Now she crosses the channel to limn the life of frances unhappiest queen, bringing along her gift for fluent storytelling, vivid characterization, and evocative historical background. The young archduchess antonia had no idea of her fate until the last few years of her life, and as a result of the way this book is. According to antonia fraser, the french accused every foreign. This is a fine book and a very good read desmond seward daily mail in marie antoinette, fraser s superb gifts of narrative, characterisation and eye for salient detail are deployed to greater effect than ever before mark bostridge independent on sunday. Shortly after midnight on june 20, 1791, a small group of people left the tuileries. Married in mere girlhood, this essentially lighthearted child was thrust onto the royal stage and. Antoinettes story isnt really a tragedybut fraser somehow makes it seem like one.
Jun 17, 2001 marieantoinette antonia fraser weidenfeld. Assess the political role of marie antoinette in the years shortly before the french revolution. Marie antoinette by antonia fraser houston chronicle subscribe. The journey is a sympathetic 2001 biography of queen marie antoinette of france, by lady antonia fraser. The most famous line in gastronomic history, let them eat cake, turns out to have been. Frances iconic queen, marie antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous let them eat cake, was alternately r. She has taken a woman who had been turned into a caricature, a posterchild for a typical example of reactionary, frivolous royalty, and turned her into a real, and sympathetic, human being. Marie antoinette by antonia fraser books hachette australia. Brilliantly written, a work of impeccable scholarship. Fascinating guardian beautifully paced, impeccably written.
In the past, antonia frasers bestselling histories and biographies have focused on people and events in her native. Antonia frasers lavish and engaging portrait of marie. Never before has the life of marie antoinette been told so intimately and with such authority as in antonia frasers newest work, marie antoinette. It is surprising how some books actually start with her arrival in france. It has also been translated into french, been awarded the enid mcleod literary prize, received widespread critical success and been described as definitive by british historian, amanda foreman. John knox the winter of 1542 was marked by tempestuous weather throughout the british isles.
She began life as the daughter of an austrian queen. Marie antoinette by antonia fraser read by lindsay duncan. While antoinette never made the oftrepeated line to peasants seeking bread, she was a spendthrift, a trait that helped do her in when the revolutionary lawyers made their case against her. She is the widow of the 2005 nobel laureate in literature, harold pinter 19302008, and prior to his death was also known as lady antonia pinter. I have read every single book published in england about marie antoinette, and i think antonia fraser has done the impossible.
Antonia fraser examines her influence over the king, louis xvi, the accusations and sexual slurs made against her, her patronage of the arts which enhanced french cultural life, her imprisonment, the death threats made against her, rumours of lesbian affairs, her trial during which her young son was forced to testify to sexual abuse by his. This is a fine book and a very good read desmond seward daily mail in marie antoinette, frasers superb gifts of narrative, characterisation and eye for salient detail are deployed to greater effect than ever before mark bostridge independent on sunday. Antonia frasers superb life of marieantoinette depicts a woman driven over. It is the basis for the 2006 sofia coppola film marie antoinette.
This is the number one book recommended by users on goodreads and amazon about the queen of france, and i am certainly going to read it as soon as i can. The story of the gunpowder plot, and perilous question. Frances beleaguered queen, marie antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous let them eat cake, was the subject of ridicule and curiosity even before her death. December 2002 famous for her personal indulgences, as well as her vanity, frances controversial. Aug 01, 2002 antonia fraser is the author of many widely acclaimed historical works which have been international bestsellers. Marie antoinette ebook by antonia fraser 9781400033287. The journey by antonia fraser and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
These all happened at the height of the french revolution 17891799. Marie antoinette was a patron of the arts and a nature enthusiast. Lady antonia margaret caroline fraser, ch, dbe, frsl nee pakenham. Famously known as the eighteenthcentury french queen whose excesses have become legend, marie antoinette was blamed for instigating the french revolution. Born in 1755, the tiny archduchess of austria was sent to france at 14 to marry the sulky dauphin. Antonia fraser is obviously a fan of marie antoinette, her detailed biography of the former queen of france made me see marie antoinette in a different light. Apr 15, 2016 antonia frasers lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the reader not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, but also in the unraveling of an era. Antonia fraser the concentration in my book on marie. Is philanthropy an essential part of the royal role. Antonia fraser s most popular book is marie antoinette. Join facebook to connect with antoinette antoinette and others you may know. It has also been translated into french, been awarded the enid mcleod literary prize, received widespread critical success and been described as.
Lady antonia fraser discusses why marie antoinette has fascinated people throughout history. Reading guide for marie antoinette by antonia fraser. Born maria antonia, marie antoniette was the daughter of the empress maria theresa of habsburg. Antonia fraser s lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the listener not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, but also in the unraveling of an era. With marie antoinette, lady antonia fraser has written one of the more memorable biographies of recent years. The most famous line in gastronomic history, let them eat cake, turns out to have been an eighteenthcentury cliche. Nov 12, 2002 frances iconic queen, marie antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous let them eat cake, was alternately revered and reviled during her lifetime. View the profiles of people named antoinette antoinette.
For centuries since, she has been the object of debate, speculation, and the fascination so often accorded illustrious figures in history. Antonia fraser quotes from the concentration in my book on marie antoinettes childhood and on her family influences. The national bestseller from the acclaimed author of the wives of henry viii. May 30, 2002 marie antoinette by lady antonia fraser, 9780753858, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Marie antoinette, princess of versailles is a wonderful edition of the royal diary series. Constance, according to her son joseph weber, who later wrote his memoirs, was famed for her beautiful figure and an even greater beauty of soul.
