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Becoming Marie Antoinette: A Novel [Paperback]

Juliet Grey
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)

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Book Description

August 9, 2011
This enthralling confection of a novel, the first in a new trilogy, follows the transformation of a coddled Austrian archduchess into the reckless, powerful, beautiful queen Marie Antoinette.
 
Why must it be me? I wondered. When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?

Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother’s political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon.

Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must change everything about herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen.

Filled with smart history, treacherous rivalries, lavish clothes, and sparkling jewels, Becoming Marie Antoinette will utterly captivate fiction and history lovers alike.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A thoroughly enjoyable novel, brimming with delightful details. Grey writes eloquently and with charming humor, bringing ‘Toinette’ vividly to life as she is schooled and groomed—molded, quite literally—for a future as Queen of France, an innocent pawn in a deadly political game.”
—SANDRA GULLAND, bestselling author of Mistress of the Sun and the Josephine Bonaparte trilogy

"In her richly imagined novel, Juliet Grey meticulously recreates the sumptuous court of France's most tragic queen. Beautifully written, with attention paid to even the smallest detail, Becoming Marie Antoinette will leave readers wanting more!"
—MICHELLE MORAN, bestselling author of Madame Tussaud

“A lively and sensitive portrait of a young princess in a hostile court, and one of the most sympathetic portrayals of the doomed queen.”
—LAUREN WILLIG, bestselling author of the Pink Carnation series
 
“Wonderfully delectable and lusciously rich, an elegant novel to truly savor. Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette is completely absorbing.”
—DIANE HAEGER, author of The Queen’s Rival

"[A] sympathetic take on the fascinating and doomed Marie Antoinette."--Publishers Weekly

"An extremely compelling read. The author blends very intricately detailed research with a narrative that is stunning in its poignancy."--The Elliott Review

"Readers will see Marie Antoinette in a whole new light...A sympathetic and engaging read that presents the French queen in a manner seldom found in other novels...Anyone interested in French history will savor every page of this novel."--BookLoons

"Juliet Grey’s writing is exquisitely detailed and I enjoyed her lush descriptions of the clothing and decor of the time period. Grey possesses the rare ability to transform readers to a past only accessible by imagination. Becoming Marie Antoinette is sure to appeal to lovers of quality historical fiction as well as those who are simply fascinated by Marie Antoinette."--The Well Read Wife

"Fans of historical fiction will eat this one up. It's engaging, smart and authentic. Grey has done her homework." --January Magazine

"A lusciously detailed novel of Marie Antoinette's rise to power and the decadent, extravagant lifestyles of 18th-century Versailles." --Shelf Awareness

"This is historical fiction at its finest." --A Library of My Own

"A fascinating ride and I'm looking forward to the next book." --Endless Reading

"Well-researched and lovingly written with sparkling details--this new trilogy is not one to be missed by any lover of historical fiction or Marie Antoinette centered works. This book leaves you wanting more." --Stiletto Storyline

"Becoming Marie Antoinette is a well researched and interesting novel.  For me, it's a fine example of what good historical fiction should be--it sticks to the facts and just uses the fiction genre to fill in emotions and conversations." --Tiny Library

"The descriptions of the gowns, jewels, food - everything is so vividly described that you feel as though you are right there experiencing it all. This novel is very well written and it captivates you from the very beginning." --Peeking Between the Pages

"It is a captivating and well thought out book, and one that raises this woman of history to the point of a living person, which the reader finds easy to identify with, and relate to." --The Book Worm's Library

"C'est magnifique! A very entertaining read, one that I was hard pressed to put down and am waiting (ever so impatiently) for book two in the trilogy." --Passages to the Past

"There's a staggering amount of research in this novel -- and it shows. . .I was mesmerised. --Unabridged Chick

"A great read that is sure to be requested lovers of historical fiction, especially those who enjoyed Michelle Moran's Madame Tussaud and other novels about the French Revolution." --Library Journal

"Grey is a passionately descriptive writer. Passages easily paint the picture of the times and evoke a sense of history and the flourishing period intrigue, along with startling refreshing moments that display the internal conflict a young girl would have on becoming this future Queen." --Coffee and a Book Chick

"Full of some interesting characters you don’t want to let go of even at the end." --BookReporter

"I am anxiously awaiting the rest of this series to come out. With the ease of Juliet Grey's writing and aptitude for characterization, it surely will be a standout in the historical fiction genre." --The Broke and the Bookish

"The description of the two courts, the complicated social etiquette, the people and the dresses (I'm never complaining about spanx again) are completely enthralling.  Although this is written as a work of fiction, every person and event was researched and so the two blend seamlessly." --Ex Libris

