Anne Golon, her Biography and Life & Death
Hopefully everything you ever wanted to know about Anne Golon and her Angélique
2021 - 28th February - Book 1 'Childhood' (Complete & Unabridged)
This Kindle book, 'Angelique, Marquise of the Angels', is the first volume in English of the complete and abridged version of the Angelique series written by Anne Golon and translated by Samantha David.
Mid-17th century France, in the Fronde war: The young Louis XIV is struggling for his throne, beggars and thieves haunt Paris and brigands roam the countryside. Angelique de Sancé, third child of an impoverished country nobleman, grows up in the Poitou marshlands, a region known as the "Green Venice", halfway between the ocean and the forests. She is a free child, as one with the forest and the marshes, discovering nature's healing secrets with the help of her friend, the witch Mélusine. Her logical destiny would be to marry a poor country nobleman, have children and spend her life fighting for a meagre subsistence. Destiny has other plans in store for her. At 17, on returning from her education in a convent, she finds herself betrothed to the rich count of Toulouse, Joffrey de Peyrac, 12 years her senior, lame, scarred and reputed to be a wizard. Source: Amazon.co.uk
(I should just like to make two points here - the first is the typo [which I am sure will be rectified shortly] is that this is the UNABRIDGED not 'complete and abridged version' which of course does not make sense. The second is the use of 'wizard' in the description, obviously aimed at the [now more mature] fans of the Harry Potter franchise. For me the word 'Sorcerer' is much more evocative and of the time - without checking my original French books I'm fairly certain Anne Golon used 'sorcière'.)
2021 - February Announcement - Angélique goes Digital!
For all the diehard fans who have kept the faith - the Angélique books are about to go digital! A new venture by daughter Nadine Golubinoff is in the works.
The New Logo as designed for this special project - sourced from the new Fb page
For more information please visit AngeliqueBooksEnglish - critical updates will also appear on this page.
2017 - Rest in Peace - St Louis Cathédrale, Versailles
The front facade of the St. Louis Cathédrale in Versailles
Tribute to Anne Golon from her family at the St. Louis Cathédrale in Versailles during the funerary Mass held on Tuesday, 25th July 2017
The dome of the St. Louis Cathédrale in Versailles
2017 - Bastille Day, 14th July - Farewell to 'La mère de toutes les Angéliques'
On the morning of Friday, 14th July 2017 I received the overwhelmingly tragic news that Anne Golon had shed her mortal coil earlier that day. I overcame my own great disappointment and hurt on hearing the news and spoke to Anne's daughter with whom I emphasized as I remembered the loss of my own mother. Anne may have been one of the most famous journalists and prolific authors ever to inhabit this planet but she was also a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, widow and mother. I remember Anne with great fondness once I had got over the awesomeness of meeting her and the heroine-worshipping I had lavished upon her. Anne always enjoyed the company of, and liked meeting her readers, but she eschewed the adulation. This was a thoughtful woman who would never sign an autograph until she had discovered something about the person requesting it so that she could dedicate something very personal and appropriate to the recipient. RIP wonderful, wonderful lady.
Image of the Sun King's Clock courtesy & © Pinterville
This page is reserved as the Home Page linking to the Anne Golon and Angélique Books Section of this web-site and is updated on a regular basis. This 'index' is likely to link around to various pages or external sources as well as my own personal experiences or that of any of my friends who may wish to share their stories. It is a private homage to a great writer whose books I have enjoyed since first discovering them in the 1960s and will continue to be following her untimely death on 14th July 2017.
This Index is divided into three sections Dated Information (chronological) / Interesting Facts / Miscellaneous (both alphabetical)
Anne and Serge Golon in 1966 (see 'About Anne' for more personal images)
Anne Golon - January 2015, from her hospital bed, showing her support of the atrocities perpetrated at the Charlie Hebdo Offices in Paris
2020 - 25th October - Anne Golon features in The Mail on Sunday's Wordsearch!
A screen dump of the 'Mail on Sunday', 25th October 2020 Wordsearch Puzzle
As I'm not a fan of hard-copy puzzles. preferring their tech counterparts on my iPad, this interesting snippet of Anne Golon's history may well have been consigned to the recycling bin, if not for my big sister! Just as I embrace technology, she eschews it totally and many years ago asked me to save her any puzzle pages I came across in the newspapers that my husband and I read. Luckily, saving the puzzles is now second nature to me, I don't give them a second glances, just put them on the pile of papers, puzzles, interesting articles that accumulate until they eventually make their way over to her as we comply with the latest Covid-19 regulations. Interestingly enough she also ringed Ludlum as we both really enjoy his original books but failed to highlight Tolkein which is my husband's favourite author. Everybody (of a certain age) grew up with Blyton and Carroll and most of us studied Shakespeare and avoided Tolstoy and Pushkin like the plague - my book preferences are described in depth in a separate section of this website. I admit to being curious about the 'Wordmeister's' choices and will attempt to contact him/her by e-mail since it is conveniently printed at the top of the article!
2020 - 'The Connexion' September/October Issue : 215
(French News in English since 2002) - pages 22 & 23
2020 - 'Télérama', 22nd July - "The author Anne Golon: the Marquise des Anges, it was her!"
Anne Golon, author of the saga “Angélique”, with her husband Serge, July 11, 1966. The publisher had imposed the name of her husband on the cover… to make it “more serious”. © Rue des Archives / CPA
Translation here and original scan of article here (.pdf files)
2018 - Cimetière de Montreuil - the final resting place
La plaque d'Anne Golon (Simone Changeux) se situe dans le village de Montreuil dans le nord-est de Versailles (accès gare de Montreuil ligne L à partir de la gare Saint-Lazare). A l'entrée, première intersection, tournez à gauche au colombarium, puis tout droit. Mémorial sur votre droite. Il est écrit : "Simone Changeux-Goloubinoff, dite Anne Golon (1921-2017) auteur de l'oeuvre *Angélique, marquise des anges*". Anne Golon avait souhaité que ses lecteurs aient un endroit pour se recueillir. A nous de lui rendre hommage à présent. Source : Claire Saim
2017 - 26th December - Виват, Анжелика! (Vivat Angélique)
A touching review of Anne Golon by Natalia Volvach for 'Kultura' web-site.
A gala evening dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the publication of ‘Angélique’ the first volume in the world
famous series by Anne & Serge Golon, took place at the Palace of Versailles. The evening was attended by your
correspondent, Natalia Volvach, on behalf of the newspaper and website of the ‘Movement for the Revival of
the Urals.’
The event took place just before Christmas in the rotunda of the ancient hospital wing in Versailles and was organised by musician and composer Nadine Golubinoff, daughter of Anne (Simone Changeux) and Serge (Vsevolod) Golubinoff, the co-authors of the world famous historical novels featuring the ‘Marquise of the Angels’ which made its debut in 1957.
