Confessions of Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette #3

by Juliet Grey

A novel for fans of Philippa Gregory and Michelle Moran, Confessions of Marie Antoinette blends rich historical detail with searing drama, bringing to life the first years of the French Revolution and the final days of the legendary French queen.

Versailles, 1789. As the burgeoning rebellion reaches the palace gates, Marie Antoinette finds her privileged and peaceful life swiftly upended by violence. Once her loyal subjects, the people of France now seek to overthrow the crown, placing the heirs of the Bourbon dynasty in mortal peril.

Displaced to the Tuileries Palace in Paris, the royal family is propelled into the heart of the Revolution. There, despite a few staunch allies, they are surrounded by cunning spies and vicious enemies. Yet despite the political and personal threats against her, Marie Antoinette remains, above all, a devoted wife and mother, standing steadfastly by her husband, Louis XVI, and protecting their young son and daughter. And though the queen secretly attempts to arrange her family's rescue from the clutches of the rebels, she finds that they can neither outrun the dangers encircling them nor escape their shocking fate.

Genres: Historical Fiction, France, Historical, Fiction, French Revolution, Royalty, 18th Century

445 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2013

About the author

Juliet Grey has extensively researched European royal history and is a particular devotee of Marie Antoinette. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and Washington DC.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the lavish, splendor life of the most well known Queen of France ends with this tragic conclusion. If you already know how the story ends, you are well aware that there is no way around this ending. The nature of this ending makes this trilogy no less enjoyable. Be prepared to cry along with Marie Antoinette if you are a mother yourself. If you are looking for a wonderful biography of the life of Marie Antoinette and don't mind some small bits being embellished, then I would absolutely recommend this trilogy to you.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the early ARC of this novel.

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Confessions of Marie Antoinette" is the third novel in a series. It begins with the French royal family being forcibly removed from the Palace of Versailles, and covers the remaining three years of Marie Antoinette's life. Marie Antoinette is usually framed as just heartlessly flippant or devastatingly tragic, but the author does a good job of framing her story in a nuanced and interesting way, where she seems like an actual person and not just one extreme or the other.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third and final book in a biographical fiction series about Marie Antoinette. This one covers from the start of the revolution to her death. Some things were a little hard to follow but I learned a lot.

[Ris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update**** I spoke with the author about the name change and this was done at the publisher's request. She says that her book has nothing at all to do with Marie's diary, nor is it written in diary format. It was written as Last October Sky, and was only changed bc publisher requested that it be so. So, I am sure it will be as fabulous as the other two! A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, yes?

******
I agree, thought Last October Sky was a unique and lovely title. Confessions sounds like the diary of and there are at least two other books out there about Marie Antoinette's diary. Just my two cents!

[Shannon Elizabeth Heffner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Shakespeare wrote, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." Juliet Grey has expanded on this thought in her new book "The Confessions of Marie Antoinette". Most of us know the basics of Marie's life. The young Austrian princess who became a queen while still a teenager. The woman who spent like she had a credit card with no limit, and, in the eyes of the French people, spent France into ruin. She was the epitome of the aristocracy that had held the people in a caste system for centuries, and because of this, led to her ultimate destiny under the blade of the guillotine. But this is what we all know. Ms.Grey has gone beyond the Marie Antoinette of legend and has ultimately made her human once more. This book is not a happy read. In fact, it may very well make you tear up as I did. It begins right where the last book leaves off (which I feel I have deprived myself of a good back to back read as I did not read "Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow" and really wish I did. I didn't realize this was a third installment of a trilogy or else I would have.) with the French people storming the streets of Paris, making their way to the gates of Versailles, demanding change. They are at first subdued by the promises of bread from the royal larders, but it does not take long for Louis and Antoinette to realize that the people are hungry for more than just bread; they are hungry for liberty.

The escalation of the revolt is astounding. There is the famous quote that on the eve of the citizens storming Versailles, a palace guard comes running in, sweating and tells Louis the Parisians are at the gate. Louis looks up and says, "Is it a revolt?" The guard says, "No, sire. It's a revolution!"

The author takes a few paragraphs here and there to take us out of the 1st person narrative, and brings us into a 3rd person side story of a sculptor named Louison. She is one of many swept up in the current of the revolution and throughout the book, her story allows us to escape for a few moments from Antoinette's narration, allowing us to see things from this perspective. Louison is not strongly supportive either way. She feels sympathy for the monarchs who are quickly being stripped of everything from their power to their most basic comforts. I always felt there must have been many who felt this way, but with the carts rolling by every day full of condemned traitors of the nation and the nonstop flow of conspirators and blood, the fear they felt must have been too much to bear, so they say and do nothing.

Antoinette and Louis are at first given the comfort of living together with their children, and the king's devoted sister, the Princesse Elisabeth, and are allowed the comforts of a family living in genteel poverty in the Tuileries Palace (a nice enough place to live, especially in comparison to what the future holds, but a far cry from Versailles). One by one, these comforts are taken away, just as one by one their rights are taken as well.Several attempts at escape are made, including the famous flight to Varennes where, only kilometers from the Prussian boarder, they are caught and sent back to Paris in a slow procession of humiliation, On the 21st September, 1790, the king and queen become Citizen and Citizess Capet (September 21 happens to be my birthday, so I found that interesting). The couple and their family are moved to the Temple; a medieval fortress that was named after the Knights Templar and every inch the embodiment of a medieval turreted nightmare.
Things begin to move at an even faster pace after the move to the Temple. Louis is soon told he may only take meals with his family, and he is to be lodged elsewhere in the Temple. He knows at this point he is living on borrowed time. A few weeks later, they come for him and after a tearful embrace (here is the part of the book that made me cry bullets! It's been quite some time since this has happened.) he promises to come back for a final goodbye which he never makes. Louis is put under the guillotine and the "tyrant" is dead, for the "tree of liberty is watered by the blood of tyrants" says Robespierre. This proves to be even more difficult a time for Antoinette than she could have foreseen, since the new regime can't seem to decide if the nation would be better served through her exile or her death.