"I would highly recommend Becoming Marie Antoinette to fans of historical fiction or to someone who would enjoy learning about the life of Marie Antoinette. I myself cannot wait to continue her life story with the next book in the series!" --Stephanie's Written Word

"Narrated in first person through Marie Antoinette's voice, this is a captivating story and one I can easily recommend." --Two Kids and Tired Books

"Grey seems to have really done her homework with Becoming Marie Antoinette, and presents to her readers an engaging and historically faithful novel." --Devourer of Books

"Becoming Marie Antoinette offers readers an enthralling window into the gilded splendor and treacherous intrigue of one of the most fascinating times in history and a unique portrait of a woman who has captivated millions." --The Manchester Journal

"Becoming Marie Antoinette is an accurate and vivid portrayal of the training and preparation it took to become one of Europe’s most famous queens. In the novel, Grey seamlessly incorporates the convoluted politics and rules of the period with romantic touches such as court attire and liaisons." --Romance Junkies

"I loved the way the story flowed, there was not one moment of boredom or scenes I thought I could have done without. It was very enjoyable." --Rikki's Teleidoscope

"This was a fabulous historical fiction novel and I can’t wait to read the next two.  In fact I would say this novel was by far the best I have read that tackles such an interesting and misunderstood queen. Grey weaves fun scandals into the history we all know." --Mostly Books' Blog

"I enjoyed Grey's writing, the vivid and colourful descriptions of clothing, cuisine, decor, french etiquette, the Versailles glide, the coiffures, the myriad of differences between the Hapsburg and the French court; I loved it all." --The Eclectic Reader

"I thoroughly enjoyed this lively, well-written promenade through pre-Revolution France, and I am looking forward to the next two books to complete the trilogy. It’s history with a spoonful of sugar - and that’s never a bad thing." --The Decatur Daily

"Juliet Grey did a fascinating job on the creation of this story. Maria Antonia, Austrian princess. What an amazing person. I absolutely loved each detail the Grey put into her. I could feel her emotions, and her struggles as she grew from Maria Antonia to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France." --Reviews by Molly

"I thought this was a truly engaging novel with fantastic historical details, well-fleshed-out characters, depth and emotion. I can't wait for the second and third books, and even though I know how it will end....I keep hoping it won't." --The Loud Librarian

"Very well written, with fantastic descriptions of life in Vienna and Versailles. Grey has done quite a bit of research, as she explains in her author’s note, and almost everything she uses is true to history. She does an excellent job of matching the personalities of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI." --Medieval Bookworm

"I enjoyed the author's writing style and how she blended fact and fiction. She also did an incredible job of describing details and bringing the time period to life. I found myself caught up in the beauty and colors of the fabrics and fashion of the day, as well as the descriptions of the court and its pomp and circumstance." --Booking Mama

"The strength of this novel is the strong personal voice of the main character, Marie Antoinette and seeing her life through her eyes. For the reader, you feel that you are actually on a journey with this queen-to-be." --Bestsellersworld.com

"Full of sumptuous and well-researched details." --Philadelphia Examiner, five starred review

"I enjoyed getting to know more of this historical figure and the goings-on at Versailles." --Between the Pages

"Meticulously researched, Marie Antoinette comes to life in this first in a trilogy about her life. The reader will never look at the French Revolution in the same way again." --That's What She Read

"Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey is one of the best historical novels I've read, bringing a new look at one of history's most known and maligned women. This is the first of a trilogy, promising to become a must read series." --Joplin Loves 2 Read

"A very entertaining and rich read, filled to the brim with historical detail. Recommended to readers of historical fiction of all stripes." --Raging Bibliomania

"Grey’s novel has a little bit of everything: the glitz and glamour of the French court, young love, and international politics. The most enjoyable aspect of the book is seeing Marie find her own way and becoming her own person." --Historical Novels Review

"Juliet Grey has written a great historical novel, and managed to bring Marie Antoinette to life. Through extensive research and details she shows us how Marie ...

About the Author

JULIET GREY has extensively researched European royal history and is a particular devotee of Marie Antoinette. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and southern Vermont.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 466 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (August 9, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345523865
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345523860
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1 x 7.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

I highly recommend the book to lovers of well-written historical fiction. Nancy Famolari  |  27 reviewers made a similar statement
As a historical novel, this one is very well researched with amazing details. Annette  |  15 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 48 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Marie Antoinette speaks! August 9, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
This is the first novel I've read by this author (who has written books under different names) and I was really excited about the subject since I'm an admittedly huge fan of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. They have always had my sympathy for being caught in a horrible situation not really of their making and I think this novel does justice to them.

