[PassingFair]

5. Yep.

Mixed it up.

It's in French though. I will try to dig it up somewhere.

[ellenrr]

6. "Red Virgin" is a good book about her. Now I want to dig it out, it's been decades since I read

it, but I remember how impressed I was with her.

'Louise Michel was born illegitimate in 1830 and became a schoolmistress in Paris. She was involved in radical activities during the twilight of France’s Second Empire, and during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the siege of Paris. She was a leading member of the revolutionary groups controlling Montmarte. Michel emerged as one of the leaders of the insurrection during the Paris Commune of March-May 1871; and French anarchists saw her as martyr and saint – The Red Virgin. When the Versailles government crushed the Commune in May 1871, Michel was sentenced to exile in New Caledonia, until the general amnesty of 1880, when she returned to France and great popular acclaim and support from the working people of the country. Michel was arrested again during a demonstration in Paris in 1883 and sentenced to six years in prison. Pardoned after three years, she continued her speeches and writing, although she spent the greater part of her time from 1890 until her death in 1905 in England in self-imposed exile. It was during her prison term from 1883 to 1886 that she compiled her Memoires, now available in English."

http://muse.jhu.edu/books/9780817380946

[PassingFair]

7. I will have to read that! Thanks.

This review is from: Red Virgin: Memoirs Of Louise Michel (Paperback)
Louise Michel played a significant role in the failed 1871 French revolution centered in Paris. The so called Paris Commune of 1871. But today, the book is fascinating since it addresses all sorts of current issues. Michel was a proto feminist way before feminism reached France or elsewhere. She dealt with issues of participation and with gross inequality. Her writing is vivid. It is a "you are there" visit into a distant and somewhat forgotten past. The translation into English and additional notes are excellent.

[ellenrr]

8. You're welcome. enjoy. nt

[PassingFair]

9. Ordered on Amazon....

$6.95 well spent, I'm sure.

[ellenrr]

10. as an off-topic comment, and not to Passing Fair, but I say this when anyone "orders from Amazon"

to be honest- the Red Virgin would shrink at the idea of Amazon.
it is a terrible corporation and I urge all people,
esp all progressive people, esp all womenists, liberation fighters, climate advocates, etc. to order elsewhere.
I will try to come back later and post some articles to back up my claims.

as it is, - and not to take away from this thread-
let me know how you like the book.

(I think it will be easier for me to buy another copy than to go thru all my books in boxes!)

[PassingFair]

11. They are expensive and hard to find.

Hence....