The Sisters of Versailles: A Novel (The Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy)

I was excited to discover this series because I've long had a fascination with Versailles and all the tales of the French mistresses of the King and all the power they held. I haven't found too many good fiction books about them, much less a series so this was a special treat. This first book I enjoyed very much. It starts off slow (probably because we start off with Louise as the first of the sisters to become a mistress, sorry Louise you are very sweet but also very boring) but then it picks up the pace once Pauline and the other sisters make their way to Versailles. The five sisters are all very different and felt very real to me. Louise, not the sharpest tool in the family, nevertheless had a beautiful innocence to her and my heart broke for her, although I feel like she found some redemption in the end. Pauline, while a bully and a bit of a ballbuster, was the most fascinating and saw through all the fairness and absurdity of Versailles. I do believe she probably was the best match for the King and if not for her untimely death she could have accomplished more. At first I really liked the character of Marie Anne, with her love of books and travel and her curiosity about the natural world but once she takes her turn in the King's bed she turns into an entitled brat who only cares about herself. I guess I should have seen that coming with the way she treated her "pet mice" as a child. Diane, while lazy and a bit of a slob, at least seemed to be a good person on the inside and I liked that she kind of did her own thing regardless of whether or not it was "proper". And finally Hortense, the one sister who did not end up in the king's bed, seemed very judgemental of the other sisters but she was lucky in that she had a husband who cared about her and wasn't willing to share her with the King. If she hadn't married well I bet she would have gone the way of her sisters. I loved all the letters between the sisters and laughed out loud more than once! I though the letters were the best part! Oh the lies they told to one another. All in all a very good book. You get a real feeling of the time and place and some good descriptions of the fashions, food and decor that made up Versailles without bogging you down in detail and pulling you away from the story. I'm very much looking forward to the next two books in this series as well as whatever this author writes next.

I loved the proceeding novels in the series and found this one to be very interesting about the dynamics of these sisters. It seems very well researched and it’s wonderful to read the letters of the sisters to one another. They very much reflect letters only sisters would send one another. I loved getting to know the central characters in the other books and found myself missing a level of intimacy that I had with madame du Barry and pompadour. I wished that Marie Anne was the central character and it divulged on her relationship with the king. Since Louis said she was the greatest love of his life (stated in notes of book two), I would have loved to see that blossom in this book. Still an amazingly done piece of fiction. I found the sisters to be enthralling, and loved the back and forth of letters

It was an interesting story. I was not knowledgeable about life at "Court". It was a bit decadent and it seemed that the characters involved seem to take everything in stride. I had not read a story similar to this one, so it was something new for me. It was an enjoyable read.

"The Sisters of Versailles" by Sally Christie offers a captivating and richly detailed glimpse into the opulent yet treacherous world of the French court during the reign of King Louis XV. As whispers of the King's waning interest in his Polish wife circulate around the court, the ambitious Nesle sisters—Louise, Pauline, Diane, and Marie Anne—find themselves vying for the King's attention, thrusting them into a fierce competition for love, power, and influence. With Louise, the eldest, initially pushed into the King's arms by court intrigues, Christie meticulously weaves a narrative filled with betrayal, ambition, and sisterly rivalry as each sister grapples with her desires and the political machinations surrounding them. Drawing parallels to historical fiction classics like "The Other Boleyn Girl," Christie's debut is both intelligent and absorbing, shedding light on a group of women who have been largely overlooked by history. The novel explores the complex dynamics of sisterhood amid high stakes, showcasing the intricate balance of admiration, competition, and even animosity that can arise when family bonds are tested. With meticulous research and vivid prose, "The Sisters of Versailles" is a compelling exploration of the seductive and dangerous dance of power and intimacy within the royal court, making it an essential read for fans of historical fiction.

I liked this book because it was an interesting story about real people, with very few fictional characters. The writing style is good, keeping the reading experience flowing. It’s a quick read, not requiring a lot of concentration or vocabulary look ups. That being said, it would have been nice to have more historical research included in the book so the reader could learn more about the time in which the characters lived.

So I will admit: I wasn't particularly excited at the intro to this particular book. But soon, the writing style and the absolutely intricate characters grabbed me by the helms and didn't let go. I didn't know until I was about finished with this book that this was based on a REAL family of sisters and what happened to them! The scandal! I love it! Every character is very well developed and engaging; you'll find yourself weeping for Louise and fuming angry with Marie. Even the smallest of characters had a story to tell, which Christie weaves through the form of rotating narrations and letters between the sisters. I was disappointed to find that the series doesn't continue on with the sisters (thought it does continue the story of the court.) All in all, a REALLY amazing read that you won't want to put down.

The descriptions of the characters feelings were captivating though they seemed to always be either a "good" sister or a "bad" sister, not especially balanced between their yin and yang, I guess. There was a lot of plot covered which helped keep a steady pace. A few interesting historical details that I was unaware of added some interest as well.

I loved this book!!! I have had this love affair going with 18TH, 17THand 16TH CENTURY France going when I started taking French in the 4TH grade. I get absolutely everything I can find set in the periods and this is one of my absolute favorites. I didn't find it slow paced or simple at all. I loved seeing the dynamics between the sisters and can't wait to read the other two books in the series that feature the other sisters but involve them all. What makes sisters betray each other? I know about the first one from this first book in the series and can't wait to read the other two. Will there be a fourth?? ( I can dream, can't I?) At least for another book (or series set in the period 😀.). I believe you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Awesome series by Sally Christie... Wow ! I am surprised at my love for this series. Can't wait for the last book in the triology to come out this month !!! This is a great story... hard to believe it is based on fact. These five sisters and their relationship with Louis. OMG ! An engrossing read for sure !

Livre écrit en anglais, ce livre m'a énormément plu, savourant chaque page et la superbe façon dont Sally Christie présente les sœurs de Mailly-Nesle, partageant le lit du Roi Louis XV de France successivement. Intrigue géniale, style d'écriture parfait, et un roman magnifique!

If you like a really light read about clothes, intrigues, gossips then you will love this book! I must admit that I skipped passages...

I love the storyline, the way it was written and how it takes to to Versailles and you feel like youre in the palace watching it all unfold

This is a well researched and well written novel which in this writer's opinion would do best among female readers. Based on the reality of Louis XV's life and well-known (to students of history) womanizing , Christie weaves an attractive narrative written in large part in the first person of the sisters involved as the lovers of the king. It's a bit of a stretch at moments, but for the most part a good read. Christie's style welcomes the reader into her imagined world of Versailles and while hoping not to contradict myself having what I stated in my opening line, I as a long time student of French literature, art and history found her novel fun to read.