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French Revolution #3
Flaunting, Extravagant Queen
At the age of fifteen, Marie Antoinette, beautiful and charming bride to the impotent Dauphin, is plunged into the intrigue of Versailles.
Frivolous and reckless, she flouts the strict and demanding etiquette of the glittering court, and discovers the true nature of hate . . . and love.
But the clouds of revolution are overhead, and Marie Antoinette, who only wished to enjoy life, learns too late that the price of her enjoyment is very high...
Frivolous and reckless, she flouts the strict and demanding etiquette of the glittering court, and discovers the true nature of hate . . . and love.
But the clouds of revolution are overhead, and Marie Antoinette, who only wished to enjoy life, learns too late that the price of her enjoyment is very high...
383 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
About the author
Jean Plaidy
197 books1,607 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 6, 2013
The writing style is the main downside of this book. The characterizations are surprisingly poor. The descriptions are very childish and the most shocking bit is that revolution is portrayed in the worst way possible. Overall, this book is quite disappointing, considering the fact that there are several, more well-researched historical fiction books out there. Most importantly, this book could not bring Marie Antoinette to life, it is confusion of holler than thou reactions. Expected better from the famed Jean Plaidy. Will surely not venture into any more of her works.
November 1, 2022
Having read a biography of Marie Antoinette, I think this fictional account of this fascinating woman is a damn good read. Jean Plaidy has done a great job of bringing Marie Antoinette to life, along with Louis XVI.
The author focuses on many of the most important aspects of this frightening period of French history, mixing in some trivialities, which gives a more rounded story. In reality, Marie Antoinette's final few years were much more drawn-out and wretched than how they are portrayed here. That said, enough events feature here to still make the reader feel the utmost sympathy for Marie Antoinette and her family.
The author does a good job in showing the transition of the "Flaunting, Extravagant Queen" to a loyal wife and mother, who all her life is - in the eyes of lookers-on - damned in whatever she does, and damned in whatever she doesn't.
The author focuses on many of the most important aspects of this frightening period of French history, mixing in some trivialities, which gives a more rounded story. In reality, Marie Antoinette's final few years were much more drawn-out and wretched than how they are portrayed here. That said, enough events feature here to still make the reader feel the utmost sympathy for Marie Antoinette and her family.
The author does a good job in showing the transition of the "Flaunting, Extravagant Queen" to a loyal wife and mother, who all her life is - in the eyes of lookers-on - damned in whatever she does, and damned in whatever she doesn't.
August 19, 2017
This was written in 1957, but it is still an excellent book covering the period from when Marie Antoinette left Austria to become Louis' wife until her beheading. Overall a very sad story, from this recount of events she had so many enemies in court and beyond, mainly caused by jealousy. Not helped by a weak indecisive king - so many times when he could and should have taken control. I would now like to read one or two other versions of her story. Nice to return to Jean Plaidy, I cut my teeth in Historical Fiction with Jean Plaidy - she was a favourite of my mum's and her books were available in the house. In fact this copy was from then, and was passed onto me shortly before her death.
January 10, 2023
ARDENT FAN
Sadly Jean Plaidy/Victoria Holt is no longer with us but her books live on taking us, in this case into the royal court of Marie Antoinette. What a great book, I loved the whole series and read all three in as many days.
Sadly Jean Plaidy/Victoria Holt is no longer with us but her books live on taking us, in this case into the royal court of Marie Antoinette. What a great book, I loved the whole series and read all three in as many days.
September 4, 2013
Very good personal look into the life of Marie Antoinette
March 4, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; re-reading it, I should say, because I first read it fifty-seven or fifty-eight years ago—and the fact that many of the lines from the narrative have stayed with me since then says much about the quality of the book, and the author.
Said author, in brief, was named Eleanor Alice Burford, who wrote in a variety of genres with a different pseudonym for each; and Jean Plaidy was that used for stories based on the lives of historical personages. I read most of them in my teens, and it’s a pleasure to revisit them now, starting with Flaunting, Extravagant Queen. If you’re looking for flowing, literary language you won’t find it here; what you will find, however, is a straightforward, well-researched story based around the life of the young archduchess of Austria who became the ill-fated queen of France. The conversations are imagined—apart from any which were reported in the writings left behind by contemporaries—but bring to life the historical events to good effect.
There’s no doubt that Marie Antoinette is a controversial figure, loved or hated to this day. Neither view is the complete truth, as the author points out in her note at the end of the book. Antoinette may have been an apparent air-head, but it’s worth noting that she was a fourteen-year-old girl, not academic, when she was married to the heir to the French throne who was little older. He appears to have had a dysfunction in his procreational capabilities too, meaning it was some years until things were put right and the couple began producing children. Before that, however, it was his wife who was blamed for the lack of children—and why am I not surprised? Then there was the stifling etiquette of Versailles to which the girl was subjected, not to mention that she was Austrian, which country was a long-standing adversary of France—meaning that Marie Antoinette was an obvious scapegoat upon which to pin the blame when things went wrong. With so much pressure placed upon her, it’s hardly surprising that something had to give.
