France's 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; she has since been the object of debate and speculation and the fascination so often accorded tragic figures in history. Married in mere girlhood, this essentially lighthearted, privileged, but otherwise unremarkable child was thrust into an unparalleled time and place, and was commanded by circumstance to play a significant role in history. Antonia ...
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France's 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; she has since been the object of debate and speculation and the fascination so often accorded tragic figures in history. Married in mere girlhood, this essentially lighthearted, privileged, but otherwise unremarkable child was thrust into an unparalleled time and place, and was commanded by circumstance to play a significant role in history. 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 coming-of-age of a graceful woman, but also in the unraveling of an era. "From the Trade Paperback edition."
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This biography by Antonia Fraser is very entertaining and interesting! It reads more like a novel than an academic biography. I found myself rooting for Marie Antoinette's escape even though I knew what the ending would ultimately be. In the movie based on the book, Sofia Coppella focused on the parts of the book that pertained to Marie Antoinette as a person. Ms. Coppella created an intimate portrait of the heroine that gives us a perspective on what it must have been like for a young girl to be thrust into the horrendous situation that was Versailles at that time. Overall, the book and the movie were very different and had different foci. They, therefore, both succeeded -- but in different ways. Read and watch and then tell us what YOU think!!
