The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette: A Novel by Carolly Erickson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette: A Novel
Book Review: Mixed feelings on this one...
Summary: 3 Stars
Yet another fictionalized version of the life and times of one of France's most famous Queens. I am addicted to historical fiction such as this, and the detailing of her personal trials was very appealing to me. Also, diary format novels tend to be easier to read, although they usually lack depth. Erickson's vision of Marie is sympathetic, yet alludes to her naive personality traits - this is done very well, giving her very human-like qualities and a conscience, while at the same time addressing her self-righteous faults. The dialogue is well written (something I have trouble with myself) and the entire book is a good example of showing mounting despair and the culmination of events, as well as time progression. That said, the dates were strangely off (not historically, but mathematically ... for example, she said that something happened two years before, but according to the dates in the book, it was less than a year) and the entries about Marie being in love are tedious and trite. The author skipped over important events. If they are even covered, they lack detail and description. In fact, the entire tome uses repetitious images and doesn't have much visual imagery. Of course, the journal entries could just be a personificaition of the author's purpose - that is, to show a vapid, almost shallow girl mature into a woman of strength and pride - by using ideas over and over to show childishness. In the end, though, this was most definitely a page turner: gripping, sometimes shocking (see page 316), and emotionally filling. The pages of the brutality of the French Revolution were particularly eye opening for me. I found myself wanting more, Erickson's portrayal of Marie being both fascinating and quite beautiful in its own simplistic way.Book Review: THE PSYCHE OF A DOOMED QUEEN
Summary: 4 Stars
I particularly enjoyed the diary format of The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette. It illustrated the hypothetical Marie's state of mind from her early teens up to her death by guillotine and made for a quick, entertaining read.
Author Carolly Erickson makes it clear that this is a work of fiction, not fact, but her attention to historical detail, embellished by her beautifully drawn characterizations of Marie, Louie and Axel Ferson captures every nuance of their convoluted personal relationships. The reader occasionally finds themselves feeling some sympathy Marie, the mother, as well as for the weak King Louis XVI, since it was never his desire to ascend the throne. One does wonder why he and Marie ignored the Parisian storm that was building for a dozen or more years until it became the violent hurricane known as the French Revolution. (I suppose since the outcome of the story had already been written by history, the author chose to explore the logical steps that would culminate with a trip to the guillotine).
Cheers to Ms. Erickson for her imaginative, enthralling chronicle. One can almost believe this diary was actually committed to paper by the woman who - in reality - - was much too busy living to ever have the time or inclination to pen this journal.
Book Review: The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette
Summary: 3 Stars
I found this book to be exactly what it set out to be. Entertainment. If your looking for a 100 percent true to history account of Marie Antoinette's life, look elsewhere. If your looking for a lazy summer read this book is for you. It has all the workings of a great "soap opera", monarchy, money,marriage,love affaris, partying,ect..Book Review: Enjoyable
Summary: 4 Stars
Erickson's main objective (rather than argument) was to imaginatively elaborate on the actual lives of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Erickson invented dialogue and characters. Entries into the journal recited creative dialogue and the deeply personal thoughts of Marie Antoinette. The characters that were created further transformed this book into a spellbinding read. The invented characters of Amelie, Erick, and Sophie enriched the read by evoking emotions from Marie Antoinette, such as lust, love, and hatred.Book Review: Remember, this is fiction
Summary: 4 Stars
I read this book in one day. I don't know how accurate it is as far as history goes. It may be helpful that you read the Note to the Reader in the back before you read the book. The author explains that this is nothing but fiction and she wasn't trying to make it historically accurate. So it's best not to go into it thinking you're going to learn about the French Revolution or Antoinette's exact life.
Nonetheless, I couldn't put this book down. I know this book is fiction, but it never occured to me that when Antoinette and Louis were arrested they were treated horribly, very undignified by those who hated them the most. It left me wanting to know even more about this young queen and her life, what happened to France that caused the Revolution (or The Terror). Lucky us, Erickson has written a non-fiction biography called To the Scaffold, which I've ordered and can't wait to read.
This book may not satisfy those who are used to reading historical fiction/romance, but I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.