Courtesans - a slice of high society cakeAugust 10, 2005 2 out of 4 found this review helpful
'Courtesans' presents the lives of 5 high society prostitutes over a time span of 150 years. It surprises the reader for its eloquent re-construction of attitudes to such women in Paris and London and also sensitively and accurately records the considerable changes in sexual mores that took place for example between the Georgian and Victorian ages. The 5 women had in common with each other then and with western women in general today a determination to keep financial and sexual freedom as a right. The price that they paid then and the price we pay today is well worth meditating on. An excellent read !
18th Century Junkies Look no FurtherJune 9, 2004 13 out of 16 found this review helpful
If like me you've become an obsessive reader of books about 18th century figures then you will enjoy this book. The worlds of the 'ton' and the 'demi-monde' operated side and by side sometimes colliding disastrously and ocassionally successfully. Katie Hickman's book looks at the lives of four courtesans and their contemporaries with a modern eye but a keen understanding of the mores and givens of the time. You feel she really likes the women she portrays, warts and all, and excels at those gossipy details beloved of home historians like me. I used to want to be Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire but now I think Harriette Wilson, the 18th century's 'Material Girl' was having much more fun!
Courtesans...May 17, 2004 8 out of 16 found this review helpful
The Courtesan was a beautiful, mysterious lady who was the envy of every womans eye. This lavish book explains who they were and what they did to achieve such status.
Lovely pictures and great descriptions and narration of these fabulous woman that every man adored from the 17th century onwards.
