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Il diario segreto di Maria Antonietta
This captivating retelling of Marie Antoinette's life turns the tables by giving heart and mind to one of the most sensational, and maddeningly complex, historical figures of all time.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Carolly Erickson
33 books710 followersDistinguished historian Carolly Erickson is the author of The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, The First Elizabeth, Great Catherine, Alexandra and many other prize-winning works of fiction and nonfiction. She lives in Hawaii.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/caroll...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/caroll...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 643 reviews
January 13, 2020
This book was pretty good. I have not read much about Marie Antoinette, though I did see the movie the recent movie and liked it.
This book is told from Marie's pov, which is nice. She is kind of naive, silly, but innocent. Her husband Louis is portrayed as mentally deficient-not in terms of learning but he seems to suffer from an ability to relate to others-perhaps high functioning autism?
The novel does cover a long standing sexual relationship with a swedish captain. I do not know how historically accurate it was, the novel has him advocating for her when she was in the tower.
The pacing was good and the action moved right along. I could not really identify with MA but I did feel kind of sorry for her.
This book is told from Marie's pov, which is nice. She is kind of naive, silly, but innocent. Her husband Louis is portrayed as mentally deficient-not in terms of learning but he seems to suffer from an ability to relate to others-perhaps high functioning autism?
The novel does cover a long standing sexual relationship with a swedish captain. I do not know how historically accurate it was, the novel has him advocating for her when she was in the tower.
The pacing was good and the action moved right along. I could not really identify with MA but I did feel kind of sorry for her.
February 1, 2009
Carrolly Erickson does everything in her power in this book to make Marie Antoinette appear self-absorbed, insensitive, vacuous, and oversexed, then expects you to be incensed when her enemies come to the same conclusion. I was baffled why suddenly she was some Great Queen who was victimized by the cruel powers of fate. I was like, wait, I'm supposed to like her? Did I nap through the part where she did a single redeemable thing? I mean, I think she gave, like, bread to some poor people once, but she also spent what was left of a bankrupt France's treasury on expensive dresses--kind of like a less interesting Sarah Palin.
This is far inferior to Carolly Erickson's The Last Wife of Henry VIII. Unlike that book, which was full of great characters and action, this one is spectacular in its dullness, and only tolerable in its historical setting, the French Revolution.
Watch Sofia Coppola's movie Marie Antoinette instead, or if you're really pressed for time, just read about her on wikipedia and save yourself the trouble of this tedious and whiney take on yet another chick who gets her head lopped off for no good reason--unless being really freaking annoying is a crime. I kind of couldn't wait for her to just shut up and die already.
This is far inferior to Carolly Erickson's The Last Wife of Henry VIII. Unlike that book, which was full of great characters and action, this one is spectacular in its dullness, and only tolerable in its historical setting, the French Revolution.
Watch Sofia Coppola's movie Marie Antoinette instead, or if you're really pressed for time, just read about her on wikipedia and save yourself the trouble of this tedious and whiney take on yet another chick who gets her head lopped off for no good reason--unless being really freaking annoying is a crime. I kind of couldn't wait for her to just shut up and die already.
June 14, 2015
This was a decent historical fiction novel written in a diary format, which provides a first person voice to the life of Marie Antoinette. As the author notes at the conclusion of the book, this is “a work of fiction, not fact – a historical entertainment, not an attempt at historical reconstruction.” I found the book interesting and the time period fascinating. Not having a lot of background knowledge on this subject, I tried to keep in the back of my mind that this was meant to be entertaining, but not necessarily entirely educational.
As I believe the author intended, I gained a bit more compassion for Marie Antoinette. Leading a sheltered and aristocratic life in Austria and then being thrown into the enchanting and rousing lifestyle at the court of Versailles, Marie had a lot to learn and was perhaps quite naïve, at least initially, to life outside the palace walls. I got the sense that she “grew up” over time, but I am not convinced that she had a good grasp on reality. The author succeeded in convincing me that she was a good mother who truly loved her children and suffered for the losses of those that did not survive. Though not faithful to Louis, Marie stood by his side until the end, showing devotion to her title and to him in this sense. In my opinion Louis was wimpy and I did not particularly care for him here. Marie showed more strength and perseverance.
