The Bad Queen: Rules And Instructions For Marie-Antoinette (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
This novel paints a picture of a life as a monarch that is NOT a fairy tale. The arranged marriage, the rules to be followed, the politics of the court, the unruly subjects, and the costs of looking like a queen all make for an interesting delve into the world of Marie Antoinette. I didn't know much about this queen except for the false report of the famous line - Let them eat cake. This novel shows a girl who wanted a simpler life (compared to the palace life) and to be loved, but she did have a strong sense of duty.The novel is written from Marie's perspective, until near the end, and this adds to the delight of the story. The reader seems to be her confidant.There were times the story got a little tedious when Marie continues to build or restore places, but it was necessary to give the whole picture. The author switches from using character's names to using their titles. I found this frustrating as I didn't always remember who was who. This is a fascinating retelling of the life of Marie Antoinette. The reader gains a sympathetic understanding of how the demands, scrutiny, and expectations of the French court and Marie Antoinette’s mother, Empress Maria Theresa, shaped her life and led to her famed extravagant life style. The book is divided into parts: Rules for the Dauphine, Rules for the Queen, Rules for Madame Deficit, Instructions to Madame Royale. These sections parallel Marie Antoinette’s life and are subdivided into the “rules” i.e “Perfection must be your goal,” “All eyes are upon you, there can be no mistakes,” “You must not wear fashions that dishonor the court,” “You must flee…” This book encompasses the very best aspects of historical fiction. It was carefully researched, well written, intriguing, and prompts the reader to discover the historical facts about the time period and character. I highly recommend this book and plan to order the series for my library.
What do You think about The Bad Queen: Rules And Instructions For Marie-Antoinette (2010)?
LOVED IT! I loved the way the author integrated what we know (historically) with what we don't.
—Lorenzo
