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firerosearien's review against another edition
5.0
While I had trouble getting through Fraser's Marie Antoinette biography, I found this one much more in vein with her Six Wives and Warrior Queens books, a pleasure to read. I am glad I am not a seventeenth-century woman, but if I had to be one, I don't think I'd mind being Mme. Maintenon! (not for me Athenais's fertility or Louise de la Valliere's religiosity...)
ovvlish's review
5.0
Well-organized, clear and engaging prose, fresh opinions about the characterization about the sun king, and a general feeling of contributing to the discussion in a way that both honored the women in his life but was also realistic about them as humans with their own flaws. I also am always deeply invested in promoting books that are written for a general audience but which take said audience seriously as people who will understand the historiography if it is given to them. Fraser did not shy away from saying "we just cannot be sure based upon the evidence, but here are some past ideas and arguments, and whether I think they could be valid or not given the viewpoint I present in this work". Additionally, the narrator of this edition did a truly tremendous job, and I would listen to her read the phone book.
ladyvictoriadiana's review against another edition
5.0
Another really great book by Antonia Fraser - she definitely has not lost any of her writing abilities compared to the older books I've read of her. Fraser really went into depth when analysing the court life of Louis XIV, giving the reader a good overview while reading the book. It was also great to see that when putting "love" in the title, Fraser did not automatically limit herself to romantic and sexual love, but also gives equal attention to the platonic and familial loves in Louis XIV's life. The various women are also treated with respect and their background stories and (in some cases) life after Louis XIV are expanded upon. Overall, an excellent book that I can only recommend to anyone.
jeninmotion's review against another edition
4.0
It's tricky to review this because it's absolutely fascinating to hear the stories of all of these women, who have rich histories and are interesting. At the same time, it's so divorced from context in some ways. I know the subject is "Love and Louis XIV" but part of me is like "well, did the people who rebelled and forced Anne of Austria to do X, Y, and Z have total justification? Why did they raise Marie-Therese so stupidly given they always planned to marry her off to her double first cousin? How much time did Louis spend with these women vs. at war?" It's intensely readable and also very focused on the people to its slight detriment. (Note: I read this in like, 2012 or so, not 2020)
jmandrake's review against another edition
4.0
While it's not as focused as other Fraser books, it's well-researched and full of fascinating characters. Fraser incorporates cliff-hangers at points that beg you to keep reading, like just dropping the hint of mass poisoning on you in the last sentence of a chapter. Feel like it's best to have a decent grounding in Louis XIV for maximum enjoyment. As this was my first introduction to most of the courtiers, it was all new to me, but I got a lot of good follow-up book recommendations out of her ample bibliography.