Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #541646 in Books
• Published on: 1989-01-01
• Released on: 1989-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 564 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Her storytelling skills displayed with panache in this captivating historical novel, British author Laker ( The Silver Touch ) should gain an appreciative audience here. Set during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XVI, the sweeping saga takes place mainly in the Chateau of Versailles and the surrounding town from which the magnificent edifice took its name. The narrative is enriched with intriguing period details, and beautifully paced with fast-moving events, drama and romance. Spanning four generations, the protagonists are the women of one family, named, in turn, Marguerite, Jasmin, Violette and Rose, all of whose destinies are entwined with those of their monarchs as well as the dashing men who bring them love and heartache. Involving her heroines in the art of fan-making, Laker interpolates fascinating information about the fashions of the time and the codes of social etiquette. The sybaritic luxuries of the French Court are set against the brutalities of the Huguenot persecution and the barbaric excesses of the Revolution. If the ending is a bit pat, with a destined love affair coming full circle, readers enraptured by Laker's romantic imagination will not care. Literary Guild dual main selection; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Laker's paean to Versailles is the story of several generations of two families: the French royal family from the reign of the Sun King through Louis XVI, and that of a fan maker from the nearby village. But the main character is Versailles itself. While not all the action takes place at the palace, it is the focal point of the novel. The novel is also a romance that comes full circle during the French Revolution. In between are great loves and losses, as the fan maker's descendants are drawn into court life and the family fortunes rise. Nicely done and certain to please readers of Laker's earlier books (e.g. , Banners of Silk, The Silver Touch) , as well as win new fans. Literary Guild dual main selection. Andrea Lee Shuey, Dallas P.L.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Would make a FABULOUS movie!
Well, this book would make an excellent movie. It has an intriuging plot, deep characters, and a truly fun romance story. However, it's written a little too over-dramatically for me. Actually: it reads like a romance novel. No trash involved in this one, but it truly is a dramatized love story... and all that jazz. My favorite part was the history behind it, dealing with Louis XIV and his palace at Versaille - marvelous. So while I enjoyed reading this book very much... I think I'd enjoy it more in theaters.

Review by Mirella Patzer - Historical Fiction Author
Bloodstone Castle

Jeanne Dremont lives in the shadow of the palace of Versailles. As she lays giving birth to her daughter, a group of drunken young noblemen make their way into her home and witness the birth of her daughter, Marguerite. One picks up the baby and promises to return to her one day. Jeanne believes this is pure destiny. She is certain that Marguerite will one day belong to him. When Marguerite comes of age, the young nobleman returns and Jeanne arranges for her to become his mistress. But the country is plagued by religious turmoil and he is forced to flee the country without Marguerite. Marguerite soon meets and marries Laurent, an architect to the King. She bears him a daughter named Jasmin.

Laurent loves Jasmin, his only child, and there is nothing that he can deny her. Raised in the proximity to the palace, Jasmin ultimately meets the new young King of France. A mutual friendship develops between them. Their closeness comes to the attention of the Deputy Ruler. He forces her to marry a dishonored courtier named Sabatin. e two are banished from court and from Versaille to a secluded country home.

Sabatin is a dark, morose, angry man who blames Jasmin. He is a cruel man who treats her badly and rapes her regularly. Even worse, he keeps her in seclusion, forbiddng any contact between Jasmin and her parents. Years pass and in desperation, Marguerite and Laurent send a painter to her home in the country. Love soon blossoms. The painter cannot stay forever, and he soon must part. Unbeknownst to him, Jasmin is pregnant. Fearful for the life of the baby she carries, she keeps the pregnancy secret from Sabatin. When Jasmin gives birth to a daughter, she sends the child to a a family who lives in the country a comfortable distance away.

Violette grows into a beautiful young woman, angry at Jasmin for depriving her of a more prominent life. Sabatin dies and Jasmin rushes to reclaim her daughter, but Violette has run away from home. Jasmin seeks her daughter, but never finds her. Years thereafter, Jasmin's banishment is lifted and she is permitted to return to Versaille once more where she finally reunites with her lost daughter, now a woman grown.

Violette has not led an easy life. After a trail of abuse, she became mistress to the king and bore him a child. The King arranged for her to marry an Austrian nobleman, but her new husband refused to accept her baby who she has named Rose. As a last resort, Violette seeks out her mother to hand the child over to her to raise.

Under the loving care of her grandmother, Rose lives a contented life. At the tender age of sixteen, she is commanded to become lady-in-waiting to the new queen, Marie Antoinette. She learns that it was her late father who arranged this for her. When she learns the secret of her true parentage, she blames her grandmother.

Four generations of women live and dance in the shadow of the palace of Versailles. It is an intricately told tale starting with the creation and splendors of the French court and culminating with the turbulence of the French Revolution. The novel is a testament to historical detail and a tribute to the brilliance of author, Rosalind Laker.

A completly fun book, but where did the title come from?
This is kind of an embarrassment to admit but, when I was younger, in the deep dark on the night, on very rare occasions-I used to read Sweet Valley High books. Not the ordinary ones, but these four or so books which were about the romantic lineage of the main characters, showing how their ancestors on both sides had twined lives constantly but never come together until the parents of the main characters did. I liked these books, which spanned about four hundred years each. When I started reading "To Dance with Kings" I was reminded very much of those books-right down to the little half cover which has various scenes underneath it of men and women kissing, undressing, dancing...ect.

"To Dance with Kings" is a story of four generations of women and the destiny they have which entwines their lives, in one way or another, with the palace of Versailles. When Louis XIV, the great sun king, invites the court to visit Versailles, then a simple (but royal) hunting lodge, the village of Versailles is overwhelmed with nobles who rent out space from the peasants in which to sleep. Augustine Roussier and his four friends witness the birth of a fan maker's daughter-and christen her Marguerite. A drunken Augustine promises the mother that he will return upon her seventeenth birthday and pay her court. The mother takes the promise to heart and educates Marguerite so she will make a fitting mistress for the noble man.

But plans change when on Marguerite's seventeenth birthday both parents die. She starts her own fan making business but Augustine, who has forgotten his promise, meets her through chance and is bewitched by her strange beauty-and drawn out of a long funk caused by a secret love for his best friend's wife. Soon they come together but political strife interferes.

The rest of the book is devoted to Marguerite's daughter Jasmin, her daughter Violette and her daughter Rose. Eventually the "flower women" are all drawn to Versailles in some way or another-exploring al of its facets, dark and light. Eventually Marguerites and Augustine's love will come full circle during the turbulent and dangerous terror following the French revolution.

This isn't exactly high quality literature, more like a romance with a ton of historical detail, but it is an extremely fun book to read and great in its own way. I only had two problems with it:

1. The title. At no point does Marguerites mother say her daughter will dance with kings or anything like that. She just thinks her daughter will be the mistress of a wealthy noble man. The book needs a different title.

2. There is almost nothing in the book about Violette. She's like the forgotten character and I would have liked to hear more detail about her life; instead of the little summery the book gives.

Other than that I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a fun read, there a lot of detail and historical tidbits about the royal traditions and Versailles, and hair and fashion-tons of cool stuff to learn. The romances weren't all that realistic, unless you believe in love at first sight, but as they evolve they seem a little more believable. Overall I really liked this book, would recommend it and plan to read more by the author.

Five stars.