The Sun King
The Sun King by Nancy Mitford, published by New York Review of Books on May 8, 2012, is a biography that explores the life of Louis XIV and the opulent court of Versailles. This edition spans 272 pages and is presented in English. Mitford offers a historical account of late 17th- and early 18th-century France, intertwining the daily lives of the king and his courtiers with the lavish details of the palace and its surroundings.
Readers will find a rich narrative that delves into the intrigues and power dynamics of the time, highlighting the relationships among artists, warriors, and the royal family. The book captures the essence of the era, showcasing the contributions of various figures who shaped Versailles into a symbol of grandeur. With its engaging style and vivid descriptions, The Sun King brings to life the complexities of royal life and the cultural landscape of 18th-century France.
Official synopsis Publisher
A “devastatingly witty” biography of Louis XIV and the Court of Versailles—at once a historical record of late 17th- and early 18th-century France and a gossip-filled narrative of lovers and rivals, artists and warriors (New York Times)
The Sun King is a dazzling double portrait of Louis XIV and Versailles, the opulent court from which he ruled. With characteristic élan, Nancy Mitford reconstructs the daily life of king and courtiers during France’s golden age, offering vivid sketches of the architects, artists, and gardeners responsible for the creation of the most magnificent palace Europe had yet seen. Mitford lays bare the complex and deadly intrigues in the stateroom and the no less high-stakes power struggles in the bedroom. At the center of it all is Louis XIV himself, the demanding, mercurial, but remarkably resilient sovereign who guided France through nearly three quarters of the Grand Siècle.
Brimming with sumptuous detail and delicious bons mots, and written in a witty, conversational style, The Sun King restores a distant glittering century to vibrant life.
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