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Mademoiselle Victorine: A Novel
When Victorine Laurent joins the chorus of the grand Paris Opera ballet, she expects to become the mistress of a wealthy man; this is how young women without family survive in the decadent City of Light. Yet when the artist Degas introduces her to Edouard Manet, her life changes dramatically. She agrees to pose for him, and the result is a painting that shocks Paris. Overnight, Victorine becomes the city’s most sought after courtesan.
When she becomes the favorite of the Duke de Lyon, the power behind the shaky government of Emperor Louis-Napoléon, her continued attraction to Manet becomes dangerous for them both. And when an astonishing secret from Victorine’s past comes to light, her carefully constructed world may come crashing down around her.
Mademoiselle Victorine transports readers back to nineteenth-century Paris, a time when art, love, and commerce blended seamlessly together.
When she becomes the favorite of the Duke de Lyon, the power behind the shaky government of Emperor Louis-Napoléon, her continued attraction to Manet becomes dangerous for them both. And when an astonishing secret from Victorine’s past comes to light, her carefully constructed world may come crashing down around her.
Mademoiselle Victorine transports readers back to nineteenth-century Paris, a time when art, love, and commerce blended seamlessly together.
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Debra Finerman
9 books15 followersDebra Finerman is an American writer who lives part-time in Paris. YOU LUCKY DOG is a humorous novel that asks the question, what if a man's soul transmogrifies into his dog's body when they both suffer a car crash? Jake the man dies but Jake the dog survives and the result is a funny and poignant story of love and loss and identity. The surprise ending will keep readers wondering.
YOU LUCKY DOG is a lighthearted departure from her previous two historical novels. SHADOW WAR- The Resistance Fighters' Literary Club was inspired by the plaques affixed to walls and bridges throughout Paris dedicated to the brave, often painfully young Resistance Fighters who died on the spot, shot by Nazi patrols. During research for this book, she traveled to the Imperial War Museum in London and to Resistance Museums in many regions of France. Her journeys led her to meet former members of Resistance groups. Espionage is a familiar subject for her, as her uncle was a CIA agent for many years. Her first novel MADEMOISELLE VICTORINE published in 2007 by Random House Three Rivers Press has been translated into six languages worldwide. She is a former journalist for such publications as Capital Style, The Hollywood Reporter monthly magaine, Beverly Hills Today and Beverly Hills Magazine. A graduate of UCLA, she earned her academic degree in Art History and Connoisseurship at Christie's, New York.
YOU LUCKY DOG is a lighthearted departure from her previous two historical novels. SHADOW WAR- The Resistance Fighters' Literary Club was inspired by the plaques affixed to walls and bridges throughout Paris dedicated to the brave, often painfully young Resistance Fighters who died on the spot, shot by Nazi patrols. During research for this book, she traveled to the Imperial War Museum in London and to Resistance Museums in many regions of France. Her journeys led her to meet former members of Resistance groups. Espionage is a familiar subject for her, as her uncle was a CIA agent for many years. Her first novel MADEMOISELLE VICTORINE published in 2007 by Random House Three Rivers Press has been translated into six languages worldwide. She is a former journalist for such publications as Capital Style, The Hollywood Reporter monthly magaine, Beverly Hills Today and Beverly Hills Magazine. A graduate of UCLA, she earned her academic degree in Art History and Connoisseurship at Christie's, New York.
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June 9, 2021
Ati vazut vreodata imperecherea scorpionilor? Este vorba despre un ritual elaborat de curtare care se numeste "promenade a deux", adica un fel de dans in doi in care femela si masculul se prind de clesti si se invart, ea testandu-i rezistenta. Uneori este necesar ca el sa o intepe cu o doza de venin, insa nu mortal, pentru a o convinge. Dupa tot acest ritual el trebuie sa fuga repede pentru a nu fi mancat. Cu acest vals al scorpionilor seamana povestea de iubire dintre eroina Victorine si ravnitul duce de Lyon.
Victorine Laurent, o tanara orfana din Alsacia ajunge sa faca parte din randul "Lorettes" - nici femei de strada, nici curtezane, atunci cand, la Paris, Degas i-o prezinta lui Edouard Manet. Acesta ii face un senzational nud care naste foarte multe controverse, dar care ii atrage atentia celebrului duce de Lyon. Dupa multe jocuri amoroase el reuseste sa o cucereasca si ambitios fiind, o implica si in jocurile politice care il vizeaza pe imparat.
