Customer Reviews

Anne of Austria

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best books I've ever read about this turbulent period in history. Anne of Austria was married to the gloomy young French King Louis,whose tastes were such that he didn't consummate their marriage for many years. Cardinal Richileu conceived a forbidden lust for the beautiful young queen, who spurned him both as a man and a priest, and whose intrigues against him went on for many years as he rose to become her husband's closest advisor. When she is forced to submit or be tried for high treason, she discovers that the man beneath the priestly robes is far different than she ever imagined -- and their union changed the course of French, and ultimately world, history.

This book is centered around the 1600's in France. We see many important historical figures during this time period: Marie de' Medici, Queen Henrietta Maria of England, King Charles of England, Phillip III of Spain, and of course Cardinal Richelieu.

This novel tells the married life of Anne of Austria, daughter of Philip III of spain, and Margaret of Austria. She was married to King Louis XIII of France, and mother to King Louis XIV. She did not have a happily married life. The book talks about the ups and downs of a royal marriage, her husband was infatuated with men, and extremely jealous of Anne. We see him effectively locking her up against her will, not letting her have any contact with the outside world. He had no love for his queen, and did not want to be in the same room with her let alone bed her.

Throughout most of the book, the queen and the cardinal are at odds with each other. She is always plotting to bring about his downfall, but he always manages to stay one step ahead. At the beginning, he professes his love for her beauty, but she shuns him. And that action starts a 20 year struggle between them. However, at the end of the book you see them reconcile. And the book asks the question, was Louis XIV, France's famed sun king, a bastard?