Introduction

The daughter of actors, Claudette has been playing different roles since she was a child. After settling in Paris, where her mother becomes a star, Claudette finds a position as personal assistant to Athénaïs de Montespan, the highly influential mistress of Louis XIV, and France’s “Shadow Queen.” But amid the gilded opulence of the newly-constructed Versailles, she is shocked to discover that the Court’s veneer of respectability and glamour conceals just as many plots and deceptions as the stage.

As she is caught up in Athénaïs’s paranoia and desperation to keep the King’s attention, Claudette is forced to consider a move that will risk her own life—and that of the family she loves so dearly. 

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Winter was coming--I could smell it. Even so, we headed north, following a cow track across a barren field, away from all the lawless soldiers.

Onward. I shifted little Gaston onto my right hip and set my eyes on the far horizon .?.?. Onward toward Poitiers, where we might earn a meal performing for crowds. News had spread that the King and Court were there, mobilizing for yet another battle. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. How are the worlds of the theatre and the Court similar? How are they different?

2. Claudette tells herself that she's going to work at Court for the good of her family. Do you believe her?

3. "The shadow queen" is the term used for a king's official mistress. Clearly, in this novel, Athénaïs is a shadow queen. In what ways is Claudette a shadow queen as well?

4. What do you think accounted for Athénaïs's downfall?


5. Discuss Claudette's and Athénaïs's relationship. What was it about Athénaïs that so attracted Claudette? What was it that Athénaïs saw in Claudette?

6. Discuss the position of those who worked in theater in 17th-century French society. Was it justified? Hypocritical? Unjust?

7. A little over one hundred years after the events of this novel, the French Revolution began. In part, the Revolution was a revolt against the Catholic Church. What events in The Shadow Queen hint at a dissatisfaction of the French people with Church policy?

8. The church was a very powerful influence during this time period, and yet many people were enthralled by the very magical potions, séances, fortune telling and charms that the church frowned upon. What role does magical ritual play in this novel?

9. What movie actors would you chose to play the parts of Claudette, Alix, Athénaïs, Madame Voisin, Louvios and the King?

10. In what ways does Claudette change over the course of the novel? Athénaïs? Madame Voisin? Gaston? Alix?

11. Who was your favorite character? (And why?)

Weblinks

»	Author's web site
»	Publisher's Book Info

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews

There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book