Bitter Greens

Bitter Greens intertwines three narrative threads spanning different centuries - the story of French noblewoman Charlotte-Rose de la Force in the court of Louis XIV, the tale of a sixteenth-century Venetian courtesan named Selena Leonelli, and a retelling of Rapunzel. Charlotte-Rose de la Force, banished from the French court to a convent in 1697, writes the story that will become the classic fairy tale Rapunzel. Her narrative alternates with the account of her own life as lady-in-waiting at Versailles, where she navigates court politics and religious persecution. The strands connect through Selena Leonelli, who sits for the Renaissance painter Titian and learns the arts of witchcraft from a mysterious woman. Her path leads her to become the witch who imprisons a young girl in a tower. The novel explores themes of power, imprisonment, and artistic creation - both literal and metaphorical. Through its three central women characters, the story examines how people can be confined by society's expectations and their own choices.

Readers describe this as a darker, more mature take on Rapunzel that weaves together three interconnected stories. Reviews highlight the detailed historical research and atmospheric portrayal of 17th century Venice and Versailles. Readers liked: - The rich historical details and settings - Complex female characters with agency - Integration of real historical figures - Exploration of themes like power and imprisonment Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the middle section - Some found the violence and adult content jarring - Multiple timelines can be confusing - Length (too long for some readers) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (9,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (350+ ratings) Reader quote: "The interweaving of fairy tale elements with historical fiction creates something entirely unique." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted they expected a straightforward fairy tale retelling but got a more complex historical novel instead.

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🌟 Author Kate Forsyth spent seven years researching and writing Bitter Greens, including earning her doctorate in fairy tale retellings during that time. 🌟 The novel weaves together three narratives: the life of Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force (who wrote the earliest known version of "Rapunzel"), the story of a 16th-century Venetian courtesan, and the familiar Rapunzel fairy tale. 🌟 Charlotte-Rose de La Force wrote her version of Rapunzel, titled "Persinette," while imprisoned in a convent by Louis XIV for her rebellious behavior and Protestant beliefs. 🌟 The character of Selena Leonelli in the book is based on the real-life 16th-century courtesan Veronica Franco, who was also a celebrated poet in Venice. 🌟 The original Rapunzel story has roots in Persian folklore, specifically a tale called "Rudāba," where a princess lets down her hair for her lover to climb.