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The Refugees: A Tale of Two Continents
A brilliant adventure tale of life in the Court of Louis XIV and of Canada under French rule... and Huguenot persecution The Refugees is set in both 17th Century France and in the wilds of North America. When you are reading the French episodes, you think you are reading Alexander Dumas. When reading the American episodes, you think you are reading James Fenimore Cooper. Yet, all of it was written by one person. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Many people do not realize that the creator of Sherlock Holmes was also one of the best historical novelists of his day. His books span events ranging from the Hundred Years War, to the 19th Century British occupation of Egypt-and include, as in this work, the Huguenot persecutions. The year is 1690 and the De Catinat family is facing disaster. Because they are Huguenots, French Protestants, Louis XIV has stripped the family of their wealth, titles and soon, in all likelihood, their lives. They are rescued, however, by an American who is visiting Paris. He arranges for them to escape to the New World, but their troubles are just beginning. Warrants are out for their arrest and they are being hunted by a fanatical Jesuit priest who is hot on their trail. Their only hope is to leave French Canada and try to make it to the Protestant communities in New England. Unfortunately, to get there they have to make it through hundreds of miles of trackless forests, while being chased by the priest, and avoiding a band of Iroquois who would rather torture and kill a white man as look at him. As you might expect from a writer like Conan Doyle, it is an adventure that will keep you guessing right up to the last page.
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1893
64 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
15.8k books24.4k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 31, 2020
I loved the first part. Louis XIV and his favourites are so well portrayed I could totally empathize with their situation, I felt as if they were real living people. While I thoroughly enjoyed the part of the story set in France, I unfortunately can't say the same for the second one. I found it boring and much flatter than the courtesans' adventures, and I kept reading just because I wanted to know how the story ended.
January 21, 2023
I’ve had a copy of this 1895 edition in my library for decades until I finally needed something different. Was it ever! I would never have guessed that that this book was written by the same man who created Sherlock Holmes—except that one character has a power of observation that Holmes would have approved of (he was a woodsman). This book is divided into two sections. The first half takes place in Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV; we get an intimate view of his declining relationship with Madame de Montespan and his eventual marriage to her rival, Madame de Maintenon. What has this to do with the title of the novel, I kept asking myself. We don’t figure that out until the end of part one, when Madame de Maintenon is pressured by the Bishop and Jesuit priests to persuade Louis to persecute the Huguenots. Our protagonist, the handsome Amory de Catinat—in the king’s service—is the first victim of the tyranny and he must flee France with his beloved Adele and her father. They end up in Quebec, hence the second half of the novel. And the whole substance changes: in the first half, the book reads like something out of Sir Walter Scott. It’s a little old-fashioned. In the second half, it reads like James Fenimore Cooper, for our heroes have to fight their way out of an onslaught by a fierce band of Iroquois Indians. So the refugees are Huguenots, and de Catinat is pursued all the way to America with a vengeance, as if he single-handedly would corrupt the whole continent. This book was written two years after “The White Company”, which surprised me because it seemed so unformed. I’m glad I read it, but I would certainly not say it’s one of Doyle’s better novels. I admit that I had a hard time putting it down, nonetheless.
August 27, 2020
Los refugiados, de Arthur Conan Doyle, consta de dos partes muy diferentes entre sí. La primera, ambientada en la Francia de Luis XIV; la segunda, en la colonización del continente americano. Como suele pasar en este tipo de novelas históricas, muchas de las aventuras narradas parecen excesivamente rocambolescas. Sus personajes toman decisiones absurdas, que los ponen en peligro, solo por darle vidilla a la historia. En todo caso, la novela está bien escrita y es entretenida.
August 6, 2022
I read this aloud to my boys, and it was not bad as a historical novel. I just didn’t feel Doyle had a great understanding of the Huguenot faith or why Huguenots would give up everything rather than recant. I felt that the best part of the novel was the first half, particularly the parts about Versailles, King Louis XIV, Madame de Montespan and Madame de Maintenon. The boys enjoyed it. They definitely didn’t think it measured up to Sherlock Holmes, though!
April 11, 2013
I thought Arthur Conan Doyle did a wonderful job of this story of a 17th century Huguenot who was a soldier in King Louis' army until the day the king forced him to make a choice. Knowing that he could never recant his faith and fearing the persecution that lay ahead for followers of Jean Calvin, he leaves the country with his bride-to-be and her father. An American who has been visiting Paris and taken in by the Huguenot family helps them escape France but on the way to their promised land they encounter such obstacles as a gigantic iceberg, a Jesuit priest, and a band of ferocious Iroquois warriors.
