Douglas Johnson
Cut-Throat Courtiers
The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV
By 'THE FRANCE of Louis XIV' historians often really mean the court of Louis XIV The King felt that his own court ought to mimic that of the heavens - a multitude of stars, with him, 'le Roi-Soleil', at its centre. The royal court, whether it was travelling or stationary, was at the heart of government. It was at court that the life of the King unfolded. It was the only life he knew.
Anne Somerset introduces us to the court as it was seen by Madame de Sevigne in July 1676. France was at war with the Dutch and with other powers, but the King was taking his summer holiday at Versailles. A succession of entertainments had been organised and the courtiers enthusiastically
Sign Up to our newsletter
Receive free articles, highlights from the archive, news, details of prizes, and much more.@Lit_Review
Follow Literary Review on Twitter
'Catastrophe' as a category 'is too large and miscellaneous ... if there is a "correct" response to an earthquake, it is unlikely to have much in common with the "correct" response to an epidemic'.
Jonathan Sumption on Niall Ferguson's 'Doom'.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/prime-minister-versus-pathogen
'He has been arrested in the past and upon his release, he has cheerfully persisted in his activism. His courage is exemplary.’
@lucyjpop investigates Zargana, the renowned Burmese satirist recently arrested as part of a widespread military crackdown.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/zargana-2
A new biography of the archaeologist and explorer Charles Masson provides a 'tale of intrigue, espionage, blackmail, disguise, rebellion, treasure and the discovery of lost civilisations', says @BijanOmrani.
https://literaryreview.co.uk/our-man-in-kabul