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The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment
by
A lover in and of the darkness ...
Violaine, a devotee of books and learning, is sold by her father to a mysterious nobleman to become his companion. Fearing herself at the mercy of a monster, Violaine instead succumbs to the seductive spell of her magical new home, and the love of a man she has never seen, who comes to her only in the darkness of night.
The Château de Bois ...more
Violaine, a devotee of books and learning, is sold by her father to a mysterious nobleman to become his companion. Fearing herself at the mercy of a monster, Violaine instead succumbs to the seductive spell of her magical new home, and the love of a man she has never seen, who comes to her only in the darkness of night.
The Château de Bois ...more
Paperback, 266 pages
Published
February 4th 2020
by D. X. Varos, Ltd.
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment

My rating for this is actually in the 3.5 to 3.75 range. When evaluating that rating, keep in mind that my average rating over almost 900 books is 3.01.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher at the author's request. The scheduled release date is February 4, 2020.
I remember watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast countless times with my kids when they were much younger, so it's not surprising that the beginning of The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment would seem very famili ...more
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher at the author's request. The scheduled release date is February 4, 2020.
I remember watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast countless times with my kids when they were much younger, so it's not surprising that the beginning of The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment would seem very famili ...more

Jan 27, 2020
Nenia ✨️ Socially Awkward Trash Panda ✨️ Campbell
marked it as to-read
Is this a Beauty and the Beast retelling?
Also I'm such a sucker for captivity romances LOL ...more
Also I'm such a sucker for captivity romances LOL ...more

Back when I was writing book reviews for a living, I found myself rather charmed by Therese Doucet's 2011 debut novel, the semi-autobiographical "reformed Mormon finally learns about the big wide world" tale A Lost Argument (see my review); so I was pleased a few weeks ago to accept a review copy of her latest, The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment by the brand-new genre small press DX Varos, despite the fact that it's a style of story I usually don't read by choice for pleasure. I was und
...more

In all my years reading fairy tale retellings, this is the first one I find set in Enlightenment France, the time and place in which the original fairy tale was written, as well as the first that has a character at least partially inspired by the author of Beauty and the Beast. Delightful surprise!
The story is about Violaine Bergeret, a young Savoyard widow from a mountain village settled by members of a heretic sect called the Vaudois, formerly fiercely persecuted and currently protected by the ...more
The story is about Violaine Bergeret, a young Savoyard widow from a mountain village settled by members of a heretic sect called the Vaudois, formerly fiercely persecuted and currently protected by the ...more

Doucet is a gifted story teller. She pulls the reader swiftly along on this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, especially in the second half as things start to unravel. She sets her tale in 17th century Savoy among attendees of the Parisian philosophical salons which introduces interesting new twists to an old tale. I wanted to give this new novelist's book four stars--she is clearly an amazing writer and her creativity provided much to think about. I particularly enjoyed her setting--the hidden
...more

Feb 08, 2020
Michael Austin
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2020
The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment is a remarkable work of fiction that manages to be a number of things at once: it is (among many other things) a variation on a popular fairy tale, a novel of manners, a good adventure story, and a philosophical tale. And it takes place in a well-researched historical setting with an environment, and a society, that the author holds with obvious esteem and affection.
Let’s unpack all of this a little bit, keeping nasty spoilers to a minimum.
The novel b ...more
Let’s unpack all of this a little bit, keeping nasty spoilers to a minimum.
The novel b ...more

This is a retelling of the well-known "Beauty and the Beast" intended for a mature audience. The main character, Violaine, is a widow who is forced to live in a magical castle as the companion of a mysterious Marquis because her father needs the money the Marquis has promised in exchange. The story takes place in France during the age of the enlightenment and is told in first person, from Violaine's point of view.
Violaine is a feminist of her own time, a free thinker like the friends she make du ...more
Violaine is a feminist of her own time, a free thinker like the friends she make du ...more