The first of a proposed trilogy, Becoming Marie Antoinette follows the young archduchess of Austria through her childhood as the youngest daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa. We get to witness her relationship with the siblings she was closest to as well as her interesting relationship with her mother, who was quite eager to use all of her children as diplomatic pawns for Austria (something to be quite expected in royal families).

As a character, I liked Marie Antoinette here, as well as most of the supporting characters. The author/publisher has been touting the vast amount of historical research that went in to this novel and I won't disagree with that assertion. (The use of the nickname "Toinette" might be an exception to this...no one in her family ever referred to her as such, but that's no big deal and doesn't interrupt the narrative of the story at all.)

I'd like to be able to give the novel 3.5 stars, but with no half-stars available, I wavered for a while before settling on 3 stars. Mostly this is because there were some things about the novel that prevented me from losing myself in the story.

Firstly, the author has gone to great pains to emphasize Marie Antoinette's lackluster education. And she's absolutely correct. But the novel is told in first person narrative from MA's point of view and throughout the narrative, MA continually uses a vocabulary that is completely inconsistent with her education (or lack thereof). Phrases in the narrative (not dialog) include things like:

"After a battery of imprecations...."

"In another week or two, red and yellow tulips would dot the parterres and perimeters...."

"....so that his slipper jutted at an oblique angle...."

""Immediately I felt inadequate and wished that my own bosom was as pulchritudinous...."

Vocabulary such as this isn't inappropriate in a novel by any means, but it's somewhat jarring coming from a young teenaged girl known for her lack of education. It tends to pull the reader out of the narrative.

There is also a lot of repetition throughout the novel. For example, we are told over and over that the Hapsburg family motto, 'Others wage wars to succeed, but you, fortunate Hapsburg, marry!'

As for my recommendation, I'd say that this novel would be a fine read for the beach (or any environment where there are a lot of distractions going on around you) because it's easy to follow the storyline. Sex, violence or language are practically non-existent which would make this a good selection for a young adult audience, too. If you're looking for an in-depth, historically convoluted treatment of these characters, you might be disappointed. But if you're just looking for a light, fun read that includes tons of fashion and interior design descriptions (which are sumptuous, by the way) then you'll probably really enjoy this novel.

As I said before, I'm thrilled with the subject matter of the novel (yay for MA and Louis!). The execution of the novel could have been better, but that's certainly just one person's opinion and I'm certain you can judge for yourself whether or not you'd enjoy this book.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and different view of Marie Antoinette August 9, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Most of what I know about French history has to do with the French Revolution, Napoleon and a rather unsympathetic view of Marie Antoinette, which mostly pictured her as vain, arrogant, not very bright and self centered. This novel takes a delightful fresh approach to the character of Marie Antoinette, starting out with her upbringing in the Austrian Court.

She was raised by her mother, Maria Theresa, the Empress of Austria, a stern and astute politician who basically sacrificed her daughters on the political " altar ". She demanded much from them so that she could marry them off early and to her political advantage.

At the age of 10, Marie Antoinette or " Antonia " as she was named in Austria, knew that she was promised in marriage to Louis Charles, the dauphin of France. At that young age, her mother set out to completely transform her physically as well as intellectually. She had her teeth straightened, an agonizing process in those days, plus she had to learn all of the detailed French history as well as learning to speak the language without an accent.

Then at 14, she leaves behind her family an everything she loves to travel to France where she is to to marry Louis XVI, a painfully shy teenage boy who would rather hunt, eat and work with his hands than be at court or be interested in Marie Antoinette. Juliet Grey has the ability to describe the day to day life at the French court as well as at the Austrian court with amazing details, which is quite fascinating and not dry at all, as some detailed accounts can be.

The reader can almost feel the despair of this 14 year old, who is literally thrown to the wolves at the French court. She tries to cope with the difficulties of the court etiquette and the sly, corrupt politicians, but worst of all, the total lack of interest in her on the part of her new husband. It is heartbreaking to her that he is unwilling to consummate the marriage. This is a big deal as the producing of a male heir was a number one priority for this couple as part of the political package.

Throughout this story, Juliet Grey shows the reader a different view versus the standard novels about Marie Antoinette. She describes a young girl who is very strong and ...kind despite the constant criticisms by her mother. When she gets to France, she has to learn a great deal, not the least of whom to trust and whom not to trust. The reader begins to understand what a lonely life it must have been for her. She is determined to win her husband's affections by trying to become his best friend. Marie Antoinette has a lot of aspirations, but is still very naive at the age of 14. She has to grow up fast and slowly changes from that naive young girl into a much loved Queen of France.

