THE MARQUIS

by Joan anders ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 1963

Report repeated from the February 1st bulletin, when scheduled for earlier publication; as follows: ""Again the author of La Petite travels to the court of Louis XIV of France and introduces the successor to the Sun King's mistress, one Athenais, Marquise of Montespan, who in this well-told tale shares the spotlight with er independent husband. Plunged in his early youth into the artifacts and artificialities of the court circle under the wing of his brilliant cousin, Gabrielle des Rocailles, Montespan becomes passionately involved with the exquisite Athenais. The lively lady tells her own story from the wedding night to the initial nuit d'amour with the royal night prowler, which episode completes the estrangement of the court-oving Athenais from her straightforward, wry-tongued husband, solid in country rtues. Montespan's servant, Dupre, completes the tri-partite narrative with a sour of Madame and a more realistic view of the world than that given by his superior. The author has provided some intriguing figures- the pitiful Valliere neglected; a Witty, charming, headstrong King; an original- the old Comte des Rocailles; and the eathers and flourishes of the court sallyings have an authentic ring. However, although enough illumination is shed on the times to hold interest, and the form is often ingenious, the characters, particularly the men, are somewhat dim, and Athenais does not seem to emerge as the passionate schemer she must have been. Good writing for those who like their Versailles vivacious but not visceral.

Pub Date: Aug. 12, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1963

Categories: FICTION