Memoirs of a French Courtesan: Volume 1: Rebellion

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       January 18, 2024

 

Author  Celeste Mogador. Translated Kirsten Hall Geisler.

Distributor:      Amazon
ISBN:                 978-1732060371
Publisher:         Practical Fox
Release Date:   January 2024  

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In 1852 Celeste Mogador wrote her memoirs in self-defence. Speaking out about the lack of justice to be found in France during the dangerous years of her growing from childhood to adulthood, her life changing rapidly as she faced up to the reality of survival as a young and beautiful girl on her own, her story fills four volumes.

Raised as a spoilt, beautiful child she was much loved and doted upon by her parents until her father died. Her mother, remarrying a man who turned out to be a vile and brutish man, saw Celeste and her mother leaving the familiarity of their home in Paris to take up work in a town far from this man and his brutality.

Time passes and as Celeste grows into a captivating teen, her mother’s choice in men, always rather poor, sees Celeste forced to leave her home once again, but this time she discovers she is going to be on her own, as her mother has rejected her through a spate of jealous anger.

Celeste, is remanded in the local Police station, before she eventually finds a friendship of sorts, which leads her into her new life as a prostitute; a situation not all that uncommon for women who had no means of support.

As this is a Memoir published to outrage and acclaim in 1858 France, it presents a detailed and real story of life for those of a lower or middle class existence at the time of political upheaval, where marriage made women the property of the man, their lives considered of little account.

Not an overly long read, this is the first of four books translated from the French which for those interested in history makes a most informative read. Celeste transitioned from indulged child, to homelessness, prostitution, discovering fame as a Hippodrome performer who eventually met, fell in love with and married a Nobleman.

Translation, wording and time make a difference but Memoirs of a French Courtesan Vol 1: Rebellion also highlights that even though this was written more than150 years ago, in many instances little has really changed in the world of women who are unfortunate enough to fall on hard and difficult times.