The Disenchantment

Product Information

Join Book Club: Delivered to your inbox every Friday, a selection of publishing news, literary observations, poetry recommendations and more from Book World writer Ron Charles. Sign up for the newsletter. The Disenchantment is a superb work of historical fiction that is both authentic and engaging. Despite being a debut novel, the author has masterfully crafted a compelling story, vivid characters, and a convincing atmosphere that truly brings 17th-century Paris to life. The book is filled with intricate and fascinating details that capture the essence of the time and place, from the sights and smells to the pervasive oppression and distrust. This atmospheric and thrilling tale of intrigue and same-sex romance is a delight to read, and I'm excited to see what the author has in store for future works.

So many things! There’s one major plot point in the novel that came entirely out of my research into how historical pigments were made—I was researching the ingredients in historical paints, to inform the point of view of Alain Lavoie, who is a portrait artist, and I discovered what to me was a really surprising connection between the craft of making paint and the scandal of the Affair of the Poisons. Of course not,’ he said. He returned the baronne’s smile only belatedly, and with a feeling approaching dread. Occasionally he painted some wrinkled Parisian lady with grandchildren who expected him to entertain her by flirting. The baronne was not in that category. If he offended her, her servants would throw him out onto the street and he’d lose his commission. I finished this one on audio yesterday and it’s a great slice of queer, feminist historical fiction! Publishing as a lead debut in February 2023, the novel is a "gorgeous" historical novel that follows two women in 17th-century Paris who are drawn into a sinister situation following a bid to keep their love affair a secret. Celia Bell’s debut historical fiction novel, The Disenchantment, is somewhat aptly titled, seeing as it describes how I feel now that I’ve finished it – disappointed and dissatisfied.

When Victoire's devotion results in an act of murder to save Marie Catherine, the pair must escape from the clutches of Paris' overzealous chief of police. As they attempt to outwit him, they are led to the darkest corners of Paris and Versailles, discovering lies, mysticism, and people with secrets they too would kill to keep. Marie Catherine and Victoire were characters I loved and believed in, and Bell captures their unique and sometimes warring motivations. However, Bell doesn’t only pay attention to upper-class perspectives in this novel, and the text is a much wider examination of Parisian society in this period. This novel felt like a mix of genres in the best way—part literary fiction, historical fiction, crime fiction, mystery, and Gothic. It kept me guessing until the very end and felt like a thoroughly original, gorgeous historical portrait. The light in the room now was dim and golden, and the smell of the paints seemed to have intensified. Sharp, like freshly mown hay, and even, Madame de Cardonnoy thought for a moment, the rank smell of the sizing in the canvas. Jeanne herded the children away. Scandal is rampant in seventeenth century Paris – poisonings have become more common among the upper class and many women have been imprisoned even for the slight suspicion of attempting to poison their husbands. Baroness Marie Catherine is unhappily married with two young children but finds joy in weaving fairytales for them and her secret liaisons with Victoire Rose de Bourbon, another noblewoman. But when a violent act overturns Marie’s life, she’s forced to use all of her wits to avoid suspicion and maintain her freedom. Now she had reached the part of the story that she hadn’t yet invented. She watched the painter, whose gaze was focused carefully on his canvas, and she went on.

Baroness Marie Catherine lives a double life. At home, she is the wife and mother, doting on her two children, telling them beautiful stories and fairytales. Outside of her home, away from the watchful eye of her husband, she is living a very different life, full of freedoms and fun. She has fallen in love with another woman, Victoire Rose de Bourbon, Mademoiselle de Conti and her eyes have opened to what love can really feel like. Mary Catherine was a beautifully written character with a fierce love and determination. And this was a debut!!!!The concept of this work was fascinating, and it was difficult not to be intrigued by the promise of a passionate affair between two French noblewomen during a time of mysticism and danger. Unfortunately, the execution of this work fell short. Things that I really loved about this book, one was the atmospheric writing. I feel if this sort of vibe and atmosphere is one you enjoy you can just sink into it because the writing was spot on. Conversely if you’re not that interested it could get tedious. Fortunately I was into it. Also as I mentioned, I loved the historical context and also that were focusing on the characters that are usually sidelined. We followed women, servants, an aspiring artist, and a run down police officer. There were a lot of shifting perspectives which was great.

One thing about me, is that I love some historical fiction. I especially love when historical fiction is targeting very specific events or weird phenomenons and that is exactly what this book did. It also commingles some sapphic love with mystery and superstitious intrigue. A secret romance between two noblewomen in 1680s Paris is threatened by the Affair of the Poisons in this bewitching work of historical fiction. If you like,’ she said, ‘I’ll tell you a story to make the time pass faster. But you must stand perfectly still.’ If there is a book is about any one of the following three things: 1. pre-revolutionary France, 2. girlfriends who murder, 3. a battle of wits against a tenacious detective, say no more, I'm already sold. This book happens to have all three. Marie Catherine is an unhappily married baroness and mother who has a gift for weaving beautiful fairy tales, mostly for the entertainment of her two children. She's involved in a clandestine affair with younger noblewoman, Victoire Rose de Bourbon, a relative of the king. When Victoire impulsively commits murder to protect Marie Catherine, they find that their troubles are only just beginning. I really wanted to love this book - the historical setting held much promise - but, unfortunately I really didn’t like it all.I couldn't finish this one... Honestly it was so bad it completely derailed my reading streak and I've turned to other hobbies!! The characters are fascinating and very strong, and I love that it is told solely through the perspectives of women. I really appreciate the author’s research, she included many details and characters either directly from or inspired by historical resources and literature from the period. It made for a very compelling, vivid and historically accurate read. What do you think? Have you read The Disenchantment by Celia Bell? Is it on your TBR? Let’s talk in the comments below. RELATED: No,’ said Madame de Cardonnoy. ‘She wasn’t afraid. For her heart, too, was made of stone, so that both fear and pity were beyond her.’