Rating: 
Summary: The Double Adultress Montespan
Review: Louis XIV's lovers were many, ranging from the early adolescent infatuation with Mancini to the last puritanical stint with Maintenon (to whom he was secretly married). But with Athenais, the Marquise de Montespan, an emotional peak was reached. She was, for nearly all purposes, his artistic and physical equal; her beauty was simply astonishing and her sensuality magnetic - as even the most tepid of her portraits show. Louis's years with her as maitresse en titre also mark the high point of his political dominance and territorial expansion. Ultimately, however, a devout Catholic such as Louis was destined to pull his proverbial horns in as the years went by - especially since Montespan herself was already married, making the affair "double adultery." Thus, with the death of the Queen, Athenais's place was gradually supplanted by her pious governess, the Marquise de Maintenon. To make matters worse, legend has it that Athenais made a desperate attempt to use black magic to win back her King; there is enough on the record to substantiate at least some, if not all, of this story, known as the "Affair of the Poisons." A well-written, highly enjoyable yarn which often attempts to draw modern parallels.
Rating: 
Summary: unbelievable (one-star for jawdropping shallowness)
Review: Well i do think i've seen it all, tho i never thought i'd see the day where a woman, known in her own time to be, at the very least, manipulative, scheming and cruel, at worst a possible accomplice to murder, lauded and fawned over as some sort of feminist heroine. Athenais de Montespan had nothing likeable about her, certainly no traits to encourage any woman to take her up as role model. She was not misunderstood. She was despicable. The author has, sadly, placed countenance over content; but then again, that is modus operandi in the world of fashion, glam rags et al. The descriptions of Athenais de Montespan in Anne and Serge Golon's "Angelique" series (romance novels no less, but well researched) offer better insights than this book, as do previous bios on Montespan. I recommend readings on du Pompadour or Marie-Antoinette instead, the latter of whom was indeed misunderstood.
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