The Moon and the Sun

The Moon and the Sun" (1997) is an excellent fantasy novel by US science fiction author Vonda McIntyre. The novel is not a standard fantasy, but rather an alternate history novel with fantasy elements. It won a number of awards, including the 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel (beating the favorite "A Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin). The story is set in 17th century France, during the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV, at his court in Versailles. The novel is filled with a large cast of courtiers, many of them historical figures, who are all competing for the favor of the King. The main character, Marie-Josephe de la Croix, assists her brother, Father Yves de la Croix, in the scientific study of a recently captured sea monster. The King hopes to gain immortality by consuming part of the creature, but as the study continues, Marie-Josephe discovers the sea monster may be more than a dumb beast. This discovery tests Marie-Josephe's loyalty to her brother, her king and her religion. Vonda McIntyre thoroughly researched the historical setting for "The Moon and the Sun" and created a very convincing setting, filling it with believable and well-rounded characters. Because of the level of detail, the novel can be enjoyed as a historical novel and a fantasy. Very highly recommended. Note: the novel originated as a short story, written in the form of a fictional encyclopedia article, "The Natural History and Extinction of the People of the Sea", which was illustrated by (fellow author) Ursula K. Le Guin and indirectly inspired by research done by the late Avram Davidson, another brilliant SF writer. The novel also exists as a screenplay.

For some reason I had my doubts about this book before I even read it . . . don't ask my why, call it a faulty gut. At first glance it seemed to be a typical "lowly person fights the unyielding establishment and their unceasing ignorance" except set in France. Fortunately the novel completely transcends any cliche and will probably stand as one of the definitive SF historical novels (how's that for a sub-genre?) for quite a while as it's hard to imagine something surpassing this work. Plotwise it's fairly straightforward, the court of the Sun King as seen through the eyes of a girl, Marie-Josephe, whose brother goes on a mission for the king to discover the secret of immortality through some sea monsters, one of which he brings back alive. From there the reader discovers along with Marie-Josephe that the sea monster is more human than anybody realizes at first and she goes to do something about that. The novel benefits from two things, the strength of its characters (Marie-Josephe is one of the most well rounded characters in years, smart and sensitive, courageous and vulnerable . . . but most of the cast gives her a run for her money) and McIntyre's total recreation of the French court and the people who populated it. Every ceremony, every gesture, every sight and sound brings you back to the time . . . singlehandedly through her prose she makes the scenes come alive and pulls you into a world that thrives on ceremony and ritual . . . the amount of research that must have gone into this must have been staggering but the end result is well worth it for the reader. You see both the glorious and the seamy, the honor and the squalidness of the behavior of the members of the court . . . my only complaint is that after a while everyone seems related to everyone else but that's probably not the author's fault. So the combination of McIntyre's research and her stunning charactization create one of the most exciting and realistic feeling SF historical novels in recent years. I don't know what else was up for the Nebula in 1997 but the award was certainly deserved.

Set in Versailles, France, in 1693, this book tells the story of a Marie-Josephe, a lady-in-waiting to the niece of Louis XIV--the Sun King. Marie-Josephe's brother, Father Yves de la Croix, is a Jesuit and also the King's natural philosopher. He has brought the King a sea woman captured on an ocean voyage. So begins a rich tale of conscience, politics, science, history, and love.The Moon and the Sun combines two demanding genres, with some remarkable twists. It is a science fiction story of first contact with an alien race, but told in a setting more often associated with fantasy. It is also a romantic historical novel, the type of meticulously researched work that brings another era to life. McIntyre infuses it all with her marvelously unique style.As a scientist, I found the interplay of science and the historical setting fascinating. Few sf novels take place in our past, unless they involve time travel. What McIntyre has done is in some ways more difficult: she accurately represents the state of science in the past, without insights from the future. The depiction of the investigations carried out by Yves and Marie-Josephe are authentic. With the sea woman, McIntyre evokes another classic science fiction theme--how do we create convincingly different alien life? The Moon and the Sun also portrays well how politics and the church affected scientific endeavor in that era. Science fiction is replete with the idea of the polymath--a protagonist talented in many disciplines. This isn't coincidence; in real life, artistic and linguistic gifts often pair with scientific or mathematical talent. The math-physics-music constellation is perhaps the best known combination. McIntyre gets the personality down well for Marie-Josephe. I found her a likable genius, unaffected and humble, with integrity and humor.It was also refreshing to see a woman portrayed as the polymath. The book does a good job depicting the barriers women encountered in those times to pursuing science or the arts. It challenges the reader to ask questions about the roles of women the remain almost as valid today, at the turn of the millennium, as they were in the court of Louis XIV.McIntyre's prose is clean and polished, with a lyrical quality, spare on words and rich with imagery. The historical background gains richness in the detail, from the clothing worn in the Sun King's court to the gardens of Versailles to one of the most realistic descriptions I've read of what it is like to ride sidesaddle. At times I would have liked to see the prose style varied more, but this is minor. Overall, the story shimmers.The characters are well-layered, neither paragons nor villains, but genuine people. I also enjoyed the engaging, and unusual, romance between Marie-Josephe and Count Lucien.If Louis XIV is the Sun, then Marie-Josephe and Yves are the moons that reflect his glory. This book poses a fascinating question: the moon exists whether or not the

The Moon and the Sun is a social history for anyone who also loves the magical and mythical. The "Splendid Century", with Louis XIV at its apex, is surreal enough without putting a sea monster in the waters of a Versailles fountain. McIntyre blends just enough fact with her creative fantasy to qualify as historical fiction, and then she tweaks the myth to a point of possibility. I hope her companion screen play becomes a movie. It would bring the extravagance of the Sun King's costumes (Liberance's wardrobe pales in comparison), an intimate tour of the splendor and squalor of Versailles, and the social commentary on the beauty within the beast to those who always watch and never read

Vonda N. McIntyre has once again spread her wings and flown with a novel that is unlike any other I have read. It seamlessly weaves historic fantasy, legend, and gothic influences into 17th century reality with a deft touch and lyrical telling. Simply one of the best novels I have read in a very long time. Marie-Josèphe's bond with the creature, and coming to understand the sea woman's eerily beautiful singing language, brings realization that there is a heart and soul not so far from human. Marie-Josèphe finds that her views on the creature's "humanity", her budding love for the king's advisor, dwarf and atheist Count Lucien - are bringing her into conflict with the Pope, Louis's courtiers, her brother and the very Sun King himself. This is the very heart of the story and it is beautifully told, questioning the perceptions and convictions of the characters populating the story and the reader alike. Sub-plots that truly bring the 17th century to life include: Marie- Josèphe being the math tutor of the young genius composer Domenico Scarlatti; the Sun King's protection of his married brother whose male lover (The Chevalier de Lorraine) is the epitome of indiscretion and randiness; and the power struggle between Louis and his visiting cousin Pope Innocent