Annemarie Selinko was an Austrian novelist whose works achieved bestseller status. Her writing is characterized by a profound exploration of human psychology and historical events, woven into compelling narratives. Selinko masterfully intertwines personal destinies with broader societal shifts, offering readers immersive literary experiences. Her ability to draw readers into the ambiance of her chosen eras while examining universal human emotions remains widely appreciated.
"Desiree" charts the passions and intrigues of Bonaparte's court seen through the eyes of the merchant's daughter from Marseilles who was Napoleon's fiance and rose to become the Queen of Sweden.
Perhaps the most successful historical romance since GONE WITH THE WIND, DESIREE is the bestselling novel of Napoleon's first love. All the passions and intrigues of Bonaparte's court are seen through the eyes of a silk merchant's daughter from Marseilles, a young woman who became Napoleon's fianc�e and, ultimately, the Queen of Sweden. 'An astonishing story told with verve and a swift, fluent and deeply feminine charm. The Napoleonic background is vivid and accurate' Evening Standard First published in 1953.