Ultimately, history shows us more were screaming for her death than her exile. To compound her pain, they move her son, now Louis XVII to those who still uphold the monarchy, to the same rooms that his father occupied before he was led to his death. For days she can hear him crying for his mother, and the awful guards who are to take charge of his education, teach him the songs of the revolution and tell him to yell at the top of his lungs that his mother is a whore, or else face corporal punishment, Poor Antoinette has to hear his "lessons" from her lodgings and one day even overhears him through the floorboards saying "haven't they killed that whore yet?" Louis Joseph dies of neglect and exposure two years after his mother's death.

Then the inevitable. Marie Antoinette is led from the Temple to the Conciergerie, also known as "death's antichamber" to await her own execution. She is subjected to the most cruel treatment that one can imagine during this time, including a precession of citizens led through the prison to gawk at her as if she is an animal in a zoo (where the side story of Louison finally crosses with that of that of Marie Antoinette in an emotional unspoken moment between these two women who, outside of this moment, might never have met). Marie Antoinette is put under the blade on the 16th October, 1793.

This is a sad book, although I would highly recommend it for lovers of historical fiction, lovers of French history, or those who, like myself, have a fascination with Marie Antoinette. Juliet Grey did her subject justice with this well flowing narrative filled with real to life characters and history lessons that are not written in the way of a textbook. You cannot fail to walk away knowing something new. 4.5 stars.

[Onka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aaaaa, nechápem, prečo toto muselo byť rozdelené na tri časti! Kým jednotka bola čistá dokonalosť, v dvojke bolo až príliš veľa vaty a opakovania no a trojka.. ani neviem. Na to, že je to koniec série, bola dosť zdĺhavá a v niekoľkých momentoch až nudná. Miestami sa mi ani nechcelo veriť, že celú sériu napísala jedna a tá istá osoba.
No musím uznať, že scénky z Temple-u a neskôr už aj samotné procesy a záver boli skvelé. Vidno, že autorka si všetko naštudovala, drží sa faktov a nepoužíva vymyslené postavy (čo naozaj oceňujem). Ale stále si myslím, že keby celú trilógiu nasáčkuje do dvoch kníh, tak by to bola topka.

[Evikulik]

Tak tato seria stoji za to. Hoci som sa s prvou castou trosku trapila ostatne dve som doslova zhltla. Po osobnej navsteve Pariza a Versailles som si proste tieto knihy nemohla nechat ujst. A zvlast po tom co som videla vsetky miesta kde Maria Antoinetta zila sa kniha citala uzasne aj s vizualizaciou miest ktore mam v hlave :) juliet grey si veru s touto vyznamnou osobou svetovych dejin dala poriadne rande a citatelom ponuka uzasnu historicku fikciu ktora potesi nejedneho citatela. Odporucam.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the novel I waited two books to read. I held out hope and I was not disappointed. This was a gut wrenching, tissue grabbing, emotional wreck of a novel. Warning to the reader, unless I think it's absolutely necessary, I will not be using spoilers in my review as I think it's pretty common knowledge what becomes of Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis.

I found myself a little nervous at the beginning of this novel. For someone who meets such a tragic demise, Grey sure does a good job of convincing the reader the Queen of France has it coming. My biggest problem with the first two novels was I felt Marie was nothing more than a spoiled brainless child. People are dying in the streets of Pairs but the queen's biggest concern is whether or not the carriage they are escaping in has a private toilet and storage for oodles of dresses. Speaking of people in Paris, I will admit my knowledge of the French Revolution is basic but it seems to me these people always had money to be drunk, how did they not have money for food? Seriously. Every time we were reading about people rioting in Paris, they were drunk. So you can buy an endless supply of wine but not bread? Again, as I said, my knowledge of the revolution is fairly basic and I imagine there were other things contributing to the food shortage at the time. Furthering my knowledge of the events leading to the French Revolution is on my list of New Year's goals.

After the failed escape attempt, Grey really ups her game and starts to write the book I've thought she had potential to write. One of the more heartbreaking scenes (in my opinion) was when the dauphin was taken away from Marie. Not only is her little boy taken away from her but she is then forced to listen to his continuous crying and the abuse he is forced to suffer as the Assembly appointed tutor attempts to beat the royal out of the child. As a mother, the feeling of helplessness was overwhelming to me.

If you are person who has a pretty good background on Marie Antoinette's life before the Revolution, you could probably skip the first two novels in the trilogy and read the last as a stand alone. Even if you have a basic knowledge like I do, you can probably just read the last novel. It is far and above the best of the three.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow...but for now let's just say I love this book.

[Marianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tristissimo, ma bellissimo. D'altra parte lo si sapeva già, eppure non pensavo di potermi addirittura commuovere per questa storia. L'autrice è stata davvero bravissima a farci calare nei panni di questa famiglia, a farci soffrire con loro, provare ansia con loro.
Le note finali mi hanno messo ancora più tristezza, perché l'autrice ha voluto narrare anche la sorte degli altri protagonisti: praticamente tutti hanno avuto un destino tragico.

È un romanzo costruito con grande cura e precisione. Pur essendo già uno dei miei periodi storici preferiti, ho scoperto molti dettagli di cui non sapevo e che mi hanno spinta ad approfondire man mano durante la lettura, rendendola così un'esperienza ancora più ricca. Fa riflettere su quanto possa essere sottile il confine tra giustizia e ingiustizia, su quanto l'essere umano si possa abbrutire quando preso dal bisogno o dalla rabbia, su quanto tenda ad approfittarsi del potere appena ne conquista un briciolo.
La narrazione rende bene la progressiva disumanizzazione di tutti. Forse avrei evitato qualche dettaglio eccessivamente minuzioso, ma per me è stato tutto interessante e in fondo è giusto che certe atrocità, taciute anche a scuola, vengano raccontate.

Mi sono piaciuti entrambi i punti di vista, così come lo sforzo di non prendere mai posizione netta durante la narrazione, cercando di mostrare il buono e il vero che ci potevano essere da entrambe le parti.
Due note personali di disappunto:
- Forse Louison è un po' troppo saggia e dotata di troppo spirito critico per essere una giovane popolana semianalfabeta. Capisco che sia un espediente letterario per dare voce al popolo, altrimenti difficilmente rappresentabile, ma risulta a tratti poco credibile.
- Mi sembra che l'autrice abbia calcato troppo sul dispiacere di Maria Antonietta, con poca imparzialità. La sua sofferenza è molto toccante, tanto da far riflettere profondamente, tuttavia è mai possibile che i rivoluzionari fossero tutti brutti e cenciosi? O è semplicemente come li vede Maria Antonietta nella narrazione?
In ogni caso, ho trovato delicatissima la descrizione della figura della regina, una persona che ha sofferto, è stata male, progressivamente privata di ogni cosa.

