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The General's Mistress (Numinous World #4)
by
Jo Graham (Goodreads Author)
Liberté, Egalité, Sensualité.
As a spirit of change overturns Europe’s old order, strong-willed Elzelina Versfelt enters her own age of revolution. Married as a romantic young girl to a man who wanted only her money, but neither loves nor desires her, Elza refuses to be chained any longer. Leaving Amsterdam, her marriage, and her home, she flees to France—where the old rule...more
As a spirit of change overturns Europe’s old order, strong-willed Elzelina Versfelt enters her own age of revolution. Married as a romantic young girl to a man who wanted only her money, but neither loves nor desires her, Elza refuses to be chained any longer. Leaving Amsterdam, her marriage, and her home, she flees to France—where the old rule...more
Paperback, 386 pages
Published
October 23rd 2012
by Gallery Books
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3.5 stars
In 1789 Elzelina Ringeling was twelve and married. Her husband, twenty-five years old, had married her for her money. At nineteen she had two sons, an unsatisfying marriage, and a husband more interested in his position than his wife or family. Leaving her unhappy marriage and her two children behind in The Netherlands, Elza ran away to Paris. And became the mistress to General Victor Moreau.
Based on the memoirs of Ida St Elme, this historical fiction is beautifully written and detailed...more
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Rating: 3 Cups
Married at twelve to a man who seduced her for her money and connections, Elzelina dreamed of love and passion. Unfortunately, her Dutch husband could care less about either. Unfulfilled by her life as a wife and unwilling to sacrifice everything for her husband’s political ambitions, Elza flees. When her husband threatens to have her declared mad and locked away, she seeks the protection of a French General.
General Moreau introduces Elza to a life of carnal enjoyment she never tho...more
Married at twelve to a man who seduced her for her money and connections, Elzelina dreamed of love and passion. Unfortunately, her Dutch husband could care less about either. Unfulfilled by her life as a wife and unwilling to sacrifice everything for her husband’s political ambitions, Elza flees. When her husband threatens to have her declared mad and locked away, she seeks the protection of a French General.
General Moreau introduces Elza to a life of carnal enjoyment she never tho...more
I've been a huge fan of Jo Graham's novels for years now, and I was thrilled when I received an advance copy of the newest story in her Numinous World series. As often happens with my reviews of stories set in this universe, though, I draw quite a bit on the more numinous aspects of it. So, before I begin my actual review of The General's Mistress, I want to give just a quick bit of background information on the world that it's set in.
For those of you who aren't familiar with it, there are three...more
For those of you who aren't familiar with it, there are three...more
Well, as much as I liked Jo Graham's other novels this one was just not for me. I asked for it immediately from the library without hesitation. I should have read more about it before reading it. If the description isn't enough to clue you in let me forewarn you that the book contains a rather large dose of sex that includes some elements of dominance without going to S&M types of things. It also includes some gender confusion and addresses ideas of homosexuality regarding that. This is not...more
Just a quick note first, because I know that a lot of parents and kids read my reviews: this is definitely a book written for adults, not for kids. I usually don't review the adults-only books that I read here on Goodreads, because I don't want to offend any of those readers.
However, I was thrilled to win an ARC of this book, after loving Jo Graham's earlier adult historical fantasy novels, and part of the deal was that I agreed to review it publicly. So, with that warning out of the way...
*4.5...more
However, I was thrilled to win an ARC of this book, after loving Jo Graham's earlier adult historical fantasy novels, and part of the deal was that I agreed to review it publicly. So, with that warning out of the way...
*4.5...more
I enjoyed this book, particularly the latter parts, as Elza became more an active participant in the events going on around her. She was still swept in the current, as everyone is, she just noticed more and engaged more with others. As part of an interview at the end the author notes that she had trouble selling the book because editors told her Elza wasn't likable - this most certainly isn't true, and even if it was isn't a reason to turn down a book! Books with unlikable lead men are published...more
Fantastic Napoleonic novel. Don't go into this expecting a conventional romance, despite the cover. Elza Versfelt -- also known as Elzelina Ringeling, Ida St. Elme, and Charles van Aylde -- is far from your typical heroine. She abandons her unsatisfying marriage for one of Napoleon's generals, only to find far more than she had bargained for. Her search for freedom is also a search for purpose, and it takes her from the bedroom to the Parisian underworld of theater and seance to the battlefield....more
What can I say, I absolutely loved this book, I found the main character to be completely well written and likeable.
This takes place at the end of the period of what is referred to as "The Terror" in French History. Napoleon is just a general in the army. You get to see France change from the ways of being ruled to being a republic. It didn't happen like it did in the United States, because Europe had more to fear from the French revolution then the American one.
(view spoiler)...more
This takes place at the end of the period of what is referred to as "The Terror" in French History. Napoleon is just a general in the army. You get to see France change from the ways of being ruled to being a republic. It didn't happen like it did in the United States, because Europe had more to fear from the French revolution then the American one.
(view spoiler)...more
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The General's Mistress invites the reader into a world of revolution, spiritual enlightenment and the trials of one old soul who is struggling to remember. First introduced in Stealing Fire, the book is narrated by Elza, also known as Ida St. Elme and various other names. She escapes a conventional life and finds herself thrust into a world of sex, violence, theatrics and an ancient vow made long ago. The thing about this book is it welcome readers of Graham's Numinous World books (Black Ships,...more
First off, I really loved Jo Graham's books Black Ships, Hand of Isis, and Stealing Fire. The General's Mistress however, threw me for a loop. Her previous books were steeped in mysticism and the pantheon of the Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods. There was some level of sensuality in the story, but it didn't overpower anything. The General's Mistress read more like an 19th century Fifty Shades of Grey at first. Being thrown by the very overt sexuality of the main character, I had to think that this...more
It started out poor, too much to take all in the first few chapters. Almost gave up, but I have really enjoyed her writing. Skimmed a bit, then settled in. The rest of the story was not so very bad, I totally accept the character and how she functions and why. Very plausible. Don't care for all the reincarnation bits, that's just dumb. Graham writes very good battle scenes. Look forward to the next one, but after that hope she sticks with ancient history.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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After slogging through Freud's Sister, this book was a delight! There were some pretty racy sections in this book, which were a surprise, and the biggest surprise at the end was that the woman that this book is about actually existed and had affairs with 2 high-ranking military men, as well as a little fling with Napolean. And, she wrote a book herself, which I am definitely going to have to read!
This is a bit less numinous than the previous Numinous World books. It's barely fantasy at all, and borders on historical fiction. A good Dutch hausfrau runs away to join the French Revolution. Stuff happens as she follows the drum.
Good story about a woman who became a courtesan and mistress because of a controlling husband and unhappy marriage. Based on the diaries of Ida St Elme, the story was full of her steamy encounters and her thoughts and desires.
Somewhat true memoir of a mistress during the time of Napoleon. Love this time period and it was very well written.
I love Jo Graham's books, although this one seemed to drag a bit in the middle but it definitely had a strong finish.
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