Customer Reviews

Trianon: A Novel of Royal France

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

`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.

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!

Elena Maria Vidal's 'Trianon' has to be one of the most exciting and tragic, yet amazingly romantic, TRUE stories ever written! (The term "historical fiction" just doesn't do it justice! It is THAT well researched and thought out!)

Vidal is a genius, a deeply meditative artist who paints for us a portrait of the Heart of Christ and His plans for all of France, with it's tragic love story as First Daughter of the Church, turned prodigal child. Yet she offers hope for Her, whose future cannot be realized without a sober and deep understanding of Her history. 'Trianon' is that history!

The fast pace and excitment of the Revolution makes 'Trianon' a two night read! (You won't want to put it down!) While reading it, I was magically transported to Versaille, France in the late 1700's!

Unfamiliar with the characters as I was when I began to read it, she clearly describes each one in personality, position and relationship to other characters before the novel begins.

And as you enter the countryside and palace lives, the cafes and streets of Paris, you feel you are there, meeting and examining the lives of the real royal family, and seeing almost firsthand what REALLY happened to them and others during the Reign of Terror!

A review of the books "Trianon" and "Madame Royal"
by Elena Maria Vidal

I have just finished reading Elena Maria Vidal's "Trianon" and "Madame Royale", both are intriguing and informative. The list of characters with a brief indication of their roles in these romantically tragic stories is extremely helpful in keeping tract of who's who. Personally, having lived in France for ten years I am very familiar not only with the places in the books but also with the French and their turbulent history so I feel that I can say that her books ring true to me. I certainly did feel akin to Marie Antoinette's constant struggle against the resentment of anything that is not French. France was and still is very chauvinistic.

Although, the books do not purport to be genuine historical accounts, they most certainly do give a very definite insight into the not so well known dark sinister side of the French Revolution. Vidal deftly depicts the intense hatred that fuelled the Reign of Terror and seethed beneath the banner of Liberté, Egalité and Fraternité justifying the countless brutal murders and the horrendous atrocities. But she also gives us glimpses of the softer, quieter, more personal and tender moments. Like those at Trianon: An afternoon in a garden filled with the laughter of happy children playing while their elders sipped tea and ate fruit tarts with fresh cream from Le Hameau. Or the joyous cries of "Papa", "Papa" from his little ones as they as they raced to greet the king when he finally arrived for an intimate family dinner, trying hard to hide from them and his beloved wife his ever increasing fear of impeding doom.

Both books are well written and succeed in making the reader feel a genuine warmth and sympathy for the tragic royal family as well a realization of just how much of a burden royalty was. In the best of times, being married off for political reasons, giving birth in front of the court and not being able to trust or rely even on one's own family members could not have been a "fun" life! Thank God they had their religion to help them meet the hell that their lives had turned into. And speaking of religion, I am aware that Vidal's books have been criticized for being too religious. However, that is because those who do so, do not realize or perhaps do not want to recognize the tremendous part that religion had played, up until the French Revolution, in the social fabric of French society. All monarchs from Clovis through Louis XVI believed their power came from God and were crowned with the blessing of the Church, their courts attended daily Mass and their social mores and manners were governed by moral law. That is not to say that France was a nation of saints, far from it, only that religion had permeated every corner of French life and, at least, outwardly governed it. If the saying is true that art, music, literature, architecture reflect the forces which move a culture then France and her history were definitely "moved" by religion. And the fact that Vidal had Louis XVI consecrate France to the Sacred Heart was not a pious exaggeration, especially in light of the fact that during the tearing down of the Tuileries palace, papers to this effect, signed and sealed by Louis XVI, were found walled up there.

In conclusion, I wish to speak of some hopes which I have. First, that the prophecies about the return of the Great Monarch which the author touches on in the last chapters are fulfilled and that France will regain the charm and grace which sadly I only saw in her old buildings, in her peaceful gardens and in her still important daily rituals of eating and drinking.

Second, that some astute film maker, like Mel Gibson, will transform these obscure but insightful and thoroughly charming little books into an authentic, moving but equally charming film about Marie Antoinette or her daughter Madame Royal whose search for the pitiful little Dauphin is so heart-wrenching! Could the Great Monarch be his descendent? Could the fact that this prophecy even exists help to support the idea that somehow the Dauphin survived? Nevertheless, I do think that such a film would not only help to off set the vicious lies spread by the Iluminati, the Masons, the Pamphleteers, and even by some members of her own family, i.e. Philip Egalité but would be most interesting to see as well.

Trianon was so engaging, I couldn't put it down. I found myself transported in time. The writing draws you into the story and you don't want it to end! I felt the sorrows/joys/pains of the characters as if the events were happening to me. I highly recommend this book.

Its often easy to forget today that the office of King in old Europe was as much a religious one as it was temporal in most countries. This novel of the life of Queen Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI shows their lives from a religious point of view. The first section of the book is rather heavy with Catholic services and prayers as a result. The author can write well however, and does manage to show realistic scenes in the King and Queen's life and how they placed a greater trust in their religious convictions as a result of their trials later in life and the story rounds out with people you can easily like after the first third of book is read.

This book is an interesting, and I think valid look at the spiritual life of Marie-Antoinette and Louis and casts a somewhat unusual view of their life that is nevertheless a reasonably true reflection of those who truly believed in the Catholic church doctrine. I'm not sorry I read this book, but at the same time the heavy religious emphasis means that its not something I'll be in a hurry to read twice. I have to admit I would have been happier with this novel if the balance between the spiritual and the temporal had been a bit more even handed in the story telling. If I could I'd give this 3.5 stars.

This book gave me information and insights I had never known or been aware of before. Reading it, I felt like I really understood Marie Antoinette for the first time. I have been to Versailles and Le Hameau before, but am going back again this summer, and I will go with a fresh eye and insight into the very misunderstood Queen of France. This book was just wonderful!!! I found it to be a fabulous read. I am just beginning the sequel, Madame Royale, as Paul Harvey says, 'The rest of the story...'

Elena Vidal writes as if she is there at Versailles observing the inner workings of the French Royal Family before the calamity of the french revolution. The writing is wonderful but I kept feeling the horrors on the horizon for King Louis XVI, his Queen and all the Royal Family. How differently for France's history if people of intelligence and moderation had sat with the king to give real reform for the nation and not a future of bloodshed and chaos. Sad for France, sad for the thousands to be butchered under the Reign of Terror and Napoleon.

The best aspect of this book is the success it makes of a startling rebuke of the common ignorant calumny that attends the history and legend of Marie-Antoinette. Brava to Vidal for that! Her writing urges an attractive calm that recommends, but there's preciousness sitting too many scenes, too many pages. Her history is good, but hagiography's intolerance of what may not lift high enough a legend of the interior lives of the King and Queen intrudes. Vidal's argument is forceful, if I'm not fully convinced. Her attachment to Marie-Antoinette, combined with attentive scholarship, is cogently in evidence on her blog Tea at Trianon. I stop often, it's impossible to fail to have a good time there. For me, this book too easily makes light weight where it might have borne witness, not that it fails to serve a wonderful purpose. Vidal justly settles, unabashed and in sophisticated terms, without falling prey to her opponent's deceit, the crafted web of lies and self-loathing that has grown mad pursuing the martyr-queen across history. I wish these solemn ideas a wide readership, but I'm an old man.