Why a Booktrail?
1856: In a world ruled by men, one woman holds the fate of a nation in her hands.
The Paris Wife
What you need to know before your trail
When Livia leaves behind the bronzed hills of Italy for the rain-soaked streets of Paris, she feels lost and alone. Trapped in an icy marriage, she longs to return to her life as a doctor’s daughter. To a simpler time when she could use her healing skills to help people. But her husband’s diplomatic work launches her into French high society. And soon she befriends Elisabetta, Napoleon III’s clever and beautiful mistress.
Elisabetta may be the most glamorous woman in France, but she is isolated too. With jealousy and political conspiracies surrounding her, she is drawn to Livia’s honesty and intelligence. And when Livia saves Elisabetta’s life, the two women become inseparable.
Soon Livia’s life is an exciting whirlwind of masked balls, theatre and fashion, and at last she feels happy. She even finds the courage to open her heart, learning to love her new husband. But just as she begins to let her guard down, Livia discovers that her worst enemy has followed her all the way from Italy…
While danger lurks in the shadows, an assassination attempt is made on Napoleon. And Livia’s husband is wrongly accused of treason. The future of France is in peril, and Livia must work with Elisabetta to save the lives of those they love. With Livia’s keen knowledge of medicine and deadly poisons, and Elisabetta’s many connections, the women are a formidable partnership. But can they really trust each other? And how far are they prepared to go?
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
Booktrail it back to Paris at the time of Napoleon
Travel back to Paris in the mid 1850s and meet the Carbonari (Italian radicals) plotting against the French Emperor, Napoleon III. They are trying to get him to back them as they try to release Piemonte, a city in Italy, from Austrian rule.
The city is evoked well from the rainy lonely streets to the royal and regal palace. The readers gets to look behind the walls and in the shadows of the palace and the corridors of power. It’s a fascinating time to see Napoleon and the heart of French politics at that time. It’s also very fascinating to see how the country is ruled and the dangers that are lurking in the shadows.
The most interesting view is that of the two women in the novel – the Emperor’s mistress and her friendship with the ordinary woman from Italy. Two women from very different sides of the track but ones at the heart of a man’s world. A woman has no place in this world and men are quick to let them know. Women who try to collect herbs as an attempt to cure ills and maladies are said to be mad and treated accordingly.
A fascinating insight into the world of women and the way they were viewed in society at that time.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Paris Wife
Destination/location: Paris Author/guide: Meghan Masterson Departure Time: 1856
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