The concert featured the music of Couperin, Handel and Charpentier performed by the French organist Michel Giar, with opera singer, dramatic soprano Oor Beneiks singing arias from operas by Handel, Porpor and Verdi to the accompaniment of the organ. Nadine Golubinoff (pseudonym Golubka), paid tribute to her Russian roots by writing a musical accompaniment, to the recitation of Pushkin's "Prophet", which was read in turn in Russian by Vladimir Sergeev, and in French by Guillaume Rat, a singer and poet. Concluding the evening was a performance by the Fantasy Baroque troupe dressed in period costumes performing excerpts entitled "Canon" and "Gloria" from the forthcoming opera-ballet "Angelica" which also features music by Golubka.
Image provided by & © of Natalia Volvach
The books themselves have evolved from popular historical fiction into a classic genre of their own. The first 13 novels following the fate of the Marquise of the Angels begin in 1645 at the end of the ‘Thirty Years War’ and conclude at the beginning of the 1680s at which time Louis XIV has consolidated and reached the peak of his powers and is on the brink of war with England over the territorial rights of the colonies in the New World and the Ottoman Empire, taking advantage of these distractions prepares itself for its last campaign to subjugate Western Europe. In that short period spanning approximately thirty-five years our eponymous heroine finds herself and those who follow in her wake leaving France and travelling to Crete, Algeria and Morocco. After an enforced repatriation she leaves France from La Rochelle and heads for the American continent landing first on the Atlantic coast and travelling through Maine to Quebec which has been designated the capital of New France. Her travels also take her to Montreal and hotbed of witchery that is Salem, all the time mixing with French, English and Dutch colonists as well as the Native American Indian tribes indigenous to the region. The fiction incorporates fact and historical grandees who find themselves in her wake are King Louis XIV, Minister Colbert, Nicholas Perrault and Marguerite de Bourgeoys to name but a few.
But the books suffered from their own success becoming the ‘Mills & Boon’ of their day and culminating in the highly entertaining movies, starring Michele Mercier, in typical 60s style and hinting at an erotica which is not prevalent in the books.
The evening at Versailles evoked a very warm family-like atmosphere. Many of the guests had been personally acquainted with Anne Golon, who passed away in July 2017 at the age of 95, sharing fond memories of her.
Julia Dimitrenko, a former teacher of the faculty of foreign languages at Kharkov University, now a guide in the Palace of Versailles, shared her memories of the famous writer: “Anne Golon - a real Angélique with the same qualities of kindness, willpower and nobility as her heroine. Meeting my beloved author gave me great happiness. After all, it was thanks to her books that inspired me to find the strength to overcome my problems and to be strong, like Angélique. Anne Golon inspired in me ideas, which I hope to implement soon. Our first meeting took place in Versailles in 2014. I presented Anne Golon with flowers and told her about my admiration, since childhood, for her books, about the script I am writing inspired by her novels, about my boundless love for the Palace of Versailles and for the Chevalier, Philippe de Lorraine.”
In the books, real life in 17th century France is depicted to such a degree that when Julia began reading them, she also, unwittingly began to live the life of the heroine which enabled her to compose her own script.
2017 - 12th December - 'Remembering Anne Golon' Gala Concert
The poster for the Concert Gala held on 12th December 2017 - available to view on You Tube
Anne Golon as we now know her 'The Mother of all Angéliques'
Hee life in pictures as you entered the lobby to 'Espace Richaud - Versailles' a 'cultural space in the former premises of the Royal Hospital'
From birth to the original publication in 1956 and sensation of the 1960s / Writer, recognition in Russia and the 'revolt' to retain the rights to her oeuvre
Writer of note in Switzerland through to July 2017 / the struggle and 'revolt', her 'personalities, the last interview and our farewell to Anne Golon - all images from the concert courtesy & © of Claire Saïm via Fb
Espace Richaud - Cultural space of the former royal hospital: history of a renaissance
Begun in 1781 under the direction of the architect Charles-François Darnaudin, the construction of the Royal Hospital of Versailles was spread over nearly 80 years, ending only in 1859. The initial plans, designed by Angel -Jacques Gabriel and a lesser known architect named Gravois, were respected with great fidelity, even if changes were made in the nineteenth century, as, for example the addition of a low wing on the southern flank of the quadrilateral. The fact remains that the architectural ensemble displays a remarkable homogeneity. From the beginning, the Richaud site was assigned a hospital destination.
First modest "house of charity" held by the Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul under Louis XIV, the hospital has continued to accommodate patients each year more numerous, until the 1960s. In the twentieth century With the increased needs of the hospital, new buildings were built but this time without any imposed overall plan. This resulted in a great deal of confusion in the general organization of the hospital and a heterogeneous construction.
At the same time, the historic quadrangle has undergone all kinds of transformations to increase the available space and to bring technical installations up to standard. Nevertheless, despite very damaging alterations, architectural structures have not been irreversibly altered. After the transfer of hospital activities to the site of Mignot in 1981, Richaud was going to experience long years of abandonment, resulting in rapid degradation and even destruction caused by three fires, including the last in 2009. The safeguard and the rehabilitation of the site, the campaign promise of François de Mazières in 2008, had become a priority for the municipal team.
It was spread over four years and allowed to requalify a major urban area of Versailles, located between the Versailles Rive-Droite station and the Notre-Dame district. Source : Espace Richaud
2017 - 20th July - Moulay Ismail, le "Roi Soleil" marocain sur France 2
Le documentaire consacré à la vie et au règne du sultan Moulay Ismaïl sera diffusé le 20 juillet sur France 2.
Le Royaume est de nouveau à l'honneur sur France 2. Après la diffusion du documentaire "Le Maroc vu du ciel" le 23 juin, la chaîne française diffusera le 20 juillet prochain un documentaire consacré à la vie et au règne du sultan Moulay Ismaïl. Le documentaire sera également l'occasion de revenir sur la position de Moulay Ismaïl sur la scène politique internationale et sur sa résistance à l'influence des "monarchies européennes, tout en préservant les intérêts de son pays". L'émission reviendra également sur "un épisode diplomatique à Versailles" ayant inspiré la célèbre histoire d'Angélique et le Sultan, indique la chaîne. Source : telquel.ma read more here
France 2 will be transmitting a documentary about Moulay Ismail whom we have already encountered in Book 4 'Angélique and the Sultan" on 20th July 2017 and it is considered quite a television 'coup.' The article refers to a 'diplomatic episode at Versailles' which 'inspired' the celebrated novel by Anne Golon. However, they use the title of the film rather than the original book 'Indomptable Angélique' which was only ever translated as 'Sultan' in the English language - all other languages (currently quoted as between 25-40) used the original 'Indomitable.'
