Historical
May. 6th, 2005 12:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousiePurchased my KoH ticket for tonight. Yay! Can't wait.
Also, random book-rec (posting at queenofthorns made me think of it).
Go check out Alexandre Dumas' trilogy set in the last of the Valois times.
Queen Margot is the first part. There is a movie version of it that is excellent, but I love the book so much better. The plot: involves the scheming of the French court during the reign of Charles IX, including a Huguenot massacre. Also, a doomed love affair between a protestant La Mole and Queen Margo, Henri of Navarre's unwilling wife. Also, undying friendship, deathly intrigue, duels, torture, poisonings, secret lover's meetings and more. So much detail and character development. I have no clue if the English translation os any good, but the Russian one is excellent. I remember reading it when I was 11 or so (my parents let me read anything) and literally pinching myself not to sob at the end *g* But there is nothing as cool as Charles IX telling Margot: "Sister, you have blood on your dress" and Margot (super-strongwilled and cool) replying: "It doesn't matter as long as I have a smile on my face."
The second part of the trilogy is called "La Dame de Monsoreau" and is my favorite Dumas book ever. It is very popular in Russia (they also showed the French miniseries based on it there and everyone in my school was nuts for it). I know there is an English translation but it might be a bit old and clunky. It follows the fate of de Bussy ((my early literary crush, what with his immense haughtiness and deadly duellist skills and passionate nature), a favorite of Alancon, and his love for Diane de Monsoreau. Other major characters include Henry III, Guise, St. Luc (a mignon of the king who incurs displeasure by marrying. I first read the book when I was young so couldn't understand why the king was annoyed, LOL), Alancon and Chicot, the king's jester (some versions of the translation call the book "Chicot."). And there is tons and tons of history. And so much angst. I remember sobbing my eyes out. Once again, tons of political intrigue, star-crossed lovers, duels and other good stuff.
The last part of the trilogy is called "45" and deals with some historical rebellion of the time. It is much inferior to the other two parts, and only read it if you are a completist (like me), will read anything about Henry IV and/or Chicot (like me), or are dying for a further glimpse of Diane and de Bussy (even if the latter is a portrait) (certainly like me).
So, check it out.
Also, random book-rec (posting at queenofthorns made me think of it).
Go check out Alexandre Dumas' trilogy set in the last of the Valois times.
Queen Margot is the first part. There is a movie version of it that is excellent, but I love the book so much better. The plot: involves the scheming of the French court during the reign of Charles IX, including a Huguenot massacre. Also, a doomed love affair between a protestant La Mole and Queen Margo, Henri of Navarre's unwilling wife. Also, undying friendship, deathly intrigue, duels, torture, poisonings, secret lover's meetings and more. So much detail and character development. I have no clue if the English translation os any good, but the Russian one is excellent. I remember reading it when I was 11 or so (my parents let me read anything) and literally pinching myself not to sob at the end *g* But there is nothing as cool as Charles IX telling Margot: "Sister, you have blood on your dress" and Margot (super-strongwilled and cool) replying: "It doesn't matter as long as I have a smile on my face."
The second part of the trilogy is called "La Dame de Monsoreau" and is my favorite Dumas book ever. It is very popular in Russia (they also showed the French miniseries based on it there and everyone in my school was nuts for it). I know there is an English translation but it might be a bit old and clunky. It follows the fate of de Bussy ((my early literary crush, what with his immense haughtiness and deadly duellist skills and passionate nature), a favorite of Alancon, and his love for Diane de Monsoreau. Other major characters include Henry III, Guise, St. Luc (a mignon of the king who incurs displeasure by marrying. I first read the book when I was young so couldn't understand why the king was annoyed, LOL), Alancon and Chicot, the king's jester (some versions of the translation call the book "Chicot."). And there is tons and tons of history. And so much angst. I remember sobbing my eyes out. Once again, tons of political intrigue, star-crossed lovers, duels and other good stuff.
The last part of the trilogy is called "45" and deals with some historical rebellion of the time. It is much inferior to the other two parts, and only read it if you are a completist (like me), will read anything about Henry IV and/or Chicot (like me), or are dying for a further glimpse of Diane and de Bussy (even if the latter is a portrait) (certainly like me).
So, check it out.
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Date: 2005-05-06 11:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-05-07 02:07 am (UTC)