Series: Marie Antoinette #3
Publication Date: 24th September 2013
Pages: 464
Book Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours & NetGalley
Synopsis: Confessions of Marie Antoinette, the riveting and sweeping final novel in Juliet Grey’s trilogy on the life of the legendary French queen, blends rich historical detail with searing drama, bringing to life the early years of the French Revolution and the doomed royal family’s final days.
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 and her family try to flee, and she secretly attempts to arrange their rescue from the clutches of the Revolution, they cannot outrun the dangers encircling them, or escape their shocking fate.
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!
Be sure to pop back tomorrow for Juliet's guest post and giveaway!
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Great review Teddyree...it certainly has my interest piqued to try this trilogy
ReplyDeletecan't wait to hear what you think Karen!
DeleteOhhhhhhhh this sounds delish!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by Julie :)
DeleteBut it's gonna be so sad in the end
ReplyDeletelol sorry B, yes history often is and Marie's in particular seemed very unfair and cruel.
DeleteOther from visiting Versailles I don't know much about Marie. I like her old digs though ;)
ReplyDeleteWe are visiting Versailles next year Stacy and I can't wait to see Marie's estate :)
DeleteI really want to read this series! I have been fascinated by the French Revolution too. She may not have been a wise queen but she didn't deserve what happened to her and I think the press of the day really made her out to be a villain unfairly.
ReplyDeletetotally agree Christina, Marie really cared about the people, but it didn't seem to matter what she did, she was still vilified.
DeleteI noted your comment about history being written by the victors. It strikes me that Richard III and Marie Antoinette are probably the most unjustly maligned figures in history.
ReplyDeleteI read another book about MA and learned things about her that made her a more sympathetic character. This sounds like a good read too!
ReplyDeleteYour comprehensive and excellent review captivated my interest. Wonderful historical. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI saw this book and new by the title I wanted to read it. Your review has me wanting to run out and get it, now knowing it's part of a trilogy I'm more excited to dig in! I've not read anything about Marie Antoinette only know what I learned in school about her.
ReplyDeletethis is such a great series about her, can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteYour review caught my eye and makes this book one that I would find fascinating. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDefinitely want to read this! The excerpt on the author's post was really intense and piqued my interest in her version of Madame Marie Antoinette :) thanks for a good review.
ReplyDeleteAdding this to my TBR pile!!
ReplyDelete