Desi ea are tot ce si-a dorit, fericirea ii este totusi umbrita pentru ca se gandeste la Manet.
Romanul este interesant scris, plin de informatii despre lumea artistica si mondena a Parisului de sub domnia lui Napoleon al III-lea. Cititorul va avea satisfactia sa intalneasca personajele unor figuri celebre precum Baudelaire, George Sand, Monet, Degas, Pasteur, Strauss, Bismarck si multi altii. Textul mi s-a parut destul de bine documentat, cu foarte multe descrieri ale unor cladiri celebre dar si a hainelor si accesoriilor feminine din perioada respectiva cum ar fi: "chemisette a jabot care garnisea decolteul corsajului din muselina argintie", crinolina ascunsa sub multi metri de poplin gri, boneta din catifea, pelerina scurta din stofa, volanul din bumbac al corsajului, etc.
Am selectat atat o declaratie de dragoste cat si o tactica de seductie care mi-au placut:
"Vreau doar sa stii ca... inca zambesc. Cu dragoste si devotament, P. de L."
"Foloseste tactica lui Napoleon: organizeaza o ambuscada si prinde-l in cursa. Sedu-l si respinge-l pentru a-l intriga, exact opusul a ceea ce se asteapta el" - tactica sugerata de Baudelaire lui Victorine pentru a-l zapaci pe duce.
In ceea ce priveste cei doi barbati din viata lui Victorine, acestia sunt foarte bine caracterizati in urmatorul fragment:
"Unul era intelectual, creator de lucruri frumoase, iubitor de femei. Celalalt era om de afaceri, colectionar de obiecte frumoase, consumator de femei."
In incheiere am ales cateva citate din care putem invata ceva sau din care ne putem amuza:
"Te flatezi, mademoiselle, rase Edouard. Cand aleg un model, o fac pentru muzica lui interioara."
"Nu e vorba numai de frumusete, interveni Edouard. Sub aceasta suprafata exista lumina si umbra."
"Arta este de dragul artei. Scopul meu e sa-l educ pe privitor. Sa-l fac sa-si deschida ochii, dar pe rand."
"Bine, atunci imi fac si mai multe griji pentru dumneata. Nici nu stiu ce-i mai rau: sa-ti realizezi visul sau nu."
"Raul facut de tusa pensulei tale e mai mare decat cel provocat de pana mea. In fond, proza se adreseaza intelectului iar arta emotiilor; nu e asta oare arma cea mai puternica?"
"Isi aminti de cuvintele lui Baudelaire: Barbatul inconjurat de putere va fi intrigat de femeia care nu se lasa impresionata de el."
Victorine Laurent, o tanara orfana din Alsacia ajunge sa faca parte din randul "Lorettes" - nici femei de strada, nici curtezane, atunci cand, la Paris, Degas i-o prezinta lui Edouard Manet. Acesta ii face un senzational nud care naste foarte multe controverse, dar care ii atrage atentia celebrului duce de Lyon. Dupa multe jocuri amoroase el reuseste sa o cucereasca si ambitios fiind, o implica si in jocurile politice care il vizeaza pe imparat.
Desi ea are tot ce si-a dorit, fericirea ii este totusi umbrita pentru ca se gandeste la Manet.
Romanul este interesant scris, plin de informatii despre lumea artistica si mondena a Parisului de sub domnia lui Napoleon al III-lea. Cititorul va avea satisfactia sa intalneasca personajele unor figuri celebre precum Baudelaire, George Sand, Monet, Degas, Pasteur, Strauss, Bismarck si multi altii. Textul mi s-a parut destul de bine documentat, cu foarte multe descrieri ale unor cladiri celebre dar si a hainelor si accesoriilor feminine din perioada respectiva cum ar fi: "chemisette a jabot care garnisea decolteul corsajului din muselina argintie", crinolina ascunsa sub multi metri de poplin gri, boneta din catifea, pelerina scurta din stofa, volanul din bumbac al corsajului, etc.
