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amylikestoread's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*, dry in parts but otherwise a pretty good read.
annashiv's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars but only because it was a little slow and it requires some basic understanding of the events or of French. I wish I had know I should take notes on each person introduced as I had a hard time remembering them all and their roles.
Otherwise, outstanding. I really felt I got to know Marie Antoinette and her husband especially. I was convinced the author knew what she was talking about, had done her research and concluded correctly the nature of the people involved. I don't usually get emotional, but I cried at certain parts toward the end, mainly the separation of the family and just how ill treated she was. She is incredibly misunderstood still today. She had her flaws, but not nearly enough to justify what was done to her and her family. And even to the end she forgave them. Her courage and dignity really stuck me. I tear up thinking about parts of her life. I'll be thinking of it for some time.
Otherwise, outstanding. I really felt I got to know Marie Antoinette and her husband especially. I was convinced the author knew what she was talking about, had done her research and concluded correctly the nature of the people involved. I don't usually get emotional, but I cried at certain parts toward the end, mainly the separation of the family and just how ill treated she was. She is incredibly misunderstood still today. She had her flaws, but not nearly enough to justify what was done to her and her family. And even to the end she forgave them. Her courage and dignity really stuck me. I tear up thinking about parts of her life. I'll be thinking of it for some time.
tmickey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
lizlynn's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Well written biography that doesn't linger on the pop culture moments you typically associate with this story. Marie Antoinette is a controversial figure and this book provides a more full picture. Her vices were made manifestly worse by the situation she was pushed into. More than anything I was angry at the people around her: Maria Theresa, Joseph, COUNT MERCY, and the French advisors who expected incredible outcomes from a person they neglected (educationally).
le_corbeau_romantique's review against another edition
4.0
A sympathetic look at the great queen. Even today the slanderous propaganda of her time takes hold of her memory- no she NEVER said "Let them eat cake." She was a very misunderstood woman resulting in very tragic events. I love Fraser's books, but I wish more of the french would have been translated. I read and listened to the wonderful audiobook.