La lettura del libro è davvero ben scritto e invoglia i lettori a proseguire nella narrazione. ( )

I liked this book. It was easily readable, interesting and fun. The author seems to be following Antonia Fraser's Marie Antoinette more closely than actual history. Except it seems in the area of why they did not have sex for so long. In all honesty that inclusion kind of negates the research she said she did. In addition she uses needlessly large words that do not fit the story, setting or time period. i.e. pulchritudinous which is american slang from the 1920's. I am reading the next novel though. ( )

Marie Antoinette was born and grew up in Austria. When she was 10(ish) years old, it was determined that she would wed Louis Auguste of France, Louis XV’s grandson and heir to the French throne. However, Antonia (as she was called then) had a few hoops to jump through before the deal was sealed. When they did marry, Antonia was sent to France where she had to learn a new culture and at the same time be charming and have people love her, as she was to be the future queen. She continued to be pressured and influenced by her mother (from a distance).

This is the first in a trilogy, so we only get as far into Marie Antoinette’s life as Louis XV dying and she and her husband succeeding to the throne when they are 18-years old. I have read a biography of her, but it was a few years ago, so I don’t recall a lot of what I read then. I did like how she was portrayed in this novel, and I appreciated the author’s note at the end, which explains that the majority of people and events in the book did happen. I am really looking forward to reading the next book. ( )

This was a very enjoyable historical fiction. I see it is #1 of a series. I don't know if I can read more of the series, just because I'm getting a little burned out on historical fiction. But Juliet did a great job in drawing the reader into the story and the lives of the characters. I don't think I could have lived back then. The fact that people peed on the floors of the corridors and the fact that they got very stinky but didn't bathe for days if not weeks at a time. I also don't think I would be able to stand all the people who had to take care of Marie Antoinette. She never had a moment's peace. And even though all those people were around her, she was very lonely. If you like historical fiction and are interested in Marie Antoinette, then pick this book up and give it a try, you won't be disappointed. ( )

Becoming Marie Antoinette, the first novel in a planned trilogy about the infamous French Queen, follows the life of the title character from her late childhood in her native Austria to the day of her accession to the French throne as the consort Louis XVI.

It is evident right from outset that a significant amount of research went into the writing of this novel, and that the author took great care to ensure historical accuracy. This research, in combination with Juliet Grey's often eloquent prose, results in the Austrian and French courts coming vividly to life for the reader. It also serves to highlight the incredible differences between life in an Austrian palace and that of life at Versailles. Indeed, the presentation of life at Versailles in particular is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Another strength is Grey's sympathetic characterization of Marie Antoinette, who is portrayed as a charming young woman who, in spite of years of preparation for her role as dauphine, is quite unprepared for life within the Bourbon court. I also enjoyed the brief glimpses into the mind of Empress Maria Therese of Austria, which were showcased through the letters she wrote to her daughter.

While acknowledging that many of the reviews I have read for this novel have found little if anything to criticize, I had a number of issues with it. While I generally prefer detailed works of historical fiction to more cursory novels, I don't overly enjoy books that contain exhaustive amounts of detail that add little to a story. Unfortunately, Becoming Marie Antoinette is an example of a novel containing too much detail. In fact, there were several instances were it seemed Grey was simply trying to fit in every last piece of her research (the scene in which Marie Antoinette is having her braces affixed immediately comes to mind). As a result, even though I liked Grey's writing style, this book failed to captivate me. I think the book would have been better if Grey had spent more time detailing the goings on of the day and less on extensive accounts of what the characters were wearing or how they arranged their hair. It is my hope that the second novel in the trilogy (Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow) will better suit my tastes.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction interested in the early life of Marie Antoinette and those who enjoy considerable historical detail. ( )