tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366670135847123894.post3136433783350683445..comments2023-06-07T11:31:36.691+02:00Comments on Cathie Dunn writes...: Research: The Affair of the PoisonsCathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366670135847123894.post-51354938385375993572020-08-02T23:37:47.945+02:002020-08-02T23:37:47.945+02:00Cathie, this is a fascinating topic for a novel. I...Cathie, this is a fascinating topic for a novel. It's interesting that your research mentioned childbearing as the main reason for Madame de Montespan's weight gain. From what I've read she also had a gluttonous appetite for food and drink, which makes sense, as she was self-indulgent in all other things as well -- power, riches, gambling, etc. There's a passage in "Louis XIV: The Other Side of the Sun" by Prince Michel of Greece in which the author says she "ate constantly and excessively," and there are similar testimonials about her love of food in "Affair of the Poisons" by Frances Mossiker and "Athénaïs" by Lisa Hilton. (All great sources for research, BTW.) Because this was the time of Peter Paul Rubens, I think she was perceived as attractive in part because she was so lush. But eventually she grew large even by 17th Century standards. She was a woman used to getting her way, so when she was vexed — like a lot of us — she tended to drown her frustrations in the pleasures of the table. One would presume that when Louis' eye wandered, this tendency only increased, along with her temper, gambling, and dabbles with the occult. She's such a vibrant historical figure, so passages about her in books are always memorable to me. I can see why she would be an appealing character/villain for a novelist. I hope you keep us updated on the novel's progress. Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845323399749118930noreply@blogger.com