Title: The Gardens of the King: A Historical Comedy
Author: Andrew Glenn
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781503516694
Pages: 304
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
A rousing and well-crafted tale, Andrew Glenn’s The Gardens of the King takes historical fiction to a highly entertaining level as it transports readers to an articulate place where history and comedy have been artfully intersected. Featuring many prominent historical figures, romances, conspiracies, adventures, humor and intrigue; this is trip into history readers will not forget.
The year is 1777 and the American War for Independence is in its second year. Meanwhile, in Europe, a carriage speeds down a road outside of Paris secreting its disguised passengers to a hidden location, as they are being chased by what is thought to be a band of Casanova’s henchmen. Inside the carriage, readers are introduced to five significant figures from Europe and America at that time; King Louis XVI, Comte Pierre-Augustin Beaumarchais, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, statesman, inventor, ambassador to France and all around ladies’ man, Eugene Friedrich archduke of Baden-Durlach, and the Comte Saint Germain, head of the high church of the Illuminati. The group of men are in route to attend a ceremony for Benjamin Franklin, soon to be an inductee into the high church of the Illuminati.
Shortly thereafter, another important character makes her appearance; Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and wife of King Louis the XVI. She is a complex character beautiful, smart, and distressed about her country and marriage. While France is in deep economic trouble with people protesting in the streets. Worried about her troubled sexless marriage, with no heir; the monarchy cannot continue as the rumors and innuendo about a homosexual king. However, when Marie meets Benjamin Franklin, they take notice of each other’s attributes, which later leads to a consummation of their brewing passions.
A masterful storyteller, author Glenn creatively entangles the plot further, as it appears that Benjamin Franklin and Marie Antoinette have been kidnapped with a solitary clue left behind that seems to indicate the Illuminati. However, the plot twists abound as all is not what it seems and adventure, romance and humorous moments ensue as the story continues to unfold, with a chase across Bavaria and Benjamin Franklin escaping in a hot air balloon.
Incontrovertibly, The Gardens of the King: A Historical Comedy, made for an absolutely entertaining read, which I wholly enjoyed. The story brims with authenticity, and historical accuracy. Author Andrew Glenn did a phenomenal job of portraying history with equal amounts of clarity and humor. Not only does he provide insight into the politics of the time, but he also features a cast of intensely likable characterizations who drive the story, with their gritty, humorous interactions which fuels this great book. This would make a wonderful summer read for those who don’t mind a little history with their adventure, romance, humor and intrigue.