Magic, faeries, monsters, religious liberty, philosophy, history, and bodice ripping passion, all in the same novel. The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment is siren of a book in which every development tempts sand pulls the reader further into the struggles, passions, and achievements of its protagonist Violane.
This historically set fiction is vividly inspired by a range of classic faerie tales, legends, and myths and historical persons. As with Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber author Th ...more
This historically set fiction is vividly inspired by a range of classic faerie tales, legends, and myths and historical persons. As with Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber author Th ...more

Author's note - The first chapter of the novel was featured as an excerpt in Embark Literary Journal. It's available here.
Advance praise:
"Political, social, and psychological insights accompany Violaine's journeys to keep readers immersed in a story that defies easy categorization. From romance and fairy tale allusions to historical and philosophical foundations, The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment may best be described as a surreal journey through the changing, challenging world of the ...more
Advance praise:
"Political, social, and psychological insights accompany Violaine's journeys to keep readers immersed in a story that defies easy categorization. From romance and fairy tale allusions to historical and philosophical foundations, The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment may best be described as a surreal journey through the changing, challenging world of the ...more

Violaine is a young widow, who had been in a loveless marriage; is sold by her father to a wealthy Marquis in order to become his mistress. She has to leave her two young children behind and is taken to The Chateau de Boisaulne, quite a distance away from the home she grew up in. She is terrified and concerned that her father has sold her to a monster of a man; but doesn't meet him right away upon her arrival. She has the opportunity to explore the beautiful, magical and mystical Chateau and its
...more

Doucet’s The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment is the best book of fiction I read this year. And I read a lot of fiction. I devoured it over a few days. On those evenings, I was carried away to a world so richly imagined that I felt like I knew the place.
Doucet’s setting in France is vibrant with exquisite details. The descriptions leave you with the feel and familiarity that these are people you know and care about—almost as if it’s a life you’ve lived at another time—The story is embedd ...more
Doucet’s setting in France is vibrant with exquisite details. The descriptions leave you with the feel and familiarity that these are people you know and care about—almost as if it’s a life you’ve lived at another time—The story is embedd ...more

Giving this 4 stars because this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling which manages to stay within a certain fairy tale vibe but feels fresh by having older characters who’ve lived a little bit before the story starts, in a well-established world. There are discussions of philosophy and sex (Most romance novels are more explicit if that’s not your bag) which was fun and also horny.
Some of the twists were a bit telegraphed given the usual conventions of like. The Romance Genre(tm). But this is als ...more
Some of the twists were a bit telegraphed given the usual conventions of like. The Romance Genre(tm). But this is als ...more

The prisoner of the castle of enlightenment is an adult fantasy story that begins as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but takes a very different turn as it is set in late 18th century France.
The author sets the story with excellent adventure and a good variation of favourable fairy tale content. She kept the historical facts relatable and built the society in a natural yet fictional way.
The literature was described very well. Violaine has a fascinating character. She is just as strong yet ha ...more
The author sets the story with excellent adventure and a good variation of favourable fairy tale content. She kept the historical facts relatable and built the society in a natural yet fictional way.
The literature was described very well. Violaine has a fascinating character. She is just as strong yet ha ...more

Ever wonder what Belle in Beauty and the Beast would be like in an adult-themed story? Not a cartoon, but a woman, with needs and desires?
The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment by Therese Doucet is the tale of Violaine twenty-seven, widowed, and mother of two near Vaud, Switzerland, in the Age of Enlightenment. She loses the bookshop that her and her late husband owned, sold by her father to a mysterious Marquis.
The Marquis finds a beloved book by Violaine, filled with poems written by he ...more
The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment by Therese Doucet is the tale of Violaine twenty-seven, widowed, and mother of two near Vaud, Switzerland, in the Age of Enlightenment. She loses the bookshop that her and her late husband owned, sold by her father to a mysterious Marquis.
The Marquis finds a beloved book by Violaine, filled with poems written by he ...more

OMGGG
I have FALLEN in love with this book, OVER, and OVER again! I am just madly in love OMG. I can't even think right now, that's how in love I am. I'm going to have to revisit this review in the near future to touch up, and give an actual review. But for now, I am going to sit here and wait for my very own Marquis, to come and rescue me.
*Thank you Therese and her publisher for being ever so kind, as to send me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* ...more
I have FALLEN in love with this book, OVER, and OVER again! I am just madly in love OMG. I can't even think right now, that's how in love I am. I'm going to have to revisit this review in the near future to touch up, and give an actual review. But for now, I am going to sit here and wait for my very own Marquis, to come and rescue me.
*Thank you Therese and her publisher for being ever so kind, as to send me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* ...more

Jan 28, 2020
Raven Prophet
marked it as to-read
Cupid and Psyche Retelling?

