Becoming Marie Antoinette

A Novel

By: Juliet Grey

Narrated by: Juliet Grey

Length: 16 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

This enthralling confection of a novel, the first in a new trilogy, follows the transformation of a coddled Austrian archduchess into the reckless, powerful, beautiful queen Marie Antoinette. 

"Why must it be me?" I wondered. "When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?" 

Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother’s political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon. 

Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must change everything about herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen. 

Filled with smart history, treacherous rivalries, lavish clothes, and sparkling jewels, Becoming Marie Antoinette will utterly captivate fiction and history lovers alike. 

Praise for Becoming Marie Antoinette

“A thoroughly enjoyable novel, brimming with delightful details. Grey writes eloquently and with charming humor, bringing ‘Toinette’ vividly to life as she is schooled and groomed - molded, quite literally - for a future as Queen of France, an innocent pawn in a deadly political game.” (Sandra Gulland, best-selling author of Mistress of the Sun and the Josephine Bonaparte trilogy)

“In her richly imagined novel, Juliet Grey meticulously recreates the sumptuous court of France's most tragic queen. Beautifully written, with attention paid to even the smallest detail, Becoming Marie Antoinette will leave readers wanting more!" (Michelle Moran, best-selling author of Madame Tussaud)

“A lively and sensitive portrait of a young princess in a hostile court, and one of the most sympathetic portrayals of the doomed queen.” (Lauren Willig, best-selling author of the Pink Carnation series)

“Wonderfully delectable and lusciously rich, an elegant novel to truly savor. Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette is completely absorbing.” (Diane Haeger, author of The Queen’s Rival)

“[A] sympathetic take on the fascinating and doomed Marie Antoinette.” (Publishers Weekly)

©2011 Juliet Grey (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An extremely compelling read. The author blends very intricately detailed research with a narrative that is stunning in its poignancy.” (The Elliott Review)

“Fans of historical fiction will eat this one up. It's engaging, smart and authentic. Grey has done her homework.” (January Magazine)

“A lusciously detailed novel of Marie Antoinette's rise to power and the decadent, extravagant lifestyles of 18th-century Versailles.” (Shelf Awareness)

Narrator was amazing!!!

Caution! Before listening and completely falling in love with the story beware that it's a trilogy but the two remaining books are not available on Audible. I wish I had known this because now I am hooked and would love to listen to the rest of the story but cannot unless I buy the actual books and read them which i haven't got time for.

Absolutely the best narration from an author!

If you could sum up Becoming Marie Antoinette in three words, what would they be?

Enchanting, engrossing and delightful

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the narrator. I am not very excited when authors read their own books but this is an exception. Juliet Grey IS Marie Antoinette. She says the French and Austrian words flawlessly. I really felt like I was hearing Marie Antoinette speaking. The voice for Antoinette's mother was even perfect. This really came alive for me and my daughter who now adores the book. Sadly, the other two are not available as audio books. I hope that changes and I would love to hear the author narrate other royal nonfiction!

Which character – as performed by Juliet Grey – was your favorite?

Marie Antoinette.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was shocked by how I was drawn into the book. I am not personally a fan of the historical fiction genre but this changed my mind. The narration is the best I have heard.

Any additional comments?

I wrote the author about this book and the other two books are not audio books. Anyone who enjoys the book should write the author on goodreads and the publisher. It would be great to have the other two in the series.

Juliet Grey is an Amazing Writer and Narrator!!

All I can say is...WOW. I simply cannot get over how detailed Juliet is not only in every aspect of Maries life as a story being told in that era, as well as how talented of a narrator she is. Especially speaking certain words in French, German and Italian-English!

Biographical Novels – An Excellent Way to Learn!

I am only 16% of the way into the book but my opinion won’t change by the time I reach the end: I love it!

Paraphrasing myself from my review of The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone: I love this way of telling a biography – like a novel. It’s infinitely more interesting than reading all the boring, dry, dates-names-facts like: on this date this event happened, and then on that date the other part was done, and then on this date that contract was signed.

Like with Michelangelo in that book, I am going to remember the story of Marie Antoinette’s life much better thanks to this format. Of course, being a biographical novel one must assume that there is a little fictional embellishment going on here and there, but I think it just makes the “bigger truer parts” more absorbable.

Sadly, Books 2 and 3 are not available yet on Audible, but I will definitely keep checking!

More please!

I have been looking for the next two books in this series .Please make them available. Love the story and can't wait for the next two!

Loved it

Love this book. The narration is perfect. The plot keeps you excited throughout.

Only one complaint and that is that the sequel is not available on audio!

A Great Novel About A Geat Woman

I must start by praising the author's wonderful performance reading this book. Her accent for diverse languages, the many voices, tempo, etc, are just delicious and a good part of why I enjoyed this book so much.
This novel is so well written that it even enticed me to find out more about the life of Marie Antoinette, and of course, I can't wait for the next book -of which, you will get a sneak peek at the end of this one.
I highly recommend "Becoming Marie Antoinette" by Juliet Grey.
Thank you!
#historicnovel #ohmy! #thethingsshