Emilie's Voice: A Novel [Paperback]

Set against the backdrop of Paris and the court of Versailles,émilie's Voiceintroduces a young heroine of modest upbringing who possesses a special gift: the voice of an angel.When distinguished composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier hears émilie's voice, he offers to instruct her in the art of singing with the ultimate goal of presenting her at the court of Louis XIV. Her head filled with dreams of elegant gowns, opulent jewels, and the thrill of someday performing in the great houses of Paris, she begins her training -- until a scheming noblewoman looking to unseat the king's official mistress interferes by preemptively bringing émilie to Versailles.
There, amid royal pomp and splendor, she is swept up in dangerous palatial intrigues, becoming a pawn in aristocratic power games. But it is the passionate battle for control over her life and career waged between Charpentier and Louis XIV's official court composer, Jean-Baptiste Lully, that has far-reaching consequences for a girl on the verge of becoming a woman and a singer on the verge of becoming extraordinary.Susanne Dunlapis the author ofÉmilie's Voiceand the former director of development for Connecticut Opera. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Northampton, Massachusetts.Touchstone Reading Group Guide
Emilie's Voice
By Susanne Dunlap
1. Emilie's mother, Madeleine, is reluctant to let her take singing lessons. In fact, for most of the story she has only negative things to say about Emilie's good fortune. Why do you suppose she is so gruff with her daughter? Do you blame her for what happens to Emilie?
2. Emilie is consistently portrayed as being very innocent and naïve. Do you think this is a positive character trait? Why or why not?
3. What is it about Emilie that Charpentier falls in love with? Or is he just enamored of her voice and beauty?
4. Why do you think François agrees to help Emilie write to Charpentier, when ilS7