Book No. 30 of 2020
This was a really enjoyable, accessible, and evocative biography of Valtesse de la Bigne, a fascinating woman, as well as a kaleidoscopic look at how smart, beautiful women found ways to gain power in the 19th century.
I really enjoyed the lush descriptions of fabulous gowns and jewels, and the rich cast of well-known French writers, artists, and officers, as well as the occasional member of royalty. It was also delightful and aching for me to see Paris brought to life—it seems so long ago (less than two years!) that I took a sabbatical there, and I felt several pangs when I found myself picturing locations mentioned in the book and realized I’m not seeing them again anytime soon. I’d love to visit Paris again knowing what I’ve learned from this book.
It also struck me, many times as I was reading, how for all the strides that society has made re: equality, so much about celebrity culture and female power hasn’t actually changed. The strategies employed by high-level courtesans aren’t all that different from what celebrities and influencers do today, and brilliant women in many fields often have to play the game to get ahead. The fact that Valtesse de la Bigne actively influenced French international policy makes you wonder what she—and so many other women—could have done if they’d had the same opportunities afforded to men.
Similar Reads
This book was really similar to Alexander Chee’s (fictional) Queen of the Night, which now seems far less bonkers to me.
The world of courtesan strategizing and politicking reminded me of Amy Tan’s The Valley of Amazement.