Am selectat atat o declaratie de dragoste cat si o tactica de seductie care mi-au placut:
"Vreau doar sa stii ca... inca zambesc. Cu dragoste si devotament, P. de L."
"Foloseste tactica lui Napoleon: organizeaza o ambuscada si prinde-l in cursa. Sedu-l si respinge-l pentru a-l intriga, exact opusul a ceea ce se asteapta el" - tactica sugerata de Baudelaire lui Victorine pentru a-l zapaci pe duce.
In ceea ce priveste cei doi barbati din viata lui Victorine, acestia sunt foarte bine caracterizati in urmatorul fragment:
"Unul era intelectual, creator de lucruri frumoase, iubitor de femei. Celalalt era om de afaceri, colectionar de obiecte frumoase, consumator de femei."
In incheiere am ales cateva citate din care putem invata ceva sau din care ne putem amuza:
"Te flatezi, mademoiselle, rase Edouard. Cand aleg un model, o fac pentru muzica lui interioara."
"Nu e vorba numai de frumusete, interveni Edouard. Sub aceasta suprafata exista lumina si umbra."
"Arta este de dragul artei. Scopul meu e sa-l educ pe privitor. Sa-l fac sa-si deschida ochii, dar pe rand."
"Bine, atunci imi fac si mai multe griji pentru dumneata. Nici nu stiu ce-i mai rau: sa-ti realizezi visul sau nu."
"Raul facut de tusa pensulei tale e mai mare decat cel provocat de pana mea. In fond, proza se adreseaza intelectului iar arta emotiilor; nu e asta oare arma cea mai puternica?"
"Isi aminti de cuvintele lui Baudelaire: Barbatul inconjurat de putere va fi intrigat de femeia care nu se lasa impresionata de el."
April 14, 2020
Takže...vlastně nevím, proč to má jen tři hvězdy. Já jsem začala u průměru a nakonec těch pět hvězd dám. Je to životopisný historický román múzy Moneta. Já sice po googlení nevím, jestli nám tu autorka trochu nekecala, protože se mi jisté věci rozchází, ale jako příběh to beru.
Je to dobře vystavěné. Dobře se to četlo a historicky to bylo dobře vytvořeno. Beru. Je to nakonec fajn kniha, i když asi spíše pro úzkou skupinu čtenářů.
Je to dobře vystavěné. Dobře se to četlo a historicky to bylo dobře vytvořeno. Beru. Je to nakonec fajn kniha, i když asi spíše pro úzkou skupinu čtenářů.
October 3, 2018
Read 100 pages about the girl/ courtesan who posed for the French painter Manet.
July 6, 2023
„Când aleg un model, o fac pentru muzica lui interioară”
September 30, 2024
Despite what the title and cover would suggest, this IS NOT A BIOGRAPHY OR HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK ABOUT MANET'S FAMOUS MODEL, VICTORINE MEURENT. And I can't for the life of me figure out why.
Victorine Meurent, like every other historical character mentioned in this book, had a fascinating, full life, in a well-documented time. I have no idea why author Debra Finerman would have used real names of historical figures (or, in Victorine's case, a slightly modified one - Victorine Laurent rather than Victorine Meurent) and then just...changed their stories.
Edouard Manet is the most egregious case of this, but others include the Empress Eugénie, who becomes seemingly the only force behind France's decision to enter the Franco-Prussian War. for instance. With this latter choice, I kept thinking, "This total vilification of Eugenie actually could be cool if this were a historical fantasy book and she was some sort of witch or something." But that is not this book.
"Mademoiselle Victorine" is essentially a classic 19th-century story - or at least the skeleton of one. The author writes like she's reporting, rather than stopping to describe things, and, especially, feelings. This makes it feel like nonfiction, adding to the confusion. But the story's plot, had it been fleshed out, would have been a typical 19th century novel. In the right hands, like, say, Balzac's, it could even have been a minor classic. There are plot twists, social climbing, family secrets, intrigue, and more. Yet everything remains surface level, with Finerman telling but not showing us anything, and what she IS telling us is often totally made up but doesn't seem that way.
