A Holland Reads: The Enemies of Versailles by Sally Christie

Book Details:

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Atria Books (March 21, 2017)

About the book:

In the final installment of Sally Christie’s “tantalizing” (New York Daily News) Mistresses of Versailles trilogy, Jeanne Becu, a woman of astounding beauty but humble birth, works her way from the grimy back streets of Paris to the palace of Versailles, where the aging King Louis XV has become a jaded and bitter old philanderer. Jeanne bursts into his life and, as the Comtesse du Barry, quickly becomes his official mistress.

“That beastly bourgeois Pompadour was one thing; a common prostitute is quite another kettle of fish.”

After decades of suffering the King’s endless stream of Royal Favorites, the princesses of the Court have reached a breaking point. Horrified that he would bring the lowborn Comtesse du Barry into the hallowed halls of Versailles, Louis XV’s daughters, led by the indomitable Madame Adelaide, vow eternal enmity and enlist the young dauphiness Marie Antoinette in their fight against the new mistress. But as tensions rise and the French Revolution draws closer, a prostitute in the palace soon becomes the least of the nobility’s concerns.

Told in Christie’s witty and engaging style, the final book in The Mistresses of Versailles trilogy will delight and entrance fans as it once again brings to life the sumptuous and cruel world of eighteenth century Versailles, and France as it approaches irrevocable change.

“Sally Christie’s The Sisters of Versailles is an intriguing romp through Louis XV’s France. Filled with lush backdrops, rich detail, and colorful characters, fans of historical fiction will enjoy this glimpse into the lost golden era of the French monarchy.” (Allison Pataki, author of THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS)

“A stunning breadth of period detail, offered in a fresh, contemporary voice.” (Juliet Grey, author of the acclaimed Marie Antoinette trilogy)

“Such an extraordinary tale makes for compelling reading and, as the lead book in a planned trilogy, will draw in readers who are interested in royal lives before the French Revolution…. Historical fiction fans, unfamiliar with the history of the Nesle sisters, will be intrigued.” (Library Journal)

“Tantalizing descriptions and cliff-hangers will leave the reader rapidly turning the pages in anticipation… A wickedly delightful read.” (New York Daily News)

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About Sally Christie

Sally Christie is the author of The Sisters of Versailles and The Rivals of Versailles. She was born in England and grew up around the world, attending eight schools in three different languages. She spent most of her career working in international development and currently lives in Toronto.

Connect with Sally
Website | Goodreads

Guest Post:

Animals at Versailles

Just like today, people in the 18th century kept a great deal of pets: cats, dogs, birds. Because of their importance for the hunt, dogs especially figured large in every aristocrat’s life. Louis XV was so fond of his hunting dogs he got individual portraits done of each of them!

Then just as now, people kept pets for love and companionship, but also for status. As the century wore on and trade expanded, travelers and explorers bought back exotic birds and animals like monkeys from Asia and Africa. The palace of Versailles was also home to a Menagerie, stocked with exotic animals given as gifts from foreign rulers to the king of France. It was built when the palace of Versailles was built in the 17th century, but Louis XV, despite being a great animal lover, was not as interested in it as his predecessor. During the Revolution most of the animals died and the cages were used to house political prisoners.

My books about the mistresses of Louis XV are full of animals and pets: the Comtesse du Barry adored birds; Madame de Pompadour had a pet monkey, and one of her friends was obsessed with rabbits. Another lady liked to carry around her miniature pug in a basket, and barking dogs are constantly causing friction in the close living quarters at Versailles. The King’s adored cat Snowball (the cat was real but the name is mine), that he used to bring to council meetings when he was younger, even makes an appearance.

This rather snooty 18th century lady was apparently so fond of her cat that she sat with it for her portrait, and the luxurious, padded kennel (or cat house?) shows that their masters spoilt them as much as we spoil our pets!