Maria Antonia is only a young girl when she’s informed that she is to be the bride of the future King of France – if she can get up to scratch, that is. She quite distinctly must become Marie Antoinette, a woman capable of being Queen of France, with the bearing, appearance, accent, and knowledge that any queen needs. She is melded to progress her family’s agenda, then sent to a brand new country to meet a completely new family, as though her life in Austria never existed. This first installment of a new trilogy fictionalizing Marie Antoinette’s life truly does describe how she became the queen remembered throughout history.
Grey’s novel takes on the life of Marie Antoinette somewhat earlier than other books do and appears to be really taking an exhaustive look at her. I’d never before read about her struggles to actually be accepted as the appropriate wife of the Dauphin; it must have been hard for any young girl to be judged wanting so very much by her future family. She endures extra lessons, surgery on her teeth, and is constantly inspected for improvements.
As you might expect, then, Grey’s Marie Antoinette is a very sympathetic girl. She’s used to the relative flexibility of the Austrian court, even with her strict mother, and the laxness of her tutors who will falsify her results rather than force her to actually learn. Preparing to enter the French court – and then actually doing so – is a rather unpleasant revelation, and we can feel for the girl who has lost everything familiar to her.
Marie Antoinette’s relative innocence navigating the court in France continues, even as she is forced to seduce her own husband by order of her mother. She must become pregnant to solidify her family’s position and to provide an heir to the throne, but her husband is reticent for reasons mysterious to her. The poor girl is not only in an unfamiliar court, confused by the immorality around her, but is also rejected by the one she hoped would treat her well.
If you’re looking at a very sympathetic look at Marie Antoinette, you could hardly go wrong with this one. It’s also very well written, with fantastic descriptions of life in Vienna and Versailles. Grey has done quite a bit of research, as she explains in her author’s note, and almost everything she uses is true to history. She does an excellent job of matching the personalities of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, who both mainly just wanted to escape from their duties and be normal – a tragic story for those who know what is coming.
While I’ve read the story of Marie Antoinette’s life before, I found myself very much enjoying Becoming Marie Antoinette and looking forward to the next volumes. The author’s treatment of a familiar story is well done, and will have the most reluctant reader feeling very much for a young girl cast adrift in an unfamiliar world.
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I really enjoyed this book, too. Unfortunately, we must play the waiting game now for book 2.
Anna´s last post …Review: To the Moon and Back by Jill Mansell
I really enjoyed this one as well. I didn’t realize it was a series until I finished the book. I was disappointed at the ending because I wanted more! I was pleased when I figured out it wasn’t really the end.
I’ve seen some mixed reviews for this one – I have a copy of it and hope to get to it fairly soon. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I’m pumped that this is a series. It seems like it will be a better, fuller capturing of the whole story. Very cool.
Pam (@iwriteinbooks)´s last post …BTT: Going Public
This is a book that I have been excited about for awhile now, but I am less excited that it is a trilogy. I love great historical fiction and this seems like it will really hit the spot, but I just wish it was all completely packaged up in one bite sized installment. Great review, by the way! I am glad you liked it!
zibilee´s last post …Fiction Ruined My Family by Jeanne Darst — 320 pgs
I really enjoyed this book, too. I am looking forward to the sequel!
Kailana´s last post …Helene Hanff – Two Books and a Movie
I enjoyed this book very much and am also looking forward to the sequel. I just posted my review, and if you wish you could link yours there, at it’s part of my meme: I love France. here is the post: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/i-love-france-6-69-review-becoming-marie-antoinette/
Emma @ Words And Peace
Emma @ Words And Peace´s last post …I love France #6: #69 Review: Becoming Marie Antoinette
I do like sympathetic treatments of all but the most horrible historic figures, so I have a feeling this might be one historical fiction book I might like.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last post …Guest post: Liza Gyllenhaal
I’ve been a little down on royal historical fiction of late, but I was highly entertained by this one!
Julie P.´s last post …Book Club Exchange: Liza Gyllenhaal & Giveaway
I’ve seen quite a few people buying this book and it’s nice to know a bit more about it. Definitely looks like a good book to read and one I’m tempted by.
Elena´s last post …Teaser Tuseday – September 20
Have you read the biography of Marie Antoinette that Sofia Coppola based her movie on (or says she did)? I have, years ago. And I’m interested to see how it compares to this one. It is on my Netgalley list, I just have to get to it quick. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, it means I am more excited about starting this one.
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You know I always take note of the historical fiction you like – definitely will be reading this one! Thanks for the review.
S. Krishna´s last post …Book Review: Friday Mornings at Nine – Marilyn Brant
Not a period I’m normally very interested in but your review grabbed me. It’s going on my TBR list. *cough* Not that I don’t already have about a hundred books on it.
JR Tomlin´s last post …Teaser Tuesday: Isabeau by N. Gemini Sasson
I really enjoyed this one too. It’s so easy to feel for this young Marie Antoinette and the courts, both Austrian and French, are described so beautifully. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Amy´s last post …Today’s Book – The Taker by Alma Katsu
Oh, glad you liked this one! I am not sure why, but the cover really turns me off on this one. It looks kind of like those bizarrely sexual Luxe novels that take place in Victorian era New York. But glad to know that what is on the INSIDE is good.
Aarti´s last post …Musings: Lionheart
This sounds like it’s following the biography I read of her fairly closely. I really felt sorry for her.
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Great review! I’m happy to hear it’s well written with great descriptions. It’s on my TBR pile and I’m really looking forward to reading it.
kay @ Infiniteshelf´s last post …Wordless Wednesday : Find the frog!
I read a little bit about her early life in Flaunting, Extravagant Queen by Jean Plaidy, but not in too much detail. This sounds like an interesting, balanced read. Should give it a try if see it on my library.
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