I picked this up thinking it would be a formal history, but it's so much more. Madame de La Fayette, famous for La Princesse de Clèves, was a close friend of her subject. That friendship changes everything—this isn't a distant report, it's a portrait painted with affection and firsthand knowledge.

The Story

This follows the short, dramatic life of Henriette, the sister of King Charles II of England. To secure a political alliance, she's married to Philippe, the openly gay brother of France's powerful King Louis XIV. The book charts her journey from a pawn in a royal game to a sharp, influential figure at the glittering but vicious French court. We see her struggle for happiness and purpose, form a deep intellectual friendship (and maybe more) with Louis XIV's brother, and constantly battle the gossip and restrictions that come with her position.

Why You Should Read It

Henriette leaps off the page. She's clever, charming, and achingly human. La Fayette makes you feel the claustrophobia of her life—the unbearable pressure to perform, the loneliness of a marriage without love, and the constant surveillance. It’s a powerful look at how little control even the most privileged women had over their destinies. You get the glamour of Versailles, but also the exhausting emotional labor required to survive there.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves character-driven historical fiction or real-life stories about fascinating women. If you enjoyed the court drama of Wolf Hall or the personal stakes of a novel like The Other Boleyn Girl, you'll be hooked. It's a short, compelling read that proves history's greatest stories are about people, not just dates and treaties.