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Love and Louis XIV

The Women in the Life of the Sun King

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Love and Louis XIV

By: Antonia Fraser
Narrated by: Julia Franklin
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About this listen

Mistresses and wives, mothers and daughters - Antonia Fraser brilliantly explores the relationships which existed between The Sun King and the women in his life. This includes not only Louis XIV's mistresses, principally Louise de La Vallière, Athénaïs de Montespan, and the puritanical Madame de Maintenon, but also the wider story of his relationships with women in general, including his mother Anne of Austria, his two sisters-in-law who were Duchesses d'Orléans in succession, Henriette-Anne and Liselotte, his wayward illegitimate daughters, and lastly Adelaide, the beloved child-wife of his grandson.

© Antonia Fraser; (P) Clipper Audio Europe Middle Ages

Critic reviews

"Prolific royal biographer Fraser ( Marie Antoinette) has assiduously researched her measured yet engrossing study, shedding welcome light on the galaxy of influential women who orbited the dazzling Sun King." ( Publishers Weekly)
"With vivid wit, Fraser demonstrates that within the edifice of the monarchy there were deep crannies of ordinary affection." ( The New Yorker)
All stars
Most relevant
I thoroughly enjoyed this audio. I learned more from this than the programme which I also enjoyed. The narrator was easy to listen. I was never bored.

Educational

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Although I enjoyed the book I did not appreciate unfortunately the choice of narrator. Overall another great Antonia Fraser book though.

Fantastic Book

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Read by someone with impeccable French pronunciation, but I was often confused by the multiplicity of similar names (unavoidable I suppose). I was slightly familiar with all these women and was pleased to learn about them in more depth. But there was nothing exciting about this account, as apart from ‘one night stands’, Louis XIV had only 3 or 4 long term mistresses. I was more engaged by Antonia Fraser’s ‘Great Reform Act 1832’.

A narrative Lacking in excitement

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A moving story of the different women Louis loved. He was ruthless in getting who he wanted and doing what he wanted. The narrator has a great voice.

The Sun King

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I've just finished this book and it was truly excellent, somehow both comprehensive but easy-listening at the same time. The female characters orbiting the Sun King from birth to death were brought to life vividly by the author. The narration was also excellent, one of the best I've heard. Highly recommend!

So Enjoyable

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