Blanche: The Maid Of Lille

by Sarah H. Adams

The Maid of Lille is a historical novel written by Sarah H. Adams and first published in 1902. The book tells the story of Blanche de Maletroit, a young Frenchwoman living in the city of Lille during the Hundred Years' War. Blanche is a maid in the household of her uncle, a wealthy and powerful nobleman who is loyal to the English crown.Blanche is a kind and gentle soul, beloved by all who know her. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she falls in love with a young English soldier named Edward Neville. Despite the fact that their countries are at war, Blanche and Edward are determined to be together. But their love is threatened by the political turmoil of the time, as well as by the machinations of Blanche's uncle, who is determined to keep them apart.As the war between France and England rages on, Blanche and Edward must navigate a dangerous and complex web of allegiances and loyalties. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including knights, nobles, and commoners, all of whom are struggling to survive in a world torn apart by The Maid of Lille is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice set against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent periods in European history. Adams' vivid descriptions of life in medieval France bring the era to life, while her characters are richly drawn and memorable. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction or the Hundred Years' War.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

98 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2007

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the best way to describe this 1902 book is to allow the author herself to do so. The following is from her introduction:

In the museum at Lille, somewhat aside from the bewildering mass of pictures, stands, in a glass case, a masterpiece of unknown origin--the "tête de cire,"--a maiden's bust moulded in coloured wax.

You will smile when you hear of a coloured wax bust and think of Madame Tussaud's collection, or of a pretty, insignificant doll's head; but should you ever see the "tête de cire," instead of laughing you will fold your hands, and, instead of Madame Tussaud's glass-eyed puppets, will think of a lovely girl cut off in her early bloom, whom you once saw at rest on the hard pillow of her coffin. Pale, with exquisite features, reddish brown hair, eyes slightly blinking, as if afraid of too much sun, a painfully resigned smile about her mouth, and with neck slightly bent forward, as if awaiting her death-stroke, full of touching innocence and of a languid grace, this waxen bust stands out of its dull gold case,--the image of an angel who had lived an earthly life and whose heart was broken by a mortal pain.

Whence came this masterly production? Nobody knows! One ascribes it to Leonardo, another to Raphael, while still others have sought for its origin in antiquity. Upon one point only all agree,--that the bust was made from a cast taken after death.

The painter, Wickar, brought it out of Italy into France. 'Twas said that he found it in a Tuscan convent.

Ossip Schubin then goes on to spin a legend about the maiden: who she was, how she lived, and how she died. I have read in wiki that Schubin's work is considered uneven, meaning that some titles will show more talent than others. I don't know about that yet since this is my first Schubin. But it will not be my last. I thought this short book was intensely moving, funny in places, heart-breakingly sad in others. Written in a manner that brings The Maid Of Lille to vivid life for a short while, this story will live much longer in my memory.