The Mistress of Paris

November 1, 2016
A biographer debuts with the astonishing story of Comtesse Valtesse de la Bigne (1848-1910), who rose from poverty and prostitution to enormous wealth, influence, and controversy.Hewitt--who studied French literature and art, pursuits that led her to the woman she calls Valtesse through much of the tale--begins with the serendipitous discovery in 1933 of some of Valtesse's vast art collection. The author then retreats to the 1840s and tells us the compelling story of Valtesse's mother, a woman who returns much later on to threaten her daughter's hard-won status. Born as "Louise," Valtesse was fortunate with her stunning good looks (lustrous red hair her most striking feature), and although she began as a street prostitute, her looks, good fortune, and insatiable desires to read and learn transformed her quickly into a highly desirable companion for powerful men. She eventually amassed a fortune, educated herself broadly, collected priceless works of art, associated with some of the great artists of her time, including Manet and Edouard Detaille, lived in great opulence, and became a glittering celebrity. Hewitt's work is nonjudgmental and even, at times, drop-jawed admiring. Every new twist in Valtesse's life brings surprises. She published books that sold well, created works of art for popular shows (one attended by Buffalo Bill), dazzled the south of France, and survived some potentially damning court cases (two involving her mother). Hewitt shows us Valtesse's circumspection, as well: her great care to avoid scandal (one episode, sex on a train, threatened and then diminished) and her preparation for retirement. The author's diction is at times a little conventional and even cliched. She writes, for example, that Valtesse "had won the heart of Paris." But her intriguing portrait shines through. A thoroughly researched and clearly written account of a determined and talented woman and of an era.

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February 1, 2017

Debut author Hewitt chronicles the life of Valtesse de la Bigne (1848-1910), one of the most famous courtesans in 19th-century Paris. Born Louise Delabigne and often using the pseudonym Valtesse, the eventual countess grew up in a meager household, her mother often moonlighting as a prostitute. Disillusioned, Valtesse found her way onto the stage, where her beauty delighted far more than her performance. After catching the eye of German-born French composer Jacques Offenbach, she became his mistress and redirected her energies toward climbing the ranks of society. Valtesse became one of the most prominent courtesans of her time, serving as the influence for a novel by Emile Zola and appearing in the artwork of several painters. Hewitt has created an engaging and richly narrated biography exploring not only this figure's life but also the inner workings of Paris at the time Valtesse's star began to rise. Reading like a novel with enticing cliff-hangers, Hewitt's work marries the life of Valtesse with the fascinating history of Paris, imbuing both with vivacity. VERDICT An entertaining read, this book will likely appeal to history buffs as well as those who enjoy a well-written biography.--Stacy Shaw, Orange, CA

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2016
Hewitt takes readers behind the scenes of the shadowy demimonde with this intimate glimpse into the life of a glamorous nineteenth-century Parisian courtesan. Born illegitimate in 1848, Louise Delabigne gradually transformed herself into the Comtesse Valtesse de la Bigne as she leveraged her charm and stunning looks to escape poverty and to climb the complex social hierarchy of Parisian prostitutes. Rising from the lower ranks of grisettes to the upper echelons of grandes horizontales, she took her professional opportunities seriously, educating herself along the way and charming a wide circle of wealthy and cultured clients and admirers, including Emile Zola and Edouard Manet. Hewitt's fascinating biography reads like a novel and paints a vivid portrait of a woman who reinvented herself and carved out a successful and lucrative career in one of the only realms available to women in her time, place, and circumstances.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)