Forget everything you think you know about 17th-century France. "Aventures de l'abbé de Choisy habillé en femme" is the secret diary of a man who lived a double life at the very heart of the Sun King's court.

The Story

François-Timoléon de Choisy was an abbot, a diplomat, and a historian. He was also, for years, 'Madame de Sancy.' In his own words, he describes the intricate process of his transformation: the silks and satins, the wigs and makeup, the careful cultivation of a feminine persona. He doesn't just dress up at home; he attends parties, flirts, and becomes a fixture in aristocratic circles, all while maintaining his male identity in other parts of his life. The plot is the tension of his daily reality—the thrill of passing, the constant fear of exposure, and the surprising sense of peace he finds in his female guise.

Why You Should Read It

This book floored me. It's so personal and candid, you feel like you're reading a confession. Choisy isn't writing a philosophical treatise; he's telling you about his life. His voice is witty, observant, and strangely relatable. You get the glamour of the French court, sure, but you also get the profound human question at the center of it all: Who are we when we choose our own skin? It challenges simple ideas about gender and identity in a way that feels startlingly modern, even though it's 300 years old.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves true stories that are stranger than fiction, or for readers of historical memoir who want something far off the beaten path. If you enjoyed the personal revelations in something like Pepys' Diary but wish it had more powdered wigs and secret identities, this is your next great read. It’s a short, unforgettable journey into the mind of one of history's most fascinating outsiders.