Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey is a refreshing change from your normal MA book as it’s about the time before she became queen and is just “Antonia”, daughter of the (very daunting) Empress Maria Theresa.
I really enjoyed reading the portion of the book that is set in Austria. Getting a chance to see what her relationship with her mother, siblings, tutors and servants may have been like, made her more than just a tragic historical figure. It made her a daughter, sister and friend – and much more real than ever. I’ve loved MA forever and admit that I’ve never really thought much about her life before France. This book opened my eyes to how difficult it really must have been to leave her home and become queen of another nation that was night and day from what she was used to. It’s amazing how much responsibility was heaped on the shoulders of such a young person.
Juliet Grey (who is Leslie Carroll, for those who didn’t know) put a HUGE amount of research into this book and it shows. Every word is meticulously written to give the lucky bookworm a real feel for the scene they are reading about. The book flows beautifully and was a complete pleasure to read. And perhaps, most exciting, is the fact that this is the first book in a series!! If you have this book in your possession, I urge you to read it NOW. And if you don’t own it yet, go and get it. It’ll be one of the best book purchases you ever make.
Many thanks to Ashley from Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have read a very good comments about this book, I will like to read it…..:)
finally found a book to add to my shopping list!!! was looking for one that wouldn’t be at library (I know, it should be a crime shouldn’t it?) great review!
It was a great book. And a trilogy. Which means 2 more books to look forward to