The Queen's Necklace: Marie Antoinette and the Scandal That Shocked and Mystified France

by Frances Mossiker

Written in 1961 and now back in print, this classic and fascinating true crime story stars none other than Marie Antoinette. Four years before the French Revolution, some priceless diamonds were purchased in elaborate secrecy from a court jeweler. The jewels, not yet paid for, were delivered into the hands of the first Prelate of the Church of France. He, in turn, gave it to a countess who claimed to be acting for Marie Antoinette. Although essentially an innocent bystander, the Queen became embroiled in a scandal that fatally weakened the monarchy.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, French Revolution, France, Biography

624 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Catherine Vamianaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a long story but worth reading it. It is all about a stolen necklace but Marie Antoinette was completely innocent. I enjoyed reading it after I have read the half of it. It becomes very interesting. You should read this.

[Kathy Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Mossiker let the characters tell the story in their own words, and for me this was the best part of the story. One of the more interesting parts of the history of the Queen's necklace affair was the way Jeanne de la Motte-Valois changed events in her memoirs to present herself in the best light possible. The book has a rather Rashomon-like effect when you see the various differences in the accounts of the people involved. Marie Antoinette was not directly involved in the affair, and had no desire for the necklace in question, but the affair did lasting damage to her reputation. Olivier Bernier has illustrated why in his books The Letters of Marie Antoinette and Words of Fire, Deeds of Blood. Bernier notes that from the beginning of Louis XVI's reign, he and his queen owed their support to the nobles least amenable to the political, social, and tax reforms needed to strengthen the French state. Louis XVI's grandfather Loius XV had become unpopular among the nobles precisely because he wanted to make the needed reforms, which would undercut the nobles' wealth and privileges. Marie Antoinette never said "let them eat cake," and she was genuinely compassionate when she saw people in need near her, but as Bernier notes, she remembered she was Queen only when she wanted something, which often involved generous financial handouts to her friends, or the financing of le Petit Trianon and le Hameau. That was why people could believe she was involved in the scam, even when she was not. Bernier notes the other problem Marie Antoinette had was that she fulfilled the task her mother Maria Theresa had given her, which was to effectively represent the interests of Austria, even if she had to suffer unpopularity as a result. Marie Antoinette succeeded all to well at that task. Bernier also notes that in the Revolution, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette saw themselves as monarchs first and French second, so that Louis XVI had no compunction about bringing in foreign troops to battle against their own subjects.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally!!! Finished, and I have to admit I enjoyed the last 200 pages more than the first 400. I don't know if it was my concentration level or the book, but the first of the book was slow and hard to follow. That was partly due to the format the author used which I found to be confusing at first. By the end of the book, however, I had it down and it didn't bother me.

The plot and amount of information prevented this book from being an easy read - so I avoided picking it up unless I had the peace and quiet necessary to focus on the story. Due to my difficulty in following the format, becoming involved with the story, and the length of time it took me to finish the book, I gave it three stars. Someone else might have an entirely different opinion.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Shelby | Double Up Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a French history buff especially during the time of Marie Antoinette. Poor Marie was involved with a scandal that really had nothing to do with her, but she got pulled into it anyway because of a very ambitious woman, self-titled Countess Jeanne de La Motte-Valois. This book is an account of the Diamond Necklace affair, as it was called, and reads like an amazing juicy soap opera. Leave it to the French for drama! One of my top favorite books of all time.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many movies have been made that focus around this mystery of a necklace, a "friend" of Marie Antoinette, and the queen's role in a scandal... (What was one more when history accuses her of single-handedly collapsing a nation????) The book drags at points, but it's an overall interesting read...

[Catherine Delors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such thorough research, and so much fun to read!

Full review at
http://blog.catherinedelors.com/2009/...