A review by shelfquest
The Mistress of Paris: The 19th-Century Courtesan Who Built an Empire on a Secret by Catherine Hewitt

4.0

The fascinating story of how Valtesse de la Bigne worked her way up the most successful courtesan of her time from complete poverty. To be a high-class courtesan, you had to be more than just good in bed. One had to master conversation by being well-versed, well-read, and educated so that you could be taken to public events and not embarrass your date. What Valtesse overcame is admirable for her time and she shared her wealth by being a patron of the arts. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it.