Marie Antoinette: An Intimate History

by Melanie Clegg

As the youngest daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, Marie Antoinette was born into a world of almost unbelievable privilege and power. As wife of Louis XVI of France she was first feted and adored and then universally hated as tales of her dissipated lifestyle and extravagance pulled the already discredited monarchy into a maelstrom of revolution, disaster and tragedy.This illustrated first biography by historian and writer Melanie Clegg takes a fresh look at the story of this most fascinating and misunderstood of queens, exploring her personal tribulations as well as the series of disasters that brought her to the guillotine in October 1793.Melanie Clegg is the author of five historical novels and is also a regular contributor to Majesty magazine and her own women's history blog Madame Guillotine. Her second biography, a life of Marie de Guise, is due to be published by Pen and Sword Books in 2016.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, Biography, Historical, Royalty

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 16, 2015

About the author

International woman of history, biographer, posh doomer, chaotic good, anxious, ENFP, flame haired Robespierre, Scottish, a sweet titbit for the Devil's mouth.

To date, my published books include biographies of Marie de Guise, Henrietta Anne of England, Margaret Tudor and Empress Alexandra of Russia, all of which were published by Pen and Sword Books.

My next book, a biography of Madame Élisabeth, sister of Louis XVI, is due to be published by Pen and Sword Books in the summer of 2023.

After this, I am contracted to write about women guillotined during the French Revolution, Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, Marie Antoinette, Madame Royale, Louis XVI and the daughters of Louis XIV.

Reviews

[Anika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor formatting and numerous grammatically incorrect and extremely long sentences ruined the experience of reading this book for me. Many times I would have to go back and re-read a sentence to grasp it's meaning.

The story itself is very interesting and the author's gone keeps it light and easy going however I do believe they this book requires more editing.

The inclusion of what looks like holidays snaps in the back of the book did not add anything to the reading experience.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have a strange fascination with Marie Antoinette and came across this book by chance on Amazon. I didn't want to read a heavy historical biography, I never get through them, so this seemed perfect. What I know about Marie Antoinette is from the Sofia Coppola film, which I love, but fully accepted wasn't entirely accurate. Melanie Clegg's writing is very readable and this book was always intended to be a 'beach read biography,' this doesn't mean it is lacking in detail, but meant it was a book you could dip in and out of, or read in one fell swoop. I couldn't keep up with all the different names and people involved in Marie Antoinette's story, I could have done with some sort of family tree/character chart. Perhaps I should have made one myself. I also think the book could have done with some editing, there are quite a lot of long clunky sentences throughout. There is a great section at the end of the book about all the places a Marie Antoinette fan girl can visit. I need to plan a Marie Antoinette tour of Paris stat! The author has a great blog too - http://madameguillotine.org.uk/

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the author, Melanie Clegg, wanted it to be: a light yet thorough biography of Marie Antoinette. Told in her conversational yet informative style, this book is incredibly readable and full of facts that were new to me. I particularly liked her description of the royal family's time in the Temple. Everything I've read previously made it sound like it was almost the same as Marie Antoinette's time in her cell at the Conciergerie, which it definitely was not.

My only issue is there are quite a few word errors throughout the book. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this biography and would recommend it highly.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all of this wonderful authors historical fiction, I was eager to get hold of this intimate history of Marie Antoinette. It is a fascinating, detailed and intriguing read and I can honestly say I loved it! You have to pay attention to the exquisitely long and detailed names of all the persons and places mentioned but this just heightened my fascination. The bonus pictures and details of related tourist attractions still in existence will be firmly added to my 'travel to do' list. I highly recommend!

[triceratops-stomp · Rating 1 out of 5]

The lack of citations put my hackles up, but there were also some general conclusions drawn (for example, about Marie Antoinette's rumored homosexual relationships) without much in the way of concrete evidence or proof. I also felt the writing dragged. I would recommend this book to you if you won't take any of the allegations to heart or as absolute truth.

