This is a long but engaging tale based around the tale of rapunzel. It wove together the fates of three women from contrasting backgrounds and made a point that beauty and or riches are not those things we should strive for. Instead we should be accepting of ourselves and look for a genuine love for our long term relationship. The book sees Rapunzel as both victim and someone who fights for her freedom, seeking out her true love rather than waiting passively. There was also quite shocking detail on how the Huguenots were treated during the reign of the sun king, Louis XIV, making this a worthwhile read.

What a fabulous book. It’s a long one but I savoured every page. A retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale told from various POVs and in multiple timelines and set in Italy and France. This is a wonderful mix of historical fiction, magical realism and fairytale. I loved all the historical detail, particularly that of the court in Versailles albeit the gross extravagance, the treatment of women and the actions of the King were reprehensible. It would be one strong woman able to make her mark is such a society.

Briefly, Charlotte-Rose de la Force has spent much of her life in the Versailles court of the Sun King Louis XIV. She is a great storyteller and has had affairs, but then who hasn’t at the court! However, when she displeases the king, in 1697 aged forty three, she is banished to a strict nunnery where her only friend is one of the Sister’s who tends the garden and the beehives. As they garden together the Sister tells her a story… Selena Leonelli is a beautiful women, a courtesan who commands the highest prices, she is the lover of renowned artist Tiziano (Titian) but when her beauty starts to fade she turns to witchcraft. When Margherita was born her parents made a pact, with a witch, for a handful of bitter greens, that they would give the witch their daughter when she reached the age of seven. After some time in a nunnery Margarita was claimed and later locked in a tower, with no means of escape, for many years.

For a book about strong women they all have periods where men dominate much of their lives, not unexpected in such a patriarchal society. Youth and beauty were valuable currency for women and holding on to both as long as possible an obsession for some. The interaction between Charlotte-Rose and one of the Kings mistresses and later with the elderly Sister in the convent were my favourite relationships. An engaging and emotional story about three women who ultimately tried to take some control of their own lives through very different means. A compelling and entertaining read.

Book Review Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Publication date: March 20/25

This sweeping historical fiction is based on the life of Charlotte-Rose de la Force in 17th century France. Aptly named, she is a force to be reckoned with, refusing to succumb to the limited roles available to women in that period. Instead, she seeks independence and tries to pursue a career as a storyteller and writer. The novel fascinatingly weaves together her life story along with her published fairytale Persinette, otherwise known as Rapunzel. This is a captivating tale that highlights the burden borne by women during this time and the many ways they attempt to exert control over their own lives.

Forsyth writes that the only options available to women were: marriage, nunnery or courtesan. Each when explored are still cages, confining the women with its own set of rules and restrictions. The story vividly depicts the circumstances of all three options through the stories of the three MC Charlotte Rose, Selena Leonelli, who is forced to become a courtesan to survive and Margherita, who was sent to a nunnery and then captured in a tower.

The intertwining story lines are enthralling with strong character development and rich historical details that immediately draw you in. The determination and resilience of the women is truly remarkable made even more powerful by the fact that it is based on a real life figure.


Thanks to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for the chance to preview this book, my opinions are my own.

Bitter Greens, a loose retelling of Rapunzel by Kate Forsyth, has been rejacketed and reissued by Alison & Busby for a 2025 release after its original publication in 2012, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it ride the recent flood of myth and fairy-tale inspired novels, it will appeal to those who enjoyed recent historical fiction by big hitters in women’s fiction such as Jodi Picoult’s By Any Other Name, Tracy Chevalier’s The Glassmaker and Maggie O’Farrell’s The Marriage Portrait. Bitter Greens is a novel of nested stories. We start with Charlotte-Rose de la Force, a French novelist and poet who spent most of her younger adult years at the court of Louis XIV before she was sent to a nunnery in 1697 aged forty-three after becoming the focus of scandalous rumours. Today, de la Force is remembered for her 1698 fairy tale ‘Persinette’, which was one of the sources for the Brothers Grimm’s printed version of ‘Rapunzel’ in 1812.

At the nunnery, Charlotte-Rose listens to a telling of this story from one of the other nuns while also remembering the dramas of her years at court, including several love affairs. A third narrative thread picks up on the story of the witch, Selena, who kept Rapunzel captive in a tower, grounding her story somewhat by giving her a traumatic backstory, a history of prostitution in early sixteenth-century Venice, and an education in spells and herbalism. Because Selena does not age due to her black magic, Forsyth is able to take us through an encounter with Titian, a late sixteenth-century Venetian plague, and into the events of the late seventeenth century much more elegantly than Chevalier managed it with her mysteriously trapped-in-time family in The Glassmaker.

