Athénaïs

The book is filled with details and I will be finishing it but it is far less historically objective than it could of been. It is extremely biased toward Athenais. How the author describes every other woman as fat, inspipid, deformed or ugly is just grating. It has a very “mean girl” feel to the writing style. It could have been so much better to really illustrate each person’s attributes and flaws. It felt one dimensional. Overall I wouldn’t recommend.

I wonder if this book was published in France. This is alot more history than I suspect they teach to French School children. It's pretty darn hot for most history books. Of course, she is a known part of Louis's life as King. It seems that having a mistress was a form of birth control for many people back in those days... Enough said, it's well written and well...interesting.

I really enjoyed reading more about this very smart beautiful woman. Great read. I would give as a gift for anyone interested in Louis the 14th. and his times.

Complicated woman in a complicated time. Great for a history lover.

I love this book. After reading "Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King" (by Antonia Fraser), I wanted to know more about this scandalous woman. This book is detailed with letters, gossip, and observations from her time.

I purchased this book some time ago and after several attempts to "get through it" chalked it up as a sunk cost: Publishers Weekly's review on this web site is generous. However, they do answer the question for me having read it some time ago -- why was that book so impossible to read? The first couple of chapters lead the reader to believe that the book is well-written and interesting. The truth is that Lisa Hilton's writing style is extremely erratic and well, the exact opposite of a 'page turner'. Indeed, I had looked at the excerpt before buying and I'll admit that the opening got me then and again just now as I gave it a quick glance before stringing together this review.

This well researched and honest account of Madame definitely Montespan is very well done. I will read t his author again.

Really enjoy the amazing story of her life!!

Excellent service from seller. Fast and efficient. I'm very interested in French history. This is a must have book for anyone interested the life of Louis XIV and his life at Versailles. Mme de Montespan was a fascinating and engaging personality who played an influential part in his life.