REVIEW: Véronique’s Moon by Patti Flinn
How does the journey end?
Véronique Clair’s story continues as the Frenchwoman from Burgundy joins two other apprentices on a journey across France to the home of Madame Jeanne du Barry, former mistress to deceased King Louis XV. Motivated by her dream of sewing for the wealthiest women in France, Véronique soon finds that dream side-tracked as she struggles to fit into this new world. Everyone at the Chateau du Barry—from fellow servants to the abusive house manager, the head cook, the arrogant black man they call the Governor of Louveciennes, and the Madame herself—finds a way to remind her of her limited place in society.
With barely a moment to sew there is somehow plenty time for regret. Was this new chapter worth sacrificing her parents’ peace of mind and a comfortable—if loveless—arranged marriage? Is the Chateau where she’s meant to be or has she, foolishly, made an impetuous decision to upend her life for no good reason?
Set in idyllic Louveciennes, France, come with beloved character Véronique Clair to the land that inspired Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro in this follow-up novella to Véronique’s Journey.
…Sometimes you have to chase the moon to find your destiny.
Dear Ms. Flinn,
The first novella in this series, Veronique’s Journey, introduced us to Veronique Clair who is a free woman of color in 1788 France. Giving up a possible marriage and elevation into the bourgeoisie, something her parents have been desperate to obtain for her, Veronique travels to the household of Madame du Barry the last mistress of King Louis XV. There Veronique wants to learn how to serve at the highest level and thus have work skills she can parlay into high paying jobs for life. She also hopes to show her talent at dressmaking and embroidery as her dream – her moon – is to earn her living with her needle. A childhood friend tells Veronique that she ignores an acceptable life in favor of reaching for her “moon.”
But even before arriving, Veronique and her fellow apprentices see how despised du Barry is by the locals. Social tensions are simmering under high taxation and the increased cost of food brought on by droughts. Life at the Chateau is not much better for Veronique. As an educated Black woman who actually wants to learn, she is mocked, teased, and bullied by several of the staff. Her relationship with Zamor, Madame’s enslaved adult page, is also fraught. Filled with self-doubt and fearing she’s lost her way, she has to decide whether to continue with her training or leave and seek her future by other means.
I zipped through this novella in just a few hours. The unique setting and characters grabbed me. Life is not easy for servants in this age and for Veronique this is triply true not only due to her station but also the color of her skin and because she can read. The friction it causes with some of the other staff isn’t easy to read about at times but Veronique does find friendship with a mentor. The few times she encounters other people of color drives home how socially alone she is and the diminished prospects she faces because of that.
Here though is a strong woman who is proud of who she is. She is aware of the horrors her enslaved father escaped and that others still face. As I read the story, I couldn’t help but think of the current social issues and protests occurring in France now. The novella ended with more that can be told about Veronique’s life and choices and I hope that there will be more additions to this series as well as look forward to the planned trilogy about Louis Benoit Zamor. B
~Jayne
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Thank you very much for your review. Best,
Patti
@Patti Flinn: Thanks for stopping by, Patti. I hope there will be more novellas for Veronique.