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Marie Antoinette's World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles
This book explores the little-known intimate life of Marie Antoinette and her family in a world filled with intrigue, infidelity, and adultery. Will Bashor reveals the hedonistic atmosphere at Versailles, unveiling a fascinating view behind the scenes as we learn the secret language of the queen's fan and explore the hidden passageways and staircases of endless intrigue at the palace.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2020
About the author
Will Bashor
10books199followersFrom Columbus, Ohio, Will earned his Ph.D. from the American Graduate School of Paris. In his spare time, he reads memoirs and researches the lives of royals and their courtiers. He hopes to share his fascination with the Bourbon dynasty and its quirky inhabitants and, at the same time, weave the historical record with creative fiction. He has written articles for the Huffington Post, Age of Revolutions, BBC History Magazine, France Today, and Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book.
His new novel, The Bastard Prince of Versailles, received a 5-Star Review from Readers' Favorites (by K.C. Finn):
Author Will Bashor portrays the intrigues of the 17th-century French court with fantastic detail and a passion for atmosphere, filling every page with rivalries, betrayals, and political maneuvering. The character of Louis is sensitively drawn, and readers witness his struggles with identity, love, and the demands of royal life. The Chevalier de Lorraine's manipulation and the gay society subplot add depth to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of sexual identity and society's prejudices of the time. As Louis is exiled and later given a chance at redemption through military service, the novel delves into themes of heroism and self-sacrifice with some deeply compelling emotional scenes that tug at the heartstrings and help us relate to human beings from centuries ago on a modern personal level. Overall, The Bastard Prince of Versailles is a compelling historical novel that not only entertains but also educates about a lesser-known aspect of French history, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
Visit him atwww.willbashor.com.
His new novel, The Bastard Prince of Versailles, received a 5-Star Review from Readers' Favorites (by K.C. Finn):
Author Will Bashor portrays the intrigues of the 17th-century French court with fantastic detail and a passion for atmosphere, filling every page with rivalries, betrayals, and political maneuvering. The character of Louis is sensitively drawn, and readers witness his struggles with identity, love, and the demands of royal life. The Chevalier de Lorraine's manipulation and the gay society subplot add depth to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of sexual identity and society's prejudices of the time. As Louis is exiled and later given a chance at redemption through military service, the novel delves into themes of heroism and self-sacrifice with some deeply compelling emotional scenes that tug at the heartstrings and help us relate to human beings from centuries ago on a modern personal level. Overall, The Bastard Prince of Versailles is a compelling historical novel that not only entertains but also educates about a lesser-known aspect of French history, and I would not hesitate to recommend it.
Visit him atwww.willbashor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 29, 2020
3 Stars
You can read all of my reviews atNerdGirlLovesBooks
This was an interesting nonfiction book about life in the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I learned quite a bit about her life, her behavior and the pressures she was under as a young Queen. Before reading this book, I'll admit that I had a pretty harsh opinion of Marie Antoinette. While I still think she was a terrible queen, I do have a bit more empathy for what she went through in her short life.
I knew that Marie Antoinette was not a popular queen (hence the beheading), but this book gave me a more in-depth look at the double-standards, backstabbing and court maneuvers used to keep her down. She was married at 14 and Queen at 18. I can't even imagine being ready to handle that pressure. Clearly she was selfish and out of touch with the people she ruled, but lets face it, what 18 year isn't? I mean, I sure wasn't "woke" when I was that age back in the "dark ages" of the late 1980's.:-) Much was made of her rolling her eyes and laughing behind her fan at older people. Yep, sounds like every teenager. ever to exist. ever. Should she have learned proper deportment at court? Of course. But clearly her upbringing and education was deficient and a lot of that blame should be laid at the feet of her parents and family. She should have taken initiative to learn it after she was engaged, yes. But again, teenager.
