Evelyn Farr

Author Farr is convinced - and fairly convincing - on the point that the relationship between the Queen and the Count was fully physical, sexual, and all-loving. I like it when a book like this takes a position and defends it - it's the history teacher in me!

Another strength of the book is the illumination it provides on late 18th century Swedish politics and its relevance for general European affairs.

I also liked the background details on the politics and workings of the French court in the show more 1780s and 1790s. Also, Evelyn Farr provides interesting character sketches of minor characters who are worth knowing. Before reading this, I had not known anything about the fascinating Eleonore Sullivan (1750-1833), former Italian actress, courtesan, mistress of Emperor Joseph II [!], later lover and help-mate of Count Fersen in Paris and Brussels. Sullivan was able to provide financial and emotional support for the Swede in his efforts to rescue Marie Antoinette once she had been taken captive by the revolutionaries. So interesting the way that the aspirational life of Eleonore Sullivan illustrates the louche side of the late Enlightenment! And by a fascinating coincidence, she was the grandmother of the famous 19th century French dandy the Count d'Orsay. show less