Kirjahaku

Tells the fascinating story of three talented and energetic 19th-century women: Mary Lamb, Dorothy Wordsworth, and Sarah Disraeli. Although little-remembered today, they were widely acknowledged in their own time as important and influential figures in British intellectual and artistic society. One of the earliest proponents of feminism, Mary Lamb was the sister of the eminent essayist, Charles Lamb. She was a friend and correspondent of Coleridge, Leigh Hunt, and Sir Walter Scott, and presided over the most famous literary salon of her day. Dorothy Wordsworth was not only the sister of the great poet but his lifelong intellectual companion. A noted diarist and critic, Dorothy Wordsworth was one of the founders of modern sociology and a major influence on her brother's poetry. While not as public a figure as Mary Lamb and Dorothy Wordsworth, Sarah Disraeli was her brother's trusted and intimate political adviser. Much of what is known about the great prime minister's innermost thoughts is revealed in their 30-year correspondence.

The Montfort Ladies are movers and shakers. From their gilded cage in elite French society, these noble dames have discreetly engineered the course of much of European history for five centuries. They gently make and unmake kings, presidents and popes. They employ their behind the scene influence to forge historic alliances, settle bitter international disputes, establish famous regimes, bring seeming intractable enemies together as friends. This may be a man's word, they concede, but that doesn't mean ladies, too, can't have a little say in events. "So long as you let them believe it was their idea, that they are the ones making the decisions," women are advised, "men can be led by the nose all the way to China and back " Currently, no one is better in mastering this subtle, convoluted, political charade, than the clan's present leader, the gifted, fetching Celine de Montfort. A dutiful mother, she also devotes much time grooming her daughters to one day succeed. Raised in this environment, her younger child is at first eager to continue enhancing her clan's unique heritage. Then, one day, a series of events, both expected and accidental occur leading Rolande to wonder if her true role in life is perhaps found along another path.

Continuing the story of hope and struggle that began in "Messenger" and "Courtesans Part I," author Michael Polowetzky's third novel, "Courtesans Part II," focuses mainly on Countess Celine de Montfort, the present leader of her unique clan. The reader learns about Celine's childhood and adolescence. The reader learns how Celine is shaped by her idealistic mother and more worldly-wise aunt. In addition, the reader learns about Celine's unexpected friendship with the expatriate Iranian-American scholar Ashraf Kermanshani. In winning for her new friend the academic acceptance she deserves, Celine demonstrates that the Montfort Ladies are the molders of contemporary statecraft and the shapers of modern culture.

Courtesans, Part III (Finale): Rolande de Montfort goes on her pensive journey across France, visiting many famous sites and being asked to direct visitors to the numerous places often overlooked on traditional tours. At last, realizing her place in life is back in the capital, so she returns. Soon after reaching the capital, Rolande encounters "The Red Virgin"-Sister Claire, the most famous of the "Five Good Ladies" who continue to advocate the cause of the martyred artist Pascale Kedarfi . Since that Middle Eastern teenage painter's death, President Markovsky and his regime have attempted to discredit Pascale and her murals. Sister Claire soon persuades her followers to choose Rolande as the new leader of their social-political reformist cause. Rolande accepts. She also makes friends with Pascale's step-mother, Madame Castellane, and Countess Celine's math-whiz chum, Ashraf Kermanshani. Not long afterward, the French military (with NATO compliance) attempts to force Markovsky to abandon his ties with Rolande's mother and the Montfort Ladies. Markovsky, a self-seeking coward, quickly complies with army demands. During the ensuing political crisis, Rolande comes to the fore. She rallies the people of France against the military coup and saves democracy. Believing like her mother "that women should not be involved in politics," Rolande, in the end, withdraws from center stage to await the day when she succeeds her mother as the Montfort countess thatsubtly directs European events from the dainty sidelines. The other novel's main characters Ashraf Kermanshani, Sister Claire, and the other "Five Good Ladies," acquire interesting historical places.