Doucet’s The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment is the best book of fiction I read this year. And I read a lot of fiction. I devoured it over a few days. On those evenings, I was carried away to a world so richly imagined that I felt like I knew the place.
Doucet’s setting in France is vibrant with exquisite details. The descriptions leave you with the feel and familiarity that these are people you know and care about—almost as if it’s a life you’ve lived at another time—The story is embedd ...more
Doucet’s setting in France is vibrant with exquisite details. The descriptions leave you with the feel and familiarity that these are people you know and care about—almost as if it’s a life you’ve lived at another time—The story is embedd ...more

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My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter
~ 3.5 stars ~
I will be publishing a review on my blog on The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment.
The review will officially be live at 11 am CST on Dec 22, 2020. For now, here is a preview as to what the review will look like:
❀❀❀❀
Violaine, a widow and mother of two, lover of books, finds herself in a proposition. After she discovers that her father sold her to a marquise in Boisaulne, she must leave her son and daughter i ...more
My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter
~ 3.5 stars ~
I will be publishing a review on my blog on The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment.
The review will officially be live at 11 am CST on Dec 22, 2020. For now, here is a preview as to what the review will look like:
❀❀❀❀
Violaine, a widow and mother of two, lover of books, finds herself in a proposition. After she discovers that her father sold her to a marquise in Boisaulne, she must leave her son and daughter i ...more

First time reading Therese Doucet. I'll be honest-about half way in I thought this was going to be a re-make of Beauty and the Beast. I'm happy to admit I was wrong. I'll also admit there were times when I wanted to skip ahead to get to the good part. This is not because the author is just filling pages, it's because I know I'm being made to be patient. This drives me crazy, but it usually means the story is captivating. I won't ruin the ending.....but it's the kind I like. Give it a try. It's n
...more

My best friend Mark mailed me his copy of the book. He knows that I love to read and that I would enjoy this one. It was an enchanting read, I felt as though I was Violaine and I felt her every emotion. I was so engrossed in the book that my husband had to take it from me so that I would go to bed. I finished it in three days. My dreams took me into the scenes in the book. It was a delightful read.

If you're looking for a fairy tale with exquisite imagery, well crafted dialog, fascinating characters, philosophy and a bit of magic all set in the 18th century french alps, then read this book. I looked forward to bedtime every night when I would read a bit more of this lovely story and then drift off to sleep thinking about castle Boisaulne and the friends, lovers and magic that Violaine found there.
...more

Interesting Read!
This was definitely a very interesting story, more of an adult retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I was not sure if the story would grip me and keep me interested and entertained, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The story has suspense, intrigue and lots of romance to keep you captivated and highly entertained. It was a great story. ...more
This was definitely a very interesting story, more of an adult retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I was not sure if the story would grip me and keep me interested and entertained, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. The story has suspense, intrigue and lots of romance to keep you captivated and highly entertained. It was a great story. ...more

An excellent tale and perhaps allegory set in mid-18th Century Savoy, the French-Italian-Swiss borderlands. Shades of "Beauty and the Beast" and nods to the salon intelligentsia of the period, all wrapped up in a fun, fast-paced ride, with fascinating characters and fantasy. A thrill!
...more
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My historical novel with magical realist elements, "The Prisoner of the Castle of Enlightenment," was published by D.X. Varos in February 2020. I'm also the author of "A Lost Argument: A Latter-Day Novel," published through my own Strange Violin Editions micropress imprint in 2011.
My fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in literary magazines including Embark, Hotel Amerika, and Bayou Mag ...more
My fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in literary magazines including Embark, Hotel Amerika, and Bayou Mag ...more
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