Description
Author Veronica Buckley
Publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Format Hardcover, Brodart-protected, First Edition
Condition like new
Summary
Veronica Buckley's The Secret Wife of Louis XIV is a riveting historical biography that unearths the powerful yet discreet life of Françoise d’Aubigné, better known as Madame de Maintenon. Rising from scandalous beginnings and poverty, she became governess to the children of Louis XIV’s mistress and, remarkably, the Sun King's secret wife. Buckley masterfully weaves rich period detail with vivid character study, portraying Maintenon as a woman of intelligence, spiritual conviction, and complex ambition who influenced France’s most opulent court from behind the scenes. This first edition hardcover, protected in Brodart, is perfect for readers of royal history, biography lovers, and collectors alike. More than a portrait of a hidden queen, it's a penetrating glimpse into the private chambers of Versailles and the veiled dynamics of absolute power.