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Marie Antoinette: The Journey

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 16,145 ratings · 740 reviews

France’s beleaguered queen, Marie Antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous “Let them eat cake,” was the subject of ridicule and curiosity even before her death; she has since been the object of debate and speculation and the fascination so often accorded tragic figures in history. Married in mere girlhood, this essentially lighthearted, privileged, but otherwis...more

Paperback, 512 pages

Published November 12th 2002 by Anchor (first published 2001)

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Oct 09, 2010 K.D. Oliveros rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bio, french, history

Next Saturday, October 16th will be her 217th Death Anniversary. On that same day, 217 years ago, Marie Antoinette or Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna (1755-1793) was executed by guillotine. She was convicted of treason. Nine months prior to that her husband, King Louis XIV was executed. These all happened at the height of the French Revolution (1789-1799).

Marie Antoinette was a victim from birth to death. Her marriage to King Louis XIV was a move to forge alliances among the warring countries incl...more

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Sep 02, 2007 Jane Vandre rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: History Buffs

As a former French major in college, I really enjoyed this book and learned so much about this period of time and the dynamics of the monarchy in France. While at times it was difficult to keep all the characters straight since they had multiple names/titles, I found that the overall narrative was compelling. Most people today have little sympathy for this queen, but I came away from this book with a much altered impression of her character and personality. She was truly in an impossible positio...more

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Aug 05, 2007 Harriet rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a good for a beach-ready kind of history. Fraser's good in terms of readability, but she bends over backwards to explain how Antoinette was misunderstood without really coming to terms with the complexity of her public face. I would have liked more footnotes, although I'm probalby not the target audience in that regard. I REALLY would have liked some more editing, not just in terms of overall repetitiousness, but in terms of readability. Fraser writes engagingly and well most of the tim...more

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Aug 28, 2008 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: lovers of history

Recommended to Amanda by: the movie

Three stars for a very well written biography, but minus two for the difficulty in user[reader] friendliness. I don't think I would've read this whole thing if it wasn't so darned interesting to me. It has alot of very difficult words/wording because (in my opinion) it was written by a famous historian rather than a great 'writer' if you will. It's loaded with historical facts about what we know of Marie Antoinette the person, which is extremely interesting especially since she lead such an inte...more

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Apr 02, 2009 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biographies

Although it took me so long to read it that I had to pay tremendous fines at the library (ahem...) I did enjoy this book and a better understanding of Marie Antoinette. I certainly learned a lot about Marie Antoinette and the French Court and Revolution, and I liked that it was easy to read but not sensationalized.

I was disappointed, though, that Antonia Fraser, rather than simply writing about Marie Antoinette's life, projected across her views of Marie Antoinette through her writing, forcing...more

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Oct 03, 2010 Bettie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, biography, nonfiction, autumn-2010, fraudio, france, published-2001

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 26, 2008 Alison rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

I enjoyed this quite a bit. I haven't read anything else about Marie Antoinette, but I felt that Fraser did a good job of telling "Marie Antoinette's dramatic story without anticipating its terrible ending," as she writes in the author's note. Here and there she mentions that something will have greater consequences in the future, but she does so in a straightforward manner, with no melodrama.

Much as is the case with Alison Weir's "Six Wives of Henry VIII," Fraser has produced a deeply-research...more

