Customer Reviews

Becoming Marie Antoinette

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I approach novels of this type with a certain amount of trepidation - some of them are excellent; some are full of ghastly dialogue, poorly drawn characters, and are really just a pile of tosh.

This book falls into the former category; the writing is sharp and engaging; while some of the narrative is somewhat "romanticised", the novel itself is clearly well researched, and the reader is drawn into the story of Maria Antonia, as she was before becoming Marie Antoinette, and follows her journey into marriage in France and her intended roles as mother and queen. This is a story we don't often get to hear much about; most books on Marie Antoinette tend to focus on her after she has become queen, or at least after her marriage to the Dauphin. As such, this book offers an opportunity for the reader to understand a little better her earlier life in the Austrian empire, ruled by the formidable Maria Theresa, and with her large family of siblings. While the story is an easy read, it is interesting, informative and engaging; and sufficiently intriguing to make the reader want to read the rest of the trilogy. While we know how it ends, the journey is a worthwhile one to learn more about the enigma that was Marie Antoinette.

This book details the years leading up to Marie Antoinette's marriage to Louis Auguste, and continues through to his grandfather's death, ending abruptly with Louis & Marie on the verge of becoming the King & Queen of France. Most of the story takes place in Austria, focusing on the education and training of Antoinette, told from her point of view.

She often mentions how others perceive her as "ruled by her passions," and she also describes herself as emotional, and yet I felt that the majority of her recollections lacked any sense of sentiment. She reminisced in a very matter-of-factly way, which failed to convey what she truly felt during her transformation from an unruly 10yr old to the dauphine. More details were given about her clothes and her hairstyles than her personal feelings about her situation or her relationships with those around her. I felt that the novel centered more on the appearance of Antoinette, rather than her thoughts. Considering she was separated from all that she knew at the age of 14, I expected more from her memoirs.

The author Juliet Grey seems to have gotten so lost in her research that she lost focus in the story. Antoinette's vocabulary and attitude barely change from adolescence to adulthood. Also, regardless of whether or not she plans to continue Antoinette's tale in a series, it does not excuse writing a hasty ending.

I wish the historical fiction authors would stop revisiting the fashion of Marie Antoinette, and shift focus to the fates of her children after their parents are beheaded.

This novel is not bad. But there are lot of novels about Marie Antoinette. There are Carolyn Meyer's "The Bad Queen" and Kathryn Lasky's "Marie Antoinette" both of it for teenager. Jean Plaidy's superb novels "Flaunting, Extravagant Queen" and Plaidy as under the name Victoria Holt's "The Queen's Confession".

This novel is not bad, but not that good, neither.

Becoming Marie Antoinette is the 1st in the trilogy starting with the early Childhood of Marie Antoinette the Austrian Archduchess and the early years of her marriage to Louis Auguste. Published by Random House and I have reviewed it via NetGalley.

Raised in a very large family to her now widowed Mother. Her life is simple and rather idyllic but her Mother has grand plans for her with a union with France for Political gain.

To be fit to be the future Queen of France in Versailles, Maire has to undergo a huge transformation in appearance, attitude and understandings. So much is expected of her as she enters as Madame la Dauphine as just a young teenage girl and marry the very awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI.

"Why must it be me? I wondered. When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?"

Juliet has written a fantastic and fascinating insight into the early year for Marie Antoinette and Louis. Knowing very little about them both, I was amazed that she wasn't the spoilt silly socialite that i thought she was. Juliet really captures the relationship between Louis and Marie Antoinette as well as the deep bond she had with her siblings.

Beautifully written and packed full of true historical facts that Juliet explains more about at the end of the novel. Very descriptive as well that you can really believe that you can smell what is going on etc! I certainly will be reading the other two in the series as they are released. If you love history or even love stories, this is for you!

Reviewed via NetGalley.