Trianon: A Novel of Royal France [Hardcover]

Elena Maria Vidal (Author), Elena Maria Vidal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

The story of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. In this work of historical fiction, all of the characters were actual people The incidents, situations and conversations are based on reality. It is the story of the martyred King Louis XVI and his Queen, Antoinette. The fruit of years of research, the book corrects many of the popular misconceptions of the royal couple, which secular and modernist historians have tried so hard to promote. Louis and Antoinette can only be truly understood in view of the Catholic teachings to which they adhered and within the context of the sacrament of matrimony. It was the graces of this sacramental life that gave them the strength to remain loyal to the Church, and to each other, in the face of crushing disappointments, innumerable humiliations, personal and national tragedy, and death itself. Theirs is not a conventional love story; indeed it is more than a love story. The fortitude they each displayed at the very gates of hell is a source of inspiration for all Christians who live in troubled times. Hardcover, smythe-sewn, cream paper, 205 pages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exhaustively researched and yet completely accessible for those who wish to understand the events from a very personal perspective."~ Genevieve Kineke --Canticle Magazine, May-June, 2007

"What distinguishes this short and readable book from others is Vidal's examining their lives in light of their Catholic faith in a country that, until the Revolution, was the 'eldest daughter of the Church.'" ~Mike May --Pittsburgh Magazine, March 1998

"Be prepared to learn history as it should have been told. You will experience their life, their love, their faith, for you have never known them as you will after reading this book...Be prepared to be moved beyond belief." ~Enchanted by Josephine

"It's very refreshing to see fiction that strays away from the popular view of Marie Antoinette. Vidal has done extensive research on the royal family and it truly shows." ~Anna Amber at Reading Treasure

"A master of storytelling, the author makes you laugh and cry, right along with the characters. A true masterpiece, I rank this book along with the great Classics." ~Wilsonville Public Library Blog

<span>"Exhaustively researched and yet completely accessible for those who wish to understand the events from a very personal perspective."~ Genevieve Kineke</span> --Canticle Magazine, May-June, 2007

"What distinguishes this short and readable book from others is Vidal's examining their lives in light of their Catholic faith in a country that, until the Revolution, was the 'eldest daughter of the Church.'" ~Mike May --Pittsburgh Magazine, March 1998

From the Author

People frequently ask me why I wrote Trianon. One of the reasons is that I kept encountering educated people who really thought that Marie-Antoinette said "Let them eat cake." I kept running into Catholics, including priests and nuns, who thought that Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were killed as punishment for some egregious wickedness or, at least, for unforgivable stupidity. Having read books about Louis and Antoinette since I was nine years old, I knew that not to be true; it was only after a great deal more research that I came to see how completely false is the common belief about the king and queen. But the demonization of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette in the popular mind is necessary in order to justify the excesses of the French Revolution. When people have a false and distorted view of history, then it is difficult for them to grasp the present, and almost impossible to meet the future with any kind of preparedness.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: Neumann Press (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911845968
• ISBN-13: 978-0911845969
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elena Maria Vidal grew up in the countryside outside of Frederick, Maryland, "fair as the garden of the Lord" as the poet Whittier said of it. As a child she read so many books that her mother had to put restrictions on her hours of reading. During her teenage years, she spent a great deal of her free time writing stories and short novels.

Elena graduated in 1984 from Hood College in Frederick with a BA in Psychology, and in 1985 from the State University of New York at Albany with an MA in Modern European History. In 1986, she joined the Secular Order of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Elena taught at the Frederick Visitation Academy and worked as a private tutor as well as teaching children's etiquette classes. During a trip to Austria in 1995 she visited the tomb of Empress Maria Theresa in the Capuchin crypt in Vienna. Afterwards she decided to finish a novel about Marie-Antoinette she had started writing ten years before but had put aside. In 1997 her first historical novel TRIANON was published by St. Michaels Press. In 2000, the sequel MADAME ROYALE was published, as well as the second edition of TRIANON, by The Neumann Press. Both books quickly found an international following which continues to this day. In 2010, the third edition of TRIANON and the second edition of MADAME ROYALE were released.