This was a fun, easy read. I was not completely captured by the story and found it to be a bit slow and sometimes disconnected, most likely due to the diary format. However, I was interested in reading through to the end, even though I knew it would not end well for this royal family. Carolly Erickson has inspired me to read a bit more historical fact rather than fiction on this topic in the future!
As I believe the author intended, I gained a bit more compassion for Marie Antoinette. Leading a sheltered and aristocratic life in Austria and then being thrown into the enchanting and rousing lifestyle at the court of Versailles, Marie had a lot to learn and was perhaps quite naïve, at least initially, to life outside the palace walls. I got the sense that she “grew up” over time, but I am not convinced that she had a good grasp on reality. The author succeeded in convincing me that she was a good mother who truly loved her children and suffered for the losses of those that did not survive. Though not faithful to Louis, Marie stood by his side until the end, showing devotion to her title and to him in this sense. In my opinion Louis was wimpy and I did not particularly care for him here. Marie showed more strength and perseverance.
This was a fun, easy read. I was not completely captured by the story and found it to be a bit slow and sometimes disconnected, most likely due to the diary format. However, I was interested in reading through to the end, even though I knew it would not end well for this royal family. Carolly Erickson has inspired me to read a bit more historical fact rather than fiction on this topic in the future!
September 20, 2015
My second time to read a biography of the deposed Queen of France Marie Antoinette (1755-1793). The first book I read about her was Antonia Fraser's Marie Antoinette: The Journey (4 stars). I really liked it so I told myself that I wanted to read more books about this queen.
If Fraser's book is told in third person, this book by Erickson is told in first person because this is supposed to be from a secret diary of Marie Antoinette that she kept prior to her death by guillotine. That made the reading more enjoyable although I got dismayed when I learned from my friends through their review here on Goodreads that this has nothing to do with the historical queen. Although, I did see some consistency and I think Erickson's objective is to make readers with still-sketchy knowledge about the queen know her more especially what she probably felt and thought during the important points in her life: her marriage to the Dauphin of France Louis-Auguste (who later became King Louis XVI), her several miscarriages, the death of some of her children, their attempt to escape and the hours, the execution of her husband and the hours prior to her own death.
I mean I enjoyed Fraser's book more because it presented the story with facts amply supported by footnotes and bibliography. However, you don't know what the characters in the story felt and thought. Here, Erickson provided those missing links to make the queen more of a human than a cold historical character.
Nice one, Ms. Erickson!
If Fraser's book is told in third person, this book by Erickson is told in first person because this is supposed to be from a secret diary of Marie Antoinette that she kept prior to her death by guillotine. That made the reading more enjoyable although I got dismayed when I learned from my friends through their review here on Goodreads that this has nothing to do with the historical queen. Although, I did see some consistency and I think Erickson's objective is to make readers with still-sketchy knowledge about the queen know her more especially what she probably felt and thought during the important points in her life: her marriage to the Dauphin of France Louis-Auguste (who later became King Louis XVI), her several miscarriages, the death of some of her children, their attempt to escape and the hours, the execution of her husband and the hours prior to her own death.
I mean I enjoyed Fraser's book more because it presented the story with facts amply supported by footnotes and bibliography. However, you don't know what the characters in the story felt and thought. Here, Erickson provided those missing links to make the queen more of a human than a cold historical character.
Nice one, Ms. Erickson!
June 8, 2011
It's no secret that I enjoy historical accuracy when it comes to historical fiction, particularly when it's about my favorite subject, Marie Antoinette. But in the end when it comes to accuracy, I ask myself: "Could this book/the events/the characterization have been plausible, and was it a good read?" The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, unfortunately, was neither of those things for me.
The author strays so far from historical accuracy that I'm left to wonder... why write this book about "Marie Antoinette"? There seems to have been no effort by the author to write about Marie Antoinette's actual life, and the book may as well have been titled "The Hidden Diary of a Queen" with the names and places changed.
