Memoirs of the Duc de Saint-Simon

Memoirs of Duc de Saint-Simon: A Shortened Version #2

by Louis de Rouvroy de Saint-Simon, Lucy Norton (Editor)

The Duc de Saint-Simon was at the very center of Louis XIV's court at Versailles, a hotbed of intrigue, passion, jealousy, and political skullduggery. He was a genuinely pious and honest man whose unblinking record of the court-his eye-witness testimony of wars, intrigues, and royal visits-make this a supreme work of art. These memoirs were the literary inspiration for Marcel Proust's own masterpiece, Remembrance of Things Past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography, Classics

531 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1755

About the author

French diplomat Louis de Rouvroy with title of duc de Saint-Simon wrote memoirs, a valuable historical source, of the court of Louis XIV.

This grandee served as a soldier. A mother bore him at the Hôtel Selvois, 6 Rue Taranne, demolished in 1876 to make way for the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

His enormous classic of literature give the fullest and most lively account at Versailles of the Régence at the start of reign.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_d...

Reviews

[Lily]

As far as I know, the complete memoirs are yet to be fully translated to English; Which is understandable since it's around eight hefty volumes. However, I enjoyed it so much that it makes me determined to get my hands on the French edition one day. It's chiefly a first-hand account of all the gossip and drama of daily living in Versailles, and Saint-Simon's writing is vivid and piquant. He's not exactly the most honest of narrators, and his own beliefs and allegiances bleed into the writing; But this is part of the fun.

[Jenalyn]

Fascinating look into the court of the Sun King of France. Was it ever dry? Yes. Was it ever confusing trying to understand relationships and multiple names of people? Yes! A detailed index would be so valuable. I enjoyed this second volume even more than the first.

[Karen-Leigh]

Plodding in parts. It holds my interest, I think, only because I have read so extensively in the era and many of the names and situations are familiar. Someone coming to it cold might find it less than riveting. It is easy to read, the language is easy and some of the situations fascinating.

[?]

"Nunc et in hora mortis"
" O God help me! Haste thou to succor me"

[Gerry Garibaldi]

For anyone who has a keen interest in French history of the period this book is a lively, informative read. At times the narrative is plodding -- it's two volumes and a long commitment; I read several other books concurrently as I crept away from it at times -- but I left with a keener understanding of French aristocracy, politics and both the misery and intrigues of the times. So, if you're in the mood for a sprawling yet absorbing depiction one man's life, dig in and be stubborn, the rewards at the end are worth it.

[Philippe Malzieu]

It is a monument. Not less than 8 volumes in the edition gallimard the pleiade. It is the great French classical style. Magnificiently written. And the duke write acrimoniously. The reading requires a constant attention. In this theatrical game of Versailles, it is necessary to know the graces and the dysgraces.
The notes should be read, to understand the genealogy. I recognize that I did not arrive at the end. The required effort was higher than the pleasure than I withdrew from the reading. I regularly look at 8 volumes in my library. One day I will succeed.