A book celebrating four centuries of high-stakes adultery might seem unlikely for intelligent reading. Princess Michael (The Serpent and the Moon
), however, creates an appealing mélange of history, gossip and scandal in her portraits of five of Europe's most celebrated royal mistresses. In the 19th century, Lola Montez, mistress to Ludwig I of Bavaria, was a gorgeous, intelligent, compulsive liar. Renowned for her vicious tantrums, she incited civil unrest that led to her banishment. The more principled 20-year-old Marie Walewska had to be coaxed by family—including her 72-year-old husband—to become Napoleon Bonaparte's mistress for the sake of Poland. Other profiles include Madame Pompadour, Louis XV's mistress; Nell Gwyn, an actress of humble origins who bore Charles II of England two sons; and Lillie Langtry, mistress of Prince Edward (later King Edward VII). While Princess Michael abundantly describes the women's physical beauty, she (like Eleanor Herman in the recent Sex with Kings
) makes clear that their other attributes and talents sustained their royal relationships. The author's focus on the political impact of the women as much as on their lives makes this the perfect read for those who prefer substance with their mind candy. 24 pages of b&w illus., map not seen by PW
. Agent, Suzanne Gluck.
(Jan.)