Like By Any Other Name and Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen’s Fool, I devoured this novel while registering the problems with it. I loved the combination of history and low fantasy; it seems like the way to sell these genres to me is to combine them. The atmosphere is irresistible. But, at nearly 600 pages, it’s very long and very indulgent, with Forsyth really packing in her research about French court politics, in particular. The writing moves between being satisfyingly simple to a bit under-baked. It’s also an aggressively heterosexual novel, packed full of sex scenes with hot men who mostly turn out to be cads, as well as some seemingly obligatory rape and abuse. There are two female characters who appear to be same-sex attracted and they are both depicted as perverted and predatory. Women, indeed, rarely find solace with each other in Bitter Greens, although there are a couple of interesting alliances formed near the end of the novel. Instead, they betray each other, poison each other, bewitch each other, compete with each other and ignore each other.

I did like the conclusions of both Charlotte-Rose’s and Selena’s stories, and the serious treatment of Charlotte-Rose’s Huguenot faith; indeed, her long and fascinating real life means there’s room for a sequel here, if Forsyth ever wanted to write it. Meanwhile, the handling of Selena took some of the bad taste from my mouth left by Disney’s Tangled (2010), which I absolutely loathed. The weakest thread ends up being the Rapunzel story itself, which I should’ve predicted; the rules of folk-tale are different from those of modern fiction, which is why straight retellings seldom work for me. But I enjoyed immersing myself in this book. 3.5 stars.

Most definitely a 5 star read adn one I couldn't put down. But then again I do love all books by this author. Three women, a retelling of Rapunzel and a story that is dark, intense and heart-breaking. It will captivate you and take you on a journey like none you have ever been on. I loved the way it drew me in and told me the story of these three women and how their lives are connected.

This author can really tell a tale and is a wonderful and impressive writer. The characters are wonderfully crafted as is the story itself. I will most certainly read this one again as I know I will get more from it the second time around!

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth is a mesmerising and darkly enchanting retelling of Rapunzel, expertly woven with historical fiction. This beautifully written book intertwines the lives of three women, bound together by fate, power, and storytelling.

Charlotte-Rose de la Force, once a favourite at the court of Louis XIV, finds herself exiled to a convent, where she clings to her love of stories to endure her new life. Selena Leonelli, the dazzling muse of the Venetian artist Titian, is desperate to hold onto her youth and beauty at any cost. And Margherita, sold by her parents for a handful of bitter greens, is imprisoned in a tower with no way out—except through the strength of her spirit and resilience.

Forsyth masterfully plaits together the lives of these three women, creating a captivating and immersive tale of love, betrayal, and survival. The book explores the power of storytelling, the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, and the lengths people will go to in pursuit of power and freedom.

Bitter Greens is both heartbreaking and addictive, with dark themes that make it a gripping yet sometimes harrowing read. Fans of historical fiction and fairy tale retellings will find this an unforgettable and deeply rewarding experience.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

The king is displeased and therefore she is banished to a nunnery. Charlotte-Rose de la Force our storyteller, is a witty, intelligent woman who speaks her mind and is a teller of tales so she must leave court. These are her crimes. In 1697, she enters the inhospitable walls, against her will but with her dignity. Though undressing from her fine clothes into the coarse homespun of a postulant was almost too hard to bare. Her most treasured possessions, her paper and inks were taken, her hair shorn and the dignity she arrived with, taken. This was a cruel start indeed. The cruelty would continue.
Venice 1590, young Margherita meets a witch who, on her birthday gives her a pendant. Would you take such a gift from a stranger ? Would it be safe or is there a devastating price to pay or was that price already paid seven years ago by Margherita's parents, for a handful of Bitter Greens...is Rapunzel.
And Selena, who is she in this story. Why of course, she is our witch ! Her story perhaps the most facinating.

Dark retelling of the fairy tale, plaiting together the lives of the three women. It's a captivating, dark and deadly tale of mothers and daughters. It's upsetting and heartbreaking and at times hard to read, it's beautifully written and as I found, very addictive.

"Bitter Greens" by Kate Forsyth is an engrossing retelling of the Rapunzel story, skillfully connecting the lives of three remarkable women: Charlotte-Rose de la Force, Selena Leonelli, and Margherita.

The book starts with Charlotte-Rose, a French novelist cast out from the court of Versailles, who discovers comfort in the stories told by an elderly nun. These tales include Margherita's tragic fate, a young girl traded to a witch for some bitter greens and imprisoned in a tower, and Selena's story, the mesmerizing muse of Titian who has learned the secret of eternal youth at a great cost.

Each character experiences substantial growth throughout the story. Charlotte-Rose looks back on her past controversies and uncovers strength in storytelling. Margherita's resilience in isolation is inspiring, while Selena's complicated transformation from courtesan to witch exposes the less glamorous aspects of beauty and power. The characters are well-developed, and each storyline complements the others.

Themes of love, power, and survival resonate deeply with contemporary societal issues. The novel highlights the struggles women face in patriarchal societies, where beauty and youth are often used as currency.

The writing style is lush and evocative, with a narrative structure that seamlessly blends historical fiction and fantasy. The language is vivid, painting a rich atmosphere of 17th-century France and Renaissance Venice.

