Petticoat Rules

by Emmuska Orczy

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1910

About the author

Full name: Emma ("Emmuska") Magdolna Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála Orczy de Orczi was a Hungarian-British novelist, best remembered as the author of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (1905). Baroness Orczy's sequels to the novel were less successful. She was also an artist, and her works were exhibited at the Royal Academy, London. Her first venture into fiction was with crime stories. Among her most popular characters was The Old Man in the Corner, who was featured in a series of twelve British movies from 1924, starring Rolf Leslie.

Baroness Emmuska Orczy was born in Tarnaörs, Hungary, as the only daughter of Baron Felix Orczy, a noted composer and conductor, and his wife Emma. Her father was a friend of such composers as Wagner, Liszt, and Gounod. Orczy moved with her parents from Budapest to Brussels and then to London, learning to speak English at the age of fifteen. She was educated in convent schools in Brussels and Paris. In London she studied at the West London School of Art. Orczy married in 1894 Montague Barstow, whom she had met while studying at the Heatherby School of Art. Together they started to produce book and magazine illustrations and published an edition of Hungarian folktales.

Orczy's first detective stories appeared in magazines. As a writer she became famous in 1903 with the stage version of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Reviews

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Emmuska Orczy's style. And it was another gem of the genre by Mrs. Orczy (although I loved A Child of the Revolution more).

I have the feeling that she perfectly knew France culture and history (especially eighteenth-century). Moreover, I see the mix of critical eye and awe for that culture in her stories.

the intrigues, the lying, the falseness of everything, the treachery which lurked in every corner of this sumptuous palace, the egoism which was the sole moving power of those overdressed dolls

The second strong part of her novels was the romance, the romantical language and atmosphere. No matter how serious/sad issues she picked up (like the French Revolution) she wrote about it poetically.

Bah! what did it matter, after all? This world of irresponsible butterflies, of petty machinations and self-seeking intrigues: would she not quit it to-morrow for a land of poetry and romance, where women wield no sceptre save that of beauty, and where but one ruler is acknowledged and his name is Love?

To me, Lydie and Elington were as real as Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. No matter, that they didn't exist. Their story and the whole historical background made them real.

PS1 The novel is known as 'Petticoat Government' and 'Petticoat Rule' - depending on the edition/publication.

PS2 I should probably confess it was only my third novel by Mrs. Orczy and I have read only the first part of her famous series. Nonetheless, I think I have detected her style correctly.

[VWrulesChick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story about a Lydie, who is in the France's Royal court, while was enamoured of Gaston, but is also pursue M. L'elington. However she has to play her cards right as a scandal happens in the Royal court of the King Louis and the Queen. What will happened to all them and will the good triump evil?

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt a bit like eating too much chocolate - lovely at the time but somewhat sickly too. I enjoyed the first half, and loved the end, but I felt the plot dragged a bit, it became very obvious what was going to happen. I shan't rush to read another of her romances, though.

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is called “Petticoat Rule” because during the 1740s in France there were notable females influencing their male contemporaries. Lydie d'Aumont, who is the main focus of this fiction based on fact, is daughter of the French prime minister. Therefore, whoever marries her will gain power, as the prime minister is easily persuaded by his daughter to do what she wants.

Meanwhile, in the background, we have the famous Madame de Pompadour, who has much more influence on King Louis XV than does the neglected queen.

As for the story, one main theme revolves around the “pretender” to the English throne, Charles Edward Stuart, and how he is originally welcomed to the French court, only to be betrayed by Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, and their devotees; however, Lydie and her husband have other ideas and risk their favour with the king by trying to warn Bonnie Prince Charlie that the French plan to hand him over to the English if possible.

I found this tale good in parts but at times boring, owing to unnecessary waffle and detailed descriptions – such as a lengthy section on what one of the male characters wears – that do nothing to move the story along.

Worth a look but wouldn’t return for a second reading.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesser-known of Orczy's works, it is nevertheless a hidden gem. The heroine falls in love, but at first with the wrong man! With Baroness Orczy's trademark wit and a lovable hero who waits patiently for his lady to realize that he's there for her, "Petticoat Rule" is one of my favorite of the Orczy romances.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The correct title of the book is "Petticoat Rule" and also was titled "Petticoat Government." It was first published in 1910.
Settings/locations: [France, Chateau of Versailles, Le Havre]