[Rebekah Atkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. I was looking forward to reading a biography of Marie Antoinette, but this was not worth the read. I don't enjoy writing bad reviews, but this was honestly not well-written. Run-on sentences, poor grammar...perhaps it was just poorly edited. Regardless, I was disappointed with the quality.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a light and informal introduction to the life and times of the doomed last queen of France. As the author intended, it is more of a first look and not a heavy, in depth thesis. I was disappointed by the total lack of references and links to original source material; unforgivable in a historical biography.

Clegg states that she initially planned this as a 'beach read biography' which was to have been called 'From Teen Queen to Guillotine'. I actually felt a bit relieved that the author herself doesn't take herself too seriously as I really wanted to love this, but couldn't.

[Lauralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Antoinette is one of the world’s most vilified queens. This biography of Marie Antoinette shows her as a woman who was once adored by her people, but then was hated as her enemies continued to spread malicious gossip about her. This hatred of the queen plays an important role in the French Revolution. Thus, this biography takes a look at the misunderstood queen and shows us how unprepared she was for the role of Marie Antoinette.

Marie Antoinette was the youngest daughter of Maria Theresa. She was often neglected by her mother. When there is a chance for a marriage proposal between France and Austria, Marie Antoinette hastily prepares for her role. She becomes a child bride at fourteen to Louis XVI. The old king Louis XV dies, leaving Louis XVI unprepared for the role as ruler. Marie Antoinette as queen is kept out of the affairs of state.

This biography shows Marie Antoinette’s flaws. She is naive, judgmental, stubborn, and a spendthrift. I really didn’t like her early years as queen at Versailles. However, there were some good qualities about Marie Antoinette. She was a patron of the arts. She helped Gluck to become famous in Paris. Later on, she wore simpler gowns.

I also like how this biography addressed some issues regarding Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette’s relationship with Axel Ferson is described as platonic, and she remained faithful to Louis XVI. During the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette later became interested in politics. The author also stressed that during her last days as a prisoner, Marie Antoinette’s jailers tried to keep her as comfortable as she could. The biographer also emphasized that it was during the period of the French Revolution that Marie Antoinette found faith and comfort.

Overall, this was a balanced biography of Marie Antoinette. The biography stressed that even though the days of the French Revolution were dark times for the queen, there was still a silver lining. It was because of the French Revolution that Marie Antoinette grew into a strong and mature woman. The writing is light and is a very easy read for the general reader. The author does not go into very deep detail about politics. Thus, Marie Antoinette: An Intimate History is definitely a must-read biography for Marie Antoinette fans. If you think that you know everything about Marie Antoinette, this biography may surprise you!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an approachable, highly sympathetic biography of Marie Antoinette. It is not for those who are looking for a scholarly work as there are only Melanie Clegg's conclusions without documentation.
It would be difficult to read this without feeling empathy for the much-vilified queen, am Austrian who was packed off to France at 14 to marry the 15-year-old future King Louis XVI, a total stranger who was in way over his head both when it came to marriage and to ruling France. Having toured Versailles, I found it especially interesting to read about the court routines that went on there. Clegg includes a great many details that bring it all to life. There were a bit too many royals and nobles to keep them all straight, but she probably couldn't have eliminated more than a few of them.
If you're thinking of reading it, I suggest reading the Wikipedia entry on the French Revolution or some other summary in order to put Marie Antoinette's story into fuller context.

[Madison Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after America’s Daighter and My Dear Hamilton after reading of her death when Thomas Jefferson was in France as the “” to France. Marie’s life was constantly watched and judged not only by the people living at Versailles but also the people there to visit and watch her eat dinner and attend her children. Her husband Louis, Clegg describes as childish, sweet, indecisive and almost autistic like. There first years of marriage were getting to know each other but not consummating. Then came years of Marie partying and Louis working. She slowed down when she finally got pregnant with her first child and together they wanted to live a more simple life away from court. Marie spent exorbitant amount of money on clothes and renovating and her gardens. Rumors and debt were their down fall.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t been captivated by a book quite like this in some time. Melanie did a fabulous job of painting the ill-fated Queen in the misunderstood light that she was known for in life. This book had me smiling, and crying. It’s a heartbreaking story of a naïve girl desperately trying to seek happiness in pre-revolutionary France. Thrust in front of a country that was unwilling to see her as anything other than a overbearing, excessive, foreign invader. Marie Antoinette would never do right in the eyes of the French people. Melanie weaves the story of Marie Antoinette’s life from birth until death, delving into the complexities of what made her such a misunderstood woman, and ultimately what led to the French Revolution and her untimely demise.

