This is a non-fiction book about salons as a phenomenon. From their origins in the 1700 and until they disappeared after the first world war. The book sorts them by location but focuses on France, Germany and dome Sweden. It describes some famous and influential ones.
In general salons were regular or weekly gatherings hosted by members of the upper class, though the guests could be slightly more diverse with various artists. They would meet and discus art, music, politics, philosophy etc some with more politics side others more entertainment.
My thoughts
While the salons in themselves are a fascinating subjects this book focused more about the people at specific salons. There were a lot of detail about the hosts, hostesses and guest in a way that at times felt a bit gossipy. I would personally had liked to know more about the wider social context and their impact on the arts and politics. That being said it is very well written so despite me not resonating with the focus it was still enjoyable to read.
What it did show was the interconnectedness of the salons in the different countries. People traveling from one place to another would get invited to the local salons even in times when their respective countries were at war with another.
Still a lot of it just felt like rich people amusing themselves in a way that didn't affect anything real.
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