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Narrated by Sarah Nichols
Catherine HewittUnabridged — 9 hours, 41 minutes
Narrated by Sarah Nichols
Catherine HewittUnabridged — 9 hours, 41 minutes
Comtesse Valtesse de la Bigne was painted by Édouard Manet and inspired Émile Zola, who immortalized her in his scandalous novel Nana. Her rumored affairs with Napoleon III and the future King Edward VII kept gossip columns full.
But her glamorous existence hid a dark secret: she was no comtesse. She was born into abject poverty, raised on a squalid backstreet among the dregs of Parisian society. Yet she transformed herself into an enchantress who possessed a small fortune, three mansions, fabulous carriages, and art the envy of connoisseurs across Europe. A consummate show-woman, she ensured that her life-and even her death-remained shrouded in just enough mystery to keep her audience hungry for more.
Spectacularly evoking the sights and sounds of mid- to late nineteenth-century Paris in all its hedonistic glory, Catherine Hewitt's biography tells, for the first time ever in English, the forgotten story of a remarkable woman who, though her roots were lowly, never stopped aiming high.
If you haven't read Nana—or, even more so, if you have and are hungering for a less censorious, more deeply researched and respectful biography of the 19th-century French courtesan on whom that novel by Zola is partly based—this book is for you.
Hewitt’s fascinating biography reads like a novel and paints a vivid portrait of a woman who reinvented herself and carved out a successful and lucrative career in one of the only realms available to women in her time, place, and circumstances.” —Booklist
"[A]stonishing.... A thoroughly researched and clearly written account of a determined and talented woman and of an era." —Kirkus Reviews
“Reading like a novel with enticing cliff-hangers, Hewitt’s work marries the life of Valtesse with the fascinating history of Paris,imbuing both with vivacity.” —Library Journal
“An enthralling story, told with both conviction and sympathy.” —The Observer (UK)
“Hewitt is a diligent researcher and her handsomely illustrated debut biography is crammed with period detail. . . . she offers an intriguing insight into the precarious glamour of life as a nineteenth-century courtesan.” —The Daily Telegraph (UK)
“Riveting.” —The Bookseller (UK)
“A fascinating biography . . . Full of detail and astute observation, the book is a remarkable tale of a woman who never stopped aiming high, but whose personal life was shrouded in mystery.” —France magazine
“Her lovers included painters and politicians, and she caused plenty of scandal that will have you curled up with this book for hours.” —Living France
“Well researched . . . she has written a truly handsome boudoir book.” —Irish Examiner
“It is incredibly readable. The story itself is innately fascinating . . . Hewitt has a great deal of knowledge on the time period of nineteenth-century Paris . . . much to enjoy in this engaging account of Parisian culture.” —All About History (UK)
“This proves to be both a full and intriguing biography, and a fascinating portrait of the time period. . . .The Mistress of Paris is not just a biography of a fascinating woman, but an in-depth look at the France of the nineteenth century . . . A skillfully woven tapestry of a fascinating life, this is a hugely interesting and surprisingly involving read.” —The Bookbag
02/01/2017
Debut author Hewitt chronicles the life of Valtesse de la Bigne (1848–1910), one of the most famous courtesans in 19th-century Paris. Born Louise Delabigne and often using the pseudonym Valtesse, the eventual countess grew up in a meager household, her mother often moonlighting as a prostitute. Disillusioned, Valtesse found her way onto the stage, where her beauty delighted far more than her performance. After catching the eye of German-born French composer Jacques Offenbach, she became his mistress and redirected her energies toward climbing the ranks of society. Valtesse became one of the most prominent courtesans of her time, serving as the influence for a novel by Emile Zola and appearing in the artwork of several painters. Hewitt has created an engaging and richly narrated biography exploring not only this figure's life but also the inner workings of Paris at the time Valtesse's star began to rise. Reading like a novel with enticing cliff-hangers, Hewitt's work marries the life of Valtesse with the fascinating history of Paris, imbuing both with vivacity. VERDICT An entertaining read, this book will likely appeal to history buffs as well as those who enjoy a well-written biography.—Stacy Shaw, Orange, CA
2016-10-18
A biographer debuts with the astonishing story of Comtesse Valtesse de la Bigne (1848-1910), who rose from poverty and prostitution to enormous wealth, influence, and controversy.Hewitt—who studied French literature and art, pursuits that led her to the woman she calls Valtesse through much of the tale—begins with the serendipitous discovery in 1933 of some of Valtesse's vast art collection. The author then retreats to the 1840s and tells us the compelling story of Valtesse's mother, a woman who returns much later on to threaten her daughter's hard-won status. Born as "Louise," Valtesse was fortunate with her stunning good looks (lustrous red hair her most striking feature), and although she began as a street prostitute, her looks, good fortune, and insatiable desires to read and learn transformed her quickly into a highly desirable companion for powerful men. She eventually amassed a fortune, educated herself broadly, collected priceless works of art, associated with some of the great artists of her time, including Manet and Édouard Detaille, lived in great opulence, and became a glittering celebrity. Hewitt's work is nonjudgmental and even, at times, drop-jawed admiring. Every new twist in Valtesse's life brings surprises. She published books that sold well, created works of art for popular shows (one attended by Buffalo Bill), dazzled the south of France, and survived some potentially damning court cases (two involving her mother). Hewitt shows us Valtesse's circumspection, as well: her great care to avoid scandal (one episode, sex on a train, threatened and then diminished) and her preparation for retirement. The author's diction is at times a little conventional and even clichéd. She writes, for example, that Valtesse "had won the heart of Paris." But her intriguing portrait shines through. A thoroughly researched and clearly written account of a determined and talented woman and of an era.
| BN ID: | 2940169780772 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Blackstone Audio, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 01/24/2017 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