In spite of being written in the vernacular of the 19th century, the author has penned an adventure with enough cliff hangers that will keep you spellbound until the end of the book.
In spite of being written in the vernacular of the 19th century, the author has penned an adventure with enough cliff hangers that will keep you spellbound until the end of the book.
February 15, 2023
British sports commentators used to be notorious for saying that football was a game of two halves, thereby clearing up any confusion that it might be a game of three halves. We might say the same of Arthur Conan Doyle’s historical novel, The Refugees.
The first part is probably the better one, and is a little longer. It is set in the time of Louis XIV of France, the longest-serving French monarch and perhaps the longest in any country. At this time the Huguenots (French Protestants) still face much persecution from the Catholic majority, but are tolerated. That is about to change.
Conan Doyle’s views on religion are devout but essentially broadminded. He condemns religious bigotry and persecution, but is able to see good in Catholicism, Protestantism and even Puritanism. Indeed he seems reluctant to condemn anyone too harshly. Even an intolerant friar is admired for his persistence, despite the threat he poses to the safety of our heroes in the second part of the book.
What is about to change in France is the loyalties of the king. Conan Doyle again pulls his punches when it comes to criticising royalty. He insists on the idea of Louis as being a good leader and a good man, but rather like Bible quotations about God’s mercy these things are often written and never demonstrated by any actions.
Louis is a tyrant. He uses spies to intercept the mail of many members of the court, and uses the information against them later. There is an amusing exchange between the French Huguenot Amory de Catinat and a Canadian outsider Amos Green. In true Conan Doyle fashion, the author espouses one viewpoint, yet has characters that utterly undermine it.
Amos is bemused by the fact that the king has an absurd number of homes, most of which he does not live in. He does not understand why the king has so many soldiers around him during peacetime. When de Catinat says it is for the king’s enemies, Amos asks how these enemies came about. The king made them. So would it not be better to get rid of the king, and avoid making enemies?
De Catinat is nonplussed by such arguments, and can only shush his companion against such treasonable remarks, rather than refute them. However Louis hardly seems to be the admirable figure Conan Doyle wishes us to imagine him. He brooks no criticism or honest talking from anyone, and lives in his egotistical bubble.
Perhaps the worst action by Louis here is his change of heart about the Huguenots, which is determined by the shallowest of motives. It is not religious fervour or political self-interest. Indeed Louis’s persecution removes a very talented section of French society from the country.
No, what determines Louis’s decision lies below the waist. He is torn between two lovers. Madame de Montespan satisfies his lust. She is vindictive against her enemies, but only against individuals. She is tempestuous and troublesome but probably the nicer of the two women. I imagine she would at least be fun to be around.
Set against her and wrestling for Louis’s soul is Madame de Maintenon. Conan Doyle is again rather soft on her, and keeps telling us she is a good woman. There are moments when she shows compassion. However she is governed by a more bigoted version of her faith.
Madame de Maintenon holds out against sleeping with Louis until he marries her, which only makes her a more sophisticated form of mistress, one who sells her sexual favours at a higher price. However she does not stop there and it is at her instigation that the weak-willed king steps up his attacks on the Huguenots.
This is ironic since Louis could have no more faithful servant than de Catinat, and it is de Catinat who manages to secure Louis’s marriage to Madame de Maintenon in the teeth of opposition.
This leads to the second part of the book where the de Catinats with Amos and the puritan Captain Ephraim set off for Canada to escape persecution. We see their journey to the new land where they face shipwreck, being trapped on a melting iceberg, almost getting expelled back to France, and finally doing battle against an attack by the Iroquois people.
While Part2 is interesting, I must admit I did miss the intrigues of the French court, and it does mean that a number of characters disappear from the book at this point. Still there are many exciting passages here.
On a more dismaying note, Conan Doyle’s portrayal of the Iroquois is insulting and hostile. The Iroquois are seen as the enemies of the French-speaking and English-speaking immigrants. Conan Doyle describes them as a cloud, a pack of wolves, as children, and a number of other insulting epithets.
Based on their behaviour in the book this would seem to be justifiable, as they are seen scalping people, torturing men and women before murdering them, and killing children. They have no redeeming features. Was there any truth in this portrayal of the times? Did Conan Doyle take these details from actual accounts? Or was he making it up for fiction?
