The Real Queen of France : Athenais & Louis XIV by Lisa Hilton

It seems that I always read history backwards. I started with Louis XVI, this is Louis XIV and the one I am reading now is Louis XIV's ancestor..........OH Well!!

The book is swarm with details, but amazingly half of the book is not about Anthenais. It could be about our SUN KING, her rivals, or some royalties. Since this is her first book and I am interested mainly in the historical background, this is a good book that fit my purpose. It gives the readers a very vivd picture of the political, cultrual, and psychological trend in the court of Seventeenth Century France.

I would recommend this book to those who didn't want to know just about Athenais. You can probably find a better biography, but history-wise... go for it! Also, if you don't know French, better take out a dictatory from the local library. Cuz most of the quotes in French were not translated!!!

The Good Husband by Gail Godwin

I cannot believe this book. 460 pages long, but it took me 2 1/2 weeks to finish......... So many times I just want to throw it away. The only thing that kept me from doing it was the hope that it will have a great ending. Sigh! Up until the last page, I don't have a clue as to the theme of the book. It got nothing to do with the "Good Husband" in the story!!!

For those who haven't read this book: AVOID IT AT ALL COST!
For those who read this book: Care to shred some light?