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Sep 16, 2008 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not only does Antonia Frasier dispell the rumor that Marie Antoinette ever uttered “let them eat cake” when told that the French were starved for bread, she gives a fuller picture of the queen that shows her more than just an extravagant self-involved royal out-of-touch with reality. Frasier packs in gossipy details that keep this from being a dry read.
Marie Antoinette is born to be a pawn in her mother’s (Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa) bid to expand Hapsburg power and influence. At the age of...more Not only does Antonia Frasier dispell the rumor that Marie Antoinette ever uttered “let them eat cake” when told that the French were starved for bread, she gives a fuller picture of the queen that shows her more than just an extravagant self-involved royal out-of-touch with reality. Frasier packs in gossipy details that keep this from being a dry read.
Marie Antoinette is born to be a pawn in her mother’s (Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa) bid to expand Hapsburg power and influence. At the age of 14, a deal is cut for Antoine to marry the future king of France, sealing an alliance between the two empires. Immediately, preparations begin to prepare her for the marriage. Since birth, Marie Antoinette, like all good royal girls, is groomed to be a feminine and submissive royal wife, with lessons in dance, music and etiquette - unfortunately she is otherwise poorly educated, even by 18th century standards.
At 15, she is wed to the French dauphin and shipped to France, where she is expected, (with not-so-gentle prodding by her mother and the French royal court) to deliver a future king. Until she delivers, her position in France is uncertain.
Frasier details the early struggles of the teenage couple’s marriage and the years it took them to finally consummate it, while painting a vivid picture of royal life with the full court. Marie Antoinette is dressed by ladies in waiting, who get to help based on rank. The royals are crazy – her mother through Antoinette’s servants monitors her monthly periods, others knew the details about when the queen and king tried or had sex. When she finally gives birth, it’s before a gathering of those invited based on rank. Of course, in 18th century France, these were all matters of national importance indicating the future direction of the country. It goes a long way to explaining why Marie Antionette and Louis XVI were so unprepared when they became king and queen. They were born to rule – via a trusted circle of advisers, of course – but when the rules changed after the French Revolution, neither Louis nor Marie Antionette (who apparently had little influence in her husband’s political decisions) were bright enough politicians or visionary enough to see a new role for the monarchy and instead fought every measure to limit their power, eventually even trying to get Austria to send in troops to help restore them to the throne.
By the time the revolution rolls around, Frasier has drunken the kool-aid and is fully on the King and Queen’s side, explaining why the royals did what they did. Whether it be trying to preserve the King’s power or their eventual failed escape from Paris, she paints a picture of a king and queen who were devoted to their children and believed the future of France was best served by keeping the king in power. It would have been interesting to get more perspective on the problems going on in the country and whether the King and Queen were totally disconnected as at least Marie Antionette seemed to be.
The French Revolution was bloody and eventually led to leaders killing previous leaders in a near-continual cleansing and it’s easy to believe that by the time of King Louis’ execution and then Marie Antoinette’s that revolution leaders had gone too far. Even Thomas Paine argued that the family should be allowed to leave the country and resettle in America. Because Frasier seems to be so behind the royal cause doomed to history, it’s hard to feel like an impartial observer and I at times ended up arguing with the book for its characterization of the King and Queen’s actions, which comes off as a defense. Frasier gives great insight into Marie Antionette’s life and experience up to the end, but she doesn’t apply her critical eye to their actions leading to the revolution and during it. At the same time, she (rightfully) doesn’t spare the revolutionaries.

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May 15, 2013 Conor Byrne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Before reading this book I knew very little about the doomed queen, Marie Antoinette. I have to confess that, while seriously doubting that she ever made the notorious comment 'let them eat cake' (something, by the way, completely unrelated to her), I had viewed her in my mind as a frivolous, pleasure-loving, essentially none too bright woman who happened to become Queen of France, enjoy a reign of said frivolity and pleasures which covered a turbulent marriage and disastrous relationship with h...more Before reading this book I knew very little about the doomed queen, Marie Antoinette. I have to confess that, while seriously doubting that she ever made the notorious comment 'let them eat cake' (something, by the way, completely unrelated to her), I had viewed her in my mind as a frivolous, pleasure-loving, essentially none too bright woman who happened to become Queen of France, enjoy a reign of said frivolity and pleasures which covered a turbulent marriage and disastrous relationship with her French subjects, before being executed in a shockingly bloody Revolution which had also claimed the life of her husband King Louis XVI.

Antonia Fraser's writing is elegant, even elegiac, as I read someone describing it as being somewhere. She sets out in the introduction that she wishes to explore Marie Antoinette's 'journey' without benefit of hindsight in relation to the Queen's eventual awful fate. Many different sides are presented to the Queen in this book: a shy, dependent, essentially clueless 14-year old who was sent alone, separated from her beloved sister and tyrannical but caring mother, to France, to wed a prince she had never met; a nurturing and loving mother of four children (of whom two died young); a frivolous pleasure-seeking Queen; a ready political player during her husband's own political shortcomings; and ultimately, a tragic woman who died for something completely undeserved and yet exhibited tremendous courage, dignity, and strength during the last turbulent years of her life. Indeed, the portrait not given here is the one provided so readily by Marie Antoinette's enemies: a lesbian; an adulteress; a meddler; any traditional negative label given to women in power.

The book is engrossing, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Queen or in the French Revolution. While the book certainly has shortcomings - a more analytical approach which perhaps considered the Queen's relationships, such as with the Princesse de Lamballe, in more critical detail, may have been welcome - it is compelling reading.(less)

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Oct 09, 2012 Socraticgadfly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, history

Very good book. I've never read a bio of her before, nor an extended history of France at the end of the ancien regime. I knew that she probably had never said "let them eat cake"; I didn't know that it was a "commonplace saying" put on the lips of other royals already nearly a century earlier. Beyond tidbits of learning like that, there's real history and biography alike.