It seemed the older generation of nobles couldn't give her a break when she wanted to be around other young people at her private retreat, wanted to gossip with her girlfriends or party all night. Granted, she was losing a ton of the people's money gambling, so that wasn't cool, but the fact that she was skewed for wanting to spend time with other women was crazy. Like the only reason a teenage girl would want to hang out with another female teenager was for sexual purposes. I mean, hey, it may be true, but so what, and that's not even the point. (ok, I'm done ranting)
On the other hand, she truly was out of touch with how to govern and sympathize with her people and her antics greatly contributed to the financial difficulties of the country. I have to admit, the plethora of French names that the author peppered me with was overwhelming. I couldn't get anyone straight and the information was given in such quick, brief segments that a lot of the significance of this person or that person being in favor, out of favor, shunned from court, appointed or removed to a position was completely lost on me. This is why I rated the book down a bit. If you have a good understanding of all of the players involved in France during this time period, you'll be fine and enjoy this book. If not, like me, you will be pretty lost a lot of the time and Google and Wikipedia will be your best friend.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, even if some of was lost on me.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can read all of my reviews atNerdGirlLovesBooks
This was an interesting nonfiction book about life in the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I learned quite a bit about her life, her behavior and the pressures she was under as a young Queen. Before reading this book, I'll admit that I had a pretty harsh opinion of Marie Antoinette. While I still think she was a terrible queen, I do have a bit more empathy for what she went through in her short life.
I knew that Marie Antoinette was not a popular queen (hence the beheading), but this book gave me a more in-depth look at the double-standards, backstabbing and court maneuvers used to keep her down. She was married at 14 and Queen at 18. I can't even imagine being ready to handle that pressure. Clearly she was selfish and out of touch with the people she ruled, but lets face it, what 18 year isn't? I mean, I sure wasn't "woke" when I was that age back in the "dark ages" of the late 1980's.:-) Much was made of her rolling her eyes and laughing behind her fan at older people. Yep, sounds like every teenager. ever to exist. ever. Should she have learned proper deportment at court? Of course. But clearly her upbringing and education was deficient and a lot of that blame should be laid at the feet of her parents and family. She should have taken initiative to learn it after she was engaged, yes. But again, teenager.
It seemed the older generation of nobles couldn't give her a break when she wanted to be around other young people at her private retreat, wanted to gossip with her girlfriends or party all night. Granted, she was losing a ton of the people's money gambling, so that wasn't cool, but the fact that she was skewed for wanting to spend time with other women was crazy. Like the only reason a teenage girl would want to hang out with another female teenager was for sexual purposes. I mean, hey, it may be true, but so what, and that's not even the point. (ok, I'm done ranting)
On the other hand, she truly was out of touch with how to govern and sympathize with her people and her antics greatly contributed to the financial difficulties of the country. I have to admit, the plethora of French names that the author peppered me with was overwhelming. I couldn't get anyone straight and the information was given in such quick, brief segments that a lot of the significance of this person or that person being in favor, out of favor, shunned from court, appointed or removed to a position was completely lost on me. This is why I rated the book down a bit. If you have a good understanding of all of the players involved in France during this time period, you'll be fine and enjoy this book. If not, like me, you will be pretty lost a lot of the time and Google and Wikipedia will be your best friend.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, even if some of was lost on me.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2020
Since I read Will Bashor's previous two books on Marie Antoinette, I jumped at the chance to receive his latest book on her. It did not disappoint. The book begins with a brief history of the palace at Versailles and the previous kings, who lived there. We learn about how it began as a hunting lodge for Henri IV. Later, his son Louis XIII turned it into a place for him to meet his lovers. From Louis XIII to Louis XV it remained as a place for lovers of the king, alternating between male and female lovers. Venereal diseases were rampant among the French population. This plays a major part in the story.
When Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette, the marriage was not consummated for 7 years. With the marriage, the author turns his attention to Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI gave Petit Trianon, the former domain of various Kings' mistresses, to Marie Antoinette. He was not allowed to visit without the permission of his wife. We learn of how she spent her time during this long wait of 7 years, playing cards, play acting and spending time with various people, male and female, who may or may not have been her lovers. The author asks us to draw our own conclusions.
Certain parts of the book were very interesting. The fan had a language all its own., used to convey messages between potential lovers. Not only did different positions of the fan have their own meaning, but fans had a practical use, to pass objects to the sovereign as well as to cover up bad breath and rotten teeth!
What was most unusual in the book, was how the author placed chapters into sections, each marking a period of time in the life of Marie Antoinette. At the end of each section, he devotes a chapter to analyzing Marie Antoinette's hand writing at this point in her life. From how she writes, she reveals her character. I am not familiar with the science of handwriting analysis, so I can not attest to how accurate the observations are.
This book is a good addition to any library on Marie Antoinette.
Follow the tour for a chance to win a copy of this book at:
https://francebooktours.com/2020/06/0...
When Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette, the marriage was not consummated for 7 years. With the marriage, the author turns his attention to Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI gave Petit Trianon, the former domain of various Kings' mistresses, to Marie Antoinette. He was not allowed to visit without the permission of his wife. We learn of how she spent her time during this long wait of 7 years, playing cards, play acting and spending time with various people, male and female, who may or may not have been her lovers. The author asks us to draw our own conclusions.
Certain parts of the book were very interesting. The fan had a language all its own., used to convey messages between potential lovers. Not only did different positions of the fan have their own meaning, but fans had a practical use, to pass objects to the sovereign as well as to cover up bad breath and rotten teeth!
What was most unusual in the book, was how the author placed chapters into sections, each marking a period of time in the life of Marie Antoinette. At the end of each section, he devotes a chapter to analyzing Marie Antoinette's hand writing at this point in her life. From how she writes, she reveals her character. I am not familiar with the science of handwriting analysis, so I can not attest to how accurate the observations are.
This book is a good addition to any library on Marie Antoinette.
Follow the tour for a chance to win a copy of this book at:
https://francebooktours.com/2020/06/0...
February 29, 2020
An intimate portrait of the scandals plaguing the genealogy of Marie Antoinette and a genuine effort to assess her psychology, this fascinating book also reveals private moments with her inner circle as well as the machinations of her enemies. A vastly entertaining read as well as an excellent assessment of the living conditions of the Queen at Versailles, where rumors and stench spread as easily as love intrigues and syphilis. -- Servanne Woodward, Western University Canada
A brilliant, and sad, history of the French monarchy and its descent into hell. Reality, gossip, and myths about the last royalty of France meld into a fascinating account by a true connoisseur. -- Jean-Clément Martin, l’Université Paris, Panthéon-Sorbonne
Insightful and illuminating, Bashor’s book takes its readers on a thrilling tour behind the firmly closed bedroom doors and decorative screens of Versailles, where we eavesdrop on the gossip, read the secret messages behind the fans, and witness a world filled with pleasure, ruled by etiquette and dominated by sexual intrigue. -- Josephine Wilkinson, author of Louis XIV: The Power and the Glory
A bold, evocative, and compelling portrait of Marie Antoinette, unlike any that have come before. Will Bashor confidently takes the reader on a well-researched, passionately written, historical piece that reveals fascinating, hard-to-deny insights into her intimate life. Readers will forever see Marie Antoinette in a whole new light. -- Elissa Shaw, author of the blog Chasing French History
Already an established authority on the intimate life of Queen Marie Antoinette, Will Bashor goes a step further in placing her experience within the wider context of court society at Versailles stretching back through an emotional genealogy into the previous century. The result is a saucy re-telling of a tumultuous life in splendid detail. -- Jonathan Spangler, Manchester Metropolitan University
Will Bashor’s latest book about Queen Marie Antoinette masterfully intertwines the intimate details of the Queen’s life at Versailles with a broad panoply of the debauchery that characterized the French monarchy from the reign of Louis XIII to the outbreak of the French Revolution. -- Leland Conley Barrows, Voorhees College
Based on period memoirs and letters, respected biographies, and scurrilous eighteenth-century pamphlets, Will Bashor’s new work on Marie Antoinette looks behind the closed doors, underneath the gold and diamond-encrusted gowns, and into the boudoirs of Versailles and elsewhere. This is no excursion for the faint of heart, and Bashor bares it all, from the various positions in which Marie Antoinette found herself to further speculations about what the century’s long ‘den of iniquity’ had been spreading. He weaves a narrative of intrigue, debauchery, licentiousness, and jealousies into historical non-fiction. His new work makes Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782) seem boring and tame. -- Susan Conner, Albion College
A brilliant, and sad, history of the French monarchy and its descent into hell. Reality, gossip, and myths about the last royalty of France meld into a fascinating account by a true connoisseur. -- Jean-Clément Martin, l’Université Paris, Panthéon-Sorbonne
Insightful and illuminating, Bashor’s book takes its readers on a thrilling tour behind the firmly closed bedroom doors and decorative screens of Versailles, where we eavesdrop on the gossip, read the secret messages behind the fans, and witness a world filled with pleasure, ruled by etiquette and dominated by sexual intrigue. -- Josephine Wilkinson, author of Louis XIV: The Power and the Glory
A bold, evocative, and compelling portrait of Marie Antoinette, unlike any that have come before. Will Bashor confidently takes the reader on a well-researched, passionately written, historical piece that reveals fascinating, hard-to-deny insights into her intimate life. Readers will forever see Marie Antoinette in a whole new light. -- Elissa Shaw, author of the blog Chasing French History
