Margaret CroslandCritiques

A collection of Collette's reminiscences, conversations, letters arranged by theme.

Concise, accessible biography of Louis XV's Favourite, Madame Pompadour. Far more than just a mistress, Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson took on the rigid etiquette and power play of Versailles to wield social and political influence even after she and the King were little more than good friends. Intelligent, beautiful, shrewd and creative, the Pompadour was a fascinating woman, and Margaret Crosland presents her to the reader with ease and admiration for her subject. Would have liked to see more portraits of Madame Pompadour, particularly those mentioned in the text, but a good introduction to her all the same.

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