A Conversation on the Quai Voltaire

Nov 29, 2025 1:19 PM

Author:Lee Langley

Collector, adventurer and artist, Vivant Denon was a youthful courtier at Versailles; he lived through the French Revolution, and galloped across Egypt with Bonaparte. A skilled survivor, he knew everyone and found world fame without seeking it, risking his life and happiness in an endless quest, a love affair with art.

Taking a real historical figure, his extraordinary life, his passions, his friendship with Napoleon and the Venetian contessa who was Denon's great love, Lee Langley has created a rich canvas that captures the dying grandeur of Venice, Robespierre's terror, the battle of the Nile and a dazzling liaison dangereuse, alongside a tender love story. With wit and imaginative invention, she brings to life a tumultuous period and a fascinating man.

Living in his shadow is Baptiste, his servant, watching as his master, ever closer to Napoleon, fills the Louvre museum with treasures looted from the enemies of France. Denon's private life is also open to the valet's watchful eye. And he too has hopes. And secrets.

Reviews

A thoroughly enjoyable historical romp, well-researched, elegantly written

—— Moira Jeffrey , Glasgow Herald

An absorbing read

—— Sophie Harrison , Sunday Times

The novelist's own passion for and dedication to her subject translates into an easy - and enjoyable - historical romp

—— Jennifer Potter , Times Literary Supplement

A novel of compelling power. Her habitually careful craftsmanship and sumptuous prose fit the elegance and high drama of the period

—— Shusha Guppy , Financial Times

[Langley] brings Denon and his world thrillingly and charmingly to life

—— Kate Chilsholm , Spectator

Langley's achievement is that her own fascination with him is shared by the reader

—— Lilian Pizzichini , Sunday Telegraph

An effective historical mystery story and an affecting emotional drama

—— Independent on Sunday

No author marries heartbreak and hilarity so seamlessly

—— Mail on Sunday

Funny, tender and completely absorbing

—— Graham Norton

Charming, funny and poignant. But also profound, heartbreaking

—— Nina Stibbe

Keyes at her best: capturing everyday voices with humour and empathy with writing that you'll devour in a weekend. Just pure and simple joy

—— Stylist

High quality entertainment

—— Marie Claire

It takes real talent to make a reader laugh and cry … the story will stay with you long after you've read the last page

—— Heat

Keyes writes brilliantly, as always, about love, grief, jealousy and friendship

—— Daily Mail

The jokes are as good as ever, Keyes' large cast of Irish and American characters fizz and crackle off the page. High quality entertainment

—— Marie Claire

The novel is a rare blend of genres, a richly enjoyable satire and an inspirational tale of one woman's triumph over despair

—— Daily Telegraph

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