Belinda Murrell: Bringing Australian History To Life | Page 55

Belinda’s three children in the Catacombs of Paris.

A painting by Martin van Meytens of Marie-Antoinette
when she was 13 and the Archduchess of Austria.

ABOUT
THE RUBY TALISMAN

A thrilling adventure in one of
the most dangerous periods in
history: the French Revolution.
When Tilly’s aunt tells her of their
ancestress who survived the
French Revolution, she shows
Tilly a priceless heirloom. Tilly
falls asleep wearing the ruby
talisman, wishing she could
escape to a more adventurous
life . . .

In 1789, Amelie-Mathilde is staying at the opulent
palace of Versailles. Her guardians want her to marry
the horrible old Chevalier to revive their fortunes.
Amelie-Mathilde falls asleep holding her own ruby
talisman, wishing someone would come to her rescue.

Queen Marie-Antoinette’s bedroom in the Palace at Versailles. ‘I was inspired by the
grandeur of the Palace of Versailles and the many chateaux and historic places we visited,’
says Belinda.

Tilly wakes up beside Amelie-Mathilde. The timing
couldn’t be worse. The Bastille has fallen and starving
peasants are rioting across the country. The palace is
in chaos. Tilly knows that Amelie and her cousin Henri
must escape from France if they are to survive the
Revolution ahead. But with mutinous villagers, vengeful
servants and threats at every turn, there seems nowhere
to run. Will they ever reach England and safety?

randomhouse.com.au/teachers 55

This painting is shown in the Children’s Room of Schönbrunn Palace, Austria.

INSPIRATION
STRAP HERE