Come già nei due romanzi precedenti, l'autrice offre una ricostruzione storica dettagliatissima, un'opera piacevolissima per i veri appassionati del periodo (come me), forse un po' meno agevole per chi non è interessatissimo. A tratti la narrazione diventa leggermente ripetitiva, ma in fondo è la storia stessa dei protagonisti ad esserlo, un continuo di ansie e paturnie. Ottimi i collegamenti al contesto storico più ampio, ad esempio al pittore David, che dimostrano quanto l'autrice si sia immersa nelle fonti.

Le descrizioni dei rapporti interpersonali di Maria Antonietta sono tra le parti che ho amato di più: lo strano ma autentico rapporto legame d'amore col marito, l'avventura con von Fersen, molto avvincente. Anche laddove le fonti storiche non danno certezze e c'è ancora dibattito, la ricostruzione narrativa rimane molto plausibile e raccontata con toni dolci.
Bellissimo anche il tocco sui personaggi minori realmente esistiti: tra tutti, mi rimarrà impressa la figura di Rosalie Lamorlière, la bella e dolce servitrice che si prese cura della regina nei suoi ultimi giorni di vita.

Mentre attraversa la vasta sala, i suoi occhi scuri dardeggiano bramosi, se non invidiosi, per la Galerie des Glaces, come a prendere nota delle splendide ricchezze della monarchia che tanto disprezza. E tuttavia, veste come un marchese. È sufficiente a convincermi che non è uomo di cui fidarsi.
«Monsieur, non cercherei mai di convincere mio marito a fare qualcosa che sia contrario alle nostre sacre convinzioni. Luigi Sedici governa per diritto divino. I membri della vostra Assemblea Nazionale non sono altro che usurpatori, e se il “principio di sovranità”, secondo i “diritti dell’uomo”, risiedesse in ogni uomo e donna, si avrebbe solo l’anarchia. Chi dunque regnerebbe? Ve lo dico io, monsieur Mounier: il caos».

Cosa – rifletto – significa il concetto di Liberté? Chi sarà libero? Sicuramente la famiglia reale non lo è come un tempo. Tre sono i grandi concetti che i rivoluzionari vogliono infondere alla nuova visione della Francia. E l’Égalité? Non credo che neppure un uomo come il duca d’Orléans ritenga di essere, con la sua nascita, ricchezza e educazione, uguale a un operaio che scava buche o all’uomo che spala via il letame dopo il passaggio delle carrozze davanti al Palais Royal. Le stesse argomentazioni si possono addurre per la Fraternité. A sentir parlare Lafayette dei quotidiani alterchi all’interno dell’Assemblea Nazionale, i suoi rappresentanti non vogliono neanche chiamarsi tra loro “fratello”, figurarsi dimostrare quel sentimento di fratellanza verso ogni uomo della nuova nazione.

Talmente avvincente che è stato un peccato sapere già come sarebbe andato a finire.

[Glen Stott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book of the trilogy picks up Marie Antoinette’s life at the beginning of the French Revolution.

1789: Mobs come to the castle at Versailles. The royal family is moved to the old Tuileries castle in Paris which hasn’t been used for 124 years. They are prisoners as the revolution begins stripping the King of his powers.

1790: The revolution outlaws religion. There is a revolution within the revolution as radical factions take over. The revolutionaries move the family to St Cloud, six miles outside of Paris. Things are better there. Several attempts are made on Marie’s life. Because the vitriol, most of it false, in the pamphlets and other papers that serve as the press, the people have a special hatred toward Marie. To some extent they blame her more than they do the King for the misery in their lives. In fact, it is the King’s great weakness that has allowed much of the destitution felt throughout the country.

1791: Count Maribeau dies. He was the King’s only hope for intercession on behalf of the crown. In desperation, the King and his family escape from Paris. Count Fersen helps. Unfortunately, the family is captured near the border of Austria. On the perilous trip back to Paris, Marie’s hair turns white. After being returned to Paris, the King signs a new constitution leaving him almost no power.

1792: Fersen has a plan to get the Royal family out of Paris, but the King refuses to go because he had given his word he would not leave Paris. The first Guillotine is constructed. Hoping to create a distraction from the revolution, the King declares war on two countries. Austria, Marie’s birth county, jumps into the war in defense of France and the King. Rioters break into the castle and go a rampage of destruction, but no one is hurt. Many of the King’s friends work to get him out of the country, but he refuses every plan. Attempts to protect the royal family with arms results in rage and riots against the King throughout Paris. The commander of the forces defending the King is murdered and thrown in the river. Members of the second revolution break into the castle and murder, dismember, and burn the bodies of the people they find there; the King and his family were in a different building. The royal family is moved to a nunnery. The family is then moved to a temple where they are treated to a banquet. Then all their friends and servants are arrested, and the royal family is moved to dingy rooms in the tower. As the Austrian army approaches Paris, the city is filled with rioting mobs who kill priests and loyalists. The mob beheads one of Marie’s friends and brings her head on a pike made up with a hairdo mocking Marie. The Austrian army is turned back. In conjunction with the September massacre, another new government is established which abolishes the monarchy. The King and Queen are known as citizen and citizeness Capte. They are moved to a tower in the castle and the windows are boarded up.

1793: The King is tried, convicted, and executed. The revolutionaries torture Marie’s son forcing him to tell lies about Marie, namely that she committed incest with him. She can hear the torture from her room. She is officially arrested and put in a 12 x 12 cell where two guards watch her 24/7. She is then moved to a new cell where the guard allows people to come and stare at her for a price. One of the charges against her is that she wrote all the evil propaganda against her in order gain sympathy from foreign countries. Another charge is that she said, “Let them eat cake.” This was actually said by a much earlier Queen, not Marie. The case falls apart, but the angered jury convicts her anyway. Her attorneys are arrested. On October 16, she is sentenced and is executed before noon that same day.