2017 - 18th May - Book Signing Cancelled
It has just been announced that Anne Golon will not now be able to attend the book signing on Thursday, 18th May due to ill-health. Our very best wishes, for a speedy recovery, to our favourite author.
2017 - 27th April - Le Prince Charles-Emmanuel, le Bon sens au Pouvoir Jacques-Henri Prince de Moravie et de Bohème, La Marquise Angélique et sa maman Anne, Paul-Henri pour une soirée exceptionnelle ce Jeudi 27 Avril 2017
*Anne Golon la mere de la Marquise des Anges with P-H Germonprez - images courtesy & © of maguytran-pinterville.com
2017 - 'World of Angelique' website rediscovered
It isn't the original as we have lost the site name, but it is an archived copy from on or around 2007 although any updates stopped just before November 2004 - but it's enough! After his original web-page Harvey commissioned and negotiated the website with Anne Golon's full approval. Graham Carter created the site and it was populated with information from the fan base and Anne Golon herself. The recreated site can be found here
2017 - Royalty meets Royalty
January 2017 - Anne Golon with the Comte de Paris (a direct descendant of Monsieur, Louis XIV's brother) - image provided by Nadine Goloubinoff
2016 - Anne Golon's 95th Birthday
A landmark 95th birthday celebrated by author Anne Golon in a year which has decimated literary, artistic and from the world of film and cinematography greats - many happy returns Anne Golon!
2016 - Anne Golon au Salon du livre Historique
14th December - Book signing and presentation of the annual Prix du Guesclin at the Salon du Livre Historique (how fitting).
Anne Golon - pensive prior to the start of the autograph rush!
As befits a great author - hard work deserves the loyalty of her fans and Anne is never happier than with a bouquet from or a pen (to sign autographs) for her fans who still clamour for more! Images courtesy & © of Claire Saïm
2016 - Trade Fair - 16th November
Image courtesy and © Dara who said "Hello everyone! I just closed my cards for art to play this weekend in Nantes! I can't wait to be there! I'll be alone on my stand so don't hesitate to come visit me! I will have the 3rd tome of Angelique (in limited quantity) : come and get them signed!"
2016 - Manga Book 3
Delayed release - November 2016
Dara (Illustrator) confirms his preview copy - "Yippee! J'ai reçu le tome 3 d'Angélique à la maison, donc c'est officiel, il existe réellement :-) !!! Encore merci à toute l'équipe pour ce beau tome 3 et surtout à la patience des lecteurs (je devrais sans doute plutôt dire lectrices!)"
We are all pretty grateful that the book has been confirmed and Dara's joy is palpable 'Yippee! I received Angélique volume 3 at home, so it's official, it really exists :-) !!! Thank you to all the team for this beautiful volume 3 and especially to the patience of the readers (I should probably say readers!)' Note: lecteurs (readers) lectrices (specifically female readers).
And I can confirm that my books have also now arrived :
All three current episodes of Manga with a long awaited look at a meeting between Joffrey and Angélique in the centre
2016 - Read a Romance a Month
Katryn Falk recommends keeping Angélique on your radar!
2016 - Harper Collins
Never say die - but it is a bit like banging your head against a brick wall! In September 2015 I wrote a beautifully eloquent e-mail to Harper Collins shortly after they announced the republication of 'Les Rois Maudits' including the 7th and hitherto untranslated final chapter of the series - as of last week they had not responded!
Then, as I had another outstanding issue with them, I thought I would phone and tell them what I thought of their unprofessionalism in not responding to my query which I had sent twice and for which I had two separate 'case' numbers! Luckily for me I came across a lady who actually dealt with me professionally and within 48 hours I had my response - here is my original enquiry and below that is the screen dump of the response :
Subject: Customer query: harpercollins.co.uk - Kingdom (The Accursed Kings, Book 7), Druon, Maurice Book
I was delighted to see that the 7th and final book of 'Les Rois Maudits' has been translated into the English language.
I have long wondered why this book (the last of a series of 7 books) has not previously been translated. I discovered these books in the early 1970s whilst working for the BBC which also transmitted the original French television series starring Jean Piat in the lead role of Robert d'Artois. I have waited for 40 years for the translation into English and in between times have bought and read the original French and a translation into the Polish language in which I am fortunate to be fluent. I have now bought a hardback edition so that I can have the joy of re-reading the entire series from Book 1 through to Book 7 in English.
Two other French series which I read in the 1960s and 1970s and which were never concluded were 'Catherine' by Juliette Benzoni (Book 7 Dame de Montsalvy) and 'Angélique' by Sergeanne Golon (Books 10-12 Angélique à Québec, Angélique, la Route de l'Espoir and La Victoire d'Angélique'). Again I purchased all the books in both French and Polish to read the conclusions.
'Catherine' has now been taken up by Telos Publishing who are commissioning new translations with additional material and have announced all seven books are to be published. I have purchased the first two as I am looking forward to the additional content.
Is there any possibility that HarperCollins would consider looking into concluding the 'Angélique' series? There is a huge market for these books as can be evidenced by the continuing demand in the second hand market commanding grossly inflated prices, internet sites such as Amazon full of reviews of the books and a plea for the remaining books to be translated, tribute websites, Yahoo and Facebook fan groups, a new film released in 2013, re-publication of the original French series and new releases of the Intégrale running parallel by Publishers L'Archipel. New versions in Polish, Portugese, German, Czech, Serbian, Russian, Spanish, Greek etc. are currently available. The DVDs of both versions of the films are still consistent best sellers. A new 'Manga' has been commissioned, Book 1 already released, Book 2 due later this year. The author, Anne Golon, is in her 90s and still writing the final concluding book to be called 'Angélique et le Rouyame de France' - the entire fanbase is awaiting this final chapter. Could your publishing house possibly help?
My very best wishes etc.
They just don't get it do they?
2016 - Festival du Roman Féminin
Anne Golon (far left) at the Festival
Poster announcing the Festival to take place in April 2016 and featuring Anne Golon as sponsor
2016 - Revival of the Czech Musical
2015 - 'Manga Book 2'
The second 'chapter' of the Manga interpretation is ready for release at the end of October 2015.
Amazon.fr are already accepting pre-orders for the second volume and offers that both items be bought together (assuming you haven't already bought vol. 1 - as if!)
2015 - In Defence of Anne Golon
I came to 'The Idle Woman's Blog' two years after her original pronouncement in 2013 thanks to a new member of the official English language 'Angélique Facebook' page who asked the group if they had seen the comments made.
