Marie Antoinette: The Journey
by Antonia Fraser
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Book Reviews of Marie Antoinette: The Journey
Book Review: History as readable as a novel.
Summary: 5 Stars
Fraser's biography is now considered one of the more complete contemporary works on Marie Antoinette's life, and beyond that is a fascinating peek into the end of imperial French life.
We all know the story as well as if it were a Greek tragedy; the beautiful young princess who desired too much, the lascivious old king who left "le deluge" to wash over his descendants, and the harrowing end for the last heir to the thrown in a Gothic prison. Fraser, however, brings all these scenes that make up the story Marie Antoinette and her part in the French Revolution to new life. The narrative flows like a novel while her prose remains slightly detached, ultimately allowing the reader to judge the queen's guilt for himself.
I know some readers find Fraser too sympathetic to Marie Antoinette considering all the transgressions, but I challenge anyone not to be moved by Marie Antoinette's love for her children and loyalty to her family.
Book Review: History as a soap opera
Summary: 2 Stars
A biography which hides, behind an overwhelming amount of details, a disarming lack of substance. Nothing more than a historical soap opera. From Antonia Fraser, author of an exemplary "Mary Stuart", it is legit to demand much more.It is singular that two of the best queen's biographies of the post Zweig and Castelot era were never translated into English: the moving "Chère Marie-Antoinette" (1988) by Jean Chalon and the unreachable "Marie-Antoinette l'insoumise" (2002) by Simone Bertière, maybe the best work on Marie Antoinette I've ever read. Whoever knows French should not miss these books. I also signal the recent French DVD release of the movie "L'Autrichienne" (1989), written by the specialist Castelot, based entirely on the proceedings' minutes of the trial of the queen: a stunning piece of work with an absolutely superb Ute Lemper as Marie Antoinette.
Book Review: A deeply moving and historically fascinating book
Summary: 5 Stars
Antonia Fraser's book is historically fascinating, well written and reasearched--but it also is a moving and unforgetable story. It is highly recommended for any serious reader. You will never hear the name of Marie Antoinette again without deeply feeling the last sad and proud moments of her life, and feeling how tragically and wrongly history has judged her. The tragedy of her life is a haunting one that cannot go away after you read this book. This is not a book for those who want light reading--yet its rewards are deep for those who have a love of history and want to understand the human condition, both for its good and bad attributes. The book is a masterpiece at showing how people are products of their times, and yet because of historical events move on to personal achievements. This book encompasses what writing about history is all about--a true achievement for Ms. Fraser.Book Review: Fantastic trip Back In History!
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw the movie first,was not impressed by it and it did not give me a different opinion of Marie than what I was taught in grade school--including that she did say the famous, "Let Them Eat Cake." Looked it up the book, ordered it and read it in three days. It is an incrediable read for anyone that loves history and all it's details. It read as if her life happened just yesterday. Incrediable detail and research. It gave me a complete different view of Marie. She became Queen but what did that really give her? It cost her life and the life of her husband and son. The real story is NOTHING like they taught us in America when I was in grade school in the 70's. Thanks to this author for all her hard work and telling the real story. I have much respect for Marie and all she indured with the true grace of a Queen. Once again, a fantastic read for history buffs like me.Book Review: Fascinating look at the quintessential French queen
Summary: 4 Stars
I really liked this book and finished it in record time--even though I knew how MA's story would end, it was fascinating to see that she was not entirely the arrogant and unapproachable Queen of lore. Yes, she made some mistakes and was extravagant at times, but certainly no more extravagant than previous Queens of France. Minimally any reader will say after reading this book that it is sad she was a Queen who did not pay more attention outside the walls of Versailles so that she might be less oblivious--but even then, I'm not sure she could have escaped her doomed fate.
The treatment of the family during their captivity and particularly the treatment of their children is startling (not to mention the legendary treatment of the Princesse de Lamballe). In the end, I'm not sure what was worse--the royal family or the revolutionaries.