Despite good guesses from some of you, no one was able to correctly answer our trivia question from last week. Ready for the answer? "What historical figure had several pets, including a monkey, birds, and small dogs (two of whom were named Mimi and Ines)?"
It was Mme de Pompadour! Louis XV's favorite mistress was painted several times with her precious pets, perhaps as a symbol of her fidelity to her lover and King, or simply out of fondness for the creatures. Too bad we don't know which little Papillion is being depicted in the painting, as he climbs up to peek curiously at her needlework and beg for attention. My own canine companion, Reinette, was named after the Maitress-en-titre herself.
So onto this week's trivia question:- This novel, published in 1782, was immensely popular in it's day and caused quite a stir for the licentious behavior depicted. It remains popular to this day, and has been made into plays, movies, and even an opera.
It has to be Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct, well done!
DeleteThat was too easy. Should have known. I have to remember to think French on your blog. I am reading English novels at the present time and I don't seem to be thinking Francophile on this.
ReplyDeleteI should have specified that it was a French novel. Prepare for a much harder question next Monday.
DeleteOne of my all time favourites.
ReplyDelete