The author also makes it clear that, when the couple—by nature unsuited to the task of monarchy, and aged twenty and nineteen respectively—inherited the throne, they became monarchs of a country tottering under the excesses of the previous reigns in a system gone rotten and in urgent need of reformation. It’s hardly surprising that the children in this case paid the price for the sins of not just the parents but of several generations beforehand. I should note here that Flaunting, Extravagant Queen is easy to read as a standalone, but the preceding two books—Louis the Well-Beloved and The Road to Compiegne—are also worth reading to get the full background and context.
Back to the ill-fated protagonist of this book, however. She was human, and she got things wrong before learning through experience. What’s remarkable in her story is the change from the flighty young woman to the courage and dignity with which she comported herself when misfortune came upon her. Some of the things to which she was subjected—standing for three hours before a marauding mob which could turn on her at any minute was only one of them—would have been enough alone to kill anybody from shock; but that didn’t happen. Instead she lived to be widowed through her husband’s execution, to have her children taken away, her son turned against her and various other indignities which she met with unbelievable calm and fortitude.
Overall, author Jean Plaidy did a masterful job with a balanced narrative which illustrates that, despite the rich clothing, extravagant hairstyles and luxurious lifestyle which she’d adopted before, Marie Antoinette never—in my view—comported herself more like a queen than when, hair shorn, hands tied and dressed in a simple white shift, she endured the drive to the guillotine and met her death without flinching. Denied justice in death, she deserves this from history; and I believe this book gives it to her. Bravo.
Said author, in brief, was named Eleanor Alice Burford, who wrote in a variety of genres with a different pseudonym for each; and Jean Plaidy was that used for stories based on the lives of historical personages. I read most of them in my teens, and it’s a pleasure to revisit them now, starting with Flaunting, Extravagant Queen. If you’re looking for flowing, literary language you won’t find it here; what you will find, however, is a straightforward, well-researched story based around the life of the young archduchess of Austria who became the ill-fated queen of France. The conversations are imagined—apart from any which were reported in the writings left behind by contemporaries—but bring to life the historical events to good effect.
There’s no doubt that Marie Antoinette is a controversial figure, loved or hated to this day. Neither view is the complete truth, as the author points out in her note at the end of the book. Antoinette may have been an apparent air-head, but it’s worth noting that she was a fourteen-year-old girl, not academic, when she was married to the heir to the French throne who was little older. He appears to have had a dysfunction in his procreational capabilities too, meaning it was some years until things were put right and the couple began producing children. Before that, however, it was his wife who was blamed for the lack of children—and why am I not surprised? Then there was the stifling etiquette of Versailles to which the girl was subjected, not to mention that she was Austrian, which country was a long-standing adversary of France—meaning that Marie Antoinette was an obvious scapegoat upon which to pin the blame when things went wrong. With so much pressure placed upon her, it’s hardly surprising that something had to give.
The author also makes it clear that, when the couple—by nature unsuited to the task of monarchy, and aged twenty and nineteen respectively—inherited the throne, they became monarchs of a country tottering under the excesses of the previous reigns in a system gone rotten and in urgent need of reformation. It’s hardly surprising that the children in this case paid the price for the sins of not just the parents but of several generations beforehand. I should note here that Flaunting, Extravagant Queen is easy to read as a standalone, but the preceding two books—Louis the Well-Beloved and The Road to Compiegne—are also worth reading to get the full background and context.
Back to the ill-fated protagonist of this book, however. She was human, and she got things wrong before learning through experience. What’s remarkable in her story is the change from the flighty young woman to the courage and dignity with which she comported herself when misfortune came upon her. Some of the things to which she was subjected—standing for three hours before a marauding mob which could turn on her at any minute was only one of them—would have been enough alone to kill anybody from shock; but that didn’t happen. Instead she lived to be widowed through her husband’s execution, to have her children taken away, her son turned against her and various other indignities which she met with unbelievable calm and fortitude.
Overall, author Jean Plaidy did a masterful job with a balanced narrative which illustrates that, despite the rich clothing, extravagant hairstyles and luxurious lifestyle which she’d adopted before, Marie Antoinette never—in my view—comported herself more like a queen than when, hair shorn, hands tied and dressed in a simple white shift, she endured the drive to the guillotine and met her death without flinching. Denied justice in death, she deserves this from history; and I believe this book gives it to her. Bravo.
