Cerise: A Tale of the Last Century

"Cerise: A Tale of the Last Century" by G. J. Whyte-Melville, is a historical story that takes place in France during the time of King Louis XIV. It's mainly about a young and pure girl named Cerise as she goes through the complicated customs and rules of the royal court. The book shows how hard it is to stay innocent when there are so many strict rules and expectations. The story starts by showing the grand palace of Versailles and contrasting it with the simple beauty of nature outside. We meet Cerise making a daisy chain, which shows how innocent she is compared to the fake world of the court. She also meets George, a page to the King, who is drawn to her honesty and helps her fix her daisy chain. Additionally, she meets an older man that is the King. This gives a look into her life under the strict power of the monarchy. The start of the book has a feeling of looking back fondly and shows dynamic people who suggest there will be social and political drama later on.