City of Darkness, City of Light is a compelling historical novel by Marge Piercy that brings to life the tumultuous and bloody era of the French Revolution through the eyes of three remarkable women.

Claire Lacombe, a defiantly independent woman, tests her theory that if men can make things happen, perhaps women can too. Manon Philipon discovers her political talents, albeit as the ghostwriter of her husband's speeches, while Pauline Léon is determined that women must apply pressure or their male colleagues will let them starve.

While illuminating the lives of famous figures like Robespierre, Danton, and Condorcet, Piercy also opens a window into the minds and hearts of women who are prepared to live their ideals and die for them. Through vivid storytelling, Piercy reveals how the contributions of these courageous women, though lesser-known, were no less important in shaping the course of the revolution.

City of Darkness, City of Light is a riveting portrayal of an extraordinary era and the women who helped shape an important chapter in history.