1.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly disappointing, February 7, 2012
I found this book to be very shallow with gaping holes in the storyline. The characters are weak and it would be best served if adapted to a children's book. I possibly wouldn't be so upset about if it had been 99 cents
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4.0 out of 5 stars
delicious, January 31, 2012
In The Orange Trees of Versailles, when Marion turns twelve her father enters her into the service of the Marquise de Montespan. She is immediately recognized by the marquise for her ability to blend scents into delicious perfumes. Marion has to make a new perfume for the marquise every night, but someone else takes the credit.
Marion is a kind and shy character. She is motivated by need of money to keep her father's orange orchard. This is why she puts up with the marquises horrible disrespect toward her. I like the way Marion acts toward the people that have been cruel to her. She doesn't take out her anger on them. I'd like to meet Marion because I think we would be good friends. We are around the same age and have similar personalities.
When the marquise gets too jealous Marion has to use her keen sense of smell to help one of France's monarchs. She writes her troubles and buries the notes underneath the orange trees of Versailles.
The saddest moment is when Marion first starts working at the marquise palace and is getting her uniform. Before she is dressed, the other servants take her clothes and mock her until her friend Lucie saves her from their mean stares.
My favorite scene is when Lucie and Marion first meet. Marion is brought into her new room at the palace and is met by her pleasant roommate Lucie.
The orange trees symbolize comfort for Marion. As she buries her worries, she instantly feels better.
One of the cons of this book is that it is very short. It also has names in French which are difficult to pronounce.
I would like to use one of Marion's perfumes that she made with the marquise leftover perfumes to cover the awful odors in the servants quarters. You dab a bit under each nostril and then you can breathe but will be unable to smell for thirty minutes. That would help a lot in my family. :)
All in all, The Orange Trees of Versailles is a pretty good book and a fast read.
Originally posted on 3 Book Bees Blog
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