Book description
An alluring, exotic novel set in the late eighteenth century, based on
the life of the famous and much-painted courtesan, La Belle Phanariote.
Young, beautiful, fallen, Sophie Glavani has brought shame on her
family. She realises that she must now learn the art of seduction in
order to survive in turbulent times.
Her beauty and charm are so great that the world is entranced. Men are
driven to madness, women moved to jealousy. She leads the King of Poland
in the Polonaise.
Now, dying and surrounded by her family, Sophie relives her life's
dance for the final time. Her journey from fallen woman to Countess, the
men she has captivated, the hearts she has broken. Eva Stachniak creates
a brilliant eighteenth-century world and weaves a compelling tale of a
courtesan's love, her life and her death.
Brilliantly written, cleverly constructed with a strong cast of
characters, both real and fictional, and vivid scenes, Dancing with
Kings is an alluring, sensuous and exotic saga. 'The telling is
engaging - at times riveting - leaving behind a visceral sense of a
woman's arduous life …Stachniak writes with brief, often poetic
sentences, managing to create a rich sense of place and period through
evocative details.' Quill & Quire
'Historical fiction of the very best kind.' Edmonton Journal
'Well researched…should provide plenty for reading groups to dicuss.'
Ann Munton, NewBooksMag reader review Eva Stachniak was born in
Wroclaw, Poland. She emigrated to Canada in 1981, on scholarship to
McGill University in Montreal. In Poland she taught English Literature
at the University of Wroclaw. Her first short story appeared in the
Antigonish Review in 1994. Her acclaimed debut novel, Necessary Lies,
won the Amazon. com/Books in Canada First Novel Award. A communications
professor at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Eva Stachniak lives
in Toronto and is working on her third novel.
