The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette: A Novel

By Carolly Erickson

Book Overview

Imagine that, on the night before she is to die under the blade of the guillotine, Marie Antoinette leaves behind in her prison cell a diary telling the story of her life--from her privileged childhood as Austrian Archduchess to her years as glamorous mistress of Versailles to the heartbreak of imprisonment and humiliation during the French Revolution. Carolly Erickson takes the reader deep into the psyche of France's doomed queen: her love affair with handsome Swedish diplomat Count Axel Fersen, who risked his life to save her; her fears on the terrifying night the Parisian mob broke into her palace bedroom intent on murdering her and her family; her harrowing attempted flight from France in disguise; her recapture and the grim months of harsh captivity; her agony when her beloved husband was guillotined and her young son was torn from her arms, never to be seen again. Erickson brilliantly captures the queen's voice, her hopes, her dreads, and her suffering. We follow, mesmerized, as she reveals every detail of her remarkable, eventful life--from her teenage years when she began keeping a diary to her final days when she awaited her own bloody appointment with the guillotine.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312337086
• ISBN13: 9780312337087
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.2" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A book I'll remember forever

I read this book when I was 13 or 14. Probably way too young to be reading this kind of book, but nevertheless, this remains a favorite of mine. It has stuck in my head for 15 years!

Very Interesting

Fact or Fiction or half and half, who cares, it was an excellent read. I didn't want to put the book down from the moment I started it. Very amazing story and it was enjoyable. The historic details are interesting and the whole book is very insightful of the way Marie Antoinette lived. I reccomend this book to anyone who is interested in her, and the life she lead.

Fascinating

This isn't a history book. It's fiction with historical facts thrown in which makes it a great read! You can see Marie Antoinette as a normal human being in this book - very different from how history books and rumors of the past made her out to be. A refreshing perspective!

Relax, it's great entertainment

An interesting take on the life of Marie Antionette, served up in the style of a diary. The book was interesting, fun, entertaining and although you know what happens in the end, it still kept my attention. The afterward informs of which characters existed and which ones were made up. If you are looking for a historical novel to keep you engaged, read this book!

I liked the book

This book was pleasant ro read, with detailed descriptions, and an interesting real-history scent. The book gives a good view of Marie Antoinette's life, and I do not regret having read it.

Fantastic and exciting

This is a definite page turner. Completely fun. Some reviewers didn't like the twisting of historic facts. That is silly! It is a fictional piece and pure entertainment. I highly recommend this book...especially if you are like me and really enjoy historic fiction.