Let's be clear: this isn't a novel. There's no traditional plot with a beginning, middle, and end. It's a raw, unfiltered diary. Jean Héroard, the royal physician, was hired when the future Louis XIII was just a newborn. His job was simple: keep the heir alive. To do that, he became a full-time observer, scribbling notes multiple times a day for over twenty years. This second volume covers the king's childhood and adolescence.

The Story

The "story" is daily life in the French court, seen from the nursery and sickroom. We follow the young Dauphin (and then King) Louis through fevers, tantrums, his first lessons, and his first hunts. The narrative tension doesn't come from political schemes (though they're in the background), but from Héroard's constant anxiety. Will the prince recover from this cold? Is he eating too much fruit? Why is his mood so sour today? The diary is a avalanche of tiny details—what he wore, what he said to his governess, how he played with his toys. It's the ultimate fly-on-the-wall experience, where the fate of France seems to hinge on a successful bowel movement.

Why You Should Read It

This book completely shatters the marble statue version of history. Louis XIII isn't a portrait on a wall; he's a real kid with bad moods and stomach aches. The magic is in the mundane. You see the incredible weight of monarchy placed on small shoulders. Héroard himself is a fascinating character—part scientist, part nursemaid, wholly obsessed. His notes show a genuine care for his charge, mixed with a 17th-century understanding of medicine that will make you wince (and be thankful for modern doctors). Reading this feels like uncovering a secret, unvarnished truth. It’s funny, startling, and sometimes deeply moving.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history lovers who are tired of the same old stories about treaties and coronations. If you enjoy peeking behind the curtain, if you love primary sources that feel alive, or if you're fascinated by the sheer weirdness of the past, this is your book. It's not a light read—the detail is intense—but it's a uniquely human one. You won't find another account that brings a king to life in quite this way, from his first steps to his teenage rebellions, all recorded by the man tasked with keeping his body running.