The link to the blog is here and can be read in its entirety as can my 'reduced' defence as the dialogue box only allows for a limited number of characters (not words you understand but characters which Windows 10 does not now provide in Word - so I was working 'blind').
My full response, as it was originally written:
Hello Leander
I hope this won’t turn into a treatise, my ramblings usually do, but first of all I do have to congratulate you for slipping through my dragnet these many years – were it not for a new member of a Facebook page that I co-run, this treatise/commentary/essay might never have been written! (Not an easy task to elude me considering the amount of research I do daily!) LOL – but as you’ve been ‘outed’ so to speak here’s my take on what you have to say on the first half of ‘Angélique’ Book 1.
‘Tis a shame you were only able to get hold of two books with ‘film tie-in’ covers featuring Michèle Mercier as the eponymous heroine. Granted, not all the book covers are ‘wholly appropriate’ but the first hardbacks at least created a canvas conveying the period of time and perhaps a window in the storyline stretching across the front, spine and back of the dustjacket creating a mini landscape for the reader to enjoy before opening the covers. Michèle Mercier herself wrote her autobiography calling it ‘Je ne suis pas Angélique’ - http://www.amazon.fr/Je-ne-suis-pas-Ang%C3%A9lique/dp/2207253295 which is still available and speaks volumes!
Having said all that – the point I am trying to make here is that I don’t think half a book is sufficient to trash a whole series beloved by many readers. I had exactly the same feelings when the Harry Potter franchise took hold and both my elder sister (who shaped my reading matter when I was a child and introduced me to Angélique as my first proper adult reading) and husband were entranced by it all – spending hours over pub lunches discussing the books and of course the films. I waited until all 7 books had been published and then read the whole lot through in one go. It helped that I had a decent idea of the characters as portrayed in the film, warming to Hermione, finding a greater respect for Hedwig – owls have not featured much in my life, triumphantly telling my sister and husband a resounding ‘I told you so’ when Snape was vindicated and marvelling at the way the written word and all its imagination had been brought to life on the screen. But I won’t read the set a second time and I won’t vilify the books in any reviews – they were a passing amusement and if anyone challenges me, I can say I chewed my way through the lot of them from beginning to end. You may see from this, that I should have preferred you to stay with the series and then have written your review. It may be that you would have found the whole series vacuous but I’d lay money that you wouldn’t have! LOL.
The Angélique films are also a little divisive versus the books. Most readers hate them, those that have seen the films often refuse to read the books because they would not stand up to the films. I was so pleased to find the films after an epic search (I saw the first two many years ago, one on BBC2 and the second in a village in Zakopane – Poland – during a thunderstorm with Julie Christie’s best friend’s mother. Finally, when I started visiting a friend in Paris on a regular basis we found the box set and I had a lot of fun watching them, precisely for what they were, 60s hokum (a bit like The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) and not to be taken a representative of the books but as a genre in their own right – hence my trashing of the book covers using the film tie-ins. I also regularly leave messages on ebay sellers pages asking them why they are trying to sell historical books as ‘erotica’ – the films have done that and it is a shame. The books are historical treasures – in the course of reading them and eventually producing my website, I have delved into so many different arenas I’d never have thought of pursuing – the Jesuits, the Wolverine, Marguerite Bourgeoys – Canada’s first woman saint, the Five Nations, Wampum, Mélusine, the origins of chocolate as a drink, etc. etc. my website is becoming a monster, but it’s interesting, so many people contact me to ask if they can use my material – of course they can – it’s my hobby, so long as they credit me.
I won’t go into detail about my personal relationship with the author and one of her daughters, but suffice it to say that thanks to a dogged Marine who knew how to use the internet many of us are a lot richer for having discovered and got to know Madame Anne Golon; now well into her nineties who is still righting the wrongs done to he over the years and re-writing her novels to correct the unwarranted changes made by her publishers. Sadly it is unlikely that English-language (only) readers will ever get to know the end except in snippets as the English publishers seem unwilling to ‘commission any further translations.’ I’m lucky, I will read them in French or Polish – it matters not.
It was hoped the new film released in 2013 might generate some interest in the English speaking world, but it has not – this film which had input from the author and was co-written by her daughter is an interesting take on the first half of the book with some little twists that may or may not have been intended by the author in her original books, but which are thought provoking. Happily, Anne Golon approved heartily of this version and was treated with respect by all concerned.
I would like to think that when people find your page and perhaps read this – they may have second thoughts about dismissing the books outright and at least give them a go as far as ‘Angélique in Love’ which is a sort of natural conclusion to one set of events before deciding whether they should go forward with ‘Countess Angélique’ (original title Angélique et le Nouveau Monde – Angélique in the New World) through to the final misnamed ‘Angélique and the Ghosts’ (Angélique et les complot des Ombres – Conspiracy of Shadows) and find themselves like many others wondering what would happen in ‘Angélique à Québec’, ‘Angélique, La Route de l’Espoir’, ‘La Victoire d’ Angélique’ and ‘Angélique et le Rouyame de France.’
2015 - Anne Golon features in the Hucknall Dispatch
Will this be the catalyst to wake the English language publishers? We can but hope!
2015 - New 'Manga' announced
So lovely the 'three stages of 'Angélique'
The day before the general release, Anne Golon immerses herself in yet another rendition of her oeuvre 'Angélique' - the Manga (this image skews the actual size of the book which is better illustrated in the upper picture)
February 2015 brings the announcement that a new 'manga' style illustrated edition of Angélique will become available in April of this year. Episode 2 is projected to follow in June 2015.
Both Amazon.fr and Amazon.co.uk are already promoting these new publications but without any further details at present.
For those unfamiliar with the 'Manga' style, it is more than just a 'comic' as we understand the term in the UK. It is a specialised art form which originated in Japan where a story is indeed told in pictures. There are specific guidelines best described as 'Another difference between manga and Western comics is that each comics volume has its own plot, while manga volumes all follow the same plot. The artwork is VERY different. Manga has its own particular artwork, especially when it comes to human faces, particularly the eyes, chin, nose, mouth, forehead... Manga is also read from RIGHT to LEFT. (Yes, even the English ones). Source Urban Dictionary
Publishers Casterman specialise in this genre and work with renowned illustrators. Updates will be available in the News section and on Manga-News.
Ready to 'hit' the shops!
2014 - Pin Interest 'comment'
I found these images of the original paperback Pan Giant on Pin Interest, but it was the accompanying comment that intrigued me. I am awaiting a response to my query.
This is the full response dialogue that I wanted to send, but there was a limited number of characters allowed so it was a little foreshortened but the main gist of the reduced message was the same :
"Hi Emily - very interested in your comment that the Angélique books are to be republished - can you advise your source please and qualify whether you mean the books will be published in French or English and if in English, will the three books beyond 'Ghosts' also be published for the first time ever?
As to 'Marianne' the author is Juliette Benzoni and the immediate good news is that Telos publishing in the UK are re-translating and re-publishing the 'Catherine' books - the first is out in April and available for pre-order. "
2014 - Promoting Anne
2014 - Publishers announce complete re-issue of the novels!
News from French Publishers L'Archipel : all 13 volumes of the original Angélique series are to be republished starting with Angélique et le Roy (King) in January 2015. The Intégrale is also to be republished starting with books 5 and 6 in 2015 these will be in the smaller format (archipoche).
2014 - New & restored Boxed Set of the 1960s films
The 5 original films starring Michèle Mercier and Robert Hossein in the leading roles have been fully restored and are now available in Blu-Ray format.
2014 - Still making the news
September 2014 - the predominantly English-speaking Fans launch a campaign to petition the publishers who refused to commission the translations of the series beyond 'Angélique and the Ghosts' (Complot des Ombres).
Countries represented : Poland, UK, US, Australia, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, France, Brazil, New Zealand, Algeria, Sweden, Israel, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Hungary.
We did our best ......
It wasn't enough!
At the same time the French fans had an axe to grind with Anne Golon .......
2014 - From the Daily Mail
Correspondence page dated 22nd May named as one of France's literary heroes :
2014 - Perennial Favourite - Angélique Memorabilia hits the shops
Recently seen at Gibert Joseph - placemat featuring the second film from the 1960s
2013 - 'Le Monde' Magazine Interview
A very frank interview entitled 'The Mother of all the Angéliques'
Focus - it's nearly 60 years since author Anne Golon gave life (birth) to the Marquise of the Angels. An imaginary heroine who will forever be immortalised by the portrayal of Michèle Mercier.
2013 - The Top 100 most searched for out-of-print books
Source Abe Books - in at no. 18 the entire series not just an individual book!
2012 - Radio Participation
Most recently Anne was heard on French Radio London on Saturday, 16th June 2012.
Link to Anne Golon's radio page
French Radio London 'Listen Again' page
Live interviews as well as 'Listen Again' in great demand for this popular author.
2011 - From First Contact to celebrating Anne's 90th Birthday
In 2011 Anne Golon, still hale and hearty despite some previous health problems, reached her landmark 90th birthday. The English-speaking fans (the Yahoo Group 'Friends of Angélique') were unanimous in wanting to show their appreciation in some way. The original group had now expanded and a whole new audience had been found with the launching of the Facebook page by current President, Joyce Murphy who took over the reigns from the late Harvey J Adkins (both US citizens). Janet Draper in the UK took on the task of collecting funds and both groups were involved in the selection of the gift for Anne. Useful male perspectives came from Hakan Palsson of Sweden and Steve Hall of Australia both committed members of the group from the original set-up. Old and new members participated with great enthusiasm. The end choice for the main present was quintessentially French and feminine an Hermès scarf in the autumnal colours so beloved by Anne. It came from Hermès Nuées Imaginaires Spring Summer 2011 collection designed by Christine Henry (as shown below).
I'm not sure who put this together for me but it looks like a 'voile' version of the scarf rather than the silk that was purchased - all in all an obviously successful gift to Anne from her fans
What with one thing and another, the promised picture of Anne wearing her scarf never materialised so imagine my surprise on seeing the photo which was released by L'Archipel - Anne Golon's present publishers :
Finally, after a little soul-searching and scratching of heads and a quick re-visit of the original research the name of the scarf and the image confirmed that Anne Golon was wearing the gift given to her by her English-speaking fans while being photographed with her new Angélique (Nora Arnezeder) during a publicity session (see the pen poised in her hand ready to sign her autograph at the next request). Thank you Anne Golon.
'Angelique' Paris Premiere At Gaumont Capucines Cinema PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 16: Author of the Book 'Angelique, marquise des anges' Anne Golon, her daughter Nadia (L) and her granddaughter Eden (R) attend the 'Angelique' Paris movie premiere at Cinema Gaumont Capucine on December 16, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
'Angelique' Paris Premiere At Gaumont Capucines Cinema PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 16: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (L-R) Director Ariel Zeitoun, Author of the Book 'Angelique, marquise des anges' Anne Golon, her granddaughter Eden, her daughter Nadia and actor Tomer Sisley attend the 'Angelique' Paris movie premiere, after screening, at Cinema Gaumont Capucine on December 16, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
Thanks to Getty Images it is possible to see Anne Golon at the premiere of the film based on her book, wearing the gift given to her by her devoted readers from the English-speaking fan site.
2010 - The French Government Honours Anne
On Tuesday, 14th December, 2010 - Anne Golon was finally honoured by the French Government for her contribution to the literary world.
2009 - TF1 interview at Versailles
Anne Golon visits Versailles and explains why, at the age of 87 (video made on 26th May 2009) she has decided to restore the entire Angélique series (Intégrale). She also feels it can be improved with some additions to make it easier to follow. The programme refers to the republishing of the restored books by Archipel. Source wat.tv and TF1 France. Watch it on YouTube or see the 'stills version' here
2008 - Auteur à l’honneur
Les Romantiques.com featured Anne Golon as their 'honoured author' and provided a wonderful biography in their April 2008 fanzine which can be found via their website or in .pdf format. The article is in French but will be recognisable to most fans even if they do not know the language. Les Romantiques.com have invited Anne to spearhead their Romantic Literature Festival in April 2016.
2003 - BBC Radio 4 listeners vote Anne Golon's 'Angelique' into the top 30 favourite reads!
13,800 of us (or a multiple thereof) took the time to choose their favourite and vote! Regrettably Angelique did not even make it into the Top 5/10 but nevertheless she remained in the Top 30!
I have since writing this, found my own contribution to the 'Big Read'
The images are a copy of the BBC internet page on which I placed my original comments.
1998 - 40th Anniversary of the publication of Angélique, Marquise des Anges
Seriously - this is the best they could do?
The provenance inside the book giving the date 40 years after original publication in 1958 - thank you to Carol Jennings for supplying the images.
1997 - 99 - Anne writes an 'Open Letter' to her fans
Anne Golon never held back about how she had been treated during the 'wilderness years' when she felt betrayal all around her and believed she had been abandoned by her fans - domestic and international. We were able to persuade her that we had never given up - our reward was the endorsement of the (International) English-speaking group in an Open Letter from this great author.
1997 - See how we made First Contact here
As stated frequently on this web-site, the fans usually considered any link to Anne Golon by any means was a minor miracle. Imagine how we all felt when the late Harvey Adkins and his friend Steve Hall found some real news about her, on a rudimentary web-page from her daughter Nadine.
