Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Thomas Nelson (2010), 386 pages
Description
Madeleine Clavell--beautiful, fiercely faithful, and...an outlaw. As Huguenots in 17th-Century France, Madeleine Clavell and her family defy French law daily. Though they live in comfort and happiness in the French countryside, their Protestant Christianity is considered traitorous. But they are wary. Persecution is surely at hand. Then King Louis XIV's dragoons arrive, forcing the family from their country estate. Madeleine must gather her courage and seek out the king in his royal palace at Versailles. Because Madeleine has a secret. Though years and a thousand choices have separated them, Madeleine and King Louis have a history together. One she feels certain he has not forgotten. She will risk everything to speak to him again. But will the impetuous king choose to save her...and her family? And if so, at what price?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mrsjason
The setting is France, the time is the reign of Louis XIV. Amidst the adventures of the musketeers and the splendor of the Sun King, the people of France are divided. There is a battle between Catholics and the Huguenots. Madeline Clavall and her family are swept up in this drama. They are
Sweeping and majestic are the only words to describe this book. The imagery in this book is absolutely fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of European history because there are so many kings and foreign names to learn but this book makes me want to change my mind. It brought to mind movies like The Man in the Iron Mask or Marie Antoinette. You could see the palace and the courtiers running around and envision the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor. Religious oppression is something that has been happening since the dawn of time. Unfortunately we don't really know what that is like since religious freedom is one of rights and has been since the country was created. Reading about how scary it would have been killed, tortured or watch your children being taken away from you simply because your religious beliefs disagreed with the king was almost hard to comprehend. The Clavalls were totally believable as a French family and their staunch faith was something to be admired. It was obvious that a lot of research had gone into creating this book. And the cover is just to die for! There's romance and adventure in this book, perfect for when you want to escape back into history. It's a great alternative to all those historical romances that are bodice rippers in disguise. This was a wonderful debut for Parsons and I am eagerly looking forward to my next history lesson from her. For historical fiction fans this is HIGHLY recommended.
Show More
Huguenots and must protect theirs sons from being taken to join the monastery. When the soldiers come and threaten their lives, Madeline makes a decision to return to court to Louis who was her childhood love. Will he remember their past and grant her family safety? Or will he force her to choose between the love of her childhood and the love of her one true God?Sweeping and majestic are the only words to describe this book. The imagery in this book is absolutely fantastic. I'm not usually a fan of European history because there are so many kings and foreign names to learn but this book makes me want to change my mind. It brought to mind movies like The Man in the Iron Mask or Marie Antoinette. You could see the palace and the courtiers running around and envision the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor. Religious oppression is something that has been happening since the dawn of time. Unfortunately we don't really know what that is like since religious freedom is one of rights and has been since the country was created. Reading about how scary it would have been killed, tortured or watch your children being taken away from you simply because your religious beliefs disagreed with the king was almost hard to comprehend. The Clavalls were totally believable as a French family and their staunch faith was something to be admired. It was obvious that a lot of research had gone into creating this book. And the cover is just to die for! There's romance and adventure in this book, perfect for when you want to escape back into history. It's a great alternative to all those historical romances that are bodice rippers in disguise. This was a wonderful debut for Parsons and I am eagerly looking forward to my next history lesson from her. For historical fiction fans this is HIGHLY recommended.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lookingforpenguins
The setting is 17th-Century and Louis XIV, the Sun King, reigns over France. In an effort to unify his country under Catholicism, the minority Huguenots are suffering from persecutions, imprisonment and slaughter.
Madeleine Clavell, a minor royal who has given up court intrigues for countryside
In the Shadow of the Sun King is the first in a trilogy from author Golden Keyes Parsons, who is off to a very good start with this novel. Written by a Christian author and presented by a Christian publishing house, this historical fiction novel presents a fair and unbiased tale of religious persecution that should appeal to even a secular audience of readers.
Parsons' characterization of the conflicting religious sects is particularly admirable. She criticizes neither sect, instead wisely observing that each, in it's own turn throughout history, has played the role of both victim and oppressor. Indeed, the author expertly paints individuals as just that - an individual is defined not by what religion they espouse, but by their own character and actions. Kindness, like destruction, is the human condition and can be found in the most unlikely of places.
Louis XIV appearance in the novel is brief, but enlightening. Pressured by advisers and as petulant as only a person raised to be a king can be, the Sun King's misguided attempt to vanquish the new religion are, if not forgivable, possibly understandable in Parsons' expert hands.
If you enjoy historical fiction set in this time period, In the Shadow of the Sun King is certainly a worthwhile read. Religious overtones abound but don't detract from the historical aspect of the story at all. For Christians and non-Christians alike there are thought-provoking religious and moral dilemmas presented which will keep you thinking about it long after you've finished the novel. I look forward to reading the next installment of this series.
Madeleine Clavell, a minor royal who has given up court intrigues for countryside
Show More
family life, finds her family destroyed and scattered after the King uses religious pretenses to pursue a personal vendetta against Madeleine.In the Shadow of the Sun King is the first in a trilogy from author Golden Keyes Parsons, who is off to a very good start with this novel. Written by a Christian author and presented by a Christian publishing house, this historical fiction novel presents a fair and unbiased tale of religious persecution that should appeal to even a secular audience of readers.
Parsons' characterization of the conflicting religious sects is particularly admirable. She criticizes neither sect, instead wisely observing that each, in it's own turn throughout history, has played the role of both victim and oppressor. Indeed, the author expertly paints individuals as just that - an individual is defined not by what religion they espouse, but by their own character and actions. Kindness, like destruction, is the human condition and can be found in the most unlikely of places.
Louis XIV appearance in the novel is brief, but enlightening. Pressured by advisers and as petulant as only a person raised to be a king can be, the Sun King's misguided attempt to vanquish the new religion are, if not forgivable, possibly understandable in Parsons' expert hands.
If you enjoy historical fiction set in this time period, In the Shadow of the Sun King is certainly a worthwhile read. Religious overtones abound but don't detract from the historical aspect of the story at all. For Christians and non-Christians alike there are thought-provoking religious and moral dilemmas presented which will keep you thinking about it long after you've finished the novel. I look forward to reading the next installment of this series.
Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.39 inches
ISBN
1595548955 / 9781595548955