Mistress of the Sun

By: Sandra Gulland

Narrated by: Diana Leblanc

The author of the internationally acclaimed Josephine Bonaparte trilogy returns with another irresistible historical novel, this one based on the life of Louise de la Vallière, who—against all odds—became one of the most mysterious consorts of France's Louis XIV, the charismatic Sun King.

Set against the magnificent decadence of the 17th century court of the Sun King, Mistress of the Sun begins when an eccentric young Louise falls in love with a wild white stallion and uses ancient magic to tame him. This one desperate action of her youth shadows her throughout her life, changing it in ways she could never imagine.

Unmarriageable, and too poor to join a convent, she enters the court of the Sun King as a maid-of-honor, where the King is captivated by her athleticism and her striking grace. As their love unfolds, Louise bears Louis four children, is made a duchess, and reigns unrivaled as his official mistress until dangerous intrigue threatens her position at court and in Louis's heart.

A riveting love story with a captivating mystery at its heart, Mistress of the Sun resurrects a fascinating female figure from the shadows of history, and illuminates both the power of true and perfect love and the rash actions we take to capture and tame it.©2008 Sandra Gulland; (P)2008 Simon and Schuster Audio

Great story! Can’t stand the narrator!

I love the story! Well written! The narrator is so annoying I’m not sure I will be able to finish listening! I may have to buy a paperback! Her modulation and cadence is just awful! Volume levels up and down!

A pleasant surprise

A pleasant surprise - had trouble adjusting to narrator accent but once I did - the book is very involving-couldn't wait to finish it. Good, smart interpretation of one of Louis XIV mistresses. Good Story - worth listening to.

Splendid!

This is a wonderful tale, it carries you through the lifetime of a mistress at King Louis Court-I did not want it to end.

Narrator ruined it for me

Not to be unkind, but the book needed a younger crisper narrator. Diana Leblamc sounded like a grandmother reading a bedtime story to children. At times she sounded like she needed a drink to clear up her throat. I almost didn't finish the book because of her, but I forced myself. What a pity......please cast your narrators with a better ear.

Great historic drama

It was all so good with great details then it ended too abruptly with so many questions left unanswered. Loved the story but such a bad way to write the ending.