The Natural History of Love by Caroline Petit
The Natural History of Love by Caroline Petit is a biographical fiction based on actual historical events and characters from the 19th Century. The characters reference popular fiction of the time such as Honoré Balzac and even scientific theories like that of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
A young Melbourne lawyer Nathan Smithson takes on the inheritance case of Francois, Count de Castelnau, an eminent French explorer, diplomat the French Consul to Bahia and later French Consul to Australia and Carolina Fonceca, his lover and sons Charles and Edward.
The rightful owner of the Mayfield Estate in the City of Kingston, Mordialloc must be determined. To determine the truth, Nathan delves into the family secrets in diaries that account for their intimate life and love.
Francois, an imminent French explorer and naturalist, contracts a serious illness in the forests of Brazil during an expedition. He is brought to an isolated Brazilian plantation by a Tupi Indian near death. A 16-year-old Carolina, the daughter of the well to do Brazilian plantation owner, able to speak French, takes on the task of nursing an older Francois back to health.
Their relationship blossomed and is discovered and as convention dictated, they must marry. Francois is an opportunity for her to escape her rigid brother guardianship and an arranged marriage. However, Francois fails to disclose he is already married and has a son. Carolina remains committed to the relationship and they return to France even at Francois admission.
Francois seeks a divorce however it is not sanctioned by the Church. As a result, he hides their marriage and older sons Charles’ birth in Brazil. Her life is that of a mistress. Their son Charles must call Francois uncle and as he grows older becomes resentful and rebellious.
Francois take on the role of French Consul in Australia to maintain his interests in scientific research and exploration. Life in Australia is as a new opportunity and they travel to Melbourne and have a second child Edward. He is deemed to be mad. Life is less than ideal for Carolina, and she must deal with the circumstances and their social circle is less than excepting of a mistress.
Take your time to read this absorbing fiction love story interspersed with historical events. The author has put in a lot of work in researching the historical details. Discover the true nature of all the characters, Carolina’s strength of character, as well as who inherits the estate, which sadly in reality has now been demolished. If you enjoyed A Room Made of Leaves by Kate Grenville or The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams then this one is for you.
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