Marie Antoinette: Complete & Unabridged

Marie Antoinette is usually castigated as a monster of history, yet Fraser does an admirable job in demolishing the myths surrounding her subject. From the notorious “let them eat cake” incident to her numerous alleged infidelities, the stories surrounding Antoinette are effectively demolished, and what we are left with is a surprisingly vulnerable woman.

The Antoinette of this book is constrained from many different sources, and in such a way as to negate the criticisms levelled at her. Her femininity was used as a political tool to form alliances through marriage, and it was from this point that her problems began to build up. The Hapsburgs who she was leaving behind expected her to exert a robust influence at court, yet at Versailles she found a system where woman were not allowed to have a voice, and where her primary function was to provide children for France. She was at the mercy of her husband in this, who was unable to consummate the marriage for a number of years, leaving her vulnerable to claims that the children she bore were not fathered by Louis VXI. The frustrations of the Hapsburgs demonstrate that when the castigation started, the picture of her as l'Autrichienne was exaggerated. She became a scapegoat for the failings of the ancien regime, when she had had little to do with the decision making process.

The book has been criticised by a number of other Amazon reviewers for not covering the cause and effect of the French Revolution enough. Yet it is to Fraser’s credit that she has represented events only from Antoinette’s point of view. The book is meant to centre upon Antoinette, not events happening around her, and the revolution with reference to Antoinette is well documented, and is a worthy attempt to present events from her point of view, instead of providing any moral or political justification for what happened..

Overall this is a superb biography. Fraser’s writing is clear and precise, and she applies insightful analysis to all the major events of Antoinette’s reign. She steers away from any sort of agenda, and does acknowledge her failings, even allowing for the indulgences of the court. The minutia of the court is well documented also, and anyone with a passing interest in royalty or history, would find that interest well served by this book.


The journey - Marie Antoinette   April 28, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

From the Beginings of a political pawn in Austrian-French politics, Antonia Fraser takes us on the Journey of Marie Antoinette's life.

Fabulously written, with womanly flair, Antonia Fraser once again shows her extensive research on her subject.

In gripping style, the author relates to the reader the "travesty" of the trial, and the "humiliating" death of Marie Antoinette, as impartially as possible, although one cannot help but get caught up in the emotion of it.

A brilliant read, leaving the reader wondering what did become of the royal children, and what has happened since. Which the author also provides in her epilogue.


The journey - Marie Antoinette   April 28, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

From the Beginings of a political pawn in Austrian-French politics, Antonia Fraser takes us on the Journey of Marie Antoinette's life.

Fabulously written, with womanly flair, Antonia Fraser once again shows her extensive research on her subject.

In gripping style, the author relates to the reader the "travesity" of the trial, and the "humiliating" death of Marie Antoinette, as impartially as possible, although one cannot help but get caught up in the emotion of it.

A brilliant read, leaving the reader wondering what did become of the royal children, and what has happened since. Which the author also provides in her epilogue.


Excellent Book - Unfair Criticism   April 10, 2003
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

I mainly write this review in order to save the book from the bashing that 'Reader from France' (above) has given it.

Yes he/she quite rightly says that this book is not the place to look if you want to know why the last Queen of France lost her head - but that is not what this book is about or even purports to be about! So if that is what you are interested in finding out then perhaps take a look at Simon Schama's 'Citizens' - I wouldn't know because I got everything, and more, that I wanted to know from Antonia Fraser's book.

This is not a historical study into the reasons surrounding the French Revolution, nor is it a study into the reasons why Marie Anoinette lost her head. It is an extremely well researched and excellently written book on Marie Antoinette - her life, her passage through that life, and everywhere it took her. The detail is excellent and really makes you able to envisage it all as if you were there - having been to the Palace of Versailles it makes the reading even better because the feeling that you have been in the very rooms where all this took place is fantastic!

I think that Antonia Fraser has done an excellent job in piecing together a work which is quite evidently authoritative and helps put Marie Antoinette in a better light than history seems to have done. The criticism it seems to have attracted is totally unwarranted given that the criticism is directed at an angle which this book doesn't attempt to tackle.

A fantastic read - definitely recommended.


extraordinary book of truth   March 28, 2003
 1 out of 5 found this review helpful

Shocking book of truth on the French revolution and its atrocities. Breathtaking !