Keri (TXGrobanite) reviewed Becoming Marie Antoinette (Marie Antoinette Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 270 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Everytime I read or see a movie about Marie Antoinette I think of the French people (back then) as murderers. I can't help but get a bit angry at her mother as well.
What fascinated me in this book is how much preparation she had to do to become Louis' bride. She had braces, and lots of other things done to her.
Was fascinating reading more about her early life in Austria with her mother. You can tell the author really did her research which I appreciate.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
What fascinated me in this book is how much preparation she had to do to become Louis' bride. She had braces, and lots of other things done to her.
Was fascinating reading more about her early life in Austria with her mother. You can tell the author really did her research which I appreciate.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
Shawn H. reviewed Becoming Marie Antoinette (Marie Antoinette Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Becoming Marie Antoinette is the first installment of the Marie Antoinette trilogy by Juliet Gray. This is a fun and educational read.
I previously knew very little about Marie Antoinette, only that she was the queen of France who was beheaded during the French Revolution and that she once said, of the starving masses, "Let them eat cake!" Now, I feel sympathetic toward her, having the weight of the world placed upon her young shoulders beginning at the tender age of 10, when it was first suggested that she should marry Louis XVI and cement the treaty between Austria and France. She was constantly reprimanded by her ambitious mother, who withheld the simplest demonstrations of affection or comfort, then at 14 sent to Versailles without the slightest hope of ever seeing her beloved Austria or family ever again.
Once married and living in the palace at Versailles, I admire the way our heroine strove diligently to follow the often ridiculous French etiquette and to live above reproach. It was also fun to read about the crazy behavior of the upper echelon and to hear about the unusual circumstances of Marie Antoinette's marriage with a husband so shy that he could barely touch her for years and how she learned to love him, offering patience and understanding, for all his shortcomings.
And, just for the record, Marie Antoinette never did say, "Let them eat cake!"
This novel ends as Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI ascend the throne of France, and I am eagerly anticipating the next two books to learn how the rest of her story unfolds.
I previously knew very little about Marie Antoinette, only that she was the queen of France who was beheaded during the French Revolution and that she once said, of the starving masses, "Let them eat cake!" Now, I feel sympathetic toward her, having the weight of the world placed upon her young shoulders beginning at the tender age of 10, when it was first suggested that she should marry Louis XVI and cement the treaty between Austria and France. She was constantly reprimanded by her ambitious mother, who withheld the simplest demonstrations of affection or comfort, then at 14 sent to Versailles without the slightest hope of ever seeing her beloved Austria or family ever again.
Once married and living in the palace at Versailles, I admire the way our heroine strove diligently to follow the often ridiculous French etiquette and to live above reproach. It was also fun to read about the crazy behavior of the upper echelon and to hear about the unusual circumstances of Marie Antoinette's marriage with a husband so shy that he could barely touch her for years and how she learned to love him, offering patience and understanding, for all his shortcomings.
And, just for the record, Marie Antoinette never did say, "Let them eat cake!"
This novel ends as Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI ascend the throne of France, and I am eagerly anticipating the next two books to learn how the rest of her story unfolds.
Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) -
There is a lot of detail in this novel -- what this salon looked like, what color and fabric gown Lady So-and-so wore, how the title character's teeth were straightened with primitive braces. The details were interesting, but didn't leave much room for a story, so there wasn't one. The whole of this volume has Marie Antoinette preparing for her marriage to the dauphin of France, getting married, then trying to consummate her union. For 400 pages. It is the first in a trilogy, but I'll not bother to read the rest of the trilogy, as the first one didn't have enough action to keep me interested. Not recommended for any but the most devoted fans of Marie Antoinette.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Becoming Marie Antoinette (Marie Antoinette Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 1452 more book reviews
Having just read reviews of this book on another site I find that I might just be in the minority. Yes, I liked the key character. The author does an excellent job of creating a character with which the reader can identify. However, I felt that the book dragged in the first half. The details about training to become the dauphine of France, wife of the future king seemed too extensive to me. My first thought was that the author was lengthening the book so she could get three books instead of two or one. However, the last half was much more interesting as the reader walks with 'Toinette through the politically charged French court. No matter what she does she is criticized by someone. And, when the king dies, the scenes are emotionally realistic. Will I read the next two in this trilogy? I'm not sure at this point.
