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Summary: Enormous enjoyment and educational in the historical sense.
Review: The first time I came across the Angelique series was pretty much close to 30 years ago. They were my first insight into a sophisticated style of writing I had hitherto not experienced. I was an avid fan of Jean Plaidy and enjoyed the historical context of her books, but found the Golons' Angelique filled not only with a rich content of French history, but realistic adventure a feeling of belonging to the books and a desire, perhaps close to addiction to know more and more and more. The addiction was assuaged by the ongoing series until it came to an abrupt end - at least in the English language. But to return to the Marquise of the Angels and Road to Versailles - from the moment the book starts there is a familiarity and ease of reading that as the characters emerge one feels one has known all about them for a long time. The change in pace from the struggle to survive in the countryside to the outrageous riches of the Comte de Tolouse. In time the intrigues, jealousies and passions of the court which wreak their malevolence to the point where real fright takes over - the prejudices that cause so much heartbreak. Then - sudden death - a woman whose husbands name is tarnished - suddenly becomes a persona non grata - 1984 before Orwell wrote about it. The fall from grace, the depths of despair, the emotions within the alternative court "of miracles" - aptly named - the whole sequence of new characters - then out of the blue the return of Nicholas as Calembredaine - this thread, used by the authors, of resurrecting characters long forgotten is both magical and mischievous. This mischief keeps me crying out for more - for a conclusion! On the strength of this tome nothing would have kept me from not wishing to read on! There is humour and pathos, a real understanding of how things were at the time - in itself an education - much has been written about Louis XIVs court - many intrigues apparent, classical authors like Dumas have woven stories about history - this modern classic takes it several stages further - it is not just story-telling it is a seminar where everyone is involved and pulled along in the wake of sensational believable story-telling. I'm re-reading the whole series now - although the paper is brown and the spines broken to pieces and pages stuck back in - and I can't wait to plunge into this world that I am so familiar with again and again. I am a great respector of the written word and pride myself on keeping my books in excellent condition (wherever possible)and have many favourites but none as sustained as the Angelique series and in particular the introductory book - which if it had not worked as well as it did - would not see us here, today clamouring for more.
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Summary: Historic fiction at its best.
Review: Reading this book (and the whole series) opens a door to an era while entertaining the reader with a great love story and adventure novel all rolled into one. The authors' attention to historic detail is incredible yet the writing is completely modern.
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Summary: I am surprised that this book exist in English translation
Review: For many years I tried to find the Angelique series in English but could not....I read it when I was 12 in Russian translation and I still have them with me...This series shows the view not only on the 17th century France but also North America... This book is one of the most amazing love stories that shows women of 90's a new perspective on love.
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Summary: The first book in the greatest series ever written
Review: I've just bought this book for the third time, the other two fell to pieces through re-reading. Unquestionably Angelique is the greatest hero ever invented (I say hero because she outshines characters of either sex). She's been compared to Robin Hood, James Bond, Joan of Arc and Scarlett O'Hara, but leaves them all for dead in depth of characterisation, spirit, deeds and everything else. I've read thousands of books and sagas, and the Angelique series is by far the best series of books ever written IMHO - even better than Lord of the Rings, which I've only read 5 times as compared to Angelique's 10 so far. It has everything - adventure, an incredibly strong leading character, pace, plot, romance, death, lust, conflict and historical accuracy. It has inspired me to visit France (and I live in Australia) many times to see the areas where the first five books are based, and I plan to visit Maine and Canada, the scene of books 6 to 10. And I'm determined to read the last three books, so far untranslated from the original French, even if I have to pay for the translation myself - one day soon.
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Summary: An unforgettable book you can't put down!
Review: One of the characters in this book called Péguilin summarizes Angélique: (...)"But you...you are a spring in a desert...the dream of someone who has never dreamed...the mysteries...longing, surprise, yearning...the simplest woman in the whole world...and the most unfanthomable...the nearest and yet the farthest...the unassailable...the unforgettable." Yes, unforgettable! I was 14 years old the first time I read the book and all the others that followed! Twenty years later here I am, still entralled by the wonderful writing of the Golons as they lead us through the court of the Sun King and the survival of Angélique, a strong woman ahead of her time! Great reading! Unforgettable, really!
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Summary: This is the beginning of a magnificent series
Review: This is the beginning of one of the most absorbing, well-written series of historical novels I have ever read. It boggles my mind to think that something of such substance as well as being so vastly entertaining could have been out of print for so long. I am hopeful that the publishers will continue to reissue the rest of the series, including those books in the series that were never translated into English. The Angelique books will appeal to the same set of readers who loved Gone With the Wind, anything by Anya Seton, the books of Diana Gabaldon, the novels of Dorothy Dunnett, and anyone else who has ever reveled in a long absorbing story. Do not miss this book and the ones that follow; you will not be disappointed.
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Summary: Wonderful book, the one that started it all.
Review: Loved it. I first read them in french but my mother in law read them in English as did my father. Now I want the whole series all 13 books translated in English. That way my husband can enjoy them as much as I did. A wonderful book filled with adventure, intrigue, historically accurate. Wonderful!
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Summary: Great feel for the period. Couldn't put it down.
Review: Book really gives you a feel of 17th century France. I fell in love the the characters. Those who love history and escapism will love the combination. A very good read.
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Summary: A wonderful series.
Review: I found these books in my parents' old book cupboard when I was about fifteen. Old enough to be riverted by the romance, young enough to still get more and more out of them as I grew up and bothered to find out more about the period for myself. They are well written, and don't seem to have suffered by translation into English. The stories cross years, and continents, and the characters change enough to hold a reader's interest, while remaining still visibly 'themselves'. Well worth anyone's time!
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Summary: Angelique lives!! :)
Review: There is no comparable historical/romantic fictional heroine to the fascinating Angelique de Sance de Monteloup! The husband and wife team of Serge and Anne Golon bring the intrigues of 17th century France, the Barbary, and the New World alive through their colorful, gorgeous, yet very human heroine and her exploits through her rough-and-tumble childhood, to the mystery of the Languedoc of southern France, to the Court of Louis XIV...and beyond. :) No meek milk-and-water miss, this lady...she fights and intrigues her way through her life and loves and difficulties in a manner that will utterly fascinate you. Angelique was my first taste of historical romantic fiction nearly twenty-five years ago, and she still reigns supreme on my formidable bookcase at home. Bravo for the re-release of this bewitching woman!
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