The Mistress of Paris

The 19th-Century Courtesan Who Built an Empire on a Secret

By: Catherine Hewitt

Narrated by: Sarah Nichols

Comtesse Valtesse de la Bigne was painted by Édouard Manet and inspired Émile Zola, who immortalized her in his scandalous novel Nana. Her rumored affairs with Napoleon III and the future King Edward VII kept gossip columns full.

But her glamorous existence hid a dark secret: She was no comtesse. She was born into abject poverty, raised on a squalid backstreet among the dregs of Parisian society. Yet she transformed herself into an enchantress who possessed a small fortune, three mansions, fabulous carriages, and art the envy of connoisseurs across Europe. A consummate show-woman, she ensured that her life - and even her death - remained shrouded in just enough mystery to keep her audience hungry for more.

Spectacularly evoking the sights and sounds of mid- to late 19th-century Paris in all its hedonistic glory, Catherine Hewitt's biography tells, for the first time ever in English, the forgotten story of a remarkable woman who, though her roots were lowly, never stopped aiming high.

©2017 Catherine Hewitt (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Loved, listened to it three times.

A strong, fascinating, brilliant, cunning and beautiful lady. Yes, I said lady. Would love to be a guest at her "five o'clocks."

Dry bio of Vanity

I didn’t think this was remotely as interesting as other reviews and publisher’s summary made this out to be. It’s a highly favorable bio about a French courtesan. Very dry. No scandalous gossip worth retelling. It reads like an inventory: describing her house and clothing in detail in great detail. The plays she attended, art she collected, the books she read- these are the things I learned. Oh and she had the most impressive and expensive bed (prostitute’s throne). But this bio did not bring this woman to life. Considering I’d not heard of the Mistress of Paris before, what this biography did not tell me was why I should be interested in her. Why was this woman interesting or important? She was an absent mother, and lived only in pursuit of her own vanity.

The writing was just not compelling enough to live up to the title or the description.

Fantastic story

Wonderful ! I enjoyed this book so much and recommend it to everyone interested in a great story of a woman with determination and style.

Read too fast

The narrater read this passionate book too fast.
When the speed was lowered it was too slow.

PR mastermind before her time

No joke I have listened to this biography 3 times. The Comtess was truly a visionary in personal branding and PR who knew how to cultivate her reputation and leave the public always wanting more, even up to and beyond her death. Plus her central role in the 1880’s Parisian art scene and use of political connections are pretty remarkable, especially considering her humble origins.
100% recommend this audiobook to anyone interested in self-made women, art history, cultural revolution, etc
It’s an easy listen, performance is lovely.