Madame l'étrangère: La princesse Palatine [French]

By Jacqueline Duchêne

After Madame de La Fayette and Mademoiselle, Duchess of Montpensier, renowned historian and biographer Jacqueline Duch ne, presents a new novel, based on the life of Charlotte-Elizabeth d'Orleans, better known as Princess Palantine, a key feminine figure during the reign of Louis XIV of France.

1671. Charlotte-Elizabeth of Bavaria arrives in France to marry the Duke of Orleans, brother of the King. She knows that her marriage will bestow upon her the prestigious title of "Madame" in the most lavish court of Europe, but she also knows that her husband-to-be does not like women.
Life in court for the Princess is a constant struggle against the melancholy of exile and the numerous schemes of her husband's lovers to push her aside. She must also contend with the hostility of her own husband, dead-set on destroying her Palatinat, as well as Madame de Maintenon's not-so-subtle efforts to favour the royal bastards of la Montespan over Charlotte-Elizabeth's offspring. In the midst of torment, the Princess finds her only comfort in her close relationship with the King who admires the foreigner's frankness and insolence.

The Princess Palantine's exceptional strength of character enables her to hold her own in court and her keen observations and admirable sense of humour are most evident in the hundreds of letters she wrote to her family. This correspondance was the basis for this beautifully intense novel on one of the most remarkable and touching women of her time, and truly the most surprising.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: French
• ISBN: 2709622025
• ISBN13: 9782709622028
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Editions J.C. Lattes
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.5"