The Lady and the Unicorn - Historical fiction

Author: Tracy Chevalier

Title: The Lady and the Unicorn

Publication Date: 2004

Number of Pages: 248

Part of a Series: No

Subject Heading(s):  

• Belgium
• Brussels
• Family
• France
• Historical Fiction
• Lady
• Le Viste
• Nicolas des Innocents
• Paris
• Tapestries
• Textile Industry
• Unicorns
• Weaving 
• Women’s roles

Geographical Setting/ Time Period: Paris, France; Brussels, Belgium, 1490-1492  

Main Character(s):  

• Nicolas des Innocents- Self-important, womanizing, kind of stupid artist who designs the Unicorn Tapestries.  
• Claude LeViste- Wild, curious, hard headed daughter of a the nobleman, the object of Nicolas des Innocents lust.  
• Aelinor Georges- good hearted, hard working blind daughter of the weaver of the Unicorn Tapestries.

Plot Summary: Nicolas des Innocents has been commissioned to paint the designs for tapestries of a nobleman. While he is negotiating the design, Nicolas meets Claude LeViste and becomes infatuated with her. One of the ladies maids catches them in a compromising position. Because of this, Nicolas is sent to Brussels to help weave the tapestries and keep out of trouble. Nicolas shakes up things wherever he goes, sometimes for better rather than worse.

Appeal: Setting-time period in France, Frame- the Unicorn Tapestries, details about weaving, Style-written in alternating view-points, Characterization.

Brief quote: “A look of cunning came over Marie-Céleste’s face. “I suppose you want to come and see me there, don’t you?” I gaped at her, amazed she was flirting with me after all that had happened But then, she could be useful to me. I smiled and brushed a freather from her shoulder. “Might do.” Pg. 138.

Prizes or Awards: Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award - Historical Novels: 2004

School Library Journal's Adult Books for High School Students: 2004

Similar Works: The Girl with the Pearl Earring Tracy Chevalier (descriptive, historical fiction, women’s roles)

Ophelia’s Fan Chirstine Balint (characters, historical fiction, women’s roles) NLP

Reviewer’s Name: Amanda Hegge

Form adapted from Saricks, Joyce G. and Nancy Brown. Readers= Advisory Service in the Public Library 2^nd.  Chicago: ALA, 1997.