In November 2009, THE NIGHT'S DARK SHADE: A NOVEL OF THE CATHARS was published by Mayapple Books. The new historical novel deals with the controversial Albigensian Crusade in thirteenth century France. Elena has been a contributor to Canticle Magazine, Touchstone Magazine, The American Conservative and The National Observer. In April 2009 she was a speaker at the Eucharistic Convention in Auckland, New Zealand. In August 2010 Elena spoke at The Catholic Writers Conference in Valley Forge, PA. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild and the Eastern Shore Writers Association. She currently lives in Maryland with her family and is working on a historical novel about her Irish ancestors. Elena blogs at http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an apocalypse of history and art!, July 25, 2006

By 

Jefferson D. "Jeff" (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trianon: A Novel of Royal France (Hardcover)

Rarely have I come across a book that combines the genres of history, romance, art and literature such as 'Trianon' by E.M. Vidal. Among novels about the French Revolution, I was given a fresh perspective of the events behind the scenes. Among novels of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI, it is second to none. The early vignettes are like of the paintings of the era, Hubert Robert and Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, brought to life. In the later scenes the author reveals the apocalyptic magnitude of the tragic events endured by Louis and Antoinette in a manner both heart-rending and inspiring. My only criticisms are that some of the narratives are overlong and that there are too many minor characters. Such flaws do not detract from the flow of the story. Well-researched and authentic in details, I recommend this book for all ages.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Emotional Read...Exquisite!, October 22, 2009

By 

Lucy's Reviews- Enchanted By Josephine (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Trianon: A Novel of Royal France (Hardcover)

`It is the story of the martyred King Louis XVl and his Queen.' P. ix


Be prepared for a re-introduction to two remarkable human beings whose fate can only be compared to that of the holiest martyrs. You will forever banish any previous perceptions or accounts for which you believed to be true. Be prepared to learn history as it should have been told. You will experience their life, their love, their faith, for you have never known them as you will after reading this book...Be prepared to be moved beyond belief.


This absolutely beautifully written novel details the life of the Royal couple by capturing the very essence of their being. Faith is the fiber that binds them to a relentless love for eachother and their country. The book is filled with magnificent scripture that is there not for the embellishment of the story, but rather as an ever present part of their daily life. The story is told in minute details and the love, the hardship, the loyalty and the suffering are all equally intense. There isn't a part of the book that can be read lightly. It is extremely deep in terms of love, sorrow, faith and revelation.


Both Marie Antoinette and Louis XVl were deeply religious and this is clear throughout the book. They lived their lives in accordance to the Roman Catholic religion and dedicated their lives to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The book highlights this important aspect of their lives; which was essential for sustaining them through their infinite struggles and tragedies.


I had always liked Louis XVl, but after reading Trianon, I began to see him in a way that I had never seen him before. He was now grander, nobler, stronger and of the kindest heart ever imaginable. I now adore this king more than ever. Marie Antoinette is clearly portrayed as a loving soul who was doomed from the very beginning. She was branded and never given a chance. ALL those who knew her though, loved her and saw the simplicity and the extent of her forever- giving nature. She truly is `La reine martyre.'


I was also fascinated by the lives and encounters of the other characters seen in the book, such as; Madame Royale, a young daughter who was exposed to way too much tragedy at such an impressionable age; Madame Louise of France and her piety and love and understanding of the royal couple; and of course, Madame Elizabeth and her tender ways; the Abbé, who helped give great strength to the king. His role was immense in a time of inconceivable tragedy. I got to learn so much about all the other characters as well.


I particularly enjoyed the way Elena Maria Vidal takes us through the royal couple's lives by weaving in details of past, and blending them perfectly within the story. The intricate details pertaining to the time, place and person are what made it so real and indisputably accurate in the historical sense as well. So, for me this book was more than a glimpse into the lives of historical figures by means of a novel. This was a reliving of history as it should have been told.


Now, although I could not put this book down because I was totally enveloped by it; it was by no means an easy read. This book wrenched my heart out as I relived their tragedy, page by page. It touched me so deeply that all I wanted to do was to keep on reading.

This magnificent book is enlightening, as well as elevating; the perfect blend of history and spirituality within the realm of compassion and truth...Mesmerizing.

An absolute must read.


* At the beginning of the book, a detailed list of characters is included along with the family tree of the Royal House of Bourbon.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moved to tears, May 12, 2008

By 

Ingrid B. Kunze - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trianon: A Novel of Royal France (Hardcover)

For someone who is not particularly interested in French history, I am amazed at how much this novel moved me to find out more. More about France. More about how removing the Jesuits from France earlier contributed to the Philosophes poisoning the French mindset. More about how all the past sins of the French Monarchy are heaped upon two basically decent people. It intrigues me to think that not only was the first King Louis a saint, but the last one may be one as well. History books can be propaganda tools until someone does real research, as this author apparently has done using quotes from actual memoirs and other historical documents. You can see an interview of the author on YouTube with Doug Keck of EWTN. If you want to be surprised at how moral and inspiring King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were, get this book. Warning: This is a real tear-jerker. I am still haunted by poor Louis XVII. God rest his soul!