I can understand the limitations of nonfiction and historical fiction that stays as close to facts as possible. I kept wondering if Finerman had wanted to write a historical fiction account of Victorine Meurent's life but didn't find enough documentation about her later years or something and so decided to do this. But then, there are solutions for this sort of thing, too. I kept thinking about Zola (mentioned once or twice in this book, in fact) and how he chose to portray Manet in his book "The Masterpiece" by using a different name. This was done for a number of reasons, but in terms of creativity, it also allowed Zola to explain and portray things his way - no need to fact check or claim to be accurate, etc. I kept wondering why Finerman didn't just give Victorine, Manet, and so many of the other actual historical characters here different names and just make this a totally fictional story.
I kept hoping there would be an Author's Note at the end where Finerman explained decisions like making a little-known historical figure seem like a major force in Second Empire Society, not to mention a spy and key figure of the Franco-Prussian War. But...nothing.
At the very least, it makes Finerman an author I'd love to sit down and have a coffee with, just to see what the heck she was thinking.
As it is, this book comes off to me as a lie - a lie to readers who were probably expecting an account of Victorine Meurent's life, and more crucially, a lie that could make readers learn false things about French history. By hijacking Victorine Meurent's story, Finerman also takes away the truth of her life - the influence she truly had on the artists and art spectators of her time; the way she became an artist in her own right; the way her incredible influence lives on while her mortal self faded into obscurity. What a fascinating and moving book that would make!
Victorine Meurent, like every other historical character mentioned in this book, had a fascinating, full life, in a well-documented time. I have no idea why author Debra Finerman would have used real names of historical figures (or, in Victorine's case, a slightly modified one - Victorine Laurent rather than Victorine Meurent) and then just...changed their stories.
Edouard Manet is the most egregious case of this, but others include the Empress Eugénie, who becomes seemingly the only force behind France's decision to enter the Franco-Prussian War. for instance. With this latter choice, I kept thinking, "This total vilification of Eugenie actually could be cool if this were a historical fantasy book and she was some sort of witch or something." But that is not this book.
"Mademoiselle Victorine" is essentially a classic 19th-century story - or at least the skeleton of one. The author writes like she's reporting, rather than stopping to describe things, and, especially, feelings. This makes it feel like nonfiction, adding to the confusion. But the story's plot, had it been fleshed out, would have been a typical 19th century novel. In the right hands, like, say, Balzac's, it could even have been a minor classic. There are plot twists, social climbing, family secrets, intrigue, and more. Yet everything remains surface level, with Finerman telling but not showing us anything, and what she IS telling us is often totally made up but doesn't seem that way.
I can understand the limitations of nonfiction and historical fiction that stays as close to facts as possible. I kept wondering if Finerman had wanted to write a historical fiction account of Victorine Meurent's life but didn't find enough documentation about her later years or something and so decided to do this. But then, there are solutions for this sort of thing, too. I kept thinking about Zola (mentioned once or twice in this book, in fact) and how he chose to portray Manet in his book "The Masterpiece" by using a different name. This was done for a number of reasons, but in terms of creativity, it also allowed Zola to explain and portray things his way - no need to fact check or claim to be accurate, etc. I kept wondering why Finerman didn't just give Victorine, Manet, and so many of the other actual historical characters here different names and just make this a totally fictional story.
I kept hoping there would be an Author's Note at the end where Finerman explained decisions like making a little-known historical figure seem like a major force in Second Empire Society, not to mention a spy and key figure of the Franco-Prussian War. But...nothing.
At the very least, it makes Finerman an author I'd love to sit down and have a coffee with, just to see what the heck she was thinking.
As it is, this book comes off to me as a lie - a lie to readers who were probably expecting an account of Victorine Meurent's life, and more crucially, a lie that could make readers learn false things about French history. By hijacking Victorine Meurent's story, Finerman also takes away the truth of her life - the influence she truly had on the artists and art spectators of her time; the way she became an artist in her own right; the way her incredible influence lives on while her mortal self faded into obscurity. What a fascinating and moving book that would make!
June 11, 2008
I've been a huge art buff since I was wee, and it was really really thrilling to read about Manet, Degas, Monet, and others as fully fleshed-out characters. To say nothing of Baudelaire! Mademoiselle Victorine is a composite of two real-life women, Countess Virginia de Castigione and Victoirine Meurent. In the book, Victoirine is a ballerina turned kept woman turned bona-fide concubine who serves as Manet's greatest inspiration. The relationship they have is truly wonderful, and I found her to be a fascinating character. As a student of French, I also loved the look at life in the Paris of the 1870s.
