A history lesson unvarnished

No need to be a history buff to France to enjoy the verve and the cruelty with which this is related inglorious episode where the blackest cynicism is at work. The ambitions of some and the interests of others, intrigues courtesans formed and dissolved like a viper's nest around these royal blood children reduced to mere instruments in the hands of adults. Being child-king / queen at Versailles or at the very Catholic Spanish court is not funny every day.

It crosses Saint Simon, the Inquisition, the obsession with hunting, Princess Palatine, Mr. King's brother, the unscrupulous clerics, not always virtuous ladies in waiting, smallpox, balls, floats, pump royal ceremonies, the incense of religious services; and all this is intertwined the destinies of this unenviable Infanta of Spain and the Miss of Montpensier for brushing of the eighteenth century a table quite staggering that we are not surprised that eventually lead to revolution.

The authentic correspondence between the main protagonists of the book (King and Queen of Spain, Infanta, Prince and Princess of Asturias is amazing and cleverly inserted into the narrative evidence against everything that is told there is, if not true, at least very likely.

A sharp and caustic look on bigotry monarchy, conspiracies and consanguinities unsavory.