Author: Juliet Grey
First Published: August 2011
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Series: Marie Antoinette #1
453 pages (paperback)
I really enjoy reading historical fiction on European royalty, but I realized lately that nearly every book I have read was about, or mainly focused on, England! So I decided to venture into France this time around, with the famous Marie Antoinette as the main character. In the past, she has been often portrayed as a superfluous queen who was at fault for the downfall of the French monarchy, but I think lately, perspectives on Marie Antoinette have changed. It is certainly true in this book; Marie Antoinette is portrayed as a naive young girl who only wishes to please those around her.
This book is the first of a three part series, and this first installment focuses on Marie Antoinette’s teenage years, from her betrothal to her becoming the dauphine of France. Born Maria Antonia, she is the 15th and final child of Empress Maria Theresa of the Austrian empire. Not much is expected from Maria Antonia when there are so many older brothers and sisters ahead of her. However, when the Empress gets an opportunity to make a marriage alliance with France, which would strengthen their own empire against Prussia and Russia, Maria Antonia is thrust into the spotlight. Through a strange twist of fate, Maria Antonia is the only viable daughter of the Empress who is suitable to become the future Queen of France.
Thus, Maria Antonia needs to ‘become’ Marie Antoinette. It is tough for her because she has never been very interested in learning, and it has never really been a problem since, as the 15th child, nobody really expected her to make a great marriage — until now, of course. Not only is her education woefully lacking, even her pretty looks aren’t enough and she has to undergo a complete makeover to please the French. When Antoinette finally goes to France, she experiences a terrible shock with the culture in the Versailles court. Worse of all, her own betrothed, the future Louis XVI, doesn’t seem interested in her at all.
I definitely enjoyed reading this book. I’m not an expert or anything remotely close to one on Marie Antoinette’s life, but I can tell a lot of research was put into the book, from the little knowledge I do have. Famous scenes and lines like Marie Antoinette’s one line to Madame du Barry are, of course, included in this book. This book brings to life the Versailles court. It’s so detailed, I almost felt like I was really there. I especially loved learning about the over-the-top etiquette required in the Versailles court, such as dressing the dauphine requiring a string of people, all arranged by rank, to pass the clothes to her. Marie Antoinette feels equally perplexed, since back in her native Austria, all she required was her one handmaiden to dress her, yet in France, she had an entire audience to watch her dress!
Marie Antoinette is portrayed as a carefree but naive teenager. She has a good heart and cares for people, but poorly educated, not quite really understanding the meaning and complexity of what her marriage to the French dauphin means for both Austria and France. The book is first-person through Marie Antoinette’s eyes, but interspersed with letters from Empress Maria Theresa, her ambassadors, and others, who provide the historical and political context in which Marie Antoinette’s life is set in. This book takes the stance that much of Marie Antoinette’s downfall, and the French monarchy’s destruction, is not Marie Antoinette’s fault. Presented through Marie Antoinette’s eyes, I found the novel quite convincing in the fact that she’s really not an ‘evil’, superfluous woman (although, to be honest, I do have a bias for her going into this book anyway; I’ve always felt sorry for her so this book only served to validate my feelings for her). It is all the more depressing to know what will eventually happen to her when you are convinced to sympathize for her.
The only thing with this book is that it’s pretty straightforward if you have an inkling as to what happens historically. It’s not a groundbreaking novel in any way, it’s predictable. In fact, I think I have a pretty good idea what the next two novels will entail about her life, in terms of how the author will split up the timeline. However, with all that said and done, I did really quite enjoy this book. Marie Antoinette was likeable, the story was pleasing, the writing was smooth. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow.
My Rating: 4/5
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