The Oracle Glass

The Oracle Glass transports readers to 17th century Paris during the notorious Affair of the Poisons. Marie-Josèphe, a brilliant young woman with a physical deformity, reinvents herself as the mysterious fortune teller Madame de Morville, who serves wealthy clients while claiming to be 150 years old. The story follows Marie-Josèphe's rise in Parisian society as she becomes entangled with actual historical figures including La Voisin, Catherine Monvoisin, and members of Louis XIV's glittering court. Her work as a fortune teller using an oracle glass leads her into increasingly dangerous territory as she discovers dark secrets among the nobility. Against the backdrop of political intrigue and occult practices, Marie-Josèphe must navigate both the criminal underworld and the treacherous waters of aristocratic society. Her growing fame brings her closer to power but also puts her at greater risk as the king's investigators begin looking into accusations of poison and black magic. The novel explores themes of female power and autonomy in a restrictive society, while questioning the true nature of justice in a world where appearances matter more than reality. Through Marie-Josèphe's journey, the story examines the masks people wear and the prices they pay for survival.

Readers praise the historical details and atmosphere of 17th century Paris, particularly the depiction of the royal court and fortune-telling underworld. Many note the thorough research into actual historical events and figures from the L'Affaire des Poisons scandal. Specific praise focuses on: - Complex female characters, especially the protagonist's transformation - Rich period details and French culture - Balance of dark themes with dry humor - Integration of real historical events and people Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Too many characters to track - Occasional modern-sounding dialogue - Romance subplot feels underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) One reader called it "a perfect blend of history and dark fantasy," while another noted it "brings 1670s Paris to life without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail." Critics mentioned "the plot meanders" and "takes too long to get going."

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🔮 The Oracle Glass features the real-life historical figure Catherine Monvoisin (La Voisin), who was executed in 1680 for witchcraft and plotting against King Louis XIV's mistresses. 📚 Author Judith Merkle Riley was a professor of political science and government at Claremont McKenna College, bringing her deep knowledge of European history to her historical novels. ⚜️ The "affaire des poisons" scandal depicted in the book led to the creation of the first organized police force in France, called the Lieutenant General of Police. 🏰 The novel's setting, 17th-century Paris, saw a boom in fortune-telling and "witch consultants" among aristocratic women, who would often seek love potions and fertility treatments. 💎 The book's protagonist uses a vessel filled with water or wine as her oracle glass—a divination technique actually practiced in the period, known as "hydromancy" or water scrying.