The only good thing I can say about the book is that Louis XVI managed to come across as surprisingly sympathetic, though even this bright spot was tarnished by Erickson constantly having Marie Antoinette insult him, and making his last words to her an "a-okay" for her to marry Fersen after he's dead.
The author strays so far from historical accuracy that I'm left to wonder... why write this book about "Marie Antoinette"? There seems to have been no effort by the author to write about Marie Antoinette's actual life, and the book may as well have been titled "The Hidden Diary of a Queen" with the names and places changed.
The only good thing I can say about the book is that Louis XVI managed to come across as surprisingly sympathetic, though even this bright spot was tarnished by Erickson constantly having Marie Antoinette insult him, and making his last words to her an "a-okay" for her to marry Fersen after he's dead.
May 6, 2013
First of all, this a fiction book, nothing to do with Marie Antoinette's biography.
Secondly, the story is based on the assumption that Marie Antoinette's had written a diary telling her whole life, from her youth in Austria until her execution by the guillotine.
Since the true story of this historical character is being very well described in the literature, this book doesn't bring any new fact among the already known destiny of Marie Antoinette, her husband, Louis XVI and their children.
I've read better books on this subject like Marie Antoinette: the journey by Antonia Fraser and Pintora de la Reina, La Fovorita de Maria Antoineta by Geneviève Chauvel.
Secondly, the story is based on the assumption that Marie Antoinette's had written a diary telling her whole life, from her youth in Austria until her execution by the guillotine.
Since the true story of this historical character is being very well described in the literature, this book doesn't bring any new fact among the already known destiny of Marie Antoinette, her husband, Louis XVI and their children.
I've read better books on this subject like Marie Antoinette: the journey by Antonia Fraser and Pintora de la Reina, La Fovorita de Maria Antoineta by Geneviève Chauvel.
December 14, 2007
The author calls this book a historical entertainment -- which means she invents characters to interact with historical figures. If I'm going to read historical entertainment, having to guess who is real and who isn't, I'd better at least be entertained. Not so much. Pretty bland, nothing special, felt like I was reading bad chick lit from the 1700s.
December 19, 2008
Loved it! Mrs. Antoinette was born before her time - she would definitely be giving Paris Hilton a run for her money right now.
November 1, 2019
I love Marie Antoinette's story, but I was not a fan of this book. I will often skip titles when I'm reading, unless they are interesting, but in a book like this, titles cannot be skipped. I would get very confused as to what year it was because some sections would jump months between them. In addition to that, the story didn't always feel linear. This could have been the fact that some points were written through a teenage girl's perspective, but I still think that a wider lens could have been used.
April 29, 2020
È stato il mio primo approccio alla scrittura della Erickson e ne sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa! Per essere un romanzo storico sotto forma di diario, che ripercorre le tappe fondamentali della regina Maria Antonietta, è di facile lettura e le parole scivolano una dopo l’altra come l’olio! Sembra quasi di stare leggendo un diario di un’amica che conosciamo da tempo, riusciamo quasi a percepire tutte le emozioni della regina. Sicuramente recupererò le altre biografie di questa autrice.
March 31, 2017
Marie Antoinette is my favorite historical personage and I will read anything about her. While this isn't the most impressive out there in terms of writing quality (nothing groundbreaking or life-changing), it was a lot better than I expected it to be and was actually a really pleasant guilty pleasure novel. I liked the tone of voice used for Marie in her diary entries, and I thought a lot of it went with what I know of her character. I wasn't sure whether I liked the added fictional characters or not, as they're so obviously fictional, but they do actually have a purpose in the plot so I ended up not minding them. I'd recommend this novel to anyone looking for a fun historical fiction experience, as long as their standards aren't too exacting.
