We first meet Olivier and Parrot in turbulent 19th-Century France. Olivier, whose aristocratic grandfather was beheaded during the French Revolution, is a pampered, pompous mama’s boy. Parrot, whose father is taken from him at a young age, is a poor Englishman who ends up in France thanks to a one-armed French marquis. Olivier’s parents worry that their son may be in danger from another revolution, so they ship him off to the fledgling American colonies. The marquis, who happens to be friends with Olivier’s mother, convinces Parrot to accompany Olivier as his secretary and servant. The two men disdain each other at first. Parrot refers to Olivier as “Lord Migraine’’ behind his back, and Olivier thinks of Parrot as nothing more than a lowly servant who doesn’t always know his place. The two men take turns narrating the story from their unique perspectives. Their accounts, often sprinkled with humor, provide a fascinating look at life in the young democracy. Surrounded by a colorful cast of characters, the men develop an unexpected friendship that is uniquely American.

--Recommended by Jo

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