Karen K. (kkowert) -
Archduchess Maria Antonia Joseph Johanna of Austria, the youngest girl of sixteen children was just another political pawn in her mothers (Empress Maria Theresa of Austria) arsenal. At the tender age of ten, she was promised in marriage to Louise Auguste, dauphin of France in order to secure a political and military alliance with France. We may know the rest of the story of this notorious royal couple; however the story of the young Maries life was entertaining and painted a much more sympathetic picture than we usually get of Marie Antoinette.
The young Maria Antonia is portrayed as a frivolous, fun seeking youngster who loves the outdoors and who excels at getting out of her lessons. As the future queen of France, all that changes with her the mothers schemes and the Empress Maria undertakes a serious project to transform her unruly child into a queen. The transformation was both of the physical and mental kind. Maria was forced to wear braces to straighten her teeth (can you imagine the pain with 18th century dental procedures?). The Empress Maria Theresa of Austria spared no expense in employing a host of tutors to teach Maria to dance, perform the Versailles glide, play the harp and be a charming hostess.
And dont think for a moment that she would hesitate to relieve you of your duties if you do not transform me from an Austrian caterpillar into a French butterfly.
This is a coming of age story for the Austrian caterpillar that is forced into the politics and intrigue of the French court. Teaching Maria proper French, geography and politics turns out to be a much more daunting task. One of Marias tasks was to learn French history and she learned about a queen that proclaimed Let Them Eat Cake. I wonder if the author put that in because she believes Marie Antoinette has unfairly been yoked with this infamous saying.
Well, its a silly thing to say, then. Let them eat cake. She should have gone out among the people and fed them. Its what I would have done.
The book kept me engaged and I would consider this historical fiction light with good descriptions of court life, fashions, etc. This book covers the years 1766 1774 and there are 2 more upcoming books in the trilogy of Marie Antoinettes life. Although I have a few minor complaints about the writing, I will be reading the next book in the trilogy. It may seem very picky of me to choose 3 words in an entire book; however I would not recommend using any of the following words in a sentence: pulchritudinous, encomiums or transmogrifying. I dont mind if an author uses words I have to look up, but if the young woman is portrayed consistently as uneducated, why would she use a sophisticated word in a letter to her mother?
The young Maria Antonia is portrayed as a frivolous, fun seeking youngster who loves the outdoors and who excels at getting out of her lessons. As the future queen of France, all that changes with her the mothers schemes and the Empress Maria undertakes a serious project to transform her unruly child into a queen. The transformation was both of the physical and mental kind. Maria was forced to wear braces to straighten her teeth (can you imagine the pain with 18th century dental procedures?). The Empress Maria Theresa of Austria spared no expense in employing a host of tutors to teach Maria to dance, perform the Versailles glide, play the harp and be a charming hostess.
And dont think for a moment that she would hesitate to relieve you of your duties if you do not transform me from an Austrian caterpillar into a French butterfly.
This is a coming of age story for the Austrian caterpillar that is forced into the politics and intrigue of the French court. Teaching Maria proper French, geography and politics turns out to be a much more daunting task. One of Marias tasks was to learn French history and she learned about a queen that proclaimed Let Them Eat Cake. I wonder if the author put that in because she believes Marie Antoinette has unfairly been yoked with this infamous saying.
Well, its a silly thing to say, then. Let them eat cake. She should have gone out among the people and fed them. Its what I would have done.
The book kept me engaged and I would consider this historical fiction light with good descriptions of court life, fashions, etc. This book covers the years 1766 1774 and there are 2 more upcoming books in the trilogy of Marie Antoinettes life. Although I have a few minor complaints about the writing, I will be reading the next book in the trilogy. It may seem very picky of me to choose 3 words in an entire book; however I would not recommend using any of the following words in a sentence: pulchritudinous, encomiums or transmogrifying. I dont mind if an author uses words I have to look up, but if the young woman is portrayed consistently as uneducated, why would she use a sophisticated word in a letter to her mother?
Robert K. R. (rikker) reviewed Becoming Marie Antoinette (Marie Antoinette Trilogy, Bk 1) on + 515 more book reviews
Good review of history, brings us back to former times.