January 9, 2012
I just started reading this book, actually I am on page 49 and I don't think I can continue to read this. While I love historical fiction I believe the author should stay true what history tells us about the person. The first thing that bothered me about this book was that there is no way a high born princess would have been left to traipse around in the woods in a cave having a make out session with the stable boy. I was also bothered by the fact that there was no mention of the process that Marie went through before she entered France, she couldn't take anything into France from a foreign court, they stripped her down and gave her a French makeover. I would think Marie would have mentioned something about that in her diary but not this diary, she arrives with her dogs and her lover stable boy. I also noticed that Louis and Marie somehow misplaced the whole coucher process of undressing and getting tucked in to bed in this diary, Louis comes in and removes his own dirty clothes and Marie is letting her own hair down and borrowing and putting on a negligee. These folks didn't dress themselves, they didn't comb their own hair, Marie wasn't even allowed to reach for anything, it was to be handed to her. Those kind of things shouldn't be changed the author could have stayed true to what we do know about Louis and Marie and still written a good work of fiction. It would have been a far better diary if she would have had Marie talking about some of the customs of the French monarchy that she wasn't used to. So if you want to know more about the real Marie Antoinette don't read this book, Marie was a fascinating woman and her real story is far better than any fictional tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2010
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know much about Marie Antoinette. And, what I do know probably comes from the movies. She usually isn’t portrayed very kindly there. I had built this image of a young women who liked parties, clothes, and basic extravagance. This book took an extreme opposite view. It touched on the rumors surrounding the Queen, but I never got a good feel for how the Queen felt about this. The book seems to down play all of that, when in fact that malicious gossip eventually made the people of France hate her. She had to have realized that but she seems really detached from her people and her country. I’m sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Although, I’m sure we will never know the whole truth surrounding all the gossip.
I did really enjoy the format of the book. The diary entries made it seem like more of a possibility that this was who the Queen really was. I learned a few things I did not know. Plus, it made me want to read more historical fiction about Marie Antoinette. Some seem to complain about some characters being made up, but I able to take that in because I know it is historical fiction. I know that not everything is fact. Overall, and interesting read, but I feel it’s steeped more in fiction than in fact.
I did really enjoy the format of the book. The diary entries made it seem like more of a possibility that this was who the Queen really was. I learned a few things I did not know. Plus, it made me want to read more historical fiction about Marie Antoinette. Some seem to complain about some characters being made up, but I able to take that in because I know it is historical fiction. I know that not everything is fact. Overall, and interesting read, but I feel it’s steeped more in fiction than in fact.
September 26, 2014
Do you want to read a great book? Feel unexplicable emotions? My best advice is to DROP THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW.
This book was probably one of the worst I've ever read.
The most frustrating thing was that it has very poor historical accuracy of the actual facts that did happen and to me, this was beyond annoying and it made me want to drop the book right there and then, but I have a policy that whenever I start a book I must finish it.
The story was not entertaining, it seemed as if a modern aged teenager was writing the whole diary- even when Marie Antoinette was an adult about to die.
The whole 'fighting with Amelie' was just so over-played and it made it seem like a mexican telenovela and it centered the whole book in the rivality between them two- again, super dull.
This book was probably one of the worst I've ever read.
The most frustrating thing was that it has very poor historical accuracy of the actual facts that did happen and to me, this was beyond annoying and it made me want to drop the book right there and then, but I have a policy that whenever I start a book I must finish it.
The story was not entertaining, it seemed as if a modern aged teenager was writing the whole diary- even when Marie Antoinette was an adult about to die.
The whole 'fighting with Amelie' was just so over-played and it made it seem like a mexican telenovela and it centered the whole book in the rivality between them two- again, super dull.
July 21, 2023
Was this in anyway historically accurate? Absolutely NOT!
Was it entertaining? Heck Yes!
This is a really fun take on a historical figure. As the title suggests this is a story told through diary entries from Marie Antoinette’s “supposed” hidden personal diary.
Anyone who is an avid Marie Antoinette fan or anyone who knows more of the facts surrounding her life will most likely find this book annoying, You’ll be like ‘That’s not true!’ ‘That didn’t happen!’ etc
Was it entertaining? Heck Yes!
This is a really fun take on a historical figure. As the title suggests this is a story told through diary entries from Marie Antoinette’s “supposed” hidden personal diary.