Already an established authority on the intimate life of Queen Marie Antoinette, Will Bashor goes a step further in placing her experience within the wider context of court society at Versailles stretching back through an emotional genealogy into the previous century. The result is a saucy re-telling of a tumultuous life in splendid detail. -- Jonathan Spangler, Manchester Metropolitan University
Will Bashor’s latest book about Queen Marie Antoinette masterfully intertwines the intimate details of the Queen’s life at Versailles with a broad panoply of the debauchery that characterized the French monarchy from the reign of Louis XIII to the outbreak of the French Revolution. -- Leland Conley Barrows, Voorhees College
Based on period memoirs and letters, respected biographies, and scurrilous eighteenth-century pamphlets, Will Bashor’s new work on Marie Antoinette looks behind the closed doors, underneath the gold and diamond-encrusted gowns, and into the boudoirs of Versailles and elsewhere. This is no excursion for the faint of heart, and Bashor bares it all, from the various positions in which Marie Antoinette found herself to further speculations about what the century’s long ‘den of iniquity’ had been spreading. He weaves a narrative of intrigue, debauchery, licentiousness, and jealousies into historical non-fiction. His new work makes Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782) seem boring and tame. -- Susan Conner, Albion College
July 27, 2020
Like Marie Antoinette's Head: The Royal Hairdresser, The Queen, And The Revolution, this is a well-structured book, organised chronologically. I didn't expect a book about Marie Antoinette to start in 1621, given she wasn't born until 2 November 1775. Bashor goes far back into Marie Antoinette's own family and that of her future husband, Louis XVI. It's a well-structured book, organised chronologically, starting with the reign of Louis XIII, when the small village of Versailles became tied into the world of the French monarchs, growing from an ancient windmill into a vast palace ands seat of power. I found the evolution of the place that is Versailles possibly more intriguing than the lives of those who lived there. Bashor's observation that the Versailles visited by tourists in more recent years really caught my attention and highlighted the fact that our perception of Versailles is something of a fantasy; read Chapter 13 to realise the pungent reality of life at this court, with chamber pots being emptied out of windows, and nobles relieving themselves in corridors.
The most interesting part of the book, in my opinion, is the discussion of the pamphlets published as an attack on Marie Antoinette and those in her intimate circle, as well as the King, Louis XVI, who was seen as weak and heavily influenced by his wife. The pamphlets were written as poems, plays, and prose, and are rich in mythical imagery in particular. The quotes from the Royal Zoo, written by F. Dantalle (1785), are fascinating, comparing the members of the court and the royal family to animals put on display, and I fully intend to read the full text in the near future. In parts, Dantalle addresses the Queen directly, and it reads like an open letter which are so common in our own time. These attacks on the most powerful woman in France, on her sexuality and behaviour, and her growing interest in politics, as she got older, also put me in mind of the book She Wolves: the Women who Ruled England Before Elizabeth, by Helen Castor. Powerful women throughout history have been slandered and attacked, considered unfit to rule because of their gender, and their reigns considered by men as "monstrous regiment". We can see this behaviour still, for example in Ted Yoho's recent attacks on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - you should watch the video of her inspirational response. While Marie Antoinette was very much not the Queen she should have been, the attacks on her as a woman are still a difficult read and a sign that we have not come very far as a society in understanding that women having power is not in and of itself something to be feared and derided.
The most interesting part of the book, in my opinion, is the discussion of the pamphlets published as an attack on Marie Antoinette and those in her intimate circle, as well as the King, Louis XVI, who was seen as weak and heavily influenced by his wife. The pamphlets were written as poems, plays, and prose, and are rich in mythical imagery in particular. The quotes from the Royal Zoo, written by F. Dantalle (1785), are fascinating, comparing the members of the court and the royal family to animals put on display, and I fully intend to read the full text in the near future. In parts, Dantalle addresses the Queen directly, and it reads like an open letter which are so common in our own time. These attacks on the most powerful woman in France, on her sexuality and behaviour, and her growing interest in politics, as she got older, also put me in mind of the book She Wolves: the Women who Ruled England Before Elizabeth, by Helen Castor. Powerful women throughout history have been slandered and attacked, considered unfit to rule because of their gender, and their reigns considered by men as "monstrous regiment". We can see this behaviour still, for example in Ted Yoho's recent attacks on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - you should watch the video of her inspirational response. While Marie Antoinette was very much not the Queen she should have been, the attacks on her as a woman are still a difficult read and a sign that we have not come very far as a society in understanding that women having power is not in and of itself something to be feared and derided.