Fraser gives a good profile of Marie as a person, first of all. That includes detailing her personal development as Dauphine,...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Jamie Makin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fraser’s biography is often described as sympathetic to Antoinette, which at once tells us that this is something notable enough to somehow distinguish it. Marie Antoinette is still a figure who is loved and hated. When Sofia Coppola’s film based on this book first premiered in Cannes both cheers and boos were heard from the audience. It may be true that Fraser does give us a portrait that focuses more on the sinned against than sinning aspects of her life, but I would think anyone, especially t...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Pamela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Marie Antoinette…the mere mention of the name conjures up images of privileged decadence and royal excesses, not to mention the famous “let them eat cake” line and an unfortunate end at the guillotine. She lived large in an age when living large was an art form, to be sure. Marie Antoinette was a historical figure at a crucial time in French history, but what else did she do, think or say? Did she contribute much more to history? Should anyone care?

Antonia Fraser’s Marie Antoinette: The Journey...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Megan Medley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

I have a slight fascination with Marie Antoinette. She is what led me to study the French Revolution whe I did my minor in History. While in Paris, I wanted to visit everything related to her, and when anything on the History Channel comes on about the French Rev., I must watch it. She is probably one of the most misunderstood monarchs. I suppose it's unjust of me to sympathize with her, but she too, was just a girl. Married at 14 to a prince who knew nothing about how to rule a kingdom. Forced...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Marcia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: of-kings-and-queens, non-fiction

This book was richly detailed, and Fraser clearly spent quite a bit of time in the library researching Marie Antoinette's life. The portrait she creates is extremely sympathetic to the famous queen, and she dispels quite a few common misconceptions about her character. Before reading, I definitely shared a few of those misconceptions, and I now have a better understanding of the woman and the time.

I do wonder just how much Fraser's sympathy for Marie Antoinette colored her interpretation of the...more

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Nov 15, 2010 Cassie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

LOVE LOVE LOVE. This book took me a while to get through because of Mrs. Fraser's dense style of writing but also because I tried to savor each moment of this biography. Somehow Antonia Fraser writes in a no nonsense way yet allows the reader to hear the music, and the swish of Marie Antoinette's skirts as she walked through Versailles. This book takes the reader on a journey through an incredible life, causing me to laugh, cry and at one point throw the book I was so incensed at the injustices...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Marianne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: france, history, non-fiction, revolution, royalty, queen, biography

I knew a little about Marie Antoinette, not loads but you know the usual - Austrian princess, unhappy marriage, decadence, blamed for the revolution, misquoted with the 'let them eat cake', beheaded, the end type knowledge that everyone knows. I mean, it went a little further, but no more than the stuff that got covered in an hour long documentary. With that in mind, I gotta confess that when I was reminded of how much that period intrigues me, I kinda jumped all over the chance at getting a bit...more I knew a little about Marie Antoinette, not loads but you know the usual - Austrian princess, unhappy marriage, decadence, blamed for the revolution, misquoted with the 'let them eat cake', beheaded, the end type knowledge that everyone knows. I mean, it went a little further, but no more than the stuff that got covered in an hour long documentary. With that in mind, I gotta confess that when I was reminded of how much that period intrigues me, I kinda jumped all over the chance at getting a bit more knowledge on the subject.

I was a bit wary about reading a deeply historical biography but I was so pleasantly surprised at the way the author wrote it. There was a wealth of information, but I rarely felt like I was being purely bombarded with history. It was easy to read, with quotes and notes to back up facts and to provide background to events that weren't covered in depth.

The book covers her childhood in Austria under such a strict mother, to her marriage and departure to France. The years that she spent as the beloved Dauphine, and then to Queen until her fall from grace via libelous propaganda (99% of which was untrue), rumour, scandal and eventual torment and death.

It was funny, I read this obviously knowing how it goes to end but as I was reading it was hard for me to continue at times knowing what fate would bring. Marie Antoinette was flawed, but ultimately a good person. She had vices which at least contributed the background to her downfall in terms of giving people an opportunity to take her flaws and manipulate them to a far more sordid and vicious conclusion due to her frivolous nature, her gambling and her spending excesses. Lewd accusations about her relationships (both male and female) were made. This was never more sadly made obvious when one of her friends (Princesse de Lamballe) was violently murdered and her body desecrated by a mob with her head mounted on a pike and paraded outside the building where the crowd chanted for the queen to come out and place a kiss on the lips of her favourite.