In one sense we can hardly call Conan Doyle racist because he never met an Iroquois in his life. The book is the work of a man sat in England in a study working on his own imagination. However this kind of negative slant has informed the view that many held of Native Americans for a long time, and these passages have not dated well.
Overall though this is an entertaining book. Conan Doyle delves deeply into historical detail, and produces a few characters who are more complex than usual. He writes in his usual exciting and suspenseful manner. He shows the effects of political machinations and religious bigotry. What a shame his acceptance of different religious creeds did not extend to respect for native races.
The first part is probably the better one, and is a little longer. It is set in the time of Louis XIV of France, the longest-serving French monarch and perhaps the longest in any country. At this time the Huguenots (French Protestants) still face much persecution from the Catholic majority, but are tolerated. That is about to change.
Conan Doyle’s views on religion are devout but essentially broadminded. He condemns religious bigotry and persecution, but is able to see good in Catholicism, Protestantism and even Puritanism. Indeed he seems reluctant to condemn anyone too harshly. Even an intolerant friar is admired for his persistence, despite the threat he poses to the safety of our heroes in the second part of the book.
What is about to change in France is the loyalties of the king. Conan Doyle again pulls his punches when it comes to criticising royalty. He insists on the idea of Louis as being a good leader and a good man, but rather like Bible quotations about God’s mercy these things are often written and never demonstrated by any actions.
Louis is a tyrant. He uses spies to intercept the mail of many members of the court, and uses the information against them later. There is an amusing exchange between the French Huguenot Amory de Catinat and a Canadian outsider Amos Green. In true Conan Doyle fashion, the author espouses one viewpoint, yet has characters that utterly undermine it.
Amos is bemused by the fact that the king has an absurd number of homes, most of which he does not live in. He does not understand why the king has so many soldiers around him during peacetime. When de Catinat says it is for the king’s enemies, Amos asks how these enemies came about. The king made them. So would it not be better to get rid of the king, and avoid making enemies?
De Catinat is nonplussed by such arguments, and can only shush his companion against such treasonable remarks, rather than refute them. However Louis hardly seems to be the admirable figure Conan Doyle wishes us to imagine him. He brooks no criticism or honest talking from anyone, and lives in his egotistical bubble.
Perhaps the worst action by Louis here is his change of heart about the Huguenots, which is determined by the shallowest of motives. It is not religious fervour or political self-interest. Indeed Louis’s persecution removes a very talented section of French society from the country.
No, what determines Louis’s decision lies below the waist. He is torn between two lovers. Madame de Montespan satisfies his lust. She is vindictive against her enemies, but only against individuals. She is tempestuous and troublesome but probably the nicer of the two women. I imagine she would at least be fun to be around.
Set against her and wrestling for Louis’s soul is Madame de Maintenon. Conan Doyle is again rather soft on her, and keeps telling us she is a good woman. There are moments when she shows compassion. However she is governed by a more bigoted version of her faith.
Madame de Maintenon holds out against sleeping with Louis until he marries her, which only makes her a more sophisticated form of mistress, one who sells her sexual favours at a higher price. However she does not stop there and it is at her instigation that the weak-willed king steps up his attacks on the Huguenots.
This is ironic since Louis could have no more faithful servant than de Catinat, and it is de Catinat who manages to secure Louis’s marriage to Madame de Maintenon in the teeth of opposition.
This leads to the second part of the book where the de Catinats with Amos and the puritan Captain Ephraim set off for Canada to escape persecution. We see their journey to the new land where they face shipwreck, being trapped on a melting iceberg, almost getting expelled back to France, and finally doing battle against an attack by the Iroquois people.
While Part2 is interesting, I must admit I did miss the intrigues of the French court, and it does mean that a number of characters disappear from the book at this point. Still there are many exciting passages here.
On a more dismaying note, Conan Doyle’s portrayal of the Iroquois is insulting and hostile. The Iroquois are seen as the enemies of the French-speaking and English-speaking immigrants. Conan Doyle describes them as a cloud, a pack of wolves, as children, and a number of other insulting epithets.
Based on their behaviour in the book this would seem to be justifiable, as they are seen scalping people, torturing men and women before murdering them, and killing children. They have no redeeming features. Was there any truth in this portrayal of the times? Did Conan Doyle take these details from actual accounts? Or was he making it up for fiction?