As a reader, I found myself deeply invested in the characters' journeys, feeling both sorrow and hope as they navigated their challenges. The book's ability to convey complex emotions and themes is remarkable. One area for improvement could be in providing more nuanced portrayals of some supporting characters, but overall, the novel is engaging and thought-provoking.

"Bitter Greens" is unique in its genre for its fusion of historical and magical elements. Forsyth's talent lies in making such a familiar tale feel exciting and new.

This book is exceptional not only for retelling a classic story but also for paying homage to Charlotte-Rose de la Force, one of the original storytellers of "Rapunzel." It encourages readers to reflect on their own power, beauty, and resilience experiences, making it a truly memorable read.

The utterly amazing and enchanting tale of Rapunzel, the all-to human witch, and the storyteller from the court of Louis XIV who made them famous.

This was such a great read. The 3 female main characters all had an interesting story to tell and a unique voice
The plot moves along nicely and easily moves between characters. It was easy to get caught up in each one of their stories and really feel for each person
I liked everything about this and would highly recommend

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

Brilliantly written, Bitter Greens weaves the story of French author of Rapunzel, Charlotte Rose, with a gripping retelling of the story itself, set in Renaissance Venice. Mesmerising descriptions of The Sun King’s court at Versailles, glimpses of Paris and the wild beauty of southern France map the stifling, utterly controlled life women in the 1600s were forced to live whilst showing how resourceful women had to be to survive and remain creative, free and alive. This was a long, satisfying read, the pace was engaging with characters that caught me up, made my heart race, and who didn’t leave me disappointed. I would highly recommend this excellent read.

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth is a unique blend of historical fiction and fairy tale retelling mixing the story of Rapunzel with that of Charlotte - Rose de la Force, the French noblewoman who penned a version of the tale while in exile from the court of the Sun King Louis XIV as well as that of Selena Leonelli, a Venetian courtesan who was a muse to the artist Titian. I have never really read a book that blends these genres so successfully so I was impressed at how balanced the blend of magic and history felt and how well the author was able to weave fact and fiction together. The reader is transported to 16th century Venice as we learn of Selena, the daughter of a courtesan who later becomes a courtesan herself, obsessed with youth and beauty, so much so that she is willing to resort to witchcraft to achieve it. Also known as La Strega Bella, she becomes the witch in the Rapunzel tale we all know so well when she claims Margherita, the young daughter of her neighbours and locks her away in an isolated tower so that she can use her for the magical rituals she believes will keep her young.
In 17th Century France Charlotte-Rose is caught up in the pomp and ritual of the Royal Court but her propensity for getting herself embroiled in scandals including failed love affairs and her refusal to renounce her religion results in her banishment to a nunnery and a life far more simple that she is used to. While there she befriends one of the nuns and from her learns the story of Margherita and Selena, a story that inspires her to create a tale of her own that has stood the test of time. It is her story that anchors the book and she is the character the reader spends the most time with, and while it took me some time to connect with her, by the end of the book she had really grown on me. It is clear that the author invested a lot of time into her research and that pays off in the rich historical details and descriptions that helped to transport me to another time and place. The commentary on the historical struggles of women is clear and thought provoking but not overpowering, it is a thread that is deftly woven through all three tales that make up this book. This is a long book with a lot of detail and I will say that I did struggle to get to grips with it at first but once I was able to dedicate some time to it I soon found myself captivated by the story.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I love books that are fairy tale retelling or books that are loosely based on fairy tales and so I ate this up literally. I devoured it in a day - luckily I had a hefty commute. I loved the writing style, the story line, the characters. I loved everything

I did enjoy "Bitter Greens" by Kate Forsyth but was somewhat put off by the sheer length of the book (about 12 hours reading) to start off with. However after a marathon reading session of about 5 hours, I'd read quite a big chunk of it. This book interweaves three stories, loosely based on Rapunzel and breathing new life into this fairy tale. A wonderful read.

Based on a real person, this is wonderful historical fiction. There is a version of Repunzel, and the story of La Strega, the witch. Then there is Charlotte Rose, whose attempts at making a good life for herself were always thwarted. Above all, it looks at the ways women have tried to survive in a man’s world. This book transported me to a long ago time, but the stories really resonated with me. I loved the ending, what a clever tie in. There is also religious significance as well as the actions of the Sun King, which makes for great reading. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its reflections on life. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A;though this is billed as the alternative tale of Rapunzel it is actually concerning 3 womwn who are connected by situations in their lives.

The title Bitter Greens refers to Margherita, who is sold by her parents for a handful of bitter greens and now she, like Rapunzel is locked in the tower unable to escape.

This is a beautiful and compelling tale. I absolutely adored the 3 women and the authors retelling is wonderfully told and the writing is divine.

I love how the story is told from the feminine side, it has everything you could hope for as a reader, Magic romance and it is also has a very dark edgy vibe.