Robespierre, who led the revolution at that time, was later executed himself. The French revolution was a wild, chaotic, feast of evil driven by years of suffering of the people, largely ignored by the government and the church and egged on by a hateful press willing to tell any lie to further enrage the people and sell pamphlets. This trilogy captures much of that as it gives a clearer understanding of Marie Antoinette’s part, from her early childhood to her death at the age of 37. This revolution, intended to be a model of the American Revolution, fell far short of its goals for the rights of man and resulted in a dictatorship under Napoleon.

[Valentina Cavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Antonietta viene raccontata negli anni della decadenza, non solo della corona ma anche del suo fisico e della sua bellezza. La vediamo strappata alla sua vita, fatta di lusso e agiatezza, e la seguiamo fino al triste epilogo della sua esistenza che ha trascorso per lo più in prigionia.
Ammetto che nel vedere la copertina del libro pensavo di ritrovarmi davanti ad un romanzo rosa e anche Amazon diceva che il genere era quello, in realtà è un romanzo pienamente storico, ma essendo il terzo di una trilogia (eh sì perché non ho capito che erano tre libri) non so se gli altri hanno poi elementi di questo tipo.

La narrazione inizia nel 1789, con la marcia dei cittadini di Parigi verso la reggia di Versailles, e termina il 16 ottobre 1793, giorno in cui la regina è stata ghigliottinata. Questi sono ovviamente gli anni più tristi e meno spensierati nella vita della giovane monarca: si è separata dagli amici più cari (in special modo dalle sue favorite la principessa di Lamballe e la duchessa di Polignac), le viene portata via la libertà e piano piano la situazione peggiorerà sempre di più.

Leggendo questo libro ho riflettuto molto sul fatto che si dovrebbero avere dei limiti anche nei propri ideali: non è un mistero che dopo la morte di Luigi XVI le viene strappato dalle braccia suo figlio, un bambino di soli 8 anni, che sarà picchiato, torturato, lasciato nella sporcizia, denutrito e spinto piano piano a urlare cose ignominiose su sua madre arrivando addirittura a fargli firmare un documento nel quale la accusa di incesto. A mio avviso questo va ben oltre ogni ideale perché, anche se era il delfino di Francia, era pur sempre un bambino.

La famiglia reale ha più volte provato a scappare per cercare riparo nei paesi alleati della corona ma nessuna fuga è mai andata a buon fine. Malgrado la richiesta di aiuto all'Austria, terra natia della regina, nella quale sperava di trovare un appoggio in suo fratello, la famiglia reale francese viene lasciata completamente sola a se stessa e alla sua sorte.
Questo continuo veder sfumare piani e aumentare le privazioni della libertà portano la regina a ritrovarsi i capelli bianchi da un giorno all'altro... A meno di 40 anni sembra una settantenne.
In più, sul finire della sua vita, soffriva spesso di emorragie dovute probabilmente ad un cancro all'utero.

In questo romanzo si parla molto dei sentimenti che prova Maria Antonietta e sono per lo più nostalgici, tristi, legati a tante disgrazie che si susseguono una dopo l'altra... Ma parla anche dell'amore che la legava a Luigi, un amore non passionale o fisico ma sincero in fondo. Anche se caratterialmente erano quasi all'opposto e il re ci mise molti anni prima di avere rapporti intimi con la regina è indubbio che si stimassero e che erano legati da un sentimento profondo che è passato anche sopra alla storia tra Maria Antonietta e il conte Fersen.
I figli dei sovrani erano molto legati ai genitori e viceversa, erano una famiglia unita e il fatto di averli divisi è stato per loro un grandissimo dolore.
Maria Antonietta si è sempre data la colpa di tutte le morti di amici e parenti: era lei che il popolo odiava, e si inventava su di lei le cose peggiori, per loro era una spia austriaca che sperperava il denaro pubblico per mandarlo in aiuto ai nemici della Francia.
Parlavo prima della principessa Lamballe, grande amica della sovrana, che malgrado fosse fuggita, tornò a Parigi per stare accanto alla sua amica... E qui venne portata via e imprigionata per trovare una morte violenta e terribile.

Anche se meno presente abbiamo un altro punto di vista, quello di una giovane donna di nome Luison, una donna del popolo che partecipa alla marcia su Versailles. È un personaggio davvero esistito anche se si sa pochissimo su di lei, è diventata famosa perché proprio tra le mura della reggia è stata scelta per parlare con il re... Ed è svenuta davanti a lui.
È molto bello il percorso che fa questo personaggio che parte da fervente rivoluzionaria per capire pian piano che non è così giusto quello che sta succedendo. A metà tra realtà e finzione ci apre gli occhi su quanto può essere devastante una folla inferocita e rimpinzata di bugie.

Leggere questo libro è stato molto interessante. Anche se conoscevo molto bene la storia di questa triste regina mi ha aiutato in un bel ripasso storico. Diciamo che penso sia impossibile non conoscere la storia di Maria Antonietta e Luigi XVI, ripresa in tantissimi film e cartoni animati.
È stato anche un bel ritorno nei luoghi che ho visitato a Parigi quando ero bambina e la cosa che più mi è rimasta impressa è proprio la cella della Conciergerie nella quale la sovrana ha trascorso le ultime settimane della sua vita. Ora quello che mi riprometto è di visitare anche la reggia di Versailles per sentirmi ancora più vicina a questa donna che, malgrado tutto, mi trovo ad ammirare per la grande forza d'animo che ha sempre avuto.

[Patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opinião do blogue Chaise Longue: http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt...