"This makes our friendship perfect. You'd probably rather have Edouard, anyway."
She felt his body stiffen as he stopped short. He seemed astounded. She guessed he was worried that it was obvious to everybody, including Edouard. Her arm encircled his shoulder tenderly. "The only men who've ever been kind to me were the ones like you. You have nothing to be embarrassed about."
"This makes our friendship perfect. You'd probably rather have Edouard, anyway."
She felt his body stiffen as he stopped short. He seemed astounded. She guessed he was worried that it was obvious to everybody, including Edouard. Her arm encircled his shoulder tenderly. "The only men who've ever been kind to me were the ones like you. You have nothing to be embarrassed about."
March 4, 2008
My love for 19th-century French literature, art, and music goes back to my time as a French major in college, thus the reason I decided to read this book. The relationships between the authors, artists, and composers of the time have always fascinated me, so for that reason alone, I enjoyed much of this book. (In my opinion, any book that features an appearance by Hector Berlioz is already at least 3-stars!) Unfortunately, I can't give this book a higher rating than that. While I found the storyline interesting, I just was not that impressed by the actual writing. It seemed to lack development of certain events that could have been much more fully explained and explored. Since it is the author's first novel, I'm hopeful her future works will be of similarly interesting subject matter, but that they will be somewhat meatier texts.
October 8, 2009
I really enjoyed this book and how could I not? The main story centers around Eduard Manet and his muse, Victorine Laurent (also Courtesan to the rich & powerful) and has appearances by Berliosz, Victor Hugo, George Sand, Monet, Degas, Whistler and many other known public figures of the time. I loved reading about the time period in Paris.
July 20, 2009
I tend to be pretty compulsive about finishing every book that I start. It is very very rare for me to put one down unfinished. This book was one of those rare exceptions.
Turgid, stilted prose. Flat cardboard characters. Criminally dull treatment of an interesting period in art & literary history.
This was awful & I didn't finish it & I'm not sorry.
Turgid, stilted prose. Flat cardboard characters. Criminally dull treatment of an interesting period in art & literary history.
This was awful & I didn't finish it & I'm not sorry.
August 8, 2010
Another book from 2007 that I was unhappy with. This time, the subject is Paris in the 1800's, and the model who posed for Manet's Olympia. What really bothers me is that I was so looking forward to reading this one, and instead, what I got was not very good.
For a more complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_40865...
For a more complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_40865...
September 5, 2014
This book was really great and full of such opulent splendor. I really enjoy reading this time period. The characters were so great and to realize that so many brilliant people occupied the same space in time, in such a historical setting was really brought to life. The backdrops were resplendent and colorful and imaginative with vivid details of scenery and characters. Wonderful book.
January 18, 2014
This almost read like real-person fanfic using historical characters (specifically the painter Manet) and the authors made-up characters. I didn't know a lot about this time period so it was kind of interesting to read a story set in it.
November 12, 2010
Finerman really has a talent to create questions in the reader's mind that make him/her continue reading about the main character but in the end she screws up turning her entire work and effort into a murderous predictable soap opera. Yuck! Never going to read anything else from her.
December 30, 2012
As enchanted as I am with Paris & art, and with my interest in courtesans, I expected to love this book. Alas, I did not. About halfway through I grew bored with the characters and found none of them likeable or interesting enough to continue.
March 3, 2008
I enjoyed reading this book, but I had to keep in mind that it was historical fiction- not to take anything as real.
September 4, 2008
The first book I ever tossed in the recycling bin.
August 15, 2011
easy. entertaining. somewhat of historical fiction.
Read
August 25, 2011Found it disappointing in that the use of real people is mixed too liberally with composite characters. I was really annoyed with that by the end of the book.
November 5, 2011
I liked this book. It is in a similar vein as Phillipa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, but appropriately shorter.
June 1, 2013
It took a little bit to get into it, but I'm so glad I kept reading. I really liked the characters and it was great to see them on their personal journies with the backdrop of French history.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews