{"product_id":"the-exchange-of-princesses-9781590517024","title":"The Exchange of Princesses","description":"\u003cb\u003eSet in the French and Spanish courts of the eighteenth century, this novel is based on a true story about the fate of two young princesses caught in the intrigues and secrets of the moment\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePhilippe d'Orl ans, the regent of France, has a gangrenous heart--the result of a life of debauchery, alcohol, power, and flattery. One morning in 1721, he decides to marry eleven-year-old Louis XV to the daughter of Philippe V of Spain, who is only four. Orl ans hopes this will tie his kingdom to Spain. But were Louis to die without begetting an heir--the likeliness of which is greatly increased by having a child bride--Orl ans himself would finally be king. Orl ans tosses his own daughter into the bargain, the twelve-year-old Mlle de Montpensier, who will marry the Prince of Asturias, the heir to the Spanish throne. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe Spanish court enthusiastically agrees and arrangements are made. The two nations trade their princesses in a grand ceremony in 1722, making bonds that should end the historical conflict. Nothing turns out as expected. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eChantal Thomas\u003c\/b\u003e is a noted philosopher and writer. She has taught at a number of American universities and is the author of twenty-five works, including novels, histories, short stories, plays, and essays. Her internationally acclaimed novel \u003ci\u003eFarewell, My Queen\u003c\/i\u003e, a fictional account of Marie Antoinette's final days in Versailles, won the Prix Femina in 2002 and was made into an award-winning film by Benoit Jacquot, and starred Diane Kruger. A film adaptation of \u003ci\u003eThe Exchange of Princesses\u003c\/i\u003e, to be directed by Marc Dugain, is currently in the works. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Cullen\u003c\/b\u003e was the translator of many books from Spanish, French, German, and Italian, including Siegfried Lenz's \u003ci\u003eThe Turncoat\u003c\/i\u003e, Juli Zeh's \u003ci\u003eEmpty Hearts\u003c\/i\u003e, Patrick Modiano's \u003ci\u003eVilla Triste\u003c\/i\u003e, Kamel Daoud's \u003ci\u003eThe Meursault Investigation\u003c\/i\u003e, and Philippe Claudel's \u003ci\u003eBrodeck\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Other Press (NY)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50473942876434,"sku":"9781590517024","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_964bb75c-0d8d-4401-8f68-bcbed438d863.jpg?v=1730208727","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-exchange-of-princesses-9781590517024","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}