Todos nós sabemos como tudo isto acaba. A revolução, o exílio, a guilhotina. E por isso mesmo, pensei que poderia manter a distância, pensei que seria mais fácil. Mas Juliet Grey trocou-me as voltas e, do seu jeito notável e brilhante, mostrou-me que por sabermos os factos, não quer dizer que não possamos sentir ou importarmo-nos. Confissões de Maria Antonieta é um final arrebatador, doloroso até, um final que nos faz olhar a História e a mulher com outros olhos. Terminando de uma forma soberba uma trilogia inesquecível sobre a rainha mais odiada da França, Juliet Grey ganha o seu lugar inevitável, e muito merecido, entre os meus autores preferidos do género. Dos escândalos e da glória, para o ódio e a derrota, Maria Antonieta vive e respira nesta trilogia, imortalizando-se, não como a rainha detestada, mas como a jovem que não podia vencer as mudanças causadas por séculos de despotismo.
Longe vão os tempos dos vestidos deslumbrantes, das jóias luxuosas, das festas decadentes. Longe vão os tempos de esperança e vitória. Numa narrativa marcada pela dor e a perda, a desolação e a inevitável tragédia, somos arrastados para a História. Vivemo-la, sentimos as suas rodas moverem-se sem compaixão, e assistimos aos dois lados de um país há muito perdido para a decadência e a incompreensão. Os sonhos de uns são os pesadelos de outros, mas a nobreza dos ideais justificam os meios? O paraíso de um mundo em que somos todos iguais justifica o ódio crescente, o sangue derramado, a destruição em escala? Numa visão transparente e poderosa, podemos ver os tumultos, a alegria das ruas parisienses e o luto e desolação atroz, bem como a incredulidade, que se viveu nas Tulherias. Somos colocados no meio da revolução, vivemo-la, e por muito que a percebamos, damos por nós a questionar-nos, damos por sufocarmos numa anarquia que perdeu o sentido de justiça e perdão.
É este o poder arrasador de Juliet Grey. Dá-nos a História sem esconder nada, dá-nos o lado dos vencedores e dos perdedores. Dá-nos o lado de um povo cheio de fome, abusado e usado durante séculos, perdido no esquecimento e nas promessas vãs de quem devia protege-lo. Mas também nos dá uma família, que no meio da intriga e conspiração, da traição e incompreensão, aprendeu as suas lições, uma família que aprendeu a amar-se. E oferece-nos, esta mulher mimada e infantil, ingénua e desejosa de amor, que lutou fervorosamente por um lugar, que viveu sobre o escrutínio odioso e o escárnio cínico durante anos e, mesmo assim, nunca perdeu a vontade de viver e amar. Numa narrativa brilhante, inspiradora e notável, onde os pormenores históricos são tão preciosamente usados, aprendemos, principalmente, sobre esta Maria Antonieta, esta rainha exilada, que amou os filhos, o marido e um país que sempre a odiou.
Trazer humanidade a uma figura histórica não é fácil. Apresenta-la com todas as suas falhas e defeitos e, mesmo assim, conseguir com que vejamos as suas qualidades, também não o é. Mas esta autora consegue-o. Maria Antonieta, a mulher do final, cresceu muito desde o primeiro livro. Viveu na ingenuidade e no luxo, dividiu-se entre as duas casas do seu coração, os dois homens da sua vida. Mas foi uma mãe terna e apaixonada. Tentou ser uma rainha que respeitassem. Aprendeu a amar o homem que foi rei na altura errada. E se a odiámos e desprezámos, se sentimos pena dela, neste livro aprendemos a compreendê-la, a perdoá-la. Chorámos e gritámos com ela, quando perde não o palácio, o luxo e o título, mas sim quando perde o marido e os filhos, a esperança. E mesmo sabendo que a guilhotina caíra, nesse momento, em vez de vazio, sentimos tanto que talvez seja demais.
Confissões de Maria Antonieta termina de forma gloriosa uma trilogia soberba sobre esta rainha condenada. Uma trilogia que aconselho a todos sem excepção porque Juliet Grey é uma autora que merece ser lida e conhecida. Agora é esperar com ansiedade pelo seu próximo projecto.

[Anna Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My mother liked to boast that her numerous daughters were 'sacrifices to politics.'"

The apt opening line from Becoming Marie Antoinette, the first novel in Juliet Grey's Marie Antoinette trilogy, is made all the more compelling by the final entry in the trilogy: Confessions of Marie Antoinette.

The last novel in the trilogy begins in the midst of the "October Days," when a large mob comprised mainly of Parisian women marched on the palace of Versailles. Their attack on the palace ultimately led to the claiming of the royal family, who were taken back to Paris in triumph. It ends, of course, where Marie Antoinette herself ended--on the guillotine. In between, the profound losses and increasing danger experienced by Marie Antoinette, her family and her loved ones are compounded by the increasingly complicated and politically shifting Revolution.

Readers may be surprised that Confessions of Marie Antoinette tells not just the last chapter in the story of the titular queen, but also the story of a young woman named Louison Chabry. Louison, based on a real woman living in Paris during the revolution, introduces a different perspective on the unfolding revolution while also allowing for a more complete narrative. Louison, for example, is able to witness events that Marie Antoinette would not have witnessed--but without them, readers may feel lost or confused about the resulting behaviors or actions taken by Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and other characters in the book. While I didn't feel as connected to Louison due to her late introduction in the trilogy, I did appreciate that her story allowed for a fuller depiction of events in the narrative.

Of course, the primary challenge of presenting the life story of any historical figure, much less a figure like Marie Antoinette, is being able to craft a narrative that not only covers an expansive number of years, but is able to be both fictionally compelling and historically sound. With the trilogy format, however, Juliet Grey has allowed herself to create a much more detailed picture of her life that allows for the inclusion of more characters, more incidents based on real life events, and a deeper picture of the "character" of Marie Antoinette herself. Grey's narrative particularly shines when it submerges itself in the human emotion of events--the depiction of the mob invasion of the Tuileries Palace, where Marie Antoinette and her family were threatened and insulted, is of particular note.

The development of Marie Antoinette's character throughout the trilogy is most apparent in this final work, where we finally see the emergence of Marie Antoinette's courage, intelligence, determination--and even desperation--as she and her family attempt to navigate their way through the revolution. Another aspect of Marie Antoinette's character which emerges are her realizations about her life, her loves, her triumphs and her mistakes. The last portion of the book, which covers the queen's unfortunate ride to the guillotine and contains some symbolism which readers of the first novels will likely take note of, is especially moving. (Be sure to read with a tissue box at hand!)

