A dark thriller set mainly in GLASGOW
Novel set in 18th Century Versailles and Paris
24th March 2022
The School of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak, novel set in 18th Century Versailles and Paris.
The author came across the lively account of court life, written by the maid to Madame de Pompadour. It alluded to the quarters kept at the palace by a certain Polish nobleman, who entertained young women (girls, really) who were quartered at the Deer Park – Parc-aux-Cerfs. The fact that this man was Polish, drew her to him as a character, as the author is of Polish heritage.
This was, in fact, the disguise of King Louis XV, who loved a bit of variety in the bedroom – apparently. One girl Véronqiue, was plucked from her family and schooled in understanding that she was ‘to show gratitude for the generosity’ she received from her benefactor. He was quite taken with her and the inevitable happened. She got pregnant and gave birth to Marie-Louise who was taken away and brought up far from court.
This is both her story and the story of her daughter during a tumultuous period of French history. There are familiar names aplenty. Of course when Louis XV dies, he is succeeded by Louis XVI whose reign is associated with Marie Antoinette. Then, of course, the French Revolution ensued and life for everyone changed.
The author’s particular gift is creating a rich setting that transports the reader back to this period in France. It is viscerally decadent, exploitative and full of colour, luxuriating in materials, food and carnal desire. She looks at midwifery as part of the fabric of the era, a career to which Marie-Louise is drawn. Changes in that field were underway, initiated by Angélique de Coudray, an actual pioneer in neonatal health and birthing practices (odd notions had crept into pregnancy and birthing practices – women were not supposed to raise their arms above their heads when pregnant!).
The novel feels very evocative of place and period.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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On this LINK the author talks about researching 18th Century France
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