Antoinette De Mirecourt

by Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon, Heather Murray (Afterword)

To the intense distress of her family, Antoinette de Mirecourt falls in love with an English officer, and the love affair becomes an inescapable mirror of the tensions between French and English as they struggle towards amicable coexistence. Set primarily in Montreal, the novel provides an unmatched portrait of Quebec in the late eighteenth century.

First published in 1864, Antoinette de Mirecourt is an evocative romance of manners and morals. The New Canadian Library edition is an unabridged reprint of the complete original text.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Canada, Historical, Romance

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1864

About the author

Rosanna Eleanor (Mullins) Leprohon was both a poet and novelist. Born in Montreal in 1829, Rosanna Mullins was educated at the convent of the Congregation of Notre Dame. In 1851 she married Dr. Jean-Lucien Leprohon. They lived for a few years in St. Charles-sur-Richelieu before returning to Montreal. Thirteen children were born to them, of which only eight survived. Mrs. Leprohon died in Montreal on 20th September 1879.

As a teenager, encouraged by the nuns who taught her, Rosanna began to publish poems and stories in the Literary Garland. Her first novel, 'Ida Beresford', appeared in the Garland in nine installments during 1848. In 1859-60 her second novel, 'The Manor House of De Villerai'. 'A Tale of Canada Under the French Dominion', was published in installments by the Montreal Family Herald. 'Antoinette de Mirecourt' or, 'Secret Marrying and Secret Sorrowing', and 'Armand Durand' or, 'A Promise Fulfilled' were published by Lovell in 1864 and 1868 respectively. 'Ada Dunmore' appeared in installments in the Canadian Illustrated News in 1869-70.

In 1881, after her death, 'The Poetical Works of Mrs. Leprohon' was edited by the poet John Reade and published by Lovell. John Reade concluded that "Mrs. Leprohon was much more than either a poet or a novelist - she was also, in the highest sense, a woman, a lady".

Reviews

[Mia Signorita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read for University Class on Canadian Literature
I would've had dnf this after 50 pages if I could.
I understand that its a Canadian classic, but it's just not enjoyable. Every time I read "poor Antoinette" I wanted to throw the book across the room. None of the male protagonists were interesting or charming.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1864, this Canadian classic in back in print. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of 'secret marrying and secret sorrowing' set in Quebec in the late 1700's.
This tale is more than just a story of romance but also a tale of relations between the French and English at this time; England had just won the struggle between the 2 countries over sovereignty of Canada. It is also a tale of being true to one's family and beliefs.
If you like Louisa May Alcott or even Georgette Heyer, I believe you will like this.

[Mylène Fréchette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Je suis peut-être un peu trop sévère avec ce livre mais sa morale catholique et les descriptions des relations qui régissent les hommes et les femmes m'ont découragée durant toute ma lecture... Heureusement qu'on ne vit plus dans cette époque!

[a.quiet.little.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished in time for class and it was so good! I love how melodramatic everyone is and I was enthralled from start to end

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think what I enjoyed the most about Leprohon's style is her tendency to sound quite poetic. I had to read this book for school and did not think I would enjoy it. But I did, and so very much!

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The afterward by Heather Murray helped redeem what was otherwise a rather tiresome read for me. This is essentially a romance of a Gothic sort, but rather moralistic with elements of the scandalous thrown in. Written in 1864, it is celebrated for its depiction of Anglo-French relations in Quebec at the time, but by the time I got to the end, I frankly didn't give a damn whether dear, tormented Antoinette lived or died.

[Rosemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a costume romance set in 17th century Quebec. The plot is entertaining but the characters are not fully rounded; instead we see the typical characters-an incredibly naive heroine, a dastardly lover, a noble lover.
The setting of the book sets it apart from most books of that genre.