Michael Polowetzky (author of "Courtesans) now steps back a few years to begin recounting the story of Pascale Kedar in "Messenger Part I. A brilliant artist with a mind bordering on genius, teenage Pascale grows up in an overprotected environment in the Middle East. On her first trip abroad, a revolution breaks out back home, and Pascale is stranded in Paris. In the course of events, she is befriended by several locals-- among them: A. Veronique Castellane (a former prima ballerina, her historic career on the stage sadly cut short);B. Veronique's brother Richard, a polymath Catholic priestC. Matilda Eisenberg, a leftwing professor from the University of Paris and Heidelberg in Germany with political ambitions;D. Sister Claire, a renegade British aristocrat belonging to a social activist order of nuns. All her benefactors dearly love Pascale and fully appreciate the girl's immense artistic ability. At the same time, each sees Pascale as a vehicle to obtain their own frustrated adult ambitions. Question: Can the young painter achieve both her own artistic goals and answer the hopes and dreams of her many devoted supporters?

Michael Polowetzky (author of Courtesans sand Messenger Part I) now concludes the story of Pascale Kedari with "Messenger Part II. In an attempt to break "Little Giotto" out of her current artistic blockage, her benefactors send Pascale Kedari to reside with Duchess Charpentier. This 5-time Olympic gold medalist and social and artistic hostess try all she can to revive the girl's talent. She succeeds. Pascale now paints a total of 64 brilliant frescoes. In the course of time, Pascale and Duchess Charpentier develop a deep emotional bond. Like all the refugee's supporters, Duchess Charpentier also sees Pascale as a vehicle for the achievement of her own frustrated adult desires. Soon, like it or not, Pascale is propelled to the position of leader of an ever-growing social-political reform movement. An increasing number even whisper that the gifted girl is actually a saint. People look to Pascale's art for the solution to the world's many problems.Question: how can a girl thrust against her will into the leadership of this nationwide movement resolve the dilemma--both for herself and her increasing number of followers? Is she just Pascale Kedari, or is she the amazing "Little Giotto." the "Divine Child."?

The Montfort Ladies are movers and shakers. From their gilded cage in elite French society, these noble dames have discreetly engineered the course of much of European history for five centuries. They gently make and unmake kings, presidents, and popes. They employ their behind the scene influence to forge historic alliances, settle bitter international disputes, establish famous regimes, bring seeming intractable enemies together as friends. This may be a man's word, they conceded, but that doesn't mean ladies, too, can't have a little say in events... "So long as you let them believe it was their idea, that they are the ones making the decisions," women are advised, "men can be led by the nose all the way to China and back " Currently, no one is better in mastering this subtle, convulted, political charade, than the clan's present leader, the gifted, fetching Celine de Montfort. A dutiful mother, she also devotes much time grooming her daughters to one day succeed. Raised in this environment, her younger child is at first eager to continue enhancing her clan's unique heritage. Then, one day, a series of events, both expected and accidental occur leading Rolande to wonder if her true role in life is perhaps found along another path.

Prequel to "Courtesans, Part I", "Messenger" tells the story of Pascale Kedari, a highly artistic teenager from the Middle East. On first trip abroad, she is marooned in France after revolution breaks out back in her homeland. In course of story, young Pascale is befriended by several local women. Among them: Matilda, a leftwing academic from the wrong side of the tracks; Veronique, a former prima ballerina, her brilliant career suddenly cut short; Sister Claire, a social activist nun with a secret; and Raymonde, an Olympic gold medalist and celebrity. All these women love Pascale deeply, fully appreciate the girl's artistic talent and want it known to the world. At same time, each benefactor sees the teenager as a vehicle for the vicarious fulfillment of own frustrated adult ambitions. Propelled, she like it or not to leadership of an growing social movement, Pascale is faced with a dilemma. Can she both win fame as an artist and answer the hopes and dreams of her fervent followers?

The Continuing the story of hope and struggle he began in "Messenger" and "Courtesans, Part I," author Michael Polowetzky's third novel; "Courtesans, Part II" now focuses mainly on Countess Celine de Montfort, the present leader of her unique clan. The reader learns about Celine's childhood and adolescence. The reader learns how Celine is shaped by her idealistic mother and more worldly-wise aunt. In addition, the reader learns about Celine's unexpected friendship with the expatriate Iranian-American scholar Ashraf Kermanshani. In winning for her new friend the academic acceptance she deserves, Celine demonstrates that the Montfort Ladies are not just the molders of contemporary statecraft but the shapers of modern culture as well.