Hella S. Haasse has written 17 novels as well as poetry, plays and essays, and has received many honors and awards including the Netherlands State Award for Literature. Her books have been translated into English, French, German, Swedish, Italian, Hungarian, Serbo-Croatian and Welsh.
This novel exemplifies historical fiction at its best; the author's meticulous research and polished style bring the medieval world into vibrant focus. Set during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453), the narrative creates believable human beings from the great roll of historical figures. Here are the mad Charles VI, the brilliant Louis d'Orleans, Joan of Arc, Henry V, and, most importantly, Charles d'Orleans, whose loyalty to France brought him decades of captivity in England. A natural poet and scholar, his birth and rank thrust him into the center of intrigue and strife, and through his observant eyes readers enter fully into his colorful, dangerous times. First published in the Netherlands in 1949, this book has never been out of print there and has been reprinted 15 times. This first English translation should find an enthusiastic audience. Highly recommended. BOMC featured selection; Quality Paperback selection.-- Starr E. Smith, Georgetown Univ. Lib., Washington, D.C.
Covering the life span of poet and courtier Charles d'Orleans (1394-1465), nephew to the mad French king Charles VI, this massive novel, first published in the Netherlands in 1949, is magisterial in its grasp of princely politics (e.g., the Armagnac-Burgundian factions), and military maneuvering in the era of the Hundred Years War between France and England. As a fictional narrative of private life and human emotion, however, it lacks the vital spark. Happier with books than in battle, shy Charles suffered childhood traumas: exile from court with his gentle mother, Valentine Visconti, because of the envy of Isabeau, the devious French Queen; and the assassination of his father Duke Louis. The ``dark wood'' of loneliness and confusion is taken from the opening of Dante's Commedia. The image recurs in Charles's poetry, written during his 25-year English captivity after Agincourt. In this period, Joan of Arc's triumphs and death are briefly recorded, and poets Christine de Pisan and Francois Villon also make brief appearances. 50,000 first printing; BOMC and QPB featured selections; author tour. (Oct.)
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