Memoirs of a French Courtesan - by Celeste Mogador (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"When I wrote these memoirs in 1852, I was ignorant of the future awaiting me; who could have known? It was not my willful brazenness that dictated I write these memoirs; it was not for provocation or moral outrage, as some of those who were quick to take offense said. Before you sentence the guilty, at least listen through to the end of the story."

The four volumes of the infamous courtesan and Hippodrome performer, Mémoires de Céleste Mogador, were published to scandalous acclaim in Paris in 1858. At the urging of her lawyer, Mogador wrote about her troubled childhood, her ascent to the heights of the glamorous Parisian courtesan society, her transition to respectable life, and falling in love with a nobleman.

In this new English translation, Memoirs of a French Courtesan Volume 1: Rebellion introduces the young Céleste as she and her mother flee Paris to escape Céleste's abusive stepfather. There they settle into a quiet, anonymous life, but he follows them-and participates in the riots that envelop Lyon. Soon enough, mother and daughter are free to return to Paris, where Céleste's mother again falls in love with a less-than-perfect man. Céleste escapes him, only to fall in with a kind courtesan-and find herself in prison. But having seen the silks and velvets and jewels the courtesans wear, Céleste dreams of nothing more than emancipating herself from her mother and living that glamorous life as soon as she turns sixteen.

Review Quotes

NetGalley Reviewers:

4/5 stars This is a translated memoir of a French courtesan from 1858. It's the first book in a series and so far it's very sad to read what this young girl has thus experienced with life. However, you can see that underneath is a strong and soon to emerge woman who I'm looking forward to reading more about. https: //www.goodreads.com/book/show/202943045-memoirs-of-a-french-courtesan

4/5 stars You may feel, from the title and topic of this book that it would be full of lurid, scandalous details. It is not. I found it fascinating to read the words of not only a 'common' woman, from a time when we typically only read from well-educated men, but also to read of circumstances that aren't pretty. Life was dismal and tough for many back then. And rather than reading it out of a Dickens novel, we get the layman's terms of a young woman's life. Some of the finesse may have been lost in translation at times but it is a fascinating first story for women's history aficionados. I'm keen to see where Celeste's life goes from here! https: //www.goodreads.com/review/show/6012875807

4/5 stars 4/5 stars This story is unfortunately one that many women are familiar with; a life of abuse, running, and neglect. I felt a whirlwind of emotions reading this book. I started off angered and saddened by the treatment of Celeste and her mother. Midway through I was frustrated by her naivety and again angered by the treatment she received. And at the end I excited by her new found empowerment. I enjoyed how rich the character development and felt that I really understood and knew everyone intimately. I wish the next volume were out so that I could continue learning more about Celeste's journey.