The Queen Of Cups (Paperback)

by Mina Samuels (Author)
Key Phrases: gypsy bride, gum spirits, The Queen of Cups, New York, Aunt Lizzie (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"...A sharply observed, intelligent novel -- finely written and without excess, it portrays a love story that is not only factually interesting, and emotionally satisfying, but also psychologically sound. - Elizabeth Strout, author of "Amy and Isabelle" Based on true historical figures, "The Queen of Cups" is the story of Juliette, the enigmatic wife of brilliant post Civil War philosopher, Charles Pierce, a man plagued by drug addiction and manic depression. From the gypsy camps of Russia, to glittering Paris, France and New York to her final exile to obscurity, Juliette's journey traces the life of an independent women who, betrayed by those she loves, never loses her belief in the possibility of redemption and in the power of love and loyalty.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: UNLIMITED PUBLISHING LLC (December 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588321541
• ISBN-13: 978-1588321541
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #309,180 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an amazing story of an amazing woman, January 30, 2007

By	David L. Foster (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you like deep historical detail and strong characters, this is your book. But, perhaps the most thought-provoking thing is the way Samuels traces the natural development of Juliette Peirce's psychology--from the gypsy camps to high Paris society, to her absolute faith in a brilliant but abusive and drug-addicted husband, the real-life American philosopher Charles Peirce. When our book group discussed this transition--Juliette's family and community is stripped away from her piece by piece as a child, before she has the mental facilities to fully grasp what is happening--nearly every one commented on their own relationship choices. I'd be surprised if any reader did not find some of themselves in the story of how Juliette came to America and made her way with amazing grace and charm--and complete mystery. To this day, no one knows where she came from, but The Queen of Cups tells a story that, in both historical and psychological detail, cannot be far from the truth...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, January 29, 2007

By	S. McPherson (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I'm usually not a fan of historical novels, I really enjoyed The Queen of Cups and enjoyed the period details, especially the references to New York in the 19th century. I also appreciated that Juliette's journey was not romanticized -- she is a real woman in a complicated relationship. After being rejected by her mother, her character deepens as she seeks love from her difficult husband. There is no fairytale happy ending here, yet the book is moving and authentic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying on so many levels..., March 1, 2007

By	S. Rogers (Castleton, VT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A deeply moving portrait of the joys and pains of living with a mentally ill partner, one could feel Juliette's spirits lift and be dashed as if they were their own. Mina Samuels truly captured the vision of being with the brilliant but tortured soul Charles Pierce on both an intellectual and emotional level. Juliette was a most engaging heroine.