When you read the way the cards fell around her and her family, the stars aligning to make the dominoes fall in the most tragic way you can't help but, with the benefit of hindsight, wonder how no one saw it coming. It's a sad story, made doubly so when you watch her downfall and how the propaganda is produced to dehumanise her as she desperately tries to look after her family.

If you have an interest in history, in particular that time in history I would highly recommend it. I'm hoping her biography on Mary Queen of Scots (another tragic queen) is as good as this as I plan on reading that at one point in the future.(less)

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Jan 08, 2010 Elena rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My copy of Lady Antonia Fraser's "Marie-Antoinette, The Journey" (Anchor Books, 2002) sports on its cover the round face of Kirsten Dunst which, as anyone who has studied portraits of Marie-Antoinette knows, is in sharp contrast to the lovely oval countenance of the real queen. I found it annoying, at first. However, while reading the international best seller, I came to see the photo from the Coppola film as suitable for a book which, at times, sacrifices historical exegesis to the demands of p...more

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Jan 02, 2010 Mina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What most people think of when they hear the name, Marie Antoinette, is opulent dresses, cluelessness at the plight of the impoverished ("Let them eat cake") and her ultimate fate under the guillotine.

This book portrays the French Queen less as a villain, but more sympathetically as a carefree teenager whose response to the overwhelming pressures that she felt was to revel in a hedonistic lifestyle. She was vilified by the French as being sex-crazed and completely ignorant of the poor, but the...more

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Nov 11, 2009 Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a treat! I love the work of Antonia Fraser and I've been looking forward to reading her take on Marie Antoinette, one of the most misunderstood figures in Western History. This biography tracks indeed the journey of a fourteen year old girl-bride, uprooted from her home and landed in a foreign court where she was viewed with suspicion and prejudice, to her rise to a position of authority without power, as the consort to the king of France in the most challenging of times, to her demise on t...more

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Aug 17, 2009 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, biography

This book really covered all the historical background one could ever want of "Antoine". Fraser really knows how to flesh out historical figures. Maybe there is too much fleshing out, some of the book tends to get swamped out with too much fact and names, but I still stayed hooked, and learned a lot about the French Queen that I never knew, but am glad I do now. At no time did she say "And let them eat cake!" She was cut off from her people by her own situation, but she was indeed not impartial...more

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Jul 09, 2009 Sarai rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: general-nonfiction, nonfiction-historical, biographies, historical

Amazon.com Review
In the past, Antonia Fraser's bestselling histories and biographies have focused on people and events in her native England, from Mary Queen of Scots to Faith and Treason: The Story of the Gunpowder Plot. Now she crosses the Channel to limn the life of France's unhappiest queen, bringing along her gift for fluent storytelling, vivid characterization, and evocative historical background. Marie Antoinette (1755-93) emerges in Fraser's sympathetic portrait as a goodhearted girl woe...more Amazon.com Review
In the past, Antonia Fraser's bestselling histories and biographies have focused on people and events in her native England, from Mary Queen of Scots to Faith and Treason: The Story of the Gunpowder Plot. Now she crosses the Channel to limn the life of France's unhappiest queen, bringing along her gift for fluent storytelling, vivid characterization, and evocative historical background. Marie Antoinette (1755-93) emerges in Fraser's sympathetic portrait as a goodhearted girl woefully undereducated and poorly prepared for the dynastic political intrigues into which she was thrust at age 14, when her mother, Empress Maria Theresa, married her off to the future Louis XVI to further Austria's interests in France. Far from being the licentious monster later depicted by the radicals who sent her to the guillotine at the height of the French Revolution, young Marie Antoinette was quite prudish, as well as thoroughly humiliated by her husband's widely known failure to have complete intercourse with her for seven long years (the gory details were reported to any number of concerned royal parties, including her mother and brother). She compensated by spending lavishly on clothes and palaces, but Fraser points out that this hardly made her unique among 18th-century royalty, and in any case the causes of the Revolution went far beyond one woman's frivolities. The moving final chapters show Marie Antoinette gaining in dignity and courage as the Revolution stripped her of everything, subjected her to horrific brutalities (a mob paraded the head of her closest female friend on a pike below her window), and eventually took her life. Fraser makes no attempt to hide the queen's shortcomings, in particular her poor political skills, but focuses on her personal warmth and noble bearing during her final ordeal. It's another fine piece of popular historical biography to add to Fraser's already impressive bibliography.

