El pueblo quería ver a su Luis como rey por derecho propio, devolviendo la gloria a Francia y la prosperidad a sus hogares, pero a Luis solo le importaban las emociones de la caza y el juego, las emociones de la guerra, hasta que incluso éstas palidecieron ante los placeres sensuales ofrecidos por una sucesión de amantes, de hermosas mujeres a la célebre marquesa de Pompadour: los primeros años de Luis XV y las mujeres que lo gobernaron.

This was a good introduction to the slow burn towards the French Revolution, it appears from this that Louis XV didn't help himself. In fact Louis XV seems quite a strange and complex character. Certainly some of his traits weren't very kingly and the court and the country needed more dynamic leadership. A good read but slower as you try to work all the Ducs, Comtes, madames etc. I look forward to moving onto book two. 3.5 stars. ( )

I read this because I'm interested in France's Bourbon kings and Madame de Pompadour. I 'm also a fan of the author.

I think that Jean Plaidy did a good job bringing the early to mid-eighteenth-century France to life. I like her portrayal of Louis XV, whom we get to see grow from a five-year-old up to about thirty. As a child he comes across as a spoiled brat with no interest in the French people who cheer and adore him. Yet as he becomes a man, little of his character alters.

I found myself liking Louis whilst having little respect for his carefree ways. That said, I did admire him for joining his soldiers in various battles, as he could easily have avoided doing so.

It's interesting to observe how Louis's coldness towards his subjects who love him, and the amount of money he taxes them to pay for fruitless wars, or to indulge his passion for architecture, all leads to his loss of popularity. More to the point, his carefree attitude points the way to the French Revolution a few decades later.

On a lighter note, it's also interesting to see how his mistresses come and go, along with his changing relationship with his queen. His first intended queen, back when he was a boy, was the character for whom I felt the most sympathy for in the entire book. I won't say more about the little Spanish princess in case I leak any spoilers.

I've previously read a biography of Madame de Pompadour, discovering that I liked her very much, and I'm impressed with the author's depiction of the beautiful, gifted lady.

Adelaide, one of Louis's daughters, is one of the most interesting characters. She's clever yet also slightly mad.

Overall this is a good read though I would've enjoyed it more had it been a little more spicy or confrontational at times. ( )

It's OK. I can't help feeling how utterly sad we human beings are, our own worst enemies. He ( )

The godmother of all historical fiction takes us back to the 18th century and into the life of “pleasure loving” Louis XV.

The French Revolution series by Jean Plaidy begins with Louis the Well Beloved. It opens with the death of Louis XIV, leaving a 5 year old Louis XV as king of France. The novel focuses on the women in his life – and there were many! Talk about a man whore…I think he would give Wilt Chamberlain a run for his money!
Louis XV even had a mansion called, Parc aux Cerfs, where he kept his very young mistresses, but he only liked to keep 3 at a time (because he said it was a nice number). What a super guy! He actually made me feel a little icky inside at times.

The Road to Compiegne picks up when Louis XV is 40 years old. After being insulted and ignored when riding through Paris, Louis declares that he will visit Paris for state functions only. He builds a road that skirts the city of Paris. He calls it the Road to Compiegne…the Parisians called it “Route de la Revolte”.

It amazed me how Louis XV avoided politics or the running of his kingdom in any shape or form. Completely disinterested. Kinda like a George Bush of the 18th century. On his deathbed he takes stock of the life he has lead and becomes saddened when realizes what his mismanagement or non-management of France has done to the country and its citizens. He is sorry to leave his grandson with a country teeming with poverty and civil unrest, but it is too late (as is usually the case with hind sight).

Marie Antionette and Louis XVI are the main characters in Flaunting, Extravagant Queen. Louis XV has just died and his grandson is left to try and put the pieces of his kingdom back together. Unfortunately, he is not very successful, even though he really does care about France. He often loved the people so much that it was to his detriment. I was sympathetic with Marie, but felt Louis XVI was too much of a wussy….at times you just wanted him to grow a backbone!

All in all this was a pretty good series. One of the things I love about reading is feeling the connection with the characters, but I didn’t feel that here. I formed opinions of them, but don’t feel like I got to know them. I didn’t even cry at the end (which is unusual for me). Worth the read, but not one to really sink your teeth into.

Overall: 3/5 ( )