March 23, 2024
Instead of centering the narrative on Marie Antoinette and the legacy of depravity that surrounds her, even going so far as to blame her "poor" education and her failure to understand the French people, Bashor should have explored the prevalence of infidelity throughout the Valois and Bourbon regimes at the Court of France. Alternatively, he could have delved into how Marie Antoinette became the scapegoat for all the Court's problems upon her arrival at Versailles, simply because she was a foreign bride from a rival nation.
The use of astrological charts for the Habsburg archduchess is not only confusing but also concerning. Drawing conclusions about the archduchess's morality based on planetary alignment at birth seems farfetched. Additionally, relying on handwriting samples to judge Marie Antoinette's maturity or emotional state is questionable research, particularly because handwriting analysis is not an exact science and leaves room for interpretation by those analyzing the text. Plus the obvious that some of the letters featured were written when Marie Antoinette was in her teenage years - of course, there would be a lack of maturity, as is common for every teen in history.
In short, Bashor appears to conform to pre-existing prejudices and unfairly portrays Marie Antoinette as the primary cause of the Court of France's debauchery through reliance on tabloid gossip.
The use of astrological charts for the Habsburg archduchess is not only confusing but also concerning. Drawing conclusions about the archduchess's morality based on planetary alignment at birth seems farfetched. Additionally, relying on handwriting samples to judge Marie Antoinette's maturity or emotional state is questionable research, particularly because handwriting analysis is not an exact science and leaves room for interpretation by those analyzing the text. Plus the obvious that some of the letters featured were written when Marie Antoinette was in her teenage years - of course, there would be a lack of maturity, as is common for every teen in history.
In short, Bashor appears to conform to pre-existing prejudices and unfairly portrays Marie Antoinette as the primary cause of the Court of France's debauchery through reliance on tabloid gossip.
August 31, 2020
Sordid and based on wild assumptions and gossip - plus, when you rely on handwriting analysis and star charts to make your case, you're not on solid ground.
July 27, 2020
Looking at the luxurious palace of Versailles of today, what actually happened during the reign of the Bourbons is beyond what you could possibly imagine…If only the walls could talk.
The book is captivating and comprehensive, full of fascinating facts about the Bourbon kings from Louis XIII to Louis V and the expansion of Versailles from a simple hunting lodge to the luxurious palace. The chapters are methodically set out. It not only explores the intimate life of Marie Antoinette and transports you to the hedonistic world at Versailles, but it also renders a detailed account of the intrigue surrounding the palace and how the king and the queen were the targets of pornographic and libellous writings and pamphlets were used to damage the queen's reputation and also ultimately as evidence at the trial when the queen was prosecuted.
Whether you are a history buff or a francophile, Marie Antoinette’s World written by Will Bashor makes an interesting, informative and enlightening read.https://lifang-leehong.blogspot.com/2...
The book is captivating and comprehensive, full of fascinating facts about the Bourbon kings from Louis XIII to Louis V and the expansion of Versailles from a simple hunting lodge to the luxurious palace. The chapters are methodically set out. It not only explores the intimate life of Marie Antoinette and transports you to the hedonistic world at Versailles, but it also renders a detailed account of the intrigue surrounding the palace and how the king and the queen were the targets of pornographic and libellous writings and pamphlets were used to damage the queen's reputation and also ultimately as evidence at the trial when the queen was prosecuted.
Whether you are a history buff or a francophile, Marie Antoinette’s World written by Will Bashor makes an interesting, informative and enlightening read.https://lifang-leehong.blogspot.com/2...
