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Marie Antoinette

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Marie Antoinette

By: Antonia Fraser
Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
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About this listen

Marie Antoinette's dramatic life-story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine mechante', 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.

©2002 Antonia Fraser (P)2014 Audible, Inc. 18th Century Europe France Historical Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty French Revolution Middle Ages
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An astonishingly deep and thorough exploration of the extraordinary life and lasting legacy of this infamous royal who I now have great empathy for as feel that she was greatly misunderstood therefore I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand both the French Queen as well as history better as you will not be disappointed.

Insightful.

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Beautifully written and great analysis of a maligned woman. Also the perfect French of the narrator made it a delightful listen.

Insightful biography

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For my first audiobook I thought I’d try something that I would’ve loved to read but never find the time to, in just my daily commute to work I was able to knock this off and I’m keen to ‘read’ more :)

First audiobook success

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This is very comprehensive story, beautifully read. I listened as I read the book to get my French pronounciation correct. It was a wonderful way to appreciate this amazing work.

Wow!

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A great biography of a great woman. And unfortunately, like most- before reading this- I thought she was a spoilt, unloyal, arrogant royalist. I was very wrong. I have gained so much empathy for madame Antoine

M A

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Excellent historical account of MA’s life, brilliantly researched and insightful. I definitely understand her more know. I was disappointed there wasn’t more historical social context incorporated though, it meant MA’s story was somewhat remote from why and how the revolution was growing.

Comprehensive but remote

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I am a complete novice to the history of France in this period but this book made it easy for me to understand all the background details. Marie Antoinette’s story is delivered in a gripping, completely heart wrenching way. The book is about humanity and people’s ability to quickly lose it. I literally sobbed in through the last chapters.
Fantastic on all accounts

FANTASTIC BOOK

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