I have retained a screen dump of this historical document to enable new readers to learn more of Anne's story.
The depth of the fans interest stemmed from a long drought of information concerning the book (s), the author (s), any forthcoming translations and a universal knock-back from a variety of publishers in the English-speaking world (UK, US, Australasia etc.) where fans had made individual approaches for news. My own experience was with William Heinnemann Ltd who at least did have the courtesy to respond to my enquiry. I had informed them, at the time of the enquiry, that I knew of the existence of "Angélique in Québec" and wondered when we might see it on the bookshelves in the UK. With words that are permanently etched in my mind, Heinnemann's informed me that they "did not intend to commission any further translations due to the lack of interest."
Anne Golon promotes her books in 1977 and 1981
'Complot des Ombres' (1977) and 'Québec' (1981)
Two archived television programme films which can be accessed here : for Ghosts click here and Québec here
Some images from both programmes (note the images of Anne were superimposed by the programme makers) are displayed below:
Anne Golon appears on ina.fr tv on the 29th of April 1977 to promote her latest book 'Angélique et le Complot des Ombres' which was the last book in the series to be translated into English as 'Angélique and the Ghosts'.
Anne Golon appears on ina.fr tv on the 13th of February 1981 to promote her latest book 'Angélique à Québec' which has never been translated into English despite the numerous English-reading fans who still want to read the conclusion of the series. Some have learned French to be able to conclude the series - others who know alternative languages have caught up that way! Only the publishers don't seem to realise the enormous potential of a re-print of the series including the updates in the Intégrale and the hitherto untranslated books - shame!
More pictures from the same programme in 1981 showing Anne facing her panel consisting of four men as they debate the role of the 'romantic novel' in the periods' diverse population - seems to me the panel isn't very diverse!
1964 - Angélique meets her English-Speaking Public!
As advertised by 'Reveille' Magazine
A selling point in an Icelandic publication - on the same page as the BMW advert - Classy!
1963 - 1990 - Anne Golon revered by Der Spiegel
6th November 1963 article original German .pdf
In this edition the magazine goes to a lot of effort to give statistical information to provide the backdrop to Anne Golon's popularity, stating that for seven years she has been a best selling author. That the 2,900 written pages have been enjoyed by countless (mainly female) readers in countries as far afield as Holland, Israel, Finland and Yugoslavia who, even after 6 books, are still clamouring for more. The article also gives a potted biography of both Serge and Anne and resumé of the books leading up to "Angélique in Love".
The article provides this poor but familiar [picture of Serge and Anne amongst a collection of their books translated into several languages.
18th August 1965 article original German .pdf
This article focuses on the publishing wars between the various publishing houses which held the franchise to the Angéliques novels and goes so far as to say that Opera Mundi now owns the 'world' rights to the books. The situation seems to have escalated as a result in increase in volume of sales following the popularity of the films. The article features a still from the film but no pictorial homage to the authors.
20th October 1969 article original German .pdf
This article sings the praises of 'The Temptation of Angélique' which has just been placed on their best seller listings and a description of life on the North American continent as depicted in the books is described briefly.
This time the author is acknowledged in her own right.
24th September 1990 article original German .pdf
This article which appeared in 1990 summarises and confirms that the 14th book will be the last (I've just had a thought - could that be an homage to Louis XIV?) or at least attributes Anne Golon with saying that she was now ready to 'break the writing hand' having concluded her 6,910 page, 14-book epic after 29 years. (See more on the Intégrale page). The article goes on to promote more statistics, claiming an estimated 100 million readers 2/3rds of whom were female, of the saga over the years. There is more information about the locations of the books and yet interestingly enough, the quotation used to complete the article and complete the series comes from 'Victoire' when a supplicating Angélique lifts her eyes to the heavens and confronts her Maker willing him to give something back! Anne Golon was 62 at the time of the published article, fully expecting to retire - a further 29 years on she is still putting the finishing touches to the 14th and final book which the world awaits impatiently.
1958 - Icelandic Top 10 Bestseller Listings
The original 'Angélique, Marquise des Anges' finds itself at no. 7 in this distinguished Icelandic list from 1958.
Interesting facts #1 - Anne on You Tube
Thanks to technological advances we are able to see Anne 'live' on the information highway and 'You Tube' is one of the favourite places to search. Without this sort of technology, many of her fans would be sorely disappointed in not knowing what their favourite author looks and sounds like.
Interesting facts #2 - Anne and Serge Golon - Artists
Anne and Serge were both accomplished artists and had very differing styles - I will showcase their art here (the page is still under construction)
Interesting facts #3 - Book Illustrators
Interesting facts #4 - Book Signings and news events here
I have purposefully created a news page for Anne Golon on this site as a tribute to a woman, who having just celebrated a landmark birthday, still insists on getting the original story of her eponymous heroine Angélique, just right for publication. I understand how she feels as I am constantly making improvements to my web pages as I discover inconsistencies or errors or just get more proficient in my craft. We are told Anne only ever meant Angélique to be one volume and as a result there are areas that have either been changed, removed, re-written or omitted which now need to be restored, added to or explained and expanded to enable the story to continue to its conclusion. That version is called the Intégrale and has a a section to itself. The Intégrale is selling, hence the need for Book signings and other appearances - not to mention the great honour bestowed on one of France's greatest authors! (Needless to say - gossip and rumours will also find their place on the News page - the definition from Webster's states : "A report of recent occurrences; information of something that has lately taken place, or of something before unknown; fresh tidings; recent intelligence" - gossip and rumour have their place here!)
Interesting facts #5 - Books you didn't know about! here
It is always a pleasure to reminisce about the (virtual) and sometime face-to-tace conversations that we held as the 'Friends of Angélique' took shape. Every one of us had a story to tell and we all wanted to listen to each others experiences finding them similar to our own and more importantly learning from each other. One of our biggest surprises was the way in which the books were presented to readers in different countries, cultures and languages. However, the biggest surprise was the discovery that there were 'rogue' Angélique books circulating in Russia. The two titles that came up were 'Angélique in Moscow' (Russia) and 'Angélique in El Dorado' - thanks to Brigitte it appears that there were three titles - but not being a Russian speaker/reader I am unable, at present to speculate to the nature of the third title - I hope to rectify this soon. Here are the book covers :
From l to r the titles are : 'Angélique and the Tsarevich Alexei', 'Angélique and the Tsaritsa' and 'Angélique at Tsar Peter's Wedding'
Since posing the question of the 'rogue' books publicly, a slew of information has come through and my thanks go to Brigitte, Miriam and Anna for their contributions, comments and translations - as a result I have dedicated a page to these books - just for the fun of it! I have also use the comments provided by my friends. I also discovered that the covers are based on actual covers designed for the authentic series written by Anne Golon. The authentic set is represented in the dedicated Book gallery.