In one sense we can hardly call Conan Doyle racist because he never met an Iroquois in his life. The book is the work of a man sat in England in a study working on his own imagination. However this kind of negative slant has informed the view that many held of Native Americans for a long time, and these passages have not dated well.
Overall though this is an entertaining book. Conan Doyle delves deeply into historical detail, and produces a few characters who are more complex than usual. He writes in his usual exciting and suspenseful manner. He shows the effects of political machinations and religious bigotry. What a shame his acceptance of different religious creeds did not extend to respect for native races.
October 15, 2019
Reads like Last of the Mohicans crossed with The Three Musketeers but about 10% as entertaining as it sounds. Utterly fascinated with life and intrigue at the French royal court but is disappointingly invested in the frankly absurd and pathetic examples of royalty it chronicles. Hard to believe that Conan Doyle was convinced his works of historical fiction would eventually outlive Holmes Cannon if this is indicative of his work in this genre.
August 18, 2025
The story is preposterous, but Arthur Conan Doyle kept me captivated to the very last sentence, including the final two-page factual note about the true history of the French Huguenot flight from their home country to other western nations, including to the New World across the Atlantic.
This fictional account is initially set in Paris and Versailles, describing in minute detail the royal court life around King Louis XIV, his love affairs, his many guards, the nobles who vied for favors, and the religious friars and bishops who demanded obeisance. And introduced is a particular palace guard who happens also to be a Huguenot, plus a visiting American woodsman befriended by the said guard. The escapades by the guard, his new American friend, and a particular woman concubine who suffers renunciation by the king are ongoing and interconnected adventures.
When the king, who had previously been tolerant of the religious dissenters called Huguenots, was finally persuaded by the bishops to renounce his subjects’ disloyalty and demand their adherence to the official religion or be arrested, the story line switches to the Huguenot reaction—which was to flee France.
The second, and completely different section of the book is a story about how the guard, his fiancee, and her father become beholden to the American woodsman and a companion sea captain to escape France by sailing vessel, which is wrecked, then survive multiple improbable escapades from an iceberg cave, a leaking row boat, canoes, long, long hikes through the Canadian woods, and attacks by the brutal Iroquois tribes.
I had been ignorant of Arthur Conan Doyle’s writings other than the Sherlock Holmes series, but am grateful for the discovery. What a supreme imagination!
This fictional account is initially set in Paris and Versailles, describing in minute detail the royal court life around King Louis XIV, his love affairs, his many guards, the nobles who vied for favors, and the religious friars and bishops who demanded obeisance. And introduced is a particular palace guard who happens also to be a Huguenot, plus a visiting American woodsman befriended by the said guard. The escapades by the guard, his new American friend, and a particular woman concubine who suffers renunciation by the king are ongoing and interconnected adventures.
When the king, who had previously been tolerant of the religious dissenters called Huguenots, was finally persuaded by the bishops to renounce his subjects’ disloyalty and demand their adherence to the official religion or be arrested, the story line switches to the Huguenot reaction—which was to flee France.
The second, and completely different section of the book is a story about how the guard, his fiancee, and her father become beholden to the American woodsman and a companion sea captain to escape France by sailing vessel, which is wrecked, then survive multiple improbable escapades from an iceberg cave, a leaking row boat, canoes, long, long hikes through the Canadian woods, and attacks by the brutal Iroquois tribes.
I had been ignorant of Arthur Conan Doyle’s writings other than the Sherlock Holmes series, but am grateful for the discovery. What a supreme imagination!
October 31, 2017
Published in 1893, The Refugees is a historical novel set mainly in France in 1690 under Louis XIV. The background appears to take in many historic events, including the persecution of the Huguenots, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and palace politics involving King Louis Mistress Madame de Montespan. This does make it an interesting tale, but it does require dates of these actual events to be moved about a bit for the sake of the story. For some bizarre reason, the story shifts from France to America about two-thirds of the way through, almost as if Conan Doyle realised that it just wasn't long enough as a novel and needed an extra sequel tacked on to the end of the story. The point being, the story is stronger in my opinion without 'Part 2', but is still quite enjoyable.
January 28, 2018
This book presents a fictional account of a chain of events leading to the revocation of the 'Edict of Nantes', thereby withdrawing the royal protection from France's protestant minority. The novel follows a family who are forced to migrate to America and the experiences they face with supposedly savage Iroquois tribes. Here Doyle leans on the French propaganda (Jesuit propaganda, to be precise) of portraying Red Indians as savages and fabricating narratives of them inflicting brutal torture on the Europeans. Doyle being a man of his time cannot be blamed for this. Otherwise the novel is as gripping as his Detective, Science Fiction or supernatural works. Would like to check out more of Doyle's historical fiction.
February 25, 2021
I read this in my final year of secondary school (when I was still very religious), and these were my notes at the time: "Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Most definitely, one, if not THE, best books I have EVER read! I enjoyed it thoroughly due to the historical fact associated with the tale. Truly, a book I looked forward to returning to each time I put it down. Most enjoyable tale of the Huguenots, most saddening at times. After 'Deerslayer', I have this love for the American wild forests, and so delighted in reading about them again. Never expected to be enthralled and entertained so well and so much. Who needs TV with such books around?"
April 13, 2024
Having read this as a kid and LOVED it for the vast sense of adventure and lovable characters, I revisited it 20 years later and can't say I'm disappointed. The last act of the book in particular has got to be one of the most gripping action sequences ever put to paper.
The only reason I docked a star is that I didn't realise the main romance that threads through the book is between a 30 year old soldier and his TEENAGE COUSIN?? I guess this wasn't a big deal in 17th century France but it did make for uncomfortable reading when the soldier kept referring to his father-in-law as 'uncle' 😂
The only reason I docked a star is that I didn't realise the main romance that threads through the book is between a 30 year old soldier and his TEENAGE COUSIN?? I guess this wasn't a big deal in 17th century France but it did make for uncomfortable reading when the soldier kept referring to his father-in-law as 'uncle' 😂
December 17, 2019
I've seen so many negative reviews of this novel that I nearly didn't read it but I'm so glad that I did.
Ok, maybe it leans on a bit of French propoganda but it is well written, has historical interest and I felt I was there. I think it's one of those books that you need to have a slight interest in historical fiction to read.
A worthwhile read. Travel back in time. Immerse yourself and you will enjoy.
Ok, maybe it leans on a bit of French propoganda but it is well written, has historical interest and I felt I was there. I think it's one of those books that you need to have a slight interest in historical fiction to read.
A worthwhile read. Travel back in time. Immerse yourself and you will enjoy.
March 6, 2021
This is certainly not like a Sherlock Holmes story. Part one reads like a meandering attempt to imitate Dumas and part two is simply poor. A struggle to get through, and to no consequence. Not recommended.
February 19, 2022
This story follows a decade or so after narrative of the three musketeers final installment. The writing of Doyle is not the same as Dumas, but the enriching language and mixture of the french, british, and colonial activities make it well worth the read.
June 11, 2017
With a writer like Arthur Canon Doyle and the setting of nineteenth century, it seems like the perfect combination for an engrossing read. Only it isn't. Gave up at 20% into the book.
December 16, 2017
I liked the fact that part of the book was set in Versailles, in the seventeenth century. Madame de Montespan was portrayed very well, and court politics explored.
July 16, 2019
A really good book - In being lost in another world.
February 19, 2025
Вигнанці (б)
July 12, 2016
*~*Mild spoilers, but probably only visible in hindsight*~*
I decided to try this book because I like the Sherlock Holmes stories, and I was not disappointed.
The first section of the book is set in Paris and Versailles, in the court of Louis XIV, and the back-and-forth of the factions in play is very well-drawn and genuinely fascinating; I never thought I could get invested in the ins and outs of Versailles politics!
In fact, I was rather sorry when the main characters began their flight to America, and I actually thought that the second section of the book was much weaker than the first, hence the fact that this only got four stars and not five. It's still a solid adventure novel, but it wasn't as interesting and gripping as the politics had been, consisting mostly of trekking across the landscape and more than a little racism. Overall, for this part of the novel I was reminded of The Last of the Mohicans; your mileage may vary.
This novel is of its time in terms of race, and is not kind to the First Nations, especially the Iroquois. They are presented as violent and sadistic throughout. I don't know enough about the history of Canada to know how accurate the portrayal of the relationship between them and the colonising French is, but it did make for uncomfortable reading at times.
The characters are interesting and sympathetic, and I particularly warmed to Amos Green and Adele de Catinat. Amos is particularly enjoyable during the time in Paris, during which he is a fish out of water who nonetheless proves extremely resourceful and loyal, and he is responsible for getting the other characters out of Paris and onto a ship to America. Adele starts out very much as the sweet but empty love interest of the main character, Amory de Catinat (who she later marries), but by the end of the story has shown that she also has reserves of strength and determination despite being a long way out of her depth.
In terms of content, be advised that there are some very unpleasant and sometimes graphic descriptions of the aftermath of torture.
Overall, a solid four stars that would have been five were it not for the fact that I personally was less impressed with the ending than the beginning.
I decided to try this book because I like the Sherlock Holmes stories, and I was not disappointed.
The first section of the book is set in Paris and Versailles, in the court of Louis XIV, and the back-and-forth of the factions in play is very well-drawn and genuinely fascinating; I never thought I could get invested in the ins and outs of Versailles politics!
In fact, I was rather sorry when the main characters began their flight to America, and I actually thought that the second section of the book was much weaker than the first, hence the fact that this only got four stars and not five. It's still a solid adventure novel, but it wasn't as interesting and gripping as the politics had been, consisting mostly of trekking across the landscape and more than a little racism. Overall, for this part of the novel I was reminded of The Last of the Mohicans; your mileage may vary.
This novel is of its time in terms of race, and is not kind to the First Nations, especially the Iroquois. They are presented as violent and sadistic throughout. I don't know enough about the history of Canada to know how accurate the portrayal of the relationship between them and the colonising French is, but it did make for uncomfortable reading at times.
The characters are interesting and sympathetic, and I particularly warmed to Amos Green and Adele de Catinat. Amos is particularly enjoyable during the time in Paris, during which he is a fish out of water who nonetheless proves extremely resourceful and loyal, and he is responsible for getting the other characters out of Paris and onto a ship to America. Adele starts out very much as the sweet but empty love interest of the main character, Amory de Catinat (who she later marries), but by the end of the story has shown that she also has reserves of strength and determination despite being a long way out of her depth.
In terms of content, be advised that there are some very unpleasant and sometimes graphic descriptions of the aftermath of torture.
Overall, a solid four stars that would have been five were it not for the fact that I personally was less impressed with the ending than the beginning.
November 12, 2009
I occasionally enjoy reading historical fiction, particularly if I feel that it might teach me something about the period involved. This book lived up to that hope. I had read Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, and enjoyed those, so I expected that this would be well written as well. The only disappointment is that I was hoping it covered a broader range, giving more information about the Huegenots' struggles. The story only involves one Huegenot, and he leaves as soon as the trouble begins, so there is very little about the persecutions they suffered. However, I believe it is worthwhile. It not only gives a sketch of life in the royal courts, but also a glimpse of what America was like at the time as well.
December 11, 2013
This book represents a big change in genre for Doyle. It deals with a French Hugenaut family in the late 17th Century. It involves the court intrigue of Paris, a perilous cross of the Atlantic to Canada, capture by the church authorities in Quebec and a battle and siege with the Iroquois Indians on the Richelieu River. It is a true adventure story.
It was good easy read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story.
It was good easy read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story.
May 19, 2011
I don't remember the details.
March 8, 2012
First half takes place with Louis in Versailles... The second half on the high seas and then Canada. At the end, Doyle brings us up to date with the history of the story.
July 21, 2011
A rousing adventure story beginning in (1680s) Versailles and continuing in the new world.
April 9, 2017
E qui Doyle raggiunge una delle sue massime punte da scrittore mostrando una stupefacente conoscenza non solo della storia ma degli uomini che fanno la storia: del loro comportamento, delle loro passioni, dei loro desideri e pensieri dal re di Francia, agli ugonotti e fin agli irochesi del Canada. Insomma, romanzo storico eccezionale.
April 8, 2017
This story had nothing to do with Gerard, Challenger or Holmes so I wasn't really expecting to like it much. To my surprised I ended up loving it. This was a great adventure story with a satisfying ending, a lot of action, adventure, crazy people, and a bit of love and sacrifice thrown in, a very moving story.
On the run from religious persecution in France, our heroes decide to head to the New World. They have an interesting adventure while crossing the pond, and end up in Canada where religious nutbars continue pursuing the characters, then add in a lot of pissed off Native Americans to keep it challenging. After a bit of pain and suffering the characters finally make it somewhere relatively safe and live happily ever after.
On the run from religious persecution in France, our heroes decide to head to the New World. They have an interesting adventure while crossing the pond, and end up in Canada where religious nutbars continue pursuing the characters, then add in a lot of pissed off Native Americans to keep it challenging. After a bit of pain and suffering the characters finally make it somewhere relatively safe and live happily ever after.
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