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The Secret Diary of a Princess: a novel of Marie Antoinette [Kindle Edition]

Melanie Clegg
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)

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Book Description

'Melanie Clegg writes with a refreshing, unpretentious style and an eye to detail that shows her familiarity and expertise with the subject material and giving us a glimpse into the world of a much-misunderstood woman.'

'A wonderful first offering. Unputdownable – the passion of the author for her subject material is compelling and touching, and makes for an emotional read. It completely drew me in and I read it in one sitting.’

'The story drew me in from the start, with the atmosphere of the Imperial court at Schonbrunn drawn so vividly that I could smell the hot chocolate and violet perfume.'

'What does it feel like to grow up in a royal palace, to be forever aware that so much is expected of you, to be married at 14 years old to a boy prince, potential King of France, whom you've never even met? Melanie Cleggs book answers these questions and so many more by creating in her Marie Antionette a solid, engaging and entirely believeble character.'

'A page turner.'

'It really made me realise that being a Princess was not such a fairy tale...'

The dramatic and often tragic years of Marie Antoinette’s early life, told in her own words. This book follows her privileged childhood and adolescence in the beautiful palaces of Vienna as the youngest and least important of the daughters of the all powerful Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and invites the reader to share the long journey, both emotional and physical that ended with her marriage to the Dauphin Louis of France at Versailles.

This is the unforgettable story of a charming, fun loving and frivolous young girl, destined for greatness, coming to age in one of the most magnificent and opulent courts that the world has ever seen.

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Product Details

  • File Size: 524 KB
  • Print Length: 244 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Madame Guillotine (March 7, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004R1Q9PI
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,872 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Once I started this book I could NOT stop reading it! The Cantrell's  |  9 reviewers made a similar statement
So well written, the details of the emotions and surroundings totally captivated me. JAM  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written and wonderful book May 16, 2011
By LSchild
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
An avid reader, I am always a little bit wary of Kindle books that are greatly reduced in price because they often end up being poorly written. This book was a complete steal for the price and it's now one of my favorite all time books. I loved every minute of it. I couldn't put it down but didn't want it to end either.

I lived in Vienna for many years and it is not only historically very accurate, I loved how the author brings all aspects of life as a Royal in the 1700's to you as if you are there right along side Marie Antoinette. I hope the author is either working on a part two or another similar book because I have just become a big fan and would love to read more of her work!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and Charming March 21, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I know some reviewers will inevitably pick at the amateurish writing, or the fact that the book appears to have been published without having first been proofread. In spite of those small deficiencies, it is an engaging imagining of the early life of the notorious, much maligned Queen of France. The story is about a young girl's awakening to her duties and obligations, and her transformation from a child to a cultured and gracious young woman able to represent her home and adopted countries with dignity and charm. There is no foreshadowing of the many tragedies to come, no real international intrigue or sociopolitical strife (and no "let them eat cake") - just a simple story of a young girl growing up. It's enjoyable just as it is, and you will not really miss the rest of the story.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good August 28, 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Before she was Marie Antoinette, she was Maria Antonia, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and Emperor Francis I. As the title suggests, young Maria Antonia keeps a secret diary which gives the reader an intimate look at her thoughts, her family relationships and the daily life of an archduchess and the duties and responsibilities that go with it. I really liked Maria's voice and loved her impish sense of humor,

"Consequently, I did not learn very much today."

"It was I who put salt in the Countess Brandeis' hot chocolate. I am very sorry."

"It was I who put a grasshopper down the back of Countess Brandeis' dress during the concert. I am not sorry."

Princesses must grow up and marry where they are told, and the book continues through Maria Antonia's betrothal to the dauphin of France, the transformation required to bring her up to snuff with the French (including wearing braces to straighten her teeth), and then leaving her old life behind to begin the long formal journey to France to join her new husband and the French court.

"Every single item about my person was to be removed and replaced in an act that symbolised my domestic transformation from Austrian Archduchess to French Dauphine."

I really enjoyed this, despite the diary format (admittedly not a favorite of mine). Clegg does a good job of setting the scene and giving the reader a good sense of time and place without clubbing you over the head with heavily detailed descriptions of every last button, shoe and petticoat. Recommended for those interested in the early days of Marie Antoinette, and would also be suitable for young adult readers. Don't quote me, but I believe The Secret Diary of a Princess is only available as an e-book at this time. 4/5 stars.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars The Secret Diary of a Princess, by Melaine Clegg August 21, 2011
Format:Kindle Edition
Let me begin by saying that I am so glad Melanie Clegg (Erzibet) wrote this novel about the young Marie Antoinette. The reason I say this is because it's not often that we get such a tender look at what lay at the basis of this martyred queen. Marie Antoinette is probably one of the most maligned queens in history and perhaps by looking into her young life we can get a better sense of what she was really all about.