Confessions of Marie Antoinette is a solid finale to the trilogy which shines the most in its emotional and human portrayal of Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI and their family. Out of every component in the trilogy and the last novel, I was most impressed with the creation of a three-dimensional, human character out of both Marie Antoinette and, most tellingly, Louis XVI, who is often reduced to caricature but is here presented as a flesh and blood human being. Historical fiction readers and readers interested in Marie Antoinette will likely appreciate this detailed, emotional and human look at her story.

Also published on: http://vivelaqueen.blogspot.com/2013/...

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as I liked the other two in the series, but that's probably because it doesn't have as much of the glitz and glamour that we associate with Marie Antoinette's life (which is honestly my favorite part to read about). It is actually a very vivid and pretty historically accurate portrait of the French Revolution; at times it was so gory and bleak that I actually found myself shocked. I know a lot about Marie Antoinette's life since she's one of my favorite historical subjects, so I feel like that's high praise for Grey's prose. I wasn't a huge fan of the sections about the sculptress, just because she wasn't as interesting as Marie Antoinette, but I do understand the need to view the Revolution from a citizen's perspective for the reader to give them a well-rounded picture. I'd recommend this entire trilogy if you're a fan of historical fiction. It can be a bit slow at times, but there is plenty of detail and research that went into this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare to be teary-eyed for this one. In this novel Marie Antoinette is cast very much in the role of Mother, and the novelist focuses upon this in order to procure sympathy for her protagonist. Truly, what she had to suffer not only as a mother but also as a wife was incredibly sad. Just to execute her was one thing, but to destroy every inch of her family beforehand was absolutely heart-breaking to read about. This novel truly touched a nerve for me, no doubt because I had come to have an understanding of Marie Antoinette and her character in the last two novels. Therefore I had an emotional attachment to her and was moved by the tragic events of the last few years of her life. I knew what to expect of course, and yet the author showed great talent in depicting the end of her tale.
I found this novel to be much more fact-driven than the last two. Not to say that the first two novels were devoid of factual information, but rather there was more of an enhanced storyline to them. This novel however didn't seem to be overly enhanced with fiction, rather the author let the facts speak for themselves. I think I understand why this novel had it's name changed to 'Confessions of Marie Antoinette'; because it read almost like a diary in it's delivery. However I do think that the original title 'The Last October Sky' would have been a great one. It's a shame that it was changed.
Overall I did greatly enjoy this novel, and yet the reason I gave it four stars rather than five was because I found it more difficult to get through than I did it's predecessors. Perhaps this did have to do with the nature of the story itself, and yet I also feel that for the first half of the novel the author sacrificed the storyline in order to lay the facts out. This is not to say that I don't appreciate having the facts, I do, but it just made the first half of the novel somewhat dry. As it progressed however the voice of Marie Antoinette did begin to speak out once more, loud and clear and completely human. Not a monster of historical legend, but as a once living, breathing woman who was just as human as any one of us. If you are finding the first half a bit difficult to get through then definitely stick with it--in the same way that it will stick with you once you've finished it.

[OG · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard reading a book when you know how it’s going to end. I felt myself dreading the final chapters of this book at times while I read, but somehow, I felt the author was right there with me, almost holding my hand to help me through. It goes to show the amount of care and attention that goes into a book when you can feel the love of a book’s subject oozing off the pages.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars - 5 just doesn't do it justice... but alas...

Confessions of Marie Antoinette is the third book in Juliet Grey’s trilogy and is the best of the three, in my opinion. I loved them all, but this one really spoke to me the entire time. Perhaps it was seeing Antoinette’s story come full circle. Being able to watch her progression from child to queen to captive and see her character take shape, was pure joy (mixed with sadness, of course). All the people in the book are brought to wonderful, full colour, life at the hands of a wonderful author. From Marie all the way down to the lowliest peasant, they are all given the same attention to detail which adds to much to the story.


I can’t imagine anyone being able to write the story of Marie Antoinette’s life better than Juliet Grey. She has obviously done her research as it shows in every word. But the historical accuracy is woven so well into the story that it still reads like fiction and doesn’t weigh it down. I appreciate that so much because not all authors have mastered that aspect of Historical Fiction. It’s an art Juliet has in spades! Bravo to her!

[Sheree · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I've had a fascination with Marie Antoinette for years and have loved Juliet Grey's trilogy covering her life with exemplary attention to detail and meticulous research. What made Confessions of Marie Antoinette my favourite of the trilogy was the sense of intimacy and urgency.

Knowing the history and Marie Antoinette's unfortunate fate didn't lessen the impact, I was astounded by the vividly detailed account of the later years of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Striking detail and intensity combined with sensitivity ensuring a page turning read and my emotional investment throughout.

History is written by victors so I've always found it refreshing to read authors' accounts of maligned historical figures, bringing objectivity to the exaggeration and lies, humanising those who've been almost demonised and whilst this is historical fiction Juliet Grey doesn't stray far from the facts.

From the storming of Versailles in 1789, the vehement hatred and violence of the people towards their King and Queen, activities of the revolutionaries, the horror of the Reign of Terror, the appalling treatment of the Royal Family and those deemed Royalist, through to the Monarchs' laughable trials and executions in 1793. Not forgotten however, is the courage and loyalty of many, Marie Antoinette's compassion and dignity and the unconditional love for her children ... to the end.

Recommend: absolutely - a riveting and emotionally wrenching read!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars - Thoroughly sympathetic first person historical fiction account depicts French Queen Marie Antoinette in her final years as consort to King Louis XVI in the 1790s.

This poignant and heartbreaking portrait of the last days of Marie Antoinette, held prisoner along with her family in one deplorable location after another, follows the other two books in a trilogy. Unfortunately for me, I had not read the previous ones and I believe that was a mistake. My heart broke for Marie Antoinette and her husband and children as they are maligned and abused by the cruel and violent emerging leaders of the Revolution. The author, who obviously spent years researching her subject, brought forth a picture of Queen Marie Antoinette that gave her a new dimension than that painted by textbooks and history accounts that don't show the human side of this woman as wife, sister-in-law, daughter and mother. I'm not a scholar of French History in any case, my knowledge is actually quite sketchy, but now I feel compelled to do some investigation of my own.

