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Marie Antoinette

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Marie Antoinette by Lady Antonia Fraser offers a detailed biography of the iconic and misunderstood Queen of France. The book delves into her life from her birth in Austria to her rise in France's royal court, exploring her personal and political challenges amidst the backdrop of the French Revolution. Fraser highlights Marie Antoinette's complexities, examining both her public persona and private life with depth and empathy.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by detailed and well-researched accounts of historical figures. It offers a captivating exploration of Marie Antoinette's life, delving into her intriguing personality and tumultuous times, making it a compelling read for history and biography enthusiasts.

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The life of this legendary French queen by historian Antonia Fraser.

Film directed by Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) and starring Kirsten Dunst is in post-production 2 November 2005 is the 250th anniversary of Marie Antoinette's birth Antonia Fraser is one the world's best known historians and was made CBE in 1999 The Six Wives of Henry VIII sold over 150,000 copies in hardback alone All of Antonia Fraser's books have been Sunday Times bestsellers Antonia Fraser's books have won many awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Wolfson Award for History 'There has long been the need for an authoritative biography of France's last queen. Now, finally, Antonia Fraser has completed the task' Amanda Foreman, Observer 'Antonia Fraser writes beautifully, with impressively shrewd judgement...This is a fine book and a very good read' Daily Mail

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Marie Antoinette's dramatic life story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine méchante', whose extravagance and frivolity helped to bring down the French monarchy; her indifference to popular suffering epitomised by the (apocryphal) words: 'let them eat cake'.

Others are equally passionate in her defence: to them, she is a victim of misogyny. In this biography, Antonia Fraser examines her influence over the king, Louis XVI, the accusations and sexual slurs made against her, her patronage of the arts which enhanced French cultural life, her imprisonment, the death threats made against her, rumours of lesbian affairs, her trial (during which her young son was forced to testify to sexual abuse by his mother), and her eventual execution by guillotine in 1793.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Lady Antonia Fraser's biography vividly revitalises Marie Antoinette's legacy, providing an eloquent defence of the queen's maligned reputation. The book offers an engaging portrayal of the intricate life at Versailles, highlighting the inevitability of the French Revolution. Reviews laud Fraser's detailed narrative and her expertise as a biographer, with particular praise for the rich details of court life and the vividness of the story.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780753813058

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 August 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Illustration: 48

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 44.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 532g

Pages: 656

About the Author

Since 1969, Antonia Fraser has written many acclaimed historical works which have been international bestsellers, including Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots (James Tait Black Memorial Prize), Cromwell: Our Chief of Men, The Six Wives of Henry VIII and The Gunpowder Plot: Terror and Faith in 1605 (St Louis Literary Award; CWA Non-Fiction Gold Dagger). Antonia Fraser was made CBE in 1999, and awarded the Norton Medlicott Medal by the Historical Association in 2000. She is married to the playwright Harold Pinter and lives in London.

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