Emilie's Voice

By Susanne Dunlap

Book Overview

Set against the backdrop of Paris and the court of Versailles, milie's Voice introduces a young heroine of modest upbringing who possesses a special gift: the voice of an angel. When distinguished composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier hears milie's voice, he offers to instruct her in the art of singing with the ultimate goal of presenting her at the court of Louis XIV. Her head filled with dreams of elegant gowns, opulent jewels, and the thrill of someday performing in the great houses of Paris, she begins her training -- until a scheming noblewoman looking to unseat the king's official mistress interferes by preemptively bringing milie to Versailles.
There, amid royal pomp and splendor, she is swept up in dangerous palatial intrigues, becoming a pawn in aristocratic power games. But it is the passionate battle for control over her life and career waged between Charpentier and Louis XIV's official court composer, Jean-Baptiste Lully, that has far-reaching consequences for a girl on the verge of becoming a woman and a singer on the verge of becoming extraordinary.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743265068
• ISBN13: 9780743265065
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

First Time Historical Fiction Reader!

This book is captivating -- a wonderful, compelling escape. It's beautifully written and refreshing -- a new introduction to a category of fiction that's great! Highly recommended!!

Art Love and Power under Louis XIV

This novel is a poignant story intertwining the coming of age of a poor but gifted girl, musical forces both personal and historical, and rivalry and intrigue in the court at Versaille. At center is a love story of a most delicate and ciruitous nature. The story moves at a fast pace with unexpected turns, and takes one far beyond the sordid perils of actual existence.

Take a trip to France!

With Emilie's Voice, Dunlap takes us back in time to the corrupt opulence of Louis XIV's Versailles. With rich language and colorful descriptions, I felt as though I was traveling with Emilie on her journey from humble beginnings to her debut at court. The intrigue, scheming, and power plays enjoyed by the noble classes will keep you turning pages. And the shocking end will take your breath away!

Transporting!

I have to confess, I work such long hours and get so little sleep that I haven't been able to read a book cover to cover in years. Emilie's Voice, however, was so delicious to read that I snuck off to bed as early as possible every night for a week to get as many chapter's in as my poor tired eyes could tolerate. I didn't want to put it down. The plot was full of wonderful intrigue, the chracters were compelling, and the descriptions of the historical settings so evocative that I felt transported to another time and place. I can't wait for the next novel by this wonderful new author!

A wonderfully passionate and gripping literary novel!

When young Emilie is heard singing by composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, his passions are roused. Why not teach and nurture her, and then introduce the beautiful young songstress to the court of Louis XIV? Enter: the world of scheming, self-serving, quasi-aristocratic hangers-on, many of whom will profit from the innocent Emilie's demise. I rarely read historical fiction. However, I'd heard about this novel and wanted to see for myself. My friends were right: Dunlap has written a compelling book, each page adorned with wonderful phrasing and evocative images. So if you enjoy an inside glimpse into 17th century France, a real page-turner of a story and a dramatic finale, this novel is for you.