book data
116 ratings,
3.74
average rating, 24 reviews
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published
January 1st 1968
by HarperCollins
(first published 1954)
details
Hardcover
isbn
0060129891
(isbn13: 9780060129897)
description
When Madame de Pompadour became the mistress of Louis XV, no one expected her to retain his affections for long. A member of the bourgeoisie rather th…more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 237)
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avg 3.74
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in March, 2007
A quick, enjoyable read.
This is definitely like learning history from a gossipy old aunt and although she discusses the Seven Years War, there's much more about court life at Versailles in the time of Louis XV than political wrangling.
Broader brush strokes than modern biographies typically use. In a few generalities, she gives us the Marquise's childhood—-what would probably be several chapters of annotated anecdotes in a modern work.
Also, because she doesn'...more
This is definitely like learning history from a gossipy old aunt and although she discusses the Seven Years War, there's much more about court life at Versailles in the time of Louis XV than political wrangling.
Broader brush strokes than modern biographies typically use. In a few generalities, she gives us the Marquise's childhood—-what would probably be several chapters of annotated anecdotes in a modern work.
Also, because she doesn'...more
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Catty, chatty, naughty (for the times) account of Louis XV's influential mistress. I picked this up because 1] its a NYRB book and 2] Nancy Mitford was Oswald Mosely's sister-in-law and Walter Mosely's step-aunt. Also, this book provided a nice intellectual counterpoint to Duff Cooper's Talleyrand insofar as it is quite explicit in describing the strange unreality which permeated so much of the royal politics of the Ancien Regime, and how that sense of insular gamesmanship survived the Revolut...more
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Read in November, 2009
There was a lot of information about France at that time in respect to Madame de Pompadour, and her possessions, or estates. Would have liked to have known more about the lady... herself, even if it was more in the style of historical fiction.
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A great biography of one of my favorite mistresses, Madame de Pompadour. The edition I have is chock full of beautiful illustrations, as well.
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Read this in 7th grade and it jumpstarted my love of historical biography, along with her other biography, "The Sun King."
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Read in January, 2010
Not only a historical biography of a woman in a very different world than ours, but an interesting study of France in that time.
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Very interesting. I can't believe how immoral the royal families were/are.
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Read in October, 2007
recommended to Serenamom45 by:
Echo
Madame Pompadour was schooled from childhood to be a courtesan to someone wealthy, and her intelligence helped to propel her into a relationship with the King of France. This was a common occurence, as marriages were strictly to cement access to titles and wealth. It is a good window on a cultural phenomenon brought on largely by France's severely limited access to wealth and power. It also shows the beginning civil unrest that eventually led to the French Revolution.
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I think that it is of questionable use as history, but it does provide a fascinating glimpse of Mitford's mind (and she would not like people saying that). Louis XV is clearly the Colonel, and Pompadour is You-know-who. My favorite review of this when it came out stated that "Miss Mitford must try harder not to refer to Louis XV as "perfect HEAVEN!" every time she mentions his name." A very good read.
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Read in March, 2009
recommends it for:
fussy middle-aged women who watched the Princess Diana funeral on tv.
Mitford makes court intrigue and manners at Versailles incredibly boring.
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HAHAHA! Nowadays, we expect biographies to have some kind of substance, rather like the history essays we had to write at school, with quotes, dates, figures, facts, etc. I quite like the way this book is just filled with naff, completely spurious conjecture. It was interesting to learn the true story behind the invention of Mayonnaise, though...
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Want to know about French politics, fashion, culture, and intrigue during the reign of Louis XV? Read the life of his mistress, Madame de Pompadour. A middle class woman whose perseverance and educated, enlightened opinions threatened the "ancien regime" and also fulfilled the overshadowed king.
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Read in November, 2007
This was my first biography I've ever read. I made a hasty review on what I thought was good and comprehensive overview but which instead turned out to be way too gossipy to be taken seriously. It's like the author was making lots of assumptions and not very much reasoning on her thoughts.
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Read in May, 2008
Clyde passed this library sale gem along on my birthday knowing my fascination with Versailles, a time that makes so transparent the use of fashion as social and political control. As he puts it, an (English) aristocrat on an aristocrat.
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Read in July, 2008
This book should have been more fabulous. This woman was an "It" girl to the 10th power, and this book made her rise seem somewhat less than random. Her man was Louis XV for goodness' sake.
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I'm not sure this qualifies as "history" but it sure is fun! Imagine Alice Roosevelt telling you about Madame de Pompadour during an intimate tete-a-tete in Georgetown, c. 1950.
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Read in January, 2010
Entertaining but because it lacked a timeline so I was never sure of how old she was when anything happened. Definitely learned a lot and loved Mitford's snarky way of writing.
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great introduction to 18th century french history, made all the more enjoyable when someone reads to me in a french accent while i'm falling asleep
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Francophiles, gossip lovers
A delicious book---gossipy and fun.
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