As a historical novel, this one is very well researched with amazing details. The character of Marie Antoinette seems fresh with a lot of personality and is probably truer to the actual history than many other novels about her, which to me have seemed over dramatized. When I started to read this, I was not aware that this was the first novel in a trilogy, so the end was a bit of a cliff hanger. Now I am looking forward to the next two, and even though I know the historical ending is sad, I still am curious how Juliet Grey is going to handle that part of history. Anyone interested in historical fiction will find this novel very satisfying and interesting.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I want candy.... August 9, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Juliet Grey's very entertaining "Becoming Marie Antoinette" reminded me very much of Sofia Coppola's film "Marie Antoinette" (which I loved and hence the title of this review) and covers roughly the same period in the dauphine's life - the time just before she traveled from Austria to France to marry Louis Auguste, the dauphin, and several years into their marriage. Some of the scenes in the book seemed identical to the film, including the one where Antonia (as she was called by her family before marriage) makes the transition from Austrian soil to French, and must change her clothes and give up her possessions, and the one where she's in her bedroom trying to get into her nightdress, but is kept waiting by a series of noblewomen arriving to help out, each one higher ranking than the last, the highest ranking woman being the one to have the privilege of handing her the gown...while Antonia shivers and tries vainly to cover her nakedness. I guess everyone did their research!

I enjoyed this book a lot. Grey's story flows well and reads fast, and isn't overly bogged down in political matters. She includes enough historical information to give a sense of place and reasons for some of the characters' actions, but doesn't allow the narrative to stop or become boring. (Call me shallow, but when I read a book like this, I want the personal, not the political - if I want to know more about the politics or history of the period, I'll get that elsewhere - plus this part of history is fairly well-known.) Her characters are well-drawn and memorable, especially Marie's formidable mother. I loved all the details of the crazy rituals at the French court and descriptions of the people there, along with the accounts of the clothing and jewels.

I remember being shocked when I learned that Antonia was only 14 when she married the dauphin, he only being 15, even though I understand that back in that era it wasn't uncommon for royal families to marry off youngsters, plus people didn't have long childhoods the way we do now. Children were treated more like adults at an early age, and of course children of royal families were treated like pawns on a chessboard. Still, it's hard not to feel for how it must have been for Antonia to embark on a life filled with difficulty and decisions she didn't feel qualified to make. This book gives a really good sense of Antonia's feelings of isolation (imagine being that age, leaving your country to marry a stranger and realizing you'll never see most of your family again) and despair when her marriage doesn't seem to be going well, and her mother keeps sending her scolding letters, and she doesn't know who to turn to among the court...

I highly recommend this book, especially as a great beach read. It manages to be light and entertaining in spite of its sometimes sad subject matter, and it left me wanting more, so I was extremely happy to find out that the author intends to write a trilogy. Can't wait!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Good story
I love reading about Marie Antoinette, and this is a fun novel that chronicles her life beginning with her childhood until the very end. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Melissa Niksic
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended Historical Fiction!
See full review at: [...]

My Opinion: Everything I know about Marie Antoinette I learned in school during history class, which was more of an overview of her time as the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jwitt33
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
This book describes the childhood of Marie Antoinette. It is easy to read and gives you a whole new perspective on one of the most interesting people in history. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Hope
5.0 out of 5 stars I really liked this!
It was an easy read, and fun. Not terribly historically accurate, but fun. The ending seemed a bit on the kindle, but it's my first read on the device so maybe that was just me
Published 3 months ago by B. Appleton
5.0 out of 5 stars Marie Antoinette
A wonderful queen but very misunderstood. Well written and fun to read. Juliet Grey did a very good job. I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Published 3 months ago by kkonrad
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Good book, very engaging and interesting. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction. Very, very well-written and interesting.
Published 4 months ago by Crystal Sturgeon
4.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Marie Antoinette
The book was written from Marie Antoinette's viewpoint. I couldn't believe all that she had to go through in order to marry the dauphin of France. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Carol Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
Easy to read. The book is from Marie's point of view which gives the book an interesting perspective. A good look of the Court in France.
Published 4 months ago by maryl
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read!
Very similar to the more modern "Marie Antoinette" film w/ Kirsten Dunst, this novel keeps things upbeat and fun to read the whole way through. Definitely recommend!!
Published 5 months ago by bbylove
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Fast Read
I read this book in less than three days because I just couldn't put it down. The world of Marie Antoinette comes to life in this relatively historically accurate portrayal of this... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Queen Shauna
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