Helpful Score: 1
I am fast becoming an bone-fide Brant groupie! Her writing is absolutely exquisite, her stories grab you, wrench your emotions, then gently coax them back to a satisfied sigh. What makes it even more amazing is the fact that Ms. Brant embeds historical accuracy with such genius that one is so lost in the story they are completely unaware they are absorbing facts by osmosis rather than instruction.
In "Noble Satyr," life among the French court and aristocracy is displayed in all its debauched corruptness. It is both disgusting and enlightening. From the wigs and painted faces, the ruffles and diamond buckles to the total lack of moral uprightness, the reader becomes enveloped in the 18th century world. Even while sewing the moral laxity into the story, however, the author never bows to titillation for it's own sake. The sexual tension is palpable and exciting yet subtle, discreetly closing the doors and leaving the final graphics to the imagination. With this deft handling, what the imagination can concoct with what is implied!
The downside in this particular book is completely personal... I had trouble liking the characters. Roxton came across as so uncaring and self-absorbed that even when he did something admirable, I begrudged his motives. Antonia's character never quite gelled because she continually acted like a spoiled twelve year old. Still, I wasn't able to put the book down and chastised myself for letting everything else fall by the wayside while I devoured yet another Brant book!
In "Noble Satyr," life among the French court and aristocracy is displayed in all its debauched corruptness. It is both disgusting and enlightening. From the wigs and painted faces, the ruffles and diamond buckles to the total lack of moral uprightness, the reader becomes enveloped in the 18th century world. Even while sewing the moral laxity into the story, however, the author never bows to titillation for it's own sake. The sexual tension is palpable and exciting yet subtle, discreetly closing the doors and leaving the final graphics to the imagination. With this deft handling, what the imagination can concoct with what is implied!
The downside in this particular book is completely personal... I had trouble liking the characters. Roxton came across as so uncaring and self-absorbed that even when he did something admirable, I begrudged his motives. Antonia's character never quite gelled because she continually acted like a spoiled twelve year old. Still, I wasn't able to put the book down and chastised myself for letting everything else fall by the wayside while I devoured yet another Brant book!