The tragic life of marie antoinette, rich in conflicting detail, remains a biographers challenge, and antonia frasers richly human yet evenhanded account is a readers delight. Clearing up some misconceptions about a woman who was, in reality, surprisingly compassionate, fraser paints a compelling. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read marie antoinette. Antonia frasers lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the reader not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, buaimedt also in the unraveling of an era. Antonia fraser has 107 books on goodreads with 215389 ratings. Antonia fraser s lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the reader not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, buaimedt also in the unraveling of an era. Memoirs of the court of marie antoinette, queen of france. A biography of a queen who never said, as legend has it, let them eat cake. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Antonia frasers lavish and engaging portrait excites compassion and regard for the. In the past, antonia frasers bestselling histories and biographies have focused on people and events in her native england, from mary queen of scots to faith and treason. Mary, queen of scots by antonia fraser, paperback barnes. Antonia fraser is the author of many internationally bestselling historical works, including love and louis xiv, marie antoinette, which was made into a film by sofia coppola, the wives of henry viii, mary queen of scots, faith and treason.
Pretty marie was raised to further the hapsburg familys political ambitions, as defined by her dominating mother, empress maria theresa of austriahungary. Antonia fraser is the author of many widely acclaimed historical works which have been international bestsellers. Antonia frasers most popular book is marie antoinette. All men lamented all men lamented that the realm was left without a male to succeed. Fascinating guardianbeautifully paced, impeccably written. In the past, antonia fraser s bestselling histories and biographies have focused on people and events in her native england, from mary queen of scots to faith and treason. She was awarded the medlicott medal by the historical association in 2000 and was made a dbe in 2011 for services to literature. In 1770, marie antoinette, aged 14, wed the awkward 16yearold who in 1774 became louis xvi. Nine months prior to that her husband, king louis xiv was executed.
The tragic life of marie antoinette, rich in conflicting detail, remains a biographers challenge, and antonia frasers richly human yet evenhanded account is a. Antonia fraser picked quite an interesting subject, when she wrote the historical biography, marie antoinette. The journey is a sympathetic 2001 biography of archduchess marie antoinette, the queen of france 17741792 by antonia fraser. Every other book is written in the shadow of the guillotine. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Read marie antoinette the journey by antonia fraser available from rakuten kobo. This book takes the reader on a journey through an incredible life, causing me to laugh, cry and at one point throw the book i was so incensed at the injustices love love love.
Never before has the life of marie antoinette been told so intimately and with such authority as in antonia fraser s newest work, marie antoinette. Marie antoinette by antonia fraser houston chronicle. The tragic life of marie antoinette, rich in conflicting detail, remains a biographers challenge, and antonia fraser s richly human yet evenhanded account is a readers delight. Marie antoinette is probably the most famous and memorable lady in french history, bar none.
Marie antoinette by lady antonia fraser waterstones. On that same day, 217 years ago, marie antoinette or maria antonia josepha johanna 17551793 was executed by guillotine. Antonia fraser examines her influence over the king, louis xvi, the accusations and sexual slurs made against her, her patronage of the arts which enhanced french cultural life, her imprisonment, the death threats made against her, rumours of lesbian affairs. Marie antoinette remains one of the most poignant and illfated characters in history. December 2002 famous for her personal indulgences, as well as her vanity, frances controversial queen gets a break in frasers bestselling biography. Nov 12, 2002 antonia fraser s lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the reader not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, but also in the unraveling of an era. Antonia frasers lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the listener not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, but also in the unraveling of an era. Memoirs of the court of marie antoinette, queen of france, complete by mme.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The journey, by antonia fraser april 26, 2011 by monitor staff. Antonia fraser writes beautifully, with impressively shrewd judgement. Frances iconic queen, marie antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous let them eat cake, was alternately revered and reviled during her lifetime. Somehow antonia fraser writes in a no nonsense way yet allows the reader to hear the music, and the swish of marie antoinette s skirts as she walked through versailles. Marie antoinette was put into the care of constance weber, wife of a magistrate. In this stunning biography, antonia fraser, one of the worlds leading biographers and historians, brings to life this controversial figure whose extraordinary story continues to arouse mixed emotions. Novelist and historian fraser faith and treason, 1996, etc.
Famously known as the eighteenthcentury french queen whose excesses have become legend, marie antoinette was. One of the most wellknown and appraised biographies of marie antoinette is antonia frasers marie antoinette. The book, which was relaunched to coincide with the release of the related film, has had considerable success. Should she have tried to influence louis xvi more or was she correct to let history take its own course. Antonia fraser offers instead a picture of a courageous woman, more sinned against than sinning. The journey by antonia fraser is probably the most engaging biography in english, however i personally think that the author puts too much of her own opinions and 21st century interpretations on marie antoinette in the book. The book is at times dense because the author really goes into some of the politics, she involves important names and dates and many times i found myself googling people, events and. Marie antoinette by lady antonia fraser, 9780753858, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. It is the basis for the 2006 sofia coppola film marie antoinette the book, which was relaunched to coincide with the release of the related film, has had considerable success. Antonia frasers lavish and engaging portrait of marie antoinette, one of the most recognizable women in european history, excites compassion and regard for all aspects of her subject, immersing the listener not only in the comingofage of a graceful woman, but also in.