Melanie Clegg's novel is written (as the title suggests) in diary format and is a delight to read. From the very first page you get the sense of how genuine Maria Antonia (as she was then called) comes forth. There is such a tenderness, refreshing naiveté and true wanting to please in this young archduchess.

Her diary entries are filled with her love of family, her light mischievousness and free-spirited attitude. As you read this enchanting novel you sense how kind Maria Antonia genuinely was. She is always looking on the positive side and being hopeful for something better.

It is also refreshing to read about her in this light since it brings about a realization that the young royal was not brought up to be pompous, wanting and forever spoiled. Quite the contrary, Maria Antonia was seemingly raised for the ultimate sacrifice of self-Always doing for others, and as she was expected. This is probably something that is difficult to imagine for a member of the Hapsburg family and yet it was simplicity, obedience and piety that, for the greater part, shaped the young Maria Antonia.

Although I would classify this primarily as a YA novel, I am certain that both young and older can enjoy and revel in the dreaminess of this book. Notably, the historical details pertaining to both people and surroundings are impeccable.

Loved it!
... Read more ›
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Meet the charming Austrian February 28, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Who thinks of Marie Antoinette before she arrived at the French court? The French people came to hate 'The Austrian' as the embodiment of the frivolous, profligate nobility who were draining the coffers of the country. But Marie Antoinette arrived in France, a naive and charming fourteen-year-old, among strangers, and committed to a marriage that was distinctly not a love match.

This delightful book focuses on her childhood years in Austria; years within a large family and in a more relaxed court. In this delightful diary, the author describes that life in fascinating detail, meticulously researched and deftly presented--never tedious or overbearing. You won't want to miss a single word.

As unprepared as she is to enter the over-sophisticated French court, Marie forces herself to ignore the hints foreshadowing the difficulties on her horizon. This charming child captures our sympathy. She can't possibly imagine what her future life will really be.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars fun read
...was interesting point of view....I expected a little more depth....but still enjoyed ....it's a girlie book with a designer flair.
Published 2 days ago by barbara bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable. Please hurry with the sequels!
I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked the detail of description, and that it did NOT intrude upon the story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fozzetti
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Was really interesting A Good read Kept me wanting to read and not stop You will enjoy it also Thank you
Published 1 month ago by Jacquelyn Beck
5.0 out of 5 stars Marie Antoinette in a diffrent light.
If you think you know the story of Marie Antoinette you need to read this.
It made her come alive and showed a part of her life you don't hear about.
Published 1 month ago by Pamela Dunson
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable book!
The writing was interesting although at times the author seemed to use specific words that a ten year old probably wouldn't use. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robynnn
2.0 out of 5 stars Shallow
I was expecting a lot more. This book was shallow with little emotion and poorly developed characters. Not worth the effort nor the time it took to read. Read more
Published 2 months ago by PH
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book!
I truly enjoyed this book. It was a very easy read and anyone who is interested in Marie Antoinette will surely enjoy this book as well.
Published 2 months ago by Linda J Keeney
3.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Very opulent descriptions seen through the eyes if a young girl..enjoyed witnessing her mental and physical transformation...but not entirely exciting.
Published 2 months ago by Jen
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice
This book is not a masterpiece of literature or a great and genuine historical novel. It is an interesting, well organized, well researched treat. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Amanda Leigh
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
I have to say I was disappointed with the ending. There was interesting history which led me to look up facts but I was shocked at the end when the book just stopped.
Published 3 months ago by Peter Arts
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More About the Author

Melanie Clegg is a pink haired art history graduate, casual historian, GIN taster, lapsed goth, failed Parisienne, Versailles obsessive, proud Ripperologist, Georgette Heyer fanatic and Victorian Prostitute re-enactor who lives in deepest darkest Somerset with her family but would rather be in either Whitechapel or Paris.

Meticulously researched and elegantly crafted,'The Secret Diary of a Princess' is her first novel and was born from a desire to tell the story of Marie Antoinette from an unusual and yet still fascinating angle, focusing on her early life at the Viennese court, the machinations behind her betrothal to the Dauphin Louis and then finally her initial impressions of her new home, Versailles. All told by Marie Antoinette herself as she grows from an enchanting, wilful child into a poised and beautiful young woman.

Melanie's second book, 'Blood Sisters' is a sweeping and dramatic saga set during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. As the horror, turmoil and excitement of the revolution unfolds around them, three very different sisters struggle to survive the bloodshed, find love and discover their true selves...

Her third novel is 'Before The Storm', an epic tale of love, ambition and betrayal set in eighteenth century London and Paris and based on The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton.

Melanie's fourth novel is 'Minette', the first in a two part series about the life of Charles II's youngest sister Henrietta-Anne Stuart, Duchesse d'Orléans.

She's currently working on a sequel to Minette and a novel about the Ripper murders in 1888.

You can find out more by visiting Melanie's popular art, history and writing blog at www.madameguillotine.org.uk.

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