Books Set in Europe: France and England

The Empress of Ice Cream, by Anthony Capella (2010)

This novel takes place in the courts of the French King Louis XIV and the English King Charles II.

We meet Carlo, an Italian confectioner who specializes in flavored ices.  He was born of a family so poor that his family sold him to the ice maker of the Medici family.  It was there that he learned the secrets of making flavored ices.  He soon mastered the technique and began experimenting with new flavors and creations.  After outwitting his master, he found himself in the court of King Louis XIV, where his creations soon brought him great wealth.

Although he could, and did, have any woman wanted, he was hopelessly in love with Louise de Keroualle (an actual historical figure), who was lady-in-waiting to Henrietta d’Orleans, sister to the English King Charles II.  After Henrietta died, Louise and Carlo are sent to London, ostensibly to comfort the grieving King Charles II, but also to assist in the negotiations between the two countries because Louis needs Charles’ support in the war against the Dutch.

King Charles has his eye on Louise and wants to make her his next mistress.  She, however, tries to keep her virtue.

I found this to be a fascinating look into this period of history, and I learned a lot about the creation of sorbet, and other flavored ices as well as ice cream.

4 Stars

Read: November 9, 2016