To Dance with Kings: A Novel [Paperback]

Rosalind Laker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2007

On a May morning in 1664, in the small village of Versailles, as hundreds of young aristocrats are coming to pay court to King Louis XIV, a peasant fan-maker gives birth to her first and only child, Marguerite. Determined to give her daughter a better life than the one she herself has lived, the young mother vows to break the newborn’s bonds of poverty and ensure that she fulfills her destiny—to dance with kings. Purely by chance, a drunken nobleman witnesses the birth and makes a reckless promise to return for Marguerite in seventeen years. With those fateful words, events are set into motion that will span three monarchies, affecting the lives of four generations of women.

Marguerite becomes part of the royal court of the Sun King, but her fairy-tale existence is torn out from under her by a change of political winds. Jasmin, Marguerite’s daughter, is born to the life of privilege her grandmother dreamed of, but tempts fate by daring to catch the eye of the king. Violette, Marguerite’s granddaughter, is drawn to the nefarious side of life among the nobles at Versailles. And Rose, Violette’s daughter, becomes a lady-in-waiting and confidante to Marie Antoinette. Through Rose, a love lost generations before will come full circle, even as the ground beneath Versailles begins to rumble with the chaos of the coming revolution.

An epic generational tale of loves lost, promises kept, dreams broken, and monarchies shattered, To Dance with Kings is a story of passion and privilege, humble beginnings and limitless ambition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Her storytelling skills displayed with panache in this captivating historical novel, British author Laker ( The Silver Touch ) should gain an appreciative audience here. Set during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XVI, the sweeping saga takes place mainly in the Chateau of Versailles and the surrounding town from which the magnificent edifice took its name. The narrative is enriched with intriguing period details, and beautifully paced with fast-moving events, drama and romance. Spanning four generations, the protagonists are the women of one family, named, in turn, Marguerite, Jasmin, Violette and Rose, all of whose destinies are entwined with those of their monarchs as well as the dashing men who bring them love and heartache. Involving her heroines in the art of fan-making, Laker interpolates fascinating information about the fashions of the time and the codes of social etiquette. The sybaritic luxuries of the French Court are set against the brutalities of the Huguenot persecution and the barbaric excesses of the Revolution. If the ending is a bit pat, with a destined love affair coming full circle, readers enraptured by Laker's romantic imagination will not care. Literary Guild dual main selection; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Laker's paean to Versailles is the story of several generations of two families: the French royal family from the reign of the Sun King through Louis XVI, and that of a fan maker from the nearby village. But the main character is Versailles itself. While not all the action takes place at the palace, it is the focal point of the novel. The novel is also a romance that comes full circle during the French Revolution. In between are great loves and losses, as the fan maker's descendants are drawn into court life and the family fortunes rise. Nicely done and certain to please readers of Laker's earlier books (e.g. , Banners of Silk, The Silver Touch) , as well as win new fans. Literary Guild dual main selection. Andrea Lee Shuey, Dallas P.L.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307352552
• ISBN-13: 978-0307352552
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.3 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical & romantic epic, August 16, 2001

By 

Heartsong (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Dance With Kings: A Novel of Versailles (Hardcover)

With the three reigns of Louis' XIV, XV & XVI as the backdrop, Ms. Laker tells a wonderful epic of four women, of the same lineage, who overcome all the adversities that many women experienced during this time period -- love, heartbreak, marital abuse, political strife, poverty... overcome by courage, self-respect and dignity.

Ms. Laker creates superb imagery and historical accuracy of 17th & 18th century France, right down to the architectural details of the Palace of Versailles, as well as the political & social goings-on of these respective periods.

If the historical accuracy of this book doesn't capture your attention, the romantic storyline certainly will.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Versailles - A Journey, August 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: To Dance With Kings: A Novel of Versailles (Hardcover)

5 Years ago I checked out a book from the library for a comfortable read - instead I was treated to an astonishing journey through time!

Our journey commences in the early part of Louis XIV's reign when the nobility of France descend on the quiet country village of Versaille to enjoy a grand fete held by the king at his father's hunting lodge. Four young noblemen, due to lack of accomodation stay in the home of a humble peasant. She gives birth to a daughter whom one of them names Marguerite. Augustin Roussier promises to return in 17 years to court the newborn baby.

It is this master stroke which enables Ms Laker to give us a full view of life at the time. We learn of the hardships peasant life, Marguerite working as a fan maker from as young as five, making her the strong independant woman she eventually becomes. At the same time we are given lavish descriptions of Augustin's life as a rich coutier in favour with the king. We not only read about the transformation of the hunting lodge into the largest palace in the world, but can almost see it happening. We feel geniune emotion as the relationship between Marguerite and Augustin develops sharing in their happiness and heartbreak and at times even betrayal. We share in the dangers faced by the huegenots and turn the page almost before completing it to see what happens next.

We follow events to the end of Louis' reign when he is suceeded by his great grandson. Marguerite's daughter Jasmin takes us on the next stage of our journey. We learn of the neglect of France at the expense of Versaille. We envy her loving childhood and feel both her pain and her suffering during her life at Chateax Valverde. Like her we experience compassion for the desparate plight of the poor. During this time we are learning of the court of Louis XV. We are introduced to Madame de Pompadour and other historical charachters who become our friends and our enemies. We are also briefly know Violette, Jasmin's wild and beautiful daughter enraptured by Versaille and willing to take any chance for what she wants from life.

The final stage of our journey takes us through the reign of Louis XVI up to and including the revolution. We get to know Marie Antoinette as a friend. Our tour guide is now Rose the fourth generation of the family and in my opinion the least loveable. However although I never feel personally close to Rose the wonderful descriptions of events and frightening experiences she has during the revolution kept me enraptured to the end.

Throughout the whole novel we are treated to colourful descriptions of changing fashions so not only do you read about the charachters you can almost see them. Should you visit Versaille after reading this book they will be forever in your mind.

I finally managed to buy To Dance with Kings on Amazon - it will not find its way back on the web - it will be treasured for the rest of my life.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!!!, December 30, 2002

By 

Lisandra Machado (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Dance With Kings: A Novel of Versailles (Hardcover)

I first read this novel in high school after a friend gave it to me. It was as if from any dream I had dreamt before. Absolutely beautiful, well-written and the description of every detail from the colors of the gowns to the scenery was amazing. I ended up having the book stolen. I bought it at a local bookstore about 3 years after that, read it again, then gave it to my sister to read. She loved it just as much as I did, however whe moved and lost the book in the process. Then not too long ago, after endless searches in bookstores, I found it was no longer published. I then searched this site and found it, FINALLY, bought it again and have enjoyed reading it for the third time! I personally find it to be one of my favorite books, if not my favorite. I recommend it to any one who finds the French and the time of the revolution to be intriguing. I know you will love it!