Monsieur Molière: A Novel"This is an instance where the biographical comes before the novel, a distinct change in the handling of the genre. The author introduces us first to Jean-Baptiste Pocquelin as the eighteen- year-old through with his general education and unwilling to follow his father in the upholstery business. His passion for the theatre requires proving, and from the teachings of the famous clown Scaramouche and admonitions to do comedy, the months at court during the final clashes of Richelieu and Louis XIII, Moliere holds fast and his father accepts his decision. There follow the disastrous attempt in Paris of the Bejart troupe, the years on the road in which Moliere develops as actor and playwright, the triumphant return to receive the favor of Louis XIV in Paris. In private life, there are illustrious friends; Cyrano de Bergerac, Mme. Montespan; there is the scandal of marrying his mistress' daughter, rumored to be his as well, and the heartbreak her infidelity brings; there is the writing of and acting in his great comedies and satires. Care is given to the period with its customs and stars; the plays are noted, though some only perfunctorily; intimacies are stated rather than shared. Readers with highly robust or intellectual tastes should look elsewhere."--Kirkus |
Common terms and phrases
actor actress amused Armande Armande's audience Baptiste began Béjart bowed Cardinal Catherine De Brie Chapelle charm château cher chère Maman child Cinq-Mars comedian comedy Comte de Modène court cried Cyrano damned daughter Dear maître delighted dressed Duc d'Orléans everything eyes face father feel felt Grange grew Gros-René heart hope Hôtel de Bourgogne husband Jean Jean-Baptiste King of France King's knew La Grange laughed lives looked Madame Madame de Rambouillet Madeleine Madeleine's Mademoiselle Majesty Marie Hervé Marquis de Cinq-Mars Marquise Michel Baron mind mistress Molière's Monsieur Molière Monsieur Poquelin mother never night Ninon de l'Enclos once Palais-Royal Paris performance Pézenas play playwright Prince rehearsing returned Riberac Ribou Richelieu royal Scaramouche sighed Sire smiled stopped success suddenly Tartuffe tell theater Théâtre told Tristan L'Hermite troupe Valet de Chambre voice watched wife woman young