Majesty at King Sarko's Court
Times blogger Charles Bremner discusses a "delicious" book, published this week, which recounts life at the court of the Emperor Nicolas I as if it were the Versailles of Louis XIV.
In Chronique du règne de Nicolas Ier, Patrick Rambaud, an eminent novelist, pulls off a tour de force with a pastiche in the voice of Saint-Simon, the chronicler of the Sun King's court.
Rambaud relates the exploits of a vain and choleric monarch whose "stature was so modest that he had, by all means available, to make himself taller."
The court of aristocrats and retainers do not dare challenge the decisions of "our Splendid Sovereign" but they engage in fierce intrigue and flattery as they strive for his favour.
Rambaud takes us through familiar episodes such as the summer prosecution of le duc de Villepin, the emperor's rival, his majesty's extraordinary "running in the American manner", the revolt of les miserables in la banlieue, the visit of "The Bedouin of Tripoli" and the Empress's departure, as chronicled by the gazeteers. His tale ends before the emperor's new mistress (the Tuscan Songstress?) bursts onto the scene.
