F
ifteen years after Edinburgh,
readers have reason to celebrate once
again. Alexander Chee's second novel The
Queen of the Night is an exquisite
narrative of intrigue and opulence set
against the Parisian backdrop. Lilliet Berne
was the jewel of the Paris Opera.
Showered with accolades, gifts and
bewitched lovers, hers was a life to envy;
until a handsome stranger offers her an
original role that alludes to her early life.
Her transition from hippodrome rider to
courtesan to legendary soprano was a well
kept secret. Who could have betrayed her
concealed past?
Lilliet's rise from rags to riches makes for
an appealing plot. The story of the
American orphan who fled to Europe only
to reinvent herself has all the strappings
of a classic opera including remarkable
escapes, treachery and romance. Lilliet
maintains a deliberate silence, perhaps to
preserve her famous yet fragile Falcon
soprano range. Or perhaps to create an
illusion of mystery and fascination around
her. Either way, it is this silence that
dictates the quiet dramatic tone of the
novel.
Chee's research into the historical facts
surrounding Second Empire Paris is
evident. Famous figures like Giuseppe
Verdi and Ivan Turgenev are cleverly
woven into the plot. The book describes
the glittering extravagant society of artists
and aristocrats, complete with heavy
ornate clothes and crafted jewels. It is a
material world that still fascinates modern
day fashionistas. Despite being based in
bygone times, modern day readers can
relate to features common to the human
makeup: image sensitivity, dark secrets
and strong desires. They are eternally
conspicuous no matter the time period.
Written By - Nritya Ramani
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