Anyone who is an avid Marie Antoinette fan or anyone who knows more of the facts surrounding her life will most likely find this book annoying, You’ll be like ‘That’s not true!’ ‘That didn’t happen!’ etc
July 10, 2007
As I'm obsessed with French culture - especially the Revolution era - I really liked this book. We all know the story of Marie Antoinette, but this was a light read that tried to bring her perspective to the situation. This book also showed a different side of Marie Antoinette, as someone who is looking for love, even outside of her marriage to Louis.
December 29, 2008
Read in one day. We all know the outcome, but written as a diary is an interesting way to lead up to it.
December 17, 2023
idk i just loved it slay marie
May 23, 2024
Actually, 2.5 stars
The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette tells the story of Marie’s childhood to her final days. Maria Antonia was the youngest daughter of Empress Maria Teresa of Austria. She had a carefree childhood. In her early adolescence, she was thrust into an arranged marriage with the dauphine of France. Marie Antoinette had to leave her childhood behind and become the Dauphine of France. From the moment she stepped foot on French soil, Marie Antoinette was unfit for the role of Dauphine and later Queen of France.
I had a hard time liking Marie Antoinette. She was very lazy, shallow, and vain. She spent lavish money on dresses, gambling, and built a fanciful village. She loved to have friends and formed a circle of friends who share the same tastes as her. She also has no love for her husband. Instead, she gives her heart to other men. Therefore, I did not feel any compassion for her. I was hoping that she would grow up and have compassion for her people. However, she does not. She remains the same, and she never learns her lesson.
Overall, this novel is about family, duty, and sacrifice. I didn’t care for the other characters in The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI was the most interesting character, but not a lot of attention was focused on him. I found Marie Antoinette’s first love and his wife to be annoying and distracting from the novel. Even though it is a short novel, it was a slog. It took me a month to get through it. There were some parts that I did like about this novel. I like how the author portrayed Versailles. I also like her description of the French Revolution. There were a few inaccuracies, but was mostly faithful to the known history of Marie Antoinette. I recommend this for fans of The Secret Diary of a Princess, Abundance, and Becoming Marie Antoinette!
The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette tells the story of Marie’s childhood to her final days. Maria Antonia was the youngest daughter of Empress Maria Teresa of Austria. She had a carefree childhood. In her early adolescence, she was thrust into an arranged marriage with the dauphine of France. Marie Antoinette had to leave her childhood behind and become the Dauphine of France. From the moment she stepped foot on French soil, Marie Antoinette was unfit for the role of Dauphine and later Queen of France.
I had a hard time liking Marie Antoinette. She was very lazy, shallow, and vain. She spent lavish money on dresses, gambling, and built a fanciful village. She loved to have friends and formed a circle of friends who share the same tastes as her. She also has no love for her husband. Instead, she gives her heart to other men. Therefore, I did not feel any compassion for her. I was hoping that she would grow up and have compassion for her people. However, she does not. She remains the same, and she never learns her lesson.
Overall, this novel is about family, duty, and sacrifice. I didn’t care for the other characters in The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI was the most interesting character, but not a lot of attention was focused on him. I found Marie Antoinette’s first love and his wife to be annoying and distracting from the novel. Even though it is a short novel, it was a slog. It took me a month to get through it. There were some parts that I did like about this novel. I like how the author portrayed Versailles. I also like her description of the French Revolution. There were a few inaccuracies, but was mostly faithful to the known history of Marie Antoinette. I recommend this for fans of The Secret Diary of a Princess, Abundance, and Becoming Marie Antoinette!
January 4, 2018
Gossip storico da ragazzine.
NOTA: Le figure dei re di Francia non mi hanno mai affascinato, le Roi Absolu si meritava concettualmente la fine che ha fatto (un assoluto annientamento). Continuo a stupirmi che, fuori da Tonga, la monarchia abbia senso. Lo trovo un abominio politico, anche di fronte a sovrani “utili” (Queen Elizabeth è l’equivalente di Disneyworld), per non parlare dell’aristocrazia inutile e perniciosa. Ho sempre pensato che Madame la Guillotine si sia fermata troppo presto, quando avrebbe dovuto scavalcare le Alpi ….
