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Through the untold love story between Marie Antoinette and Swedish aristocrat Axel von Fersen, acclaimed author Francine du Plessix Gray weaves history with romance in a captivating novel that also offers a fresh vision of the French Revolution.
Paris, 1774. The dashing nobleman meets nineteen-year-old Marie Antoinette at a masquerade ball. As their relationship deepens at Versailles, Fersen discovers the court’s secrets, even the startling erotic details of Marie Antoinette’s marriage. But this intimacy is disrupted when he leaves to join the American Revolution. When he returns in 1783, he finds France on the brink of disintegration. After the Revolution of 1789, the royal family is moved to the Tuileries and suffers increasingly harsh captivity. After a failed attempt to liberate them, Fersen goes home to Sweden where he soon meets his own tragic end: his fate is symbolic of the violent pace with which of the eighteenth century’s events transformed European culture.
200flyer
Posted July 16, 2012
I picked this book up based on a review I'd read on NPR Books. This book was not what I envisioned at all. I was expecting a lively piece of historical fiction with deep character development. Instead the history of Marie Antoinette is told through the eyes of her lover and his sister. It was very boring and dry. I've found several non-fiction pieces more interesting!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KrittersRamblings
Posted January 4, 2013
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
An interesting take on life behind the scenes in the palace of Louise XVI and Marie Antoinette. As a reader that limits her historical fiction intake, the "story" must grab me to make me forget that it takes place beyond our current times. From the summary, I was intrigued by the look at the French side of history, as I often read about the English kings. The addition of an affair and Marie Antoinette's obvious fame were definitely points to pull me in.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 9, 2012
I was excited to read this book, but it did not live up to my expectations...
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 25, 2012
This is a historical novel. Knowing that, i found this to be an interesting book about the relatively unknown relationship of Marie Antoinette and her Swedish lover. It was a different perspective on what transpired before, during, and after the French revolution.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 30, 2012
I very much enjoyed this book. It was a beautifully written love story.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 19, 2012
Different kind of book. Interesting portions, slow reading, did make me think who Marie Antoinette really was....
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 26, 2012
So far this story is not only informal but it adds a bit of interest with the main characters input on the way of life back in that era!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 6, 2012
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Posted January 4, 2013
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Posted June 17, 2012
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Posted January 25, 2013
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Posted June 14, 2012
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Posted May 21, 2012
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Posted December 26, 2012
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Overview
A “spellbinding” and “deeply intelligent” historical novel about Marie Antoinette on the eve of the French Revolution (The Washington Post )
Through the untold love story between Marie Antoinette and Swedish aristocrat Axel von Fersen, acclaimed author Francine du Plessix Gray weaves history with romance in a captivating novel that also offers a fresh vision of the French Revolution.
Paris, 1774. The dashing nobleman meets nineteen-year-old ...