This book however takes place for four months early in his reign. Hes still a young man, but one who, as king, willfully takes everything he can. I won a copy of this book through first reads, and was actually. The untried ruler is coming into his own in 1661, and louis xiv must face what he is willing to sacrifice for honor and for love. Read before versailles before the history you know. Just finished versailles on amazon prime but the series was cancelled and left unfinished after season 3. A novel of louis xiv by karleen koen ive always had a soft spot for the antics of the french court even more so than the english courts and im the type of person who cant turn down a story about the tudors. This is a story filled with court intrigue, forbidden love affairs, mystery and a cast of characters, some real and some imagined. Her earths children series has sold more than 45 million copies. A lot of people have recommended before versailles but im looking for a novel from his reign to his death. Historical fiction 2011, historical fiction france, best book. A baroque cornucopia spilling over with intrigue, passion, jealousy, ambition, and rich historical detail, before versailles offers a glittering glimpse of the crucial months that shaped louis xiv into europes most powerful monarch.
See all 12 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Before versailles presents a grand yet intimate glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and royal at the court of the young, virile king louis xiv. The best biography on louis xiv ive read to date is written by jeanchristian petitfils louis xvi. New york times bestselling author karleen koen offers another delightful historical novel that will transport you to another time and place. Louis xiv is one of the bestknown monarchs ever to grace the fr. I am so sorry before versailles turned out to be such a letdown. Set against the lavish backdrop of the french court in the early years of the 18th century, the sisters of versailles is the extraordinary tale of the five nesle sisters louise, pauline, diane, hortense, and marieanne four of whom became mistresses to king louis xv. Karleen koens historical novel before versailles read it forward. After the death of his prime minister, cardinal mazarin, 22yearold louis steps in to govern france. Before versailles karleen koen, author of before versailles.
Before versailles is the luscious, sweeping story of the young louis xiv in his first year as king of france. A grand yet intimate look at the sun king, a tale rich with detail and action. Its wonderful historical fiction and probably paints the best picture of court intrigue during the time of french king louis xiv of any book ive read. Jun 28, 2011 new york times bestselling author karleen koen offers another delightful historical novel that will transport you to another time and place. After the death of his prime minister, cardinal mazarin, twentytwoyearold louis steps in to govern. Before versailles captivated me from start to finish. Their scandalous story is stranger than fiction but true in every shocking. He grows up during the fronde, a series of violent uprisings. A novel of louis xiv by karleen koen online at alibris. In koens fourth fine novel after dark angels, 2009, louis xivs reign as french monarch is unique in unpredictable ways. After the death of his prime minister, cardinal mazarin, twentytwoyearold louis steps into governing france. Before versailles book denton public library bibliocommons.
Early reign after his fathers death his mother, anne of austria, was regent for louis, but the real power was wielded by annes adviser, cardinal mazarin. Told in the alternating perspectives of the young king and his first love, the woman who would become his mistress, karleen koens newest weaves. Before versailles book austin public library bibliocommons. But what was he like as a young man the man before versailles. Set over the course of four months in the summer of 1661, before versailles. There is a section dedicated to practically every imaginable aspect of louis life.
I hope the next book from karleen koen, in 5 or 6 years, returns to the beauty and heart that shes so good at. Assuming the responsibilities of governing france after the death of his prime minister, louis xiv embarks on a love affair with his sisterinlaw, henriette, triggering a scandal that is complicated by a finance ministers growing power and a mysterious boy with an iron mask. A novel of louis xiv gives a tantalizing glimpse of life in the court of a young louis xiv, aged just 22 at this time and only beginning to grow into the immense power he will eventually wield as the absolute monarch he is most remembered as. Truly, the life of louis xiv is described in such vivid details that i couldnt help being totally absorbed by this book. Before versailles fairfax county public library overdrive. A novel of louis xiv by karleen koen, love and louis xiv. But what was he like as a young manthe man before versailles.
List of books and articles about louis xiv online research. Louis xiv is one of the bestknown monarchs ever to grace the french throne. Before versailles by karleen koen overdrive rakuten. I love books, books to read, my books, cook books, luis xiv, historical fiction. Before versailles ebook by karleen koen rakuten kobo. We hear a bit about the political climate but mostly its about love affairs and loyalties in his court. Before versailles is the first novel on louis xiv that ive read. Before versailles transports you to a world of secret passions and plots, a world of duplicity and malice. Karleen koens latest novel, a celebration of frances vibrant, young louis xiv before he became the icon of the seventeenth century. A novel of louis xiv from the worlds largest community of readers. Words to describe the cast of characters cannot do them justice.
Karleen koen assuming the responsibilities of governing france after the death of his prime minister, louis xiv embarks on a love affair with his sisterinlaw, henriette, triggering a scandal that is complicated. Could someone recommend a book about louis xivs life and reign but not of biographical nature like a story retelling. Karleen koen novel, even though ive ogled her previous books and been told. Before versailles king county library system overdrive. With exquisite finesse, karleen koen weaves history and myth into a sumptuous portrait of young louis xiv, his intrigueladen court, and the passionate, ambitious, often dangerous women who loved him. Meticulously researched and gorgeously brought to life by new york times bestselling author karleen koen, before versailles offers up a sumptuous, authentic exploration of a time that forged a man into a king. Heres a history book that reads better than a novel. Louis xiv was, famously, a strong believer in the divine right of kingsthe right, that is to say, to do pretty much. Louis xiv is one of the bestknown monarchs ever to grace the. Before versailles tells the story of a year in the early part of louis xivs reign. Before versaille is a novel of king louis xiv, who reigned for over 72 years in france. At the most decisive time in the young kings life, louis xiv can taste the danger.