NOTA: Le figure dei re di Francia non mi hanno mai affascinato, le Roi Absolu si meritava concettualmente la fine che ha fatto (un assoluto annientamento). Continuo a stupirmi che, fuori da Tonga, la monarchia abbia senso. Lo trovo un abominio politico, anche di fronte a sovrani “utili” (Queen Elizabeth è l’equivalente di Disneyworld), per non parlare dell’aristocrazia inutile e perniciosa. Ho sempre pensato che Madame la Guillotine si sia fermata troppo presto, quando avrebbe dovuto scavalcare le Alpi ….
September 2, 2010
4.5 stars.
Love, love, loved it!!! I haven't read anything on Marie Antoinette, only watched movies really.... so I found this very interesting. I gobbled it up in 2 days; I would have read it even quicker had I not had a busy schedule! If you are a historical fiction buff, you'll probably like it. Vaguely reminds me of Phillipa Gregory's writing, only no where near as sexual.
Side note: I can't help but picture marie as Kirstin Dunst (sp) from the movie Marie Antionette.... personality and looks....
THIS
is a far cry from
THAT
Love, love, loved it!!! I haven't read anything on Marie Antoinette, only watched movies really.... so I found this very interesting. I gobbled it up in 2 days; I would have read it even quicker had I not had a busy schedule! If you are a historical fiction buff, you'll probably like it. Vaguely reminds me of Phillipa Gregory's writing, only no where near as sexual.
Side note: I can't help but picture marie as Kirstin Dunst (sp) from the movie Marie Antionette.... personality and looks....
THIS
is a far cry from
THAT
March 4, 2011
Let me begin by saying I wanted to like this book, I really did. I love reading about Marie Antoinette. I actually kept trying to read this, and I am definitely one of those unfortunate people who HAS to finish a book no matter how much they suffer. But I hate to say *sigh* I gave up. There were too many historic liberties taken in my opinion to make it enjoyable, the characters left me wanting more from their one or two dimensions they were allowed, the writing at times was redundant. To be honest I'm not here to bad mouth the book or the author but I really just couldn't swallow the pill, and we will leave it at that.
September 26, 2012
I really liked the idea of presenting the life of Marie Antoinette in the form of a diary written in her own hand. While it was entertaining enough, I couldn't really enjoy it due to the problem with historical accuracy. Or rather, the problem with the lack thereof. Yes, I know it's fiction and the author intended it to be read for entertainment, not as a factual account, but it still drove me mad. I just prefer my historical fiction, especially when based on the lives of real historical figures, to stick a bit closer to facts - too much invention in this for me.
March 23, 2011
I really enjoyed reading about Marie Antoinette. I love Historical Fiction, and they always make me want to find out more about their lives and the world they had to live in. I could not imagine being married off at 14 (and younger), by no choice of my own to only lord know who, or walking to my death, by having my head chopped off, with everyone standing around watching and cheering it on. what a brutal way to go for the people of that time... *shiver*
February 21, 2008
Such a fun read! I've always been fascinated by Marie Antoinette, and this fictional take on her life just made me wish again that maybe this time, she wouldn't lose her head. I forgot to pay attention to the details of the book when I ordered it, though, and I bought the large print edition - kinda made me feel like the book was yelling at me.
May 3, 2010
For someone who really enjoys historical fiction, this book is a must. Written as a diary, it covers everything from when Marie first meets Louis, all through their marriage, through the French Revolution, right up to her execution. It is well written, exciting, poignant. Absolutely one of my favorite books as well as authors.
November 3, 2007
This book was great..makes me want to learn more about Marie Antoinette!! I would definitely recommend it!
September 11, 2008
I absolutely loved this book. It is a bit of fiction placed in an amazingly accurate historical account of Marie Antoinette's life. I have read it 3 times!
August 21, 2024
If you love history especially French history and the history of Marie Antoinette. This is a must read.
Happy Reading 📚 🇫🇷
Happy Reading 📚 🇫🇷
July 25, 2008
Easy read. Fun. Worth the read even if you saw the movie.
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