THURSDAY, APRIL 28, AT 6:30 PM
BOOK SIGNING & LAUNCHING PARTY FOR
‘FINDING EMILIE”
LAUREL CORONA’S LATEST NOVEL
The story is set in the period of the French Revolution and it offers us an insight into the lives of the French Aristocracy and in particular the life of Marquise du Chatelet (Emilie). The author is telling the marquise’s story along with that of her daughter, Lily’s. In doing so she brings a changing world with fascinating historical figures, such as Diderot and Voltaire, to life.
The marquise was noted for her intellect as a brilliant French mathematician and also for her free spirit. When she gives birth to a daughter (Lily) there are indeed questions as to the identity of the child’s father. After all, she was Voltaire’s lover and they lived together for fifteen years at the absent husband’s ancestral estate. He did not mind, because Voltaire was renovating the chateau with his own money. Such were the times! Unfortunately, she dies six days after giving birth, leaving her daughter Lily in care of her friend who has just given birth to her own daughter, Delphine.
Lily has inherited her mother’s independent spirit and intelligence, and she is determined to learn more about her mother’s unconventional and slightly scandalous life. Just reading about the importance of their dresses, the “torture” of wearing corsets, and how the young women must always be on the look our for available suitors (less they would become spinsters and wind up in a convent), should make you grateful for living in this century.
Laurel Corona, a San Diego author, is an excellent speaker. Her two prior books are "The Four Seasons" (Vivaldi's Venice) and "Penelope". We hope that you will join us in launching her newest novel and enjoying a glass of champagne.
Submitted by Bay Books, 1029 Orange Avenue, Coronado
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