Lafayette--the novel: Courtier to Crown Fugitive, 1757-1777

This is the FIRST NOVEL written about the Marquis de La Fayette. This story is an Adventure-Romance Docu-Drama-Biographical romp through the 1770's of France's nobility. This novel will ask of the reader to decide: is the young Lafayette a Romantic Adventurer or an Ambitious Cad? In June 1777 the 19 year old Marquis de La Fayette landed in the American colonies to fight in their revolution, and the rest, as they say is history. But over time many truths have been stretched, most recently including a singing role in a Broadway hit musical. Still, the great historical mystery remains: how did the character of the young Gilbert de la Fayette develop? Much of Lafayette’s own words about his early life were written when he was an elder statesman serving in the French Chamber of Deputies, and such writings were shaded to both the heroic as well as the political climate of the day. Author S.P. Grogan writes a fascinating fictional narrative about Gilbert Lafayette and his coming-of-age in the mid 1770’s within the decadence of Queen Marie Antoinette’s French court. The story begins with the child Gilbert sworn to avenge his military father’s death against the English. The reader will track how a country boy of Auvergne becomes the richest orphan in France, and how forces behind the throne after control over his fortune seek to marry him off to a 12 year old girl to support one of the most powerful military castes in France. Here is where you learn the rebellious and obstinate behavior of Gilbert Lafayette, with women and his desire to become a glorious military hero. Lafayette – the novel-- Courtier to Crown Fugitive is an ‘action’ story of highway robbers, spies, and a 'romance' story of first love and mistresses in court intrigues. The reader can see the developing psychological make-up of Lafayette; his futile search for a father-figure, his need for supportive love, and his blind passion for glory and fame. What is revealed is a young boy in the throes of transformation under the influences of Queen Marie Antoinette’s life style of spoiled privilege, his attitude towards his young wife in a forced marriage, the secrets within the Masonic fraternity, the writings of Voltaire, the Encyclopédistes, and the voice of the anti-slavery Abbot Raynal. All come together to transform his mind-set as Gilbert, blinded by class liberté idealism, seeks to run away to join the American revolutionary army. In doing so, he becomes a fugitive from the King’s edicts, and his ensuing flight and pursuit climax in a showdown on the beaches of Spain. Author S.P. Grogan spent four years researching the life of the Marquis de La Fayette, here in the U.S. as well as travels across France, and visits to libraries, museums, and the homes of Gilbert de La Fayette. Enjoy! Let us know what you think.