Interesting facts #6 - Films and Posters from many lands here
In the course of my researches I have found some weird and wonderful interpretations of the Films via posters depicting the cultures of the countries they are shown in and when they were shown. In time they will make up quite and interesting page - please keep revisiting to see what is new as this particular page is currently under construction. Thanks to having a look around for information I chanced upon the quite unusual version which credits the books as its basis.
Interesting facts #7 - (The) Film you didn't know about! here
When I first created the page for this 'alternative' film, I was unaware of the 2012 rumours of a film starring Elodie Frégé - after all the Turkish version was being made in the late 1960s and possibly running parallel with the French films made famous by Michèle Mercier. Perhaps they shared location and studio 'shots' to save money - who knows what sort of a deal was struck and by whom - but these films have a certain legitimacy as they are recorded on and have been assigned IMDB numbers.
Interesting facts #8 - Harvey's Page reproduced here
Thanks to the late Harvey J Adkins hundreds and probably more fans of this series were brought together to discuss their surprise and delight at all the new information Harvey had placed on the personal section of his official web-site. Although much of what you read you will already know, when each of us happened to chance on this page for the first time it was indeed like the end of a drought! I had only just found out about films 3 to 5 and the untranslated books after a visit to Paris a couple of months earlier. Finding Harvey's site and seeing that he had similar information made it the start of a very happy friendship. The other day I happened onto a hard copy of the site and felt that it would be a shame to lose it forever so I have reproduced the page using only the wording and imagery that Harvey had so carefully and lovingly put together. I have tried to replicate everything faithfully including the background that he had used, but it is from memory so won't be exactly the same. (I have also left in his description of the 9th image where he refers to the Duc de Vivonne, but the image is actually of Joffrey). The link bars are of my own design and did not exist on Harvey's page - this is so that you can move around my site and see what else there is. I have tried to reproduce the links that Harvey used and even if they do not go to the exact original destination, it is likely the old links would already have been broken. I have not reproduced the message board that Harvey created on his site (this is separate to and must not be confused with the current Yahoo line which originated from oneline) so there is no link to that at the end of the page. The same links can be seen on the original 'First contact' with Nadine, and like those mentioned above, no longer exist.
Owing to a small misunderstanding and my lack of internet prowess at the time, Harvey accorded me the nickname 'Ghostslut' and up till yet the origins have been a closely guarded secret. I believe it is time to reveal all and you can find the full story here
Interesting facts #9 - How does Anne Golon keep track of her characters?
Interesting facts #10 - (The) Illustrated Angélique
Regrettably only Book 1 of this collaboration with Iva Garo, Régile and Nadine ever came to completion - but it is a bit of a curiosity and collectors item and will be showcased on this site. Here's a taster :
Interesting facts #11 - (The) Missing / Untranslated Chapter
When a large-print hardback version of Road to Versailles was published in the 1990s, several years after the appearance of the last book to be translated into English 'Angélique and the Ghosts', it included a hitherto previously unpublished chapter. Entitled 'Paris by Night' this appears to be both an unauthorised and unprofessional introduction to part 2. It is placed correctly and chronologically but does not enhance the fabric of the storyline. It makes no effort to use the original names or their equivalent English translations and only barely gives some lightweight additional information. For those interested in this additional material, it can be found here
Interesting facts #12 - Theatre Spectacles (Angélique on) Stage
2016 - A revival of the 2007 Czech Republic stage version is announced!
There have been two stage spectacles to date - a French version (1995) and a Czech (musical) production (2007)
In 1995 - Robert Hossein reprised his rôle as Joffrey de Peyrac in a stage version of Book 1, his Angélique on this occasion was Cécile Bois.
Interesting facts #13 - Reviews created for the Monteloup site
Whilst catching up with one of the founder members, Steve Hall, and original web-site owner of the endorsed official English-language web-site, we discovered that the site has been taken down so that there is now nothing officially available for the English-speaking fans other than my own modest section here and sites such as Monteloup. Whilst we are in the process of trying to retrieve all the information which we hope hasn't been lost forever, I have copied over the historical reviews written by myself, Steve Hall, Brigitte Collet and the late Harvey J Adkins on the very early days of our acquaintance with each other and Anne Golon and her daughter. They can be found on the Reviews page of the site.
Interesting facts #14 - Rumours of a new film for 2012 here and the real announcement here
Louis' complete betrayal of Angélique
Angélique looks on in disbelief
You may wonder why I have chosen to place these images here when there is a full page devoted to the film here. Simply I wish to link this page to various aspects of the section devoted to Angélique and author Anne Golon and my review of this film can be found here. In the review you will see that I am enchanted with many of the areas that are re-imagined to suit this re-make. One of the most moving moments is the realisation that the King, Louis XIV is an absolute autocrat and the Peyracs have threatened his security. His ruthless betrayal of Angélique and her husband is a magnificent piece of filming.
Interesting facts #16 - Treatise on French Cinema
Professor Ginette Vincendeau wrote a comprehensive study of 'The Representation of Women in Film' citing Jules et Jim (1961), Pierrot le fou (1965), Tirez sur le pianiste (1960) and the Angelique series (1964-1968) which can be found here
Educated in Paris at the Lycée Lamartine and the Lycée Sophie-Germain. Licence ès-lettres in English Language and Literature (Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris) and PhD in Film Studies (University of East Anglia, UK).
Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, 1998, for services to French culture
Previously Professor of Film Studies at the University of Warwick, UK
Visiting Professorships: University of Bordeaux 3 (2010); Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris (2004); Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris (1997)
Interesting facts #17 - The Casting Couch
It has long been the hobby of many an Angélique fan to cast the characters in their own imaginations and although many are influenced by the existing films, many have their own ideas. Typically, especially me, we tend to be drawn to faces we are familiar with rather than remembering that these characters are quintessentially French (in the main) and where not French, then they are drawn from the history of the time. This is my casting couch and may take some time, although I do know whom some of them should be! I will draw on any time frame, not just today so there will probably be a bit of hopping about through the centuries - enjoy!
Interesting facts #18 - Angélique goes digital!
In 2021 in the middle to the pandemic - a ray of light shone through the grey mists, for all those fans who have been waiting since the 1970s/early 1980s, an improved digital version of the books and hopefully the hitherto untranslated volumes are in the pipeline. For more information visit AngeliqueBooksEnglish via Fb.
Miscellaneous #1 - Book covers in a selection of languages as well as English and French.