March 9, 2025
A recent trip to Versailles had me downloading this book so fast but oh my goodness! I was just….bored. And given that the court of Louis Seize and Marie Antoinette was anything but boring, that says a lot! It read like a list of facts. There was zero characterisation and little plot, it was basically ‘just this happened so Antoinette felt like this and then this happened’ and too much tell with zero show. I just - this wasn’t for me.
August 3, 2022
The most riveting novel in the series. I am now in eager search of something similar after finding much to chew in Mantel's masterpiece.
December 26, 2022
Love Jean plaidy. Love her historical novels. Knowing the end made me impatient for the last third
Read
March 8, 2024Didn’t actually finish but will probably read at a later date
January 22, 2026
Com certeza, um dos meus livros favoritos.
December 12, 2009
At first, I wasn't fond of the writing style - not because it wasn't modern but because it just didn't seem to lend itself to much depth. But by the end of the book, I felt it was well worth the read. The gradual evolution of Antoinette's character was well portrayed and the ending was very moving. I suppose the lack of depth in the beginning was merely because Antoinette herself lacked much depth until her world began to change.
I do have two complaints though. The same adjectives seemed to be used over and over again. Words like "dainty" and "frivolous" were used far too often to describe Antoinette when there are plenty of suitable synonyms. The same thing occured with other characters too. I just found it rather lazy coming from such a highly acclaimed author.
A minor complaint but I also didn't like the fact that Plaidy frequently used french words and terms without always explaining what they meant. Granted, the author was born and raised in England and I understand most English schools teach basic French. So it's understandable the author might assume her readers know enough French to know these basic words and terms. But in the US, most students choose to learn Spanish, not French and unfortunately I did not always have Google with me while reading. Sometimes, I could get the gist of it from what was going on but I still would have liked to know what was actually said.
From what I've read, Plaidy's work is considered very historically accurate and while it's not something I require from my historical fiction, it is certainly something I can appreciate (though I do struggle to understand how one woman could research and write as many books as she did in her life time - I worked out she would have to have written at least 2 books per year). I did not know a huge amount about Marie Antoinette and felt this was a good introduction. With her vast back catalogue, I'm eager to read at least a few more of Plaidy's novels.
I do have two complaints though. The same adjectives seemed to be used over and over again. Words like "dainty" and "frivolous" were used far too often to describe Antoinette when there are plenty of suitable synonyms. The same thing occured with other characters too. I just found it rather lazy coming from such a highly acclaimed author.
A minor complaint but I also didn't like the fact that Plaidy frequently used french words and terms without always explaining what they meant. Granted, the author was born and raised in England and I understand most English schools teach basic French. So it's understandable the author might assume her readers know enough French to know these basic words and terms. But in the US, most students choose to learn Spanish, not French and unfortunately I did not always have Google with me while reading. Sometimes, I could get the gist of it from what was going on but I still would have liked to know what was actually said.
From what I've read, Plaidy's work is considered very historically accurate and while it's not something I require from my historical fiction, it is certainly something I can appreciate (though I do struggle to understand how one woman could research and write as many books as she did in her life time - I worked out she would have to have written at least 2 books per year). I did not know a huge amount about Marie Antoinette and felt this was a good introduction. With her vast back catalogue, I'm eager to read at least a few more of Plaidy's novels.
April 27, 2016
This is the fifth book about Marie Antoinette that I've read and I liked it because it's written in a third point of view compared to the usual format that I've read, which was always first POV (Marie Antoinette's). I love the way this was written too because it served facts in a more objective and understandable way like the events concerning the diamond necklace.
In this book too, it was so much easier to imagine the "fall from grace" of the royal family since it also told the story AFTER the glorious days in Versailles whereas the other books focused mainly on Marie Antoinette's extravagant days... Anyhow, I really liked this book. Eventhough I already knew the sad ending awaiting this queen, I couldn't help but be hopeful whenever I read about the escape plans that just ended in tragedy.
In this book too, it was so much easier to imagine the "fall from grace" of the royal family since it also told the story AFTER the glorious days in Versailles whereas the other books focused mainly on Marie Antoinette's extravagant days... Anyhow, I really liked this book. Eventhough I already knew the sad ending awaiting this queen, I couldn't help but be hopeful whenever I read about the escape plans that just ended in tragedy.
May 4, 2011
This book was surprisingly historically solid, and appropriately sympathetic but without any sort of whitewashing. (Though, I'm personally not a fan of this sort of passive narrative style of writing, so I found it hard to get into this book.)
October 30, 2019
When I finally got to the part where the 14th July has arrived, I gave up on this book / series. It was passed over on 1 page. What a waste of time.
May 6, 2015
A good and informative read that got me into wonderful debates with my husband about the marriage of figaro and the barber of Seville.
December 22, 2021
Published 1957 the story of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI of France and the events leading to the French Revolution and their own executions.
April 15, 2026
I liked this historical novel about Marie Antoinette, when I read it as a child. WEll written and easily read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews