Product Description

France eagerly awaits the day the young King, Louis XV, comes of age and breaks free from the rule of his ministers. The country hopes Louis will bring back glory and prosperity to France. However, he is too preoccupied with the thrills of hunting and gambling to notice the power struggle going on in his own court. Soon, the King is introduced to the pleasures of mistresses and a succession of lovers follows. From the gentle persuasions of Madame de Mailley to her overtly ambitious sister, Madame Vintimille, France stands by and watches a King ruled by his women...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53273 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From the Back Cover
France eagerly awaits the day the young King, Louis XV, comes of age and breaks free from the rule of his ministers. The country hopes Louis will bring back glory and prosperity to France. However, he is too preoccupied with the thrills of hunting and gambling to notice the power struggle going on in his own court. Soon, the King is introduced to the pleasures of mistresses and a succession of lovers follows. From the gentle persuasions of Madame de Mailley to her overtly ambitious sister, Madame Vintimille, France stands by and watches a King ruled by his women...

Praise for Jean Plaidy

'One of our best historical novelists' News Chronicle

'Plaidy has brought the past to life' Times Literary Supplement

About the Author
Jean Plaidy, one of the pre-eminent authors of historical fiction for most of the twentieth century, is the pen name of the prolific English author Eleanor Hibbert, also know as Victoria Holt. Jean Plaidy's novels had sold more than 14 million copies worldwide by the time of her death in 1993. For further information about our Jean Plaidy reissues and mailing list, please visit www.randomhouse.co.uk/minisites/jeanplaidy

Customer Reviews

Oh La La!!!!!
All Jean Plaidy fans will love this venture into the French courts of the early 18th century.'Tis not for nothing that the French have earned their reputation as great lovers!! Louis the Well Beloved is King Louis XV, who was crowned King at a very young age. This book takes us through the first part of Louis's life and it's transitions from childhood to adolescence to young adulthood. Concentrating on Louis and his women, who were to become numerous and those closest to him, we get to see a very detailed portrait of the French King and his susceptibility to women and their power over him. A superb read. But a word of advice, have the second part " The Road to Compiegne " to hand, as I'm sure you will want to know how the tale continues!!

readings.
Jean Plaidy is a prolific writer and I enjoy all her historical novel books which are based on fact.