[Robyn Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the Marie Antoinette novice

I recommend this book for anyone who is unfamiliar with the story of the famous French queen. My only issue with the Kindle version I downloaded was the number of grammatical errors in the text. I found it to be slightly distracting. However, the content was highly engaging and made for a relatively quick read.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected fluffy historical fiction, Melanie Clegg's biography is solid and extremely well-researched, as well as having her modern sarcastic comments every once in a while. I learned many things about Marie Antoinette's story I didn't know before. Clegg's guide to Paris at the back of the book makes me want to visit and explore Paris so badly.

[Veronica Vardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Melanie Clegg brings Marie Antoinette to life! Well researched with vivid descriptions and minimal speculation where no historical evidence is found. Author also wrote excellent book Margaret of Guide (Scourge of Henry Viii), seems to have a knack for retelling the lives of strong female historical characters ! Thank Ms. Clegg!

[Anadarko52 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sympathetic biography

I enjoyed this telling of Marie Antoinette's life. Before reading this book, I knew nothing about her. This biography showed a woman who was unprepared for the French royal court but who did the best she could.

[Sophie Milvae · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun read but terrible historical biography. the author admits she hates politics yet writes about the literal queen of france? knew it wasn’t like academia but it’s insane to have that little context in a story.

[Shelby Solski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Easy to read and enthralling - one of the best nooks I have read on Marie Antoinette!! Will look for more by this author

[Elizabeth Blacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Enjoyed the history and personal story lines. Was informative and enjoyable to read and learn about this time period. Recommended!

[Stephanie Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down!

[Vanessa Starr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Get a new editor.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I was looking for

I have always been captivated by Marie Antoinette and Versailles, but I absolutely hate politics. This book included all the glitzy details I crave about this tragic fairytale without bogging itself down with the politics involved. There were of course bits of politics detailed during the revolution portion, but just enough to help the reader understand why this was happening. If I could go anywhere in the world, it would be Versailles, to walk the halls of Marie and Louis XVI would be so surreal, and this book just increased my desire to be there.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this one is tricky. In one hand - interesting to read and ( most importantly ) captures Louis XVI's character as well as Queen's. Easy to read and captures from first page. But still I can't recommend it to serious readers. Because two reasons. First - cover. It looks like some cheap romantic novel than a serious biography. And we judge book by the cover. ( yes, we all do it, don't try to lie that YOU don't ) Second - it feels like cheap novel - no references, no sources, nothing. Just list of books about Marie Antoinette like some kind of joke. In short - if you Marie Antoinette's fan, you finished all others biographies and searching something light to read, take it.

[Valerie Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read all the author's historical fiction, and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading this biography of Marie Antoinette and I really enjoyed it. I love Melanie's writing style, it's easy to read and even though there's a lot of information in the book it never feels dry or weighty. I would highly recommend this to anyone out there who's interested in Marie Antoinette, or anyone who is just looking for a good summer read.

[Allison Chancy Cothran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so badly. I muscled through it. The subject matter was interesting, of course. There's just only so many paragraph-long sentences a gal can handle. It may have been a better listen than read if anyone's into audiobooks. It was absolutely an interesting perspective and showed MA's perspective a little differently than she's sometimes portrayed.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Well researched and great writing style. It can be easy for historical biographies to be dry, weighty and dull. But this, as the title suggests, is an intimate look at the doomed French queen. I whizzed through this in a few days! Highly recommended.

[Jackie Francois · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd rate this book 5 stars for all the facts, but 2 stars for how it was written. Too many huge sentences, paragraphs, and chapters. Break it down!

[Christine Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atrocious writing and grammar, but informative nonetheless

[michelle ratto-branchaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

👍

[Melly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conversational tone taken by the author makes for an easy and enjoyable read. Recommended to anyone with an interest in Marie Antoinette's story.

[Bethany]

DNF