Angelique by Sergeanne Golon || UK buying First Edition

This UK first edition of Angelique by Sergeanne Golon was published by Heinemann in 1959.

Details:
Good condition. No foxing. Some light bumping to edges of boards and some scrape marks. No dustcover. Inscription on the front endpage (see photo). Text clear.

As a younger reader, I adored these books. So excited to have found them again!

The Story:
The story begins in 1648 during a time of insurrection, terror and revolt in a divided France. Angélique de Sance de Monteloup, a vibrant twelve-year-old tomboy, is the daughter of a simple nobleman impoverished by taxes and other burdens.

Angélique joins the local peasant children in their games, ranges the ancient forests and swamps of Poitou and when bandits visit destruction and rapine on the humble villagers, our heroine's leadership qualities come to the fore for the first time.

The book also tells of Angélique's first meetings with two crucial characters - King Louis XIV buying of France and Joffrey. One of the scenes in the book sees Angélique and Joffrey attend the wedding of Louis XIV and his queen, Marie-Therese.

As Angélique and Joffrey tangle with powerful forces, it is a classic and gripping adventure story, but we also learn about the couple's tender and often unpredictable relationship.

The climax of the book is a decision by the French court which has an impact on the whole of the rest of the story - destined to move to the dangerous streets of Paris for the second book... (goodreads)

The Author:
Anne Golon (17 December 1921 – 14 July 2017) was a French author, better known to English-speaking readers as Sergeanne Golon. Her Angélique novels have reportedly sold 150 million copies worldwide. (wiki)