I would recommend to anyone interested in the monarchy of France in the 1790s and the study of a woman who has been portrayed perhaps inaccurately to the rest of the world. The horrible violence of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror left me with chills and my heart broke for what was done to this royal family in the name of the "Republic" and freedom from tyranny.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book of the trilogy and I liked each book less than the previous one. With this one, I knew a lot of what was going to happen (read nonfiction and have visited many of the settings) and that may have interfered with my perception.

[Tracy]

I've been struggling trying to read this book so I've decided to just stop. The minutia in which the author discusses this period in the life of Marie Antoinette was just not enough to hold my interest.
A very misleading title as well.

[Floriana Amoruso · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://labibliotecadellibraio.blogsp...
Letto e recensito da Iaia
Non so come fare questa recensione.
Mi risulta difficile.
Perché?
Credo che la motivazione sia dovuta alla mia mancanza di entusiasmo per questo libro.
I fatti riferiti sono veritieri e, nonostante alcuni personaggi siano di fantasia, ciò non influisce minimamente sulla storia, sia con la "s" minuscola che maiuscola. Quello che non mi ha molto convinta è la scelta di scrivere in prima persona, una forma che personalmente non amo troppo. Però se devo essere obiettiva forse era l'unico modo per presentare il libro. In fin dei conti è la regina di Francia che racconta quello che ha vissuto.
Sono gli ultimi 3-4 anni di vita di Maria Antonietta trascorsi con ansia, in semi prigionia, subendo continue umiliazioni. Alcuni punti sono stati descritti con tocco macabro, d'altra parte quello che è stato narrato corrisponde al vero, tuttavia mi ha un po' angosciato. Capisco che la regina non sia mai stata benvoluta dal popolo francese, ma leggere le cattiverie gratuite fatte subire alla famiglia reale ha creato dentro di me, nonostante gli anni di mal governo di Luigi XVI, un sentimento di profonda pena nei suoi riguardi.
Sappiamo tutti che poi il regime del terrore si è ritorto contro quegli stessi personaggi che lo hanno voluto fortemente e ciò ha dato una forma di "giustizia" a questo periodo storico tanto travagliato.
Nel libro ho trovato delle ripetizioni, come ad esempio l'affermazione della regina che ribadisce sempre che lei vorrà restare accanto al re e ai suoi figli, e a volte delle piccole incongruenze. Quando la regina dice:

Dio ci guarda, ma è saggio abbastanza da comprendere il rapporto tra me e Axel.
(Axel von Fersen)
Non è testimone della passione illecita di due amanti ma dell'espressione di conforto che un amico manifesta a un altro in un momento di profonda angoscia.

Successivamente si capisce che invece sono stati amanti e che si amano per davvero.
Anche se Maria Antonietta ama Luigi XVI, sa che l'amore per il re è diverso da quello che prova per Axel.
Un altro passo che suscita perplessità: la famiglia reale e il loro piccolo seguito sono confinati alle Tuilieres, il rigo successivo sono allo Chateau di Saint Cloud.
Cambiare locazione così repentinamente mi ha lasciato ogni volta un po' disorientata.
I cittadini rivoluzionari scrivono libelli, attaccano manifesti sui muri e uno di questi dice:

Chiunque applauda il re sarà picchiato.
Chiunque lo insulti sarà impiccato.

C'è qualcosa che non va in questa frase. Il popolo odiava la famiglia reale e chiunque non si uniformasse alla rivoluzione.
Non era possibile che l'insulto al re fosse punito con l'impiccagione.
O non ho capito io o non è chiaro il manifesto.
Probabilmente si sarà trattato di un errore di traduzione e intendevano "esulti" o qualcosa del genere?
Ho letto le parole "privacy" e "stress". Non credo che a quei tempi fossero termini in voga. Sono due espressioni inglesi e dubito che i francesi abbiano adottato simili vocaboli.
Il regime di sorveglianza a cui sono sottoposti i reali è molto stretto, eppure la regina riesce a scrivere lettere e a farle recapitare.
Come? Chi era il "postino"? Secondo me manca qualcosa.
Non ho capito come Maria Antonietta sia riuscita a far consegnare le lettere ad Axel anche se crittografate.
L'Assemblea non permetteva ai reali di andare in una cappella del castello ad ascoltare la Santa Messa perché troppo lontana dai loro appartamenti e perché aveva il grande timore che Luigi XVI e famiglia ritentassero la fuga, ma permette agli stessi di andare a fare due passi nei giardini e addirittura una volta di andare in carrozza (per essere insultati e sbeffeggiati dai cittadini).
Anche in questo caso, non posso fare a meno di manifestare le mie incertezze.
Forse le annotazioni trascritte non sono rilevanti, ma per me sono importanti, visto che si tratta di un libro in cui si narrano i pensieri di un personaggio storico che ha avuto un peso notevole sia in Francia che in Europa.
La biografia di una figura notevole deve essere sempre surrogata da documenti e da studi approfonditi, e queste "confessioni segrete", anche se supportate da una ricerca profonda della Grey, non mi soddisfano. I libri precedenti a questo non li ho letti, e queste pagine non mi invogliano ad approfondire la conoscenza di Maria Antonietta.
La valutazione è difficile. Apprezzo lo studio dell'autrice, ma non come è stato esposto.

I precedenti romanzi:
Il diario proibito di Maria Antonietta
Il diario perduto di Maria Antonietta - (recensione)

[Andreia Valadares · Rating 4 out of 5]

