Du Gévaudan à Versailles
(From Gévaudan to Versailles)
Les deux bêtes
(The two beasts)
1764-1767
Florence Metge
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In 1764, during the reign of Louis XV, the province of Gévaudan was ravaged by terror: a mysterious beast attacked, slit the throats of, and killed women and children. The misdeeds of this elusive predator led to a veritable collective psychosis.
The tragic events are amplified by newspapers mocking the king. The first news item in the story quickly becomes a matter of state. Who is sowing terror in Gévaudan: a wolf, the scourge of God, a hybrid or exotic animal, a werewolf, a sadist?
The tragic events are amplified by newspapers mocking the king. The first news item in the story quickly becomes a matter of state. Who is sowing terror in Gévaudan: a wolf, the scourge of God, a hybrid or exotic animal, a werewolf, a sadist?
Year of publication of the edition presented : 2025 (31 march) (390 pages)
Editor : Les Presses Littéraires
ISBN : 9791031015798
Novel (paperback) available in bookstores to order and online. (Les Presses Littéraires, Amazon…)
A word from the author:
This book is the result of several years of study in an attempt to shed light on this mystery. I immersed myself in numerous archival documents from the 18th century (departmental archives of Lozère, Haute-Loire, Hérault, Puy-de-Dôme, Gazette de France, etc.). I was also interested in the court of Louis XV and life in Gévaudan at that time.
My novel doesn't advocate a theory about the Beast, but rather lifts the veil on little-known aspects of the affair while placing it in its historical context. It reveals other similar events that occurred during the same period and emphasizes the role played by Louis XV in this first news item in history that became a state affair within a few months. Finally, it attempts to reestablish the truth by eliminating misconceptions and legends.
Demystified, the story of the Beast of Gévaudan is no less gripping and fascinating.
The author :
Florence Metge has always been intrigued by the Beast of Gévaudan. During genealogical research in Lozère, she discovered Father Trocellier's testimony about this mysterious affair. She has written several novels revisiting this episode in light of our times. With "From Gévaudan to Versailles: The Two Beasts," the author transforms the story of the Beast into a historical thriller. She immerses the reader in the 18th century in the province of Gévaudan and the court of King Louis XV while revealing little-known and unusual aspects of the first news item in history.
