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If I Were King
Paperback
RomanceHistorical FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781025733180
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 270
Weight: 0.84
Height: 0.57 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
If I Were King is a swashbuckling historical novel that reimagines the life of the legendary French poet and vagabond François Villon. Set against the backdrop of 15th-century Paris, the story follows the charismatic rogue Villon as he becomes embroiled in the political intrigues of King Louis XI. In a high-stakes gamble, the King grants Villon the power of the throne for one week to see if the street-poet can save the city from the Burgundian siege and win the heart of the noble Katherine de Vaucelles.
Justin H. McCarthy's narrative is a masterclass in romantic adventure, blending lyrical prose with dramatic tension and wit. The work explores themes of honor, social class, and the transformative power of love and authority. As Villon navigates the shift from the criminal underworld to the royal court, he must prove that his poetic soul is capable of true heroism. If I Were King remains a cornerstone of historical fiction, having inspired numerous theatrical and cinematic adaptations. It offers readers a vivid portrait of medieval life and the enduring legend of one of literature's most fascinating historical figures.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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