The Heart of Lafayette

by Kiley Knott

Thirty-three years. Two Revolutions. One shared heart.

Adrienne de Noailles is the humble second daughter from an illustrious Parisian noble family. Gilbert du Motier is the orphaned heir to the southern aristocratic la Fayette fortune. It's a secret match made in heaven that benefits both families.

Upon the rising stir of liberty in the American colonies, Gilbert feels the calling to go off and fight despite France’s proclaimed neutrality. Adrienne struggles to keep his name away from the gossip of Versailles, determined to hold up the la Fayette name as one of the lionhearted, not of renegades.

To be a typical noblewoman of 18th century France, Adrienne is expected to be complacent with motherhood and running her household, but that doesn’t mean she would ever allow any man or woman to speak ill of her husband or place any of their children in danger, even at her own risk.

606 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work of historical fiction, “The Heart of Lafayette” by Kiley Knott is a fascinating exploration of the Lafayette family during the American and French Revolutions and the years of Napoleonic rule. Drawn from letters and other primary documents, Knott writes from the perspective of Gilbert Lafayette’s wife Adrienne, a figure largely diminished from the history books.

A woman of nobility and rank, Adrienne’s narrative begins in her early adolescence when a young Gilbert Lafayette lives with her family. As the novel progresses, the reader follows Adrienne through her early marriage to Lafayette, without royal permission, and her husband’s travels to America to help fight the British during the American Revolution.

Adrienne is left in France, spending time in Versailles as a subject and friend to Marie Antoinette. Through Adrienne’s eyes, we see the royals’ blind naivete to the unsustainable existence of the French citizenry. Knott draws stark contrasts between the poverty, detailed in the mud-soaked clothing of a French woman against the coquettish Marie Antoinette who would wear her concept of a shepherdess’s clothing replete with flowers in her hair.

As history marches forward, Lafayette returns to France, initially as an advocate for the American people and eventually as a military hero celebrated for his battle strategy. Here, the darkness of the French Revolution and the massacre of the nobility is reflected in the storytelling. Knott does not shy away from detailing the atrocities committed, the terrible fear of hiding one’s children against violent masses, and the uncertainty of living to see the next day.

The novel is more than a book about love and a marriage that transcended history, war, and physical separation. The novel reflects a woman’s empowerment to withstand torment, terror, and death to advocate for her family’s needs, see beyond the immediate landscape surrounding her, and recognize the importance of a broader global society.

The novel inspired me to read history websites alongside the novel because I yearned to learn more. Kiley Knott’s “The Heart of Lafayette” is an excellent read for historical fiction readers as well as those who enjoy reading about the American Revolutionary period or a true love story.

[J. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She caught her fingers between each other, twisting them shyly. "To be the heart of the great Lafayette," she said. "What an honor, Monsieur."

Gilbert laughed, his gleaming eyes full of mirth, and he drummed his fist to his chest and uttered, "The honor is undoubtedly mine."

--

There are not enough words in the languages known to me to express the emotional gravity which this incredible story has ensnared me. Knott has taken the insurmountable task of personifying figures from hundreds of years past, enduring experiences beyond many of our modern understanding, and turning them into such richly defined people that you would consider them your closest friends. You will laugh, weep, revel, and fear with them across all their days within the flowing pages of this beautiful story.

From the onset of the relationship between Adrienne and Gilbert as youths through garish French aristocracy into American and French political turmoil, the revolutions endured by these two noble individuals are not only of land and liberty but their own strength, their commitment to one another and their families. Knott's attention to the historical backdrop while weaving in a nuanced love that, in our lifetimes we can only half-glean through the pieces that remain, is precisely painted with such care and fondness for the Marquis and Marquise.

Even if historical romances would normally find no place in your library, please include at least this one. A well-told story is one to close with satisfaction, but the Heart of Lafayette left me weeping as I said goodbye to dear friends. I have lived exquisitely with them, and I will carry them with me just as fondly.

[Henry Spitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

i admit im a little biased bc im a mutual of the author, however this is genuinely the best historical fiction book i have read. it is incredibly well written and absorbs you well into the time period and lives of the characters. i usually have a lot to say about the inaccuracies of historical fiction novels, but i could not find any glaring issues that impacted the plot or reading experience in any way. my only criticism (and the only reason this doesn’t have 5 stars) is that the book is very long, and it kind of became hard to maintain the same energy towards it throughout the entire duration of the novel. i dont think this is something that should or could change given the nature of the book and the purpose it was written for, its just my reading experience. i particularly loved all the ways the characters and their mindsets were explored and shown dynamically throughout the different periods the story goes through. i found myself relating to characters i didn’t think i would and as someone who has thoroughly studied the marquis de lafayette, the author has absolutely nailed his portrayal. i would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys long novels instead of a series and anyone who appreciates accurate historical fiction

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read and I was sad when it was over. I was connected to the characters and wanted more!