Product Description

This title offers an unprecedented, provocative look at the extraordinary world of the great courtesans, from Veronica Franco, who graced the palazzi of sixteenth-century Venice, and Madame de Pompadour, the arbiter of all things fashionable at Versailles, to La Belle Otero of the Grand Boulevards of fin-de-siecle Paris, who frequently sported jewel-encrusted garters, and Marion Davies who took Hollywood by storm. "The Book of the Courtesans" enticingly illustrates the intricacies of their lavish lifestyles and their incredible life stories and further reveals how these cunning women seized the opportunity to become the West's first female liberators, free to choose their own lovers and command remarkable respect. 'A manifesto for flirtation. After all, the qualities that the courtesans exploited to achieve influence and riches are still those that are most likely to ensnare a man today. I intend to give a copy to all my singleton friends' - Rowan Pelling, "Mail on Sunday". 'A eulogy to femininity, an essay on what sets certain women apart. Surrender to it: "The Book of the Courtesans" is as seductive as the women it describes' - Lucy Moore, "Sunday Times".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #185109 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 270 pages

Review
'A manifesto for flirtation. After all, the qualities that the courtesans exploited to achieve influence and riches are still those that are most likely to ensnare a man today. I intend to give a copy to all my singleton friends' Rowan Pelling, Mail on Sunday 'A eulogy to femininity, an essay on what sets certain women apart. Surrender to it: The Book of the Courtesans is as seductive as the women it describes' Lucy Moore, Sunday Times

Observer
‘Chock-full of shimmering facts about a particularly captivating breed of early celebrity’

Edwina Currie, New Statesman
‘Packed with terrific anecdotes. Griffin’s heroines are often larger than life, with appetites to match'

Customer Reviews

Fantastic
I absolutely loved this book! It has been said that the term courtesan conjures up two images: firstly of rich, pampered women who lived in luxury and without any thought for others and secondly, beautiful and strong women who have approached their lifestyle with hard business heads and beautiful faces. I think they are both - beautiful as well as head strong and often very shrewd. The most fascinating aspect of the book is that many of the women mentioned were born into poverty and, sadly, many died the same way, and often at a young age. I could not read this book fast enough and at the same time dreaded it ending.