I was a bit disappointed in this narrative, as it seemed more speculative than Fraser's other works. However, still an interesting woman at a fascinating, and deadly, point in history, and well worth a read.(less)

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Jul 06, 2007 sera rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: history buffs, feminist readers

I love Antonia Fraiser's writing style; she makes history fun. This book was very entertaining, easy reading.

I picked it up after visiting Versailles in March---it's the kind of place you want to know more about. I did also see Sofia Coppola's movie, based on this book. I have to say: read the book. You will find that Marie Anoinette's life was much more than cakes and shoes (although I for one did enjoy the flights of New Order and little dogs in Sofia's rendition).

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Apr 01, 2013 Róisín rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. I didn't have a great deal of optimism that I would complete it as I thought the contents would be too dry to stick it out and the first chapter didn't really encourage me a great deal but it wasn't long until I was sucked in to her life story in fact I found it hard to put it down.
I'd already seen the film by Sofia Coppola and loved it not only because I enjoyed the sumptuous scenes of extravagance and the gorgeous interiors of Versailles but also because it offered a new sy...more I loved this book. I didn't have a great deal of optimism that I would complete it as I thought the contents would be too dry to stick it out and the first chapter didn't really encourage me a great deal but it wasn't long until I was sucked in to her life story in fact I found it hard to put it down.
I'd already seen the film by Sofia Coppola and loved it not only because I enjoyed the sumptuous scenes of extravagance and the gorgeous interiors of Versailles but also because it offered a new sympathetic and human perspective on a Queen who has unjustly been vilified and held up as a symbol of the corrupt extravagance of her age by her contemporaries and also by history. What happened to the infamous Queen of 'Let them eat cake' fame? This was apparently a line that had been attributed to many unpopular aristocrats that had come before her time and something she would never have in fact uttered as it was completely contradictory to her character.
Of course the film was inspired by the book and Fraser sets out from the very beginning to redeem her character. If you're expecting an account of licentious parties, debauched orgies and lesbian romps you're going to be sorely disappointed as Marie Antoinette was no Earl of Rochester! In fact she was purportedly quite a chaste, gracious and considerate character and it was extremely interesting to observe how the 'libelles' and satirists transformed her into a wanton harpie in the pamphlets and the press, having harboured prejudices against 'L'autrichienne' the Austrian 'spy' from the moment she stepped foot in France. It's a testament to the power of the propaganda machine of the time that we still believe that image to this day.
Having recently paid a visit to the Versailles Palace I enjoyed reading the account of her life there and remembering the famous boudoirs and her precious Petit Trianon and Hameau as I read about the events that unfurled within their walls. However the book moved on to become much more than the delightful piece of Versailles cake that I enjoyed initially. I found her story extremely saddening as time wore on and at times intensely moving. The details of some of the events witnessed later on in the revolution were horrific and deeply disturbing It's a testament to Antonia Fraser's writing that she brought her story and that of other characters involved to life so well that I almost felt as if I was reading a first hand account of events.
I'm no Royalist but this is one royal for which I feel a great solidarity not just for how she was used as a pawn in a political game from birth but also for the great cruelty she suffered at the hands of the Revolution as well as her undignified and violent end.

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Dec 01, 2009 Jay rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ballet, books-i-own, deliciousness, incest-is-best, my-lesbianism-let-me-show-you-it, non-fiction, historical-distant, tab-a-in-slot-b, biography-french, biography-austrian

I've read more than my fair share of novels on Marie Antoinette, and so far this one has to be my favourite. Not only is this book quite descriptive and provides quite a bit of anecdotes about her life. I enjoyed the way the chapters were titled after conversations between people or pamphlets. The photographic pages enclosed within the book were also appreciated.