My reasons for wanting to showcase alternative languages in addition to English and French is that there are an astonishing number of translations available worldwide. The English version of the series does not conclude the story and only the publishers can explain the reason why. Many of us would dearly love to hear their reasoning behind the astonishing claim made by their representative in 1984, stating they 'would not be commissioning any further translations due to lack of interest', in a response to my letter. It is particularly galling and farcical as 30 years on from that letter, English fans are still campaigning for a translation and those French fans reading this English-language web-site (and there are many) have expressed great astonishment, at the furtive way in which the lack of English translations has been shrouded from them, on their own forums!
The other-than-French-and-English book covers, like the film posters, reflect different cultures as well as the content of the books (well in most cases that is) and don't rely on the sensationalism that some of the later English book covers resorted to, presumably, to SELL!
This section also includes the original hardback images (which do not change with the frequency of the paperback version) with which most readers first become acquainted with a series of books. It is these images that imprint the view of the artist on our minds and may well shape how we see the characters as we read.
A short section relating to some of the illustrators can be found here.
Miscellaneous #2 - My Favourite Characters from the books - La Polack and Ambroisine de Maudribourg
I confess to enjoying characters with substance and always felt that La Polack deserved more than just to fleetingly touch Angéliques' life. But it goes back to the original book that was intended to be just one book, maybe there would be need for La Polack to make a comeback and even if she did - how would she fit into Angélique's life? Angélique had already moved on - back to Court, re-married, became the King's favourite - yes, she came across some of her former 'underworld' associates there but only due to their 'diversity' or their knowledge of dangerous practices, arts and poisons. La Polack's skill was no different to any other woman at court - and whatever the circumstances those skills were survivor's instincts. I can't see her fighting for the Huguenots cause or becoming a servant so how could La Polack come back - well I love the fact that she does, that she's fat and happy and ruling her own little kingdom and that she's kind to animals! I'm also glad we get to hear her story, because before I read 'Angélique in Québec' I did actually have a long debate with Nadine, who relayed it to her mother, that I thought that La Polack had been short-changed.
Ambroisine I hated with every fibre of my body - maybe I know too many people like her - that is to say, not so many that are so totally evil, but a collection of traits that encompassed her - from the sweet gentle smiling loving woman who was in reality dripping venom to the politically correct gang who are actually creating dissent and division of loyalties - ah yes, I know plenty of women like that! So, it was a bit of a surprise to find that I could get a second bout at hating her all over again and really, the second time around she is even more vicious - but there could be two reasons for this. I read 'Demon' in English to start with and have since read it in Polish. I read 'Québec' and 'Victoire' in French then Polish and it is entirely possible that the fact that I was not reading in my favoured language may have exaggerated the 'return' of the character so despised in 'Demon' - or alternatively the English translation of 'Demon' may have been toned down - who is to know? The storyline is such that the resurrection, reappearance and final demise of this seemingly indestructible woman stretches over the final three books which the English-speaking public have not yet had the opportunity to read. First of all we learn from Cantor that the Demon is alive and well at the court of Louis, despite an altered appearance. We discover that the body that was believed to be hers, so mutilated as to have been unrecognisable is in fact one of her victims and former 'Kings Girl.' Unable to wreak her vengeance directly at Angélique, she resorts to attacking another of Angélique's vulnerabilities (remember the kitten?) this time the object of her venom is Honorine - thankfully she is thwarted through Honorine's own basic instincts and Cantor's cunning. And finally she meets her true nemesis, the very creature she had thought to use to cover up her tracks previously - what comes around turns around and I couldn't have wished this on a nastier person!
Miscellaneous #3 - Spoilers
Here you will find synopses of all the books which have been written so far. They were created for a Polish Bookstore promoting the books and I have translated the individual write-ups for you. The content of earlier books will be familiar to you, but for those of you not wishing to know more - please do not venture to this page.
Miscellaneous #4 - Was Joffrey two-faced?
Judge for yourselves - what language have you read the book in? How is Joffrey's appearance first described - how did you imagine him to look? Check out two variations of actor's and how they perceived the scarred Count of Toulouse to look. Did they choose their better profile to be scar-free?
Miscellaneous #5 - The Mystery of Rakoczy
Why was national Hungarian hero, Francis I Rákóczi, expunged and replaced by a Pole in the Hungarian versions of the book? Why are at least four pages of dialogue exchanged between Angélique and Rakoczy missing from the English version? Page currently being researched.
Miscellaneous #6 - 'Beware Prague' - the 'Voynich' Manuscript
Curiosities #1 - Vogue Fashion Shoot
I've decided to start a new category 'Curiosities' to envelop anything that is linked to Anne Golon and her 'Angélique' but which might be considered a bit 'dodgy' or the truth stretched a bit beyond the permitted boundaries! I'm starting this category with a Fashion Shoot from 2001.
Curiosities #2 - A Perfume called 'Angélique'
Curiosities #3 - identifying the Font used on the original book cover
Curiosities #4 - Fan Art
What a cheek - reproduced by Book Node without my permission, my 'what if' whimsy! However the write up does say : "This page is dedicated to the covers, images, illustrations and 'fan art' of the book 'La Victoire d'Angélique'. This is an area is specifically designed to appreciate the aesthetic visual concept of the book."
Curiosities #4 - so-called 'Deviant Art' (2013-2017)
Is the artist inferring Angélique is a dipsomaniac with that very red nose? My personal feeling is that this work has no genuine feel for the character and follows a specific not very inspiring formulaic pattern,
I recently came across a 'Deviant Art' website and was actually surprised to find Angélique portrayed there in two poses - see the full sized images by following the links to see Chris Evenhuis interpretation of our eponymous heroine.
Curiosities #5 - An aeroplane called 'Poitou'
The Bloch MB.220 was a twin-engine transport aircraft built by the Marcel Bloch aircraft company making its maiden flight on June 11, 1936 at Villacoublay. Its design was largely inspired by the Douglas DC-2 with an all-metal coating. Its crew consisted of two pilots and two stewards for a capacity of 16 passengers.
Air France commissioned a fleet of 16, giving each aircraft the name of a province: Alsace, Anjou, Aunis, Auvergne, Berry, Champagne, Flandre, Gascogne, Guyenne, Languedoc, Lorraine, Poitou, Provence, Roussillon, Saintonge and Savoie. It was the "MB.220 Poitou" used by the President of the Council Edouard Daladier when he travelled to meet Hitler to sign the Munich agreements on September 28th, 1938. He took off from Le Bourget on the 28th at 8:30 am and returned on the 29th at 1:00 pm to a huge cheering crowd. Source : Dassault Aviation
* Dates/names changed/added at the request of Nadine Goloubinoff who kindly picked out some inaccuracies.
Page refreshed : 4th March 2021 (G)