The Queen's Confession [Mass Market Paperback]

Victoria Holt (Author), Jean Plaidy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1981

Victoria Holt has recreated the life of Marie Antoinette through letters and memoirs, to produce this fictional 'autobiography' of the Queen.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The unforgettable story of Marie Antoinette, from her pampered childhood in imperial Vienna, to the luxury and splendor of her days as Queen of France, to her tragic end upon the scaffold in the bloodbath of the Revolution . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

Marie Antoinette is consistent in her choice of gaity over substance, and while this may be historically so, it does not make for an energized narrative. Gabrielle Lloyd's English accent seems inappropriate to this Austrian woman's thoughts. Her French is, however, excellent (probably better than the Queen's) when quoting from the firsthand sources used throughout. There is little conversation, but what there is is not given a dramatic effect. The overall result is unfulfilling. B.H.B. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 443 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (July 12, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449232131
• ISBN-13: 978-0449232132
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,108,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LET THEM EAT CAKE..., March 1, 2002

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Queen's Confession (Hardcover)

Victoria Holt was one of my favorite authors when I was younger. A master storyteller, she would consistently weave a story that would have the reader turning the pages. This work of historical fiction is one of her best. Riveting from beginning to end, this fictional autobiographical account of the life of Marie Antoinette is superb. Written in the first person, with little dialogue, it is the rumination of a life that was to end tragically. Pampered, spoiled, and fun loving, the beautiful Maria Antonia of Austria metamorphosed into Marie Antoinette of France upon her marriage to the Dauphin, who would eventually become King of France, the ineffectual, but benign, Louis XVI.

This is her story, grounded in historical fact and set within the framework of history. This work of fiction about the life of Marie Antoinette, as seen through her own eyes, is fascinating, as it captures the flavor of those uncertain times and the events that led to the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy in France. It is a reflection on how Marie Antoinette's own behavior influenced the fate of France. Indulging in the excesses of the day, she initially gave little thought as to how her actions might affect the people of France or the monarchy. By the time she realized that her actions and excesses had wide spread political ramifications, it was too late, and the fate of her and her husband was sealed. No amount of personal regret could change it.

This book will be enjoyed by those who enjoy good, well written historical fiction. It is little wonder that this book spent two months on the New York Times Best Seller List. It is simply historical fiction at its best.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Plaidy's best, August 31, 1999

By 

Karla Bushway "7Rabbits" (South Strafford, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Queen's Confession (Mass Market Paperback)

I prefer Jean Plaidy's books to those written under the name of Victoria Holt, mainly because I have an insane passion for historical fiction. In all of her "I" novels written from the point of view of a Queen, the reader actually becomes that woman's confidante and you feel that you really know her. It's an extraordinary gift for a writer to make someone feel so at home with an aloof historical character.

ETA (10/30/09): Having read more Plaidy recently and finding her style dry and hard to get through, I wonder what my opinion of this book would be, now 10 years since my original review? :-)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Marie Antoinette Novel, May 18, 2003

By 

Phil K. "History Lover" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Queen's Confession (Mass Market Paperback)

If you are intersted in the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, or just want a good read, this book is the one to read. If you like this book and become interested in royalty, or you already are, Victoria holt wrote tons of other books on British and some Spanish, French, and Italian royalty under the pseudonym Jean Plaidy, so try those.

This book is a fictional memoir written by Marie Antoinette between 1789 and her death in 1793. It covers her whole life (sympathetically) and dispells the rumor that she said "Let them eat cake". Read this!