Synopsis:
From Publishers Weekly
Her storytelling skills displayed with panache in this captivating historical novel, British author Laker ( The Silver Touch ) should gain an appreciative audience here. Set during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XVI, the sweeping saga takes place mainly in the Chateau of Versailles and the surrounding town from which the magnificent edifice took its name. The narrative is enriched with intriguing period details, and beautifully paced with fast-moving events, drama and romance. Spanning four generations, the protagonists are the women of one family, named, in turn, Marguerite, Jasmin, Violette and Rose, all of whose destinies are entwined with those of their monarchs as well as the dashing men who bring them love and heartache. Involving her heroines in the art of fan-making, Laker interpolates fascinating information about the fashions of the time and the codes of social etiquette. The sybaritic luxuries of the French Court are set against the brutalities of the Huguenot persecution and the barbaric excesses of the Revolution. If the ending is a bit pat, with a destined love affair coming full circle, readers enraptured by Laker’s romantic imagination will not care. Literary Guild dual main selection; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review: This is the second book I’ve read by Rosalind Laker. And again she captivated me. I shall read every single word she’s ever written. I just love her historical fiction books. This book is 613 pages long. It takes place in France during the time of King Louis XIV, King Louis XV, and lastly King Louis XVI. But the story isn’t about the monarchy;that’s just a subplot. No, the story is about four generations of women named after flowers: Marguerite, Jasmin, Violette, and Rose and how their lives were affected by the times they lived in and how they became intertwined with the monarchy and nobility. Marguerite was of peasant stock but she rose to prominence through luck, beauty, independence, and entrepreneurship. She was born to a peasant couple. Her father was a common day laborer and her mother made fans. They lived near Versailles where King Louis XIV was in constant attendance and in continual expansion and construction of Versailles. This was a richly told tale. Laker’s descriptions of Versailles, courtier life, and the monarchs are astounding. She is excellent at describing a scene with precision and exacting detail. It wasn’t a happy tale. And the ending was bittersweet. It’s also about love in various forms. Loves that are thwarted. Most of these women are cursed when it comes to love. I was frustrated throughout much of the book by various turns of events. A recurring theme is marriages of convenience. Marriages not based on true love, a true melding of mind, body, and spirit. “A man can love two women at the same time.” Just different kinds of love. Back then you could only marry within your class. If a noble wanted to marry beneath himself he had to get permission from the King. In fact all noble marriages had to have the King’s blessing. The backdrop of this saga was Versailles. King Louis XIV moved the country’s seat of power from Paris to Versailles. Everyone wanted to be a part of Versailles. I learned a lot of French history by reading this book, especially about the monarchy then and courtly life. I can write a thesis of 200 pages or so on this book. It was very intricate. It ends with the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. In this book Marie Antoinette is seen as a victim. The ending is supposed to be a happy one, but considering all the heartbreaks and misfortunes throughout the generations, it seems like a phyrric victory. I took my time reading this book because I was disappointed by the plot. The plot is good, but it’s disappointing. I was hoping for a happy tale. Laker must have done enormous research to write this book. If you want to learn about French History during those times and engage yourself in a fictional tale that revolves around it, you won’t be disappointed by this book. I give it four out of five stars. I don’t give it five because I was disappointed and upset throughout most of the book. I’m not fond of unhappy love stories.

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