Friday, November 21, 2008

Mistress of the Sun

By Sandra Gulland



A novel with a little bit of everything, "Mistress of the Sun" is one to add to any "favorites" list. It conveys the romance of being at French court in the seventeenth century. Author Sandra Gulland has added every element to hold the reader's attention: romance, intrigue, sorcery, religion, all set against the backdrop of Paris and the outerlying areas. There are cold, crumbling castles as well as cozy, well-furnished castles and villas.

The story's spotlight opens on Louise, known as Petite to her friends and family. Louise is a six-year old girl who is "horse-possessed," as her father says. After sneaking off to town one day, so that she could see a traveling show with horses, she sees a beautiful white stallion, strong and bedeviled, according to his previous handlers. Petite feels an instant connection to the horse and convinces her father to purchase it for her.

After getting the horse home, no one is able to train the him, so Petite dares to try a magic spell she reads about in a book from her father's library. Upon completion of the spell, the horse is instantly tame and submissive with Petite. Petite is afraid that her spell has opened a door for the devil and she often hears sounds that frighten her at night. The family deteriorates one day when Petite's father is found dead in the horse barn and the white horse has vanished. Petite is sent to a convent.

She spends a few years there, studying and worshiping, until one day her mother comes and takes her away from the convent. Petite is sad to leave the solace of the church but remains devout. Her mother marries a man who has ties to the court. Through a series of events, Petite is made a waiting maid to a princess.

Eventually, Petite is noticed by King Louis XIV, who was only a young man at the time. He begins to show her favor and they fall into a torrid affair, even though he is married. She feels guilt daily over the relationship they develop, but her love for him is strengthened nonetheless. He, in turn, seems to be a most attentive, ardent lover. It is obvious that he truly would give her anything to make her happy, as long as it was within the confines of that which was good and proper for a King and what was expected of him. He creates a way for them to escape the prying eyes of court and asks her to accompany he and some of his men on a long hunt, away from the city. The only catch is she is to dress like a man, even though the men in their party are privy to the fact it is she, the mistress of the King. Upon arriving at the hunt chateau, the reader is gladdened by being witness to the King's indulgences for Petite.

The hunt chateau was like a fairy tale house: slate roof, wrought-iron balconies, marble courtyard and a little dry moat. Made of red bricks and white stone, it reminded Petite of the chateau at Blois, but in miniature, and all of a piece.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!" A stout, red-faced man with a drooping mustache cried out greetings, waving his hat about in a confusion of etiquette. "We were told that the road was washed out." He held the reins of Louis's horse as the King dismounted. "We feared you might not get across."

"Nothing stops this rider," Louis said, indicating Petite.

"Get this young man's horse," the stout man called out to a boy sprinting across the cobblestones.

"I think he's a girl," the boy said, studying Petite as she dismounted.

"I think so too," Louis said with a laugh. "Messieurs, please pay your respects to Mademoiselle de la Valliere," he announced, swiping off Petite's hat and wig, allowing her golden curls to fall to her shoulders. "Mistress of this chateau."

Life continues upon their return to court. There are parties and secret get-aways, but Petite soon learns that no one can ever be trusted. The story is rich with back-biting, complications and trickery. Friends and families are torn apart.

Ultimately, Petite realizes that to save others, sometimes you must first save yourself.

"Mistress of the Sun" plays with every emotion available to the reader. The chicanery and amour move the story along swiftly, making it impossible to put the book down once you have started it. This novel is a little weightier and will require more than one's average weekend to read, but it holds your attention. Sandra Gulland is an extraordinary writer and master storyteller, definitely one of the very, very best.

http://www.ReaderReport.com

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