http://shelfandstuff.blogspot.com/200... ( )

There are some moments of genuine horror and pathos during this story, during the Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve itself, when thousands of Huguenots were killed at the behest of Catherine de Medici by Catholic officers, soldiers and civilians; at the climax when the romantic heroes are tortured and executed; and at one point when Catherine de Medici tricks and kills a servant. Most of the rest of the time it is standard swashbuckling Dumas, with a strong air of theatricality and even farcicality. ( )

Marguerite de Valois is a captivating tale of courtly intrigue during the realm of Charles IX. Henry de Navarre joins the court of Charles when he marries Marguerite. From that moment, there is no one who can be trusted. Charles seeks to destroy Henry and all his Huegenot supporters but is foiled. Catherine de Medici, the queen mother, lurks in the background plotting against both family and friends. No one is safe from her treachery. Marguerite, though married to Henry, is really in love with the gallant de la Mole. The plot twists will keep you wondering and turning pages all the way to the end.

http://www.lonelymountain.net/books/j... ( )

This is one of Dumas' lesser known works, losing in popularity to "The Three Musketeers" and the like. When I initially picked it up for a high school French class, it was out of print and may still be so. However, I was quite impressed with this book. Like many of Dumas' novels, this is a piece of French Historical Fiction, taking place in the late 1500's, specifically around the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of Huguenots (French Calvinists) by French Catholics. Queen Margot is unhappily married to King Henry IV (who later declared that 'Paris is well worth a Mass'), who is having an open love affair. She and one of her ladies in waiting each openly taken a Huguenot lover. The plot consists of their love affairs, and their attempts to keep their lovers alive amidst all the religious turmoil. Very interesting if you're into French history or religion, or simply Dumas books. ( )