(◔◡◔) 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
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тíтυℓσ: "Confissões de Maria Antonieta"
αυтσя: Joliet Grey
ρágιηαѕ:372
¢ℓαѕѕιƒι¢αçãσ:⭐⭐⭐⭐
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⚠️ Alerta spoiler
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Neste 3º é último volume da trilogia "Maria Antónia", identificamos várias revoltas contra a monarquia francesa. Estas revoltas têm como palco principal, as Tulherias. Por outro lado, assistimos a mais uma tentativa de fuga organizada da família real que acaba muito mal. Com isto, a família real é feita prisioneira e, a partir daqui, começam a desenrolar os acontecimentos para o trágico desfecho desta família.
Após ficarem prisioneiros e sem liberdades, o rei Luís é condenado à guilhotina e, essa condenação, foi realizada em praça pública. Posteriormente, o delfim de França é retirado à sua mãe e recebe um grande tratamento de "limpeza cerebral" pelos revolucionários. Pouco tempo depois, a rainha Maria Antonieta é acusada de crimes sem fundamento algum e que, de certa forma, me chocaram imenso. Também ela foi condenada à guilhotina.
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Desde o 2º livro que começo a perceber que Maria Antónia, não iria ter um final muito bom. No entanto, não acreditava que iria acontecer isto.
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De uma forma geral, este volume foi o mais custoso porque no início a história parecia que não desenvolvia e que estava parada. No entanto, nas últimas 150 páginas, o livro mudou completamente e a história trágica começou a ser mais cativante.
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Em comparação com os 3 volumes, o melhor foi, sem dúvida, o 2º volume.
No entanto é uma trilogia que eu recomendo porque é muito bem explicada, apesar de conter alguns erros.
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Este volume foi uma leitura conjunta com a querida @booksofana ❤️
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Até breve 😍
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#ler #lerfazbem #ledoceler #leituras2021 #book #literatura #literaturaestrangeira #amoler #adoroler #adoroler ❤️ #livrosemaislivros #bookcommunity #bookhaolic #bookstagrammer #lererespeitarahistoria #lerjuntos #historia #históriafrancesa #história #mariaantonia #planetaeditora #mbooks

[Ania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lektura trzeciego tomu powieści o Marii Antoninie daje pełny obraz jej życia. Drobiazgowo i z drobiazgową precyzją, ale bez historycznej nudy suchych faktów i sztywnych obramowań z niezbędnych dat, towarzyszymy królowej do końca jej życia.
Po lekturze całości mam wrażenie, że pod koniec życia Antonina trochę zmądrzała, ale niestety tylko...trochę. Nie jestem w stanie stwierdzić czy lubię ją jako osobę, ani czy kiedyś ją polubię. Natomiast nie umiem się oprzeć wrażeniu, że wszyscy uczyli ją jak być perfekcyjną królową Francji pod względem wyglądu i zachowania, a nikt jej nie nauczył jak być dobrą władczynią i dbać o swoich poddanych. To co powinno być niewidoczne dla ludu (jej ekstrawaganckie uczesania i bogate ubiory) obnosiła z upodobaniem i wystawiała na krytykę, a to co powinno jej zjednać Francuzów (wspieranie sierocińców i ubogich, miłość do dzieci, wrażliwość na niesprawiedliwość) okazywała w ukryciu. Niewłaściwe priorytety w połączeniu z jej naiwnością, i ignorancją oraz całkowitym brakiem zainteresowania sprawami państwa, doprowadziły ją na szafot.
Każdą z trzech części trylogii czytałam z równym zaciekawieniem i każdą z nich równie mocno polecam.

[Suzy Brookhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Juliet Grey Series.

I learned a lot about Louis and Marie Antoinette and this time period. I ended up feeling very badly for Marie and Louis-Louis clearly was not a natural born leader and would have been happier not being King; he enjoyed hunting and masonry. Also assumed royalty is so great, but here is a perfect example of a bloodline that failed.

Also, learning more about Marie-and how much was stacked against them (her being from a different county, a husband who wasn't a leader but tried, a possibly asexual husband, a large defecit already underway) so you see her in a new light, not as a simple harlot. They were both very human and still did many good things-and how the torture goes on towards the end for Marie is heartbreaking.

So if you love history, and drama-this book series will do it. There is sex, romance, drama, adventure and betrayal. I only didn't give it 5 stars because was a little detailed at times and a little long-but a great adventure. If you like The Other Boleyn Girls-give this series a try.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just can't. To be fair, I did not know this was the last book in a trilogy (it was on a reading list by itself), and it is not a stand alone read, imho. It's almost as if the entire trilogy was just one large book, and then divided into three. This one begins without any "previously on..." which would've been most helpful.
But aside from that, the first 60 pages were boring. And the bigger problem was the author loved inserting an italicized french word or phrase every third paragraph, even in some dialogue. The mots francais were most distracting and seemed very pretentious. They are French people who spoke French, so if you're setting it in the English language then the random French word or phrase (which may or may not be in English later down the page) is ridiculous!! I know some French, and it still drove me crazy. Not helpful at all.

[Deirdre Ditty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this trilogy of books as I was planning a trip to Paris and wanted to learn more about French history. I find reading historical fiction brings history to life for me. These books were well researched and it was very easy to learn the significance of people, events and places by reading these books. When I visited the Conceirgerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned, I could imaging the story as depicted in the book and it really resonated with me. We also visited Versailles and her lovely Petit Palais and hamlet. I could just imagine her life in these places after reading the books.

Of course we all know what happened to her but visiting the site of her last days and reading the heart ripping story of her husband and children being taken away had me in tears when I read that part of the book.

[Jessie Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book. It felt very slow to start, even though it starts with a mob scene, and at times I really just wanted to fast forward to the last few days. However, those ups and downs really give you a sense of what it must’ve been like for them towards the end; boredom then lots of action and frightful suspense. The other thing that the author does so well is that she’s able to make my feelings for Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI fluctuate so much. There were times in this book where I didn’t like them and felt absolutely no sympathy for them. Then she makes me remember that they were only humans who like us all made mistakes and had regrets. Really good series overall!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few things I knew about Marie Antoinette before reading this series was how her life ended. It was very interesting to learn about the events that brought her to the guillotine - both the ones of her own making and the times and circumstances over which she had no control. I do feel somewhat sorry for her - especially for what they did to her son. No child or mother should have been treated like that. And yet it seems she did her best to remain kind, compassionate, and dignified to the end of her life - even apologizing to her executioner for stepping on his foot. These books certainly made my tours in France more meaningful.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely my favorite book on the final days of Marie Antoinette. I found this book at The Dollar Tree - obviously for a $1.00 - and what a find it was. I realized there were two other books in the series before this but I couldn't pass it up. I have read several other books on Antionette so I know the story fairly well. However, this book gives, in my opinion, the best recount, albeit historical fiction recount, of what life was like for her and her family from the time of the attack on Versailles to her death. The author does a terrific job of making you feel her hopes, frustrations, and fears right along with her. Excellent book!