Overall, I liked this book. It gave a good view of what was going on ideologically in Paris, in the fifty years prior to the French Revolution, and you can see how some of the events and the ideas presenting in The Philosopher's Kiss lead to the greater complaints later on. I didn't really know much about Madame du Pompadour other than she was Louis's mistress (and what could be gotten from that Doctor Who episode), so I liked learning about her involvement in helping the encyclopedia come into being.

The novel does seem a bit repetitive at times. But I think this is because when each volume of the encyclopedia was printed, it outraged the church and/or state, and someone was threatened with or was arrested and imprisoned, and faced censorship issues. The editors kept trying to push what they could get away with, so the same things kept happening.

Sophie was a real person, according to the author's note, however not much is known about her, or what relationship she actually had with Diderot, other than she existed and knew one another. As a character, I don't really like her very much. Probably because she keeps going back to Diderot, who reads at best as a jerk. I don't think I have a great affinity to any of the characters. But to me, they almost seem to be secondary, while the Encyclopedia seems to be THE main character, as nearly all of the events covered in the book revolve around it. I also don't think the title helps it much. I half expected it to have a stronger romance, or depiction of it, but it didn't. The romance between Sophie and Diderot is fairly tame in the telling, and doesn't read like a romance novel.

I would recommend this if you have an interest in the French Revolution and the precursors that lead up to it, and if you have an interest in the philosophy of this time period and their influences.

I recieved this book via the GoodReads FirstReads giveaway ( )

Escenario de una lucha de ideas que cambiará el rumbo de la civilización, el París de la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII es una ciudad de efervescencia. Frente al poder incuestionable de la iglesia y el Estado, los filósofos reclaman un paraíso terrenal en el que reinen la igualdad, la libertad y la fraternidad. Su detonante será la Enciclopedia, el libro más revolucionario después de la Biblia, una obra que recogerá todo el saber y el raciocinio del hombre, una bomba para la decadente monarquía francesa.

A wonderful, delightfully written historical novel that takes place in 18th century Paris. This gives us a first hand look at the making of the infamous Encyclopedia, for which so many were persecuted. And especially gives a look at the man responsible for the undertaking Denis Diderot and his consort Sophie Volland.

I found this novel a treat to read. For one day I was able to immerse myself in a story of love, betrayal, intrigue, political horror, and faith.
I highly recommend The Philosopher's Kiss. And I give it Five Stars and a Big Thumbs Up!

****DISCLOSURE: This book was a private purchase and I was under no obligation for review. ( )

Who will win the hearts and minds of the 18th C. Frenchman: The Church or The State? How about neither? It's the philosophers who ultimately come out on top once Denis Diderot secures the writers and publisher for his monumental undertaking, a multi-volume Encyclopedia.

This book is best when it discusses the ideological battles between the Church in the person of Father Radominsky and the State's representative, Chief Censor Malesherbes. It is at its weakest when Prange trots Jean Jacques Rousseau out on stage to make a cameo appearance.

Because the novel has two central figures -- the first, the encyclopedia and the second, Sophie -- it may be off-putting to some readers who try to balance their reading experience between an intellectual abstraction and an entirely personable girl/woman.

On the other hand, the book can be enjoyed for its historical portrayal of the times and actions surrounding the birth of radical scientific and political views in royal France and for the humanistic heroine who becomes a philosopher in her own right.

It is the romance between Sophie and Diderot that stitches the novel together, for better or worse. If you have to choose a side -- and I did -- in order to enjoy the book, at least you have two worthy choices. ( )

France - Mid to late 1700's
Historical fiction of philosophers - primarily Diderot, but introduces many others who were involved with him at this time and the beginnings of the first Encyclopedia.
Having no particular prior knowledge of this era, I enjoyed the history.
The story of Sophie and her complex life, involvement with Diderot and the French royal court is not light reading - took me several tries - having to check out the book again months later. Counts as one I'm glad to have made the effort.
Read in 2011 ( )