July 30, 2020
I enjoy reading historical texts (especially about the French revolution), yet this book had a few issues for me. The beginning of the text focuses on Louis XIV and Louis X, both of whom I knew little about prior to reading this book. It was interesting to learn how large of a role infidelity played at court throughout multiple generations. Oddly, the book really didn't start to disinterest me until Bashor got to Marie Antoinette. The handwriting analysis just seemed silly and unscientific. I had to skip through the astrology chapter- which really had no place in this otherwise well-researched book! While I could see using excerpts from this book in a classroom to make history a bit sexier, the downfalls would prevent me from using it in any other fashion. Thanks to netgalley and Rowman and Littlefield for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2020
I’ve read just about every Marie Antoinette book I can get my hands on. Will Bashor stands with the best historians and brings a unique perspective to a complex subject.
July 18, 2020
I thought Marie Antoinette's World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles was an interesting read. I have been fascinated by Marie Antoinette since I was a kid and Will Bashor does a wonderful job bringing her world to life. This is probably my favorite book I have read about her. I learned quite a bit about her – some of it really shocking and some of it I never knew before. I was captivated from page one all the way to the very end. I could not put it down until I finished.
I am giving Marie Antoinette's World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading about those that were part of Royal French History. I thought it was a great read.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I am giving Marie Antoinette's World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading about those that were part of Royal French History. I thought it was a great read.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
November 29, 2020
2.5 stars. I think the author certainly researched Louis, XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette but the addition of several chapters on handwriting analysis and a chapter on star charts was a big turn off. After finding a second chapter on handwriting analysis I just skipped those chapters (5 in all) altogether and didn't bother reading about Marie Antoinette's star chart. This book would have been much shorter without those chapters but I feel the book would have been much better.
March 13, 2022
This book lost all credibility when the first handwriting analysis showed up (spoiler alert, there were at least 5 handwriting chapters.) What made it worse was not just the (gossip fueled) speculation but the star chart chapter that was pointless. Save your time.
March 28, 2021
good for light reading, gets into handwriting analysis and other topics not generally found in historical treatments.
August 17, 2020
VERDICT: A scholarly, refreshing, and honest look at Marie Antoinette’s world and morals.
Queen Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI’s wife, was never fully accepted by the French. Yet since her death, and mostly since the 19th century, she has received many signs of honor, bordering on the cult given to a martyr. With Marie Antoinette’s World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles, Will Bashor dares debunk all the romantic views of the queen, thanks to his scholarly knowledge and research.
I have read some reviews of readers upset by this book and its revelations about Marie Antoinette’s infidelities and possible sexual diseases.
So I’d like first to highlight that Will Bashor is a scholar, and this is already the third book he has been writing on Marie Antoinette’s and her entourage. I highly encourage you to read Marie Antoinette’s Head: The Royal Hairdresser, The Queen, And The Revolution (2013), for which he received The Adele Mellen Prize for Distinguished Scholarship and Marie Antoinette’s Darkest Days: Prisoner No. 280 In The Conciergerie (2016).
The author has done an amazing amount of research, reading an extensive amount of primary and secondary sources, in English, but also in French.
If your knowledge of Marie Antoinette has been so far limited to the historical romance genre or even to movies, you are definitely in for a few surprises. However, if you have the opportunity to read other French historians, nothing here will shock you.
Let me now highlight what I found really good in the book.
my full review is here:https://wordsandpeace.com/2020/08/14/...
Queen Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI’s wife, was never fully accepted by the French. Yet since her death, and mostly since the 19th century, she has received many signs of honor, bordering on the cult given to a martyr. With Marie Antoinette’s World: Intrigue, Infidelity, and Adultery in Versailles, Will Bashor dares debunk all the romantic views of the queen, thanks to his scholarly knowledge and research.
I have read some reviews of readers upset by this book and its revelations about Marie Antoinette’s infidelities and possible sexual diseases.
So I’d like first to highlight that Will Bashor is a scholar, and this is already the third book he has been writing on Marie Antoinette’s and her entourage. I highly encourage you to read Marie Antoinette’s Head: The Royal Hairdresser, The Queen, And The Revolution (2013), for which he received The Adele Mellen Prize for Distinguished Scholarship and Marie Antoinette’s Darkest Days: Prisoner No. 280 In The Conciergerie (2016).
The author has done an amazing amount of research, reading an extensive amount of primary and secondary sources, in English, but also in French.
If your knowledge of Marie Antoinette has been so far limited to the historical romance genre or even to movies, you are definitely in for a few surprises. However, if you have the opportunity to read other French historians, nothing here will shock you.
Let me now highlight what I found really good in the book.
my full review is here:https://wordsandpeace.com/2020/08/14/...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews