The Affair of the Necklace

by Elizabeth Hand

The child Jeanne Valois lost her family, her home, and her fortune to the greed of an influential aristocrat. Now grown into a proud young woman of rare beauty and exceptional wiles, she has gained entrance to the court of Louis XVI and exquisite, reviled queen Marie Antoinette through an expedient marriage, seeking restitution for what was stolen from her. But Jeanne de La Motte-Valois's entreaties have fallen on deaf royal ears, inflaming her desire for justice...and vengeance. In an era of excessive splendor, squalor, and cruelty, amid the myraid intrigues, both dangerous and erotic, that swirl around the powers of France, the brilliant stratagems of a woman wronged will eclipse all others -- as infamy, tragedy, and death loom in the shadows of a conspiracy that begins with a breathtaking vision of diamonds and gold...and ends with revolution.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

A New York Times notable and multiple award– winning author, Elizabeth Hand has written seven novels, including the cult classic Waking the Moon, and short-story collections. She is a longtime contributor to numerous publications, including the Washington Post Book World and the Village Voice Literary Supplement. She and her two children divide their time between the coast of Maine and North London.

Reviews

[Alia_ijm]

Marvelous story!

[Nyie Rombeng]

necklace is beautiful & romantic object.
it's a proof of seriously relationship between 2 humans who fall in love.not just a gift.(different with a ring,of course!)
but in love affair,it can be bad news if revealed.it's a shame.
the risk of love affair is broken heart or loveless in heart.i think faithful feling is BIGGEST than anything else:):)

[Helen]

Fast paced and exciting, this book reminds me "Of Dangerous Liaisons" with the court gossip, the debauchery and scandal. I loved it and definitely want to see the movie - especially since Christopher Walkin and Jonathan Pryce are in it!