An award-winning historical novel exposing the scandals of eighteenth-century Denmark, weaving a wide range of historical characters from Voltaire to Catherine the Great to George III

It is the 1760s, the height of the Enlightenment. The young King of Denmark, Christian VII, is a half-wit. His queen, the English princess Caroline Mathilde, has fallen in love with his most trusted advisor, the court physician Struensee. Guldberg, a cold-blooded religious fanatic, is determined to annihilate the Enlightenment ideas Struensee is introducing to Denmark - whoever prevails in their bitter ideological battle will control not only the king but the nation state.

With adultery, insanity, enlightenment and the bluest blood, Enquist brilliantly recasts a dramatic era of Danish history into a tale of ruthless political ambition and personal betrayal.

‘One of those rare, magical books that creates its own world so modestly that it is only halfway through that you realise you have been entranced’ Telegraph

Translated by: Tiina Nunnally