The Queen of the Night
Ratings11
Average rating4.2
15
Ratings11
Average rating4.2
NATIONAL BESTSELLER, New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, and a Best Book of the Year from NPR, Boston Globe, BuzzFeed, and others. The mesmerizing story of one woman's rise from circus rider to courtesan to world-renowned diva—"a brilliant performance" (Washington Post).
The Queen of the Night tells the captivating story of Lilliet Berne, an orphan who left the American frontier for Europe and was swept into the glamour and terror of Second Empire France. She became a sensation of the Paris Opera, with every accolade but an original role—her chance at immortality. When one is offered to her, she finds the libretto is based on her deepest secret, something only four people have ever known. But who betrayed her?
With epic sweep, gorgeous language, and haunting details, Alexander Chee shares Lilliet’s cunning transformation from circus rider to courtesan to legendary soprano, retracing the path that led to the role that could secure her reputation—or destroy her with the secrets it reveals.
“It just sounds terrific. It sounds like opera.”—The New Yorker
“Sprawling, soaring, bawdy, and plotted like a fine embroidery.”—NPR
Reviews with the most likes.
The structure was intricate and the prose sang. I was greatly entertained.
Despite the preposterous plot, the heroine was completely believable. How did Chee do that? Also, fiercely feminist! I loved her so much I might be having separation anxiety. This whole book is one big celebration of female freedom and power and that's very rare and amazing.
Another book I would never have finished had I not consumed it in audio. The life story of an orphan turned circus girl turned courtesan turned opera singer interlaced with seeming mysteries and a doomed love story. It could have been a grand opus - 19th century Paris, filled with emperors, palace intrigue, pretty dresses and multiple operas - but the protagonist never becomes real to me, she rather passively makes her way from one scene to another. The story of her beautiful voice being discovered gets told at least 3 times, in different settings, and feels like a repetition. And then at the end she succumbs martyr-like to the curse that's been looming over her.
It might be better than 2 stars, but I am mainly mad at myself for sticking with it until the end.
omg. Gorgeous. I was on tenterhooks the entire time following this robust plot and baroque setting. and the gowns! and the everything!
It took me awhile to find my footing with the story - the idea of an opera that tells of the secret history of Lilliet Berne, the operatic toast of Paris seems interesting enough. But then the idea that only 4 people in the world could possibly know of her past - “one is dead, one loves her, one wants to own her. And one, she hopes, never thinks of her at all” - is all a bit too. I'm worried Chee is going to read like a gay Dickens.
But then it's circus performers, prostitutes, changing identities, reversals of fortune, grand escapes and more told with the sweep and majesty of an opera. It's a breathless adventure but Lilliet is no damsel in distress. She hurtles headlong into the story meeting folks like George Sand, Ivan Turgenev and Verdi during the time of the French Revolution along the way to becoming a massive star. Chee keeps an even hand on the wheel and prevents the entire thing from flying off the rails while indulging in some truly operatic moments.
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