The Diamond Slipper

Author:

Jane Feather

Published:

Bantam, February 1997 ; 389 pages

Related titles by this author:

The Silver Rose, The Emerald Swan

Subgenre:

Historical romance -- Georgian

Setting:

Austria and France, 1765-1769

Main characters:

Viscount Leo Kierston and Cordelia Brandenburg

Sexual explicitness:

Very explicit

Keywords:

Intrigue ; adultery, poison, proxy marriage, swordplay, twins

Warning:

Sexual and other abuse by sadistic husband

Reader rating:

Reader comments:

I have this ideal view of the romance books I'll read and it's pretty narrow. I wasn't going to read this book, but I did because frankly I didn't pay for it after all. I read it. I LOVED IT! (L.W., 5-19-98) It was an good book,I don't know why some people hated it!but my opinion is that it's a good book. (E.C., 4-26-98) I really liked this book,because it showed both sides of a bad & good marriage.Women in this time period didn't have a choice in who they married, so they had to be strange in thier mind if not in strengh. (D.A., 3-27-97) I picked this up because of all the good and bad comments I read at this site. It really didn't seem as bad to me as everyone said...I think Cordelia had to be so obnoxious in order to make her later strength credible, and really wasn't anything other than honest and insightful, and realistic about her situation. Leo, I will grant you, was a dud. However, Feather's older books were often like this, (notably Silver Nights) and I think she's managed to reach a scope and a level of research which she has not previously attained. I definitely enjoyed reading it, and will probably keep it. (S.M., 3-19-97) This was the first book I have read by this author. I have almost all of her books (because I collect), but I haven't read any others. I thought this one was great! Granted, I haven't read any others; however, her details with both the period, costumes, and characters (Marie Antoinette) was refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I'll try the other ones that previous readers and (reviewers) have suggested. (T.G., 2-26-97) I was a fan of Ms. Feather's previous novels (VIOLET, VIXEN, VELVET, LOVE'S CHARADE) but I felt her last 3 books were not ber best work. THE DIAMOND SLIPPER continues the decline, IMO. I found Cordelia to be a extremely tiresome and anything BUT charming. I really wondered what Leo saw in her. Leo was attractive enough and the secondary characters (the twins and Cordelia's composer friend) interesting. Ms. Feather's descriptions of Versailles were accurate (it IS huge) and the whole atmosphere of the French court was well-done *but* I just didn't care for Cordelia or Leo. This book never interested me on a main character level. This novel was disappointing because I really enjoy reading Ms. Feather's work and I can only hope that her next novel will be better than this. (K.G., 2-10-97) I've read a lot of negative comments about this book. It was not Ms. Feathers best, however, I didn't feel that it was as bad a many comments have stated, Yes, the heroines husband was a jerk (to say the least). And yes, he wanted to control her sexually and otherwise. But, this was the 18th century and it was not frowned upon for husbands to abuse their wives. At least Cordelia didn't end up in love with the prince. One thing I did enjoy about this book was the side story about Marie Antoinette. (F.S., 2-7-97) Readable style, but much too sleazy for my tastes. (E.P., 1-22-97)

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