Book description
An alluring, exotic novel based on the life of the famous and
much-painted courtesan, La Belle Phanariote. Perfect for fans of
Painting Mona Lisa.
'Stories precede her. Whispers of delighted amusement at her exotic
beauty, her mysterious past. Some swear she has been a Sultan's
odalisque. Others that she is a Greek princess. Princes praise her
exquisite manners and her pleasing ways. And the King of Poland leads
her in the polonaise.'
Sophie, the Countess Potocki, is travelling with her entourage from St
Petersburg to Paris, to consult with French doctors, when she stops at
the Berlin palace of her friend, the Graf von Haefen.
There, her whole extraordinary life during one of the most turbulent
periods of European history comes back to haunt her - the many strands
of her life, the many roles in which she has presented herself, the many
biographies she has made up, the many lovers and protectors she has
cherished and deceived. And still she continues to attempt to manipulate
the lives of those around her.
Brilliantly written, cleverly constructed with a strong cast of
characters, both real and fictional, and vivid scenes, Garden of Venus
is an alluring, sensuous and exotic saga which will delight readers of
Tracy Chevalier, Philippa Gregory and Isabelle Allende. Eva Stachniak
was born in Poland and now lives in Canada. She has been a teacher and
librarian. This is her first novel.