Although I'm not a fan of the movie that was based off this book (though I do adore the costuming), I can definitely see how Sofia Cop...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Karina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

Marie Antonia is a fascinating historical woman. This biography tells of her life growing up with 16 siblings to her eventual execution by guillotine in France at age 38.
Antonia is the youngest archduchess of the powerful Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Her education and preparation to become the most powerful of Maria Therese's daughters was sadly neglected, primarily due to the belief that as the youngest her marriage would not be of much significance to her powerful mother. Antonia's perso...more Marie Antonia is a fascinating historical woman. This biography tells of her life growing up with 16 siblings to her eventual execution by guillotine in France at age 38.
Antonia is the youngest archduchess of the powerful Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Her education and preparation to become the most powerful of Maria Therese's daughters was sadly neglected, primarily due to the belief that as the youngest her marriage would not be of much significance to her powerful mother. Antonia's personality as a caring, kind and playful child was in direct opposition to her harsh mother whom she feared. This left 14 year old Marie Antoinette unprepared for her position in France.
Her life from age 14-22, in France is extremely lonely. She was forced to leave behind all her own ladies, her clothing, jewels even her dog!, in Austria. To be replaced with all things French., but life long friends nor pets can simply be replaced. Had she had a happy marriage things may have been bearable, however the Dauphin was shy, a bit backwards and primarily interested in hunting. Their marriage was not consummated for 7yrs. Causing Marie Antoinette to be subjected to much criticism, and fear that she would be sent away.
Later in her twenties she had four children 2 male and 2 female. Her married became a close one. When Louis XV passed, his shy son became King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI was a weak ruler at a time when strength was all that could save France as it was. Marie Antoinette had very little interest in politics and to the unhappiness of her mother and later her brother, Emperor Joseph of Austria, she was unable to influence the politics of France in favor of Austria.
In the last years of their rein Marie Antoinette was accused of sending large amounts of money to her brother in Austria. She was named an adulteress, as well as a lesbian. Many cruel things were attributed to Marie Antoinette which created a populous that viewed her as less than human. She was executed for high treason, but what if any of these accusations were true?
This biography answers all these questions and explains what led the populace to revolt against the aristocracy, clergy and the monarchy. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION(less)

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Mar 02, 2009 Lynne-marie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have already proclaimed my admiration for Fraser; I will not reiderate that here. It is far too easy from the public viewpoint to have a simplistic picture of Marie Antoinette and her life & death. Fraser documents the more complex interlocking facts of her life: hated from the first by the people of France as an alien pawn of her mother Maria Theresa's Habsburg Empire, Maria enjoyed a brief period of popularity and then fell again into deeper and deeper disrepute in France. She, herself,...more

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Nov 21, 2009 Kaye rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, biography, books-into-movies

After visiting Paris and Versailles this summer I wanted to learn more about the history of France and in particularly Marie Antoinette. This book tells the story of a 15 year old Marie Antoinette who is wed for political reasons to the French Dauphin. Neither are well educated or prepared to become King and Queen at early ages. Fraser is a detailed historian and particularly in the first half, explained how she came to conclusions about very intimate parts of life at Versailles. There are many...more

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Apr 16, 2009 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is my kind of history. If those shows on the history channel about medieval weapons are history for boys, this is history for the girlies. It feels like reading an 18th century tabloid. In a really good way. I could not put it down, not even to brush my hair. (I needed one of Marie's famous horse-hair wigs). I loved the politics, the history, and Frasier's analysis, artfully dotted with details about the cut and fabric of her gowns, the food on her table, and the horribly wacky rules of lif...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First time I completed a book using an audiobook, and for historical tomes, the medium works well. The narrator was pretty good and engaging, sounding authoritative enough for the overall narration. (Although some of her pronunciations and attempts at various accents/voices were distracting at times.)

As for Antonia Fraser's work, the author did a fantastic job of researching and recapping the life of the last Dauphine with sharp prose that didn't come off either as too colloquial or too much lik...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Mooch rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: europe, non-fiction, history, france, royalty

I do not even feel very entitled to comment on Ms. Fraser's work. The reason is that the edition that I picked up from the library was a German language edition. I learned later on that this edition was shortened heavily. Well, I do not like a publishing company to decide what parts I should be reading and what parts I shouldn't. I sense I would have given the work in all its length four stars but the shortened version gets only three. I was intrigued by Marie Antoinette's life story and I enjoy...more

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About Antonia Fraser

Lady Antonia Fraser (Pinter), CBE, is a British author of history and novels, best known as Antonia Fraser for writing biographies and detective fiction, and the second wife of Harold Pinter, the 2005 Nobel Laureate in Literature.

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* Jemima Shore

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“I have seen all, I have heard all, I have forgotten all. marie antoinette” — 16 people liked it

“As the Dauphine stepped out of her carriage on to the ceremonial carpet that had been laid down, it was the Duc de Choiseul who was given the privilege of the first salute. Presented with the Duc by Prince Starhemberg, Marie Antoinette exclaimed: 'I shall never forget that you are responsible for my happiness!” — 5 people liked it

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Marie Antoinette: The Journey

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