The affair of the poisons;: Louis XIV, Madame de Montespan, and one of history's great unsolved mysteries

by Frances Mossiker

The Affair of the Poisons, 1969 1st Edition, by Frances Mossiker. Louis XIV, Madame de Montespan, and one of history's great unsolved mysteries. Handsome black hardcover book with 336 pages, published by Alfred A. Knopf.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, True Crime, 17th Century

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well researched and written book on a period of French history that not many may know about. The Affair of the Poisons was a time during the reign of King Louis XIV when it was believed that many royals were being poisoned by loved ones, more than their nemeses. It was similar to the Salem witch trials in that people were fascinated with horoscopes, séances, love potions, and aphrodisiac powders and oils that they used on loved ones, or those whose affection they desired. What transpired were actual poisonings and black magic ceremonies. The main focus was gradually, due to evidence and interrogations, pointed to the King's number one Mistress, Madame de Montespan. She bore him 6 children; all legitimized. A rarity in those days, this was a true love affair that lasted for decades. However, when all evidence pointed to her, the King literally could not face having her imprisoned, much less hanged, for her actions against him and the other mistress in his court that he had fond affection for; a woman Mme. de Montespan considered a true rival for his affection. This is not a "light" history lesson. There is a lot of heavy, dark history retold here. It is fascinating. And I cannot imagine having to conduct this investigation, and listening to horrific stories of those who were killed at the hands of these practitioners of the dark arts. I highly recommend this book.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes into great detail about the relationship between Madame de Montespan and Louis XIV, from their lives before meeting through Montespan's fall from favor and eventual death. However, I would not grant that even a simple majority of the book deals with the actual Poisons Affair, despite what the title might lead one to believe. There were certainly fewer details from trial witnesses and explanations of contemporaneous beliefs regarding magic and witchcraft than I had hoped. There are interesting insights from other sources that lead me to realize that the French court in the time of the Sun King was full of the equivalent of gossiping reality TV contestants. The author's style is also often distractingly circumspect. That said, the book is well-researched and thorough, if not misrepresentationally framed by its title.

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... An account (with enough background to put the events into historical context) of the most mysterious and convoluted trials (actually, many trials) of the 17th Century with poison, sex, political intrigue, and devil worship - featuring as cast of figures including defrocked priests, murderous midwives, petty criminals, black widows, and the nobility of the ancien regime (all the way up to Louis XIV). Well done, even if the author doesn't know what drawing and quartering is.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very academic - not a narrative of history for the general reader. Interesting topic and very worthwhile but probably not for the average reader of history who likes books by Weir or Larson.

[Feathzzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

read while in jail. Actual rating: 3.5