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An insane king, a disconsolate queen, and a too-handsome doctor come together in the royal palace, mixing chemistries, which ultimately explodes the monarchy.
Per Olov Enquist pens a poetic yet disturbing tale in THE ROYAL PHYSICIAN'S VISIT, beautifully translated from Danish by Tiina Nunnally, an undisputed master at her craft.
Set during a period of lively upheaval in Danish history, this is at once a tragic story of forbidden love and age-old political intrigue. Young Christian VII becomes king at the tender age of nearly 17. Youthful monarchs before him had managed quite well, but Christian, bright, with periods of lucidity, was so beaten in his childhood that he retreated to a world inside his head. Cruel punishments in his schooling often left him in a heap on the floor, foaming from the mouth. Thrust into marriage with a weeping English royal of 15 only leaves him more confused and angry, seeking solace and entertainment in the company of young men and prostitutes.
The story is equally sad for his young bride, Caroline Mathilde, who turns her attentions to Christian's newly engaged royal physician upon discovering how little desire the king has for her. Dr. Johann Friedrich Struensee, handsome and enigmatic, first meets the queen in his hometown of Altona. I is also in Altona where he is approached by an old friend who pleads with him to take the post of royal physician. "Denmark is a madhouse. The court is a madhouse. The king is intelligent but perhaps…mad. A clever, enlightened man at his side could clean up…Denmark." "Nothing good can ever come from Altona," says the dowager queen, a formidable enemy to have. Caroline Mathilde and the arrogant physician cataclysmically underestimate her, learning too late what power she wields. If only Struensee had never left Altona. His fate was decided the very moment he did.
While debauchery from the royal men was tolerated, possibly even expected, the women were untouchable, the fallen ones shamed and exiled. Caroline Mathilde, chosen as a mate for Christian due to her total lack of talents, is restless and miserable in the dank cold of Copenhagen. According to tradition, it was expected that she would be the mother of the throne's heir and nothing more. Left to fill her own time, the child queen discovers a budding warmth deep inside her body. A spark between her and the king's new physician grows into a wild desire. Before long, she nearly commands him into her bed. More cunning than her lover, she nevertheless is little more than a girl herself, acting in a rash and irresponsible manner. Had she indeed been without talents, she may never have set in motion the events that spiraled the couple into destruction.
Meanwhile, Christian VII, incapable of governing the country, becomes a puppet for ambitious statesmen. With the ear of the king so readily available, Struensee seizes one opportunity after another to influence the laws, ultimately issuing a total of 632 decrees during his two years ostensibly ruling Denmark. His romance with the queen might have been overlooked, but his politics, too closely aligned with the Enlightenment, gathered the wrong enemies, a fatal mistake. Ultimately, the doctor became his own downfall.
Per Olov Enquist treats this part of his country's history with compassion and humanity. His lyrical style is nearly musical as he strokes you with his sensual prose. THE ROYAL PHYSICIAN'S VISIT concerns a too-short window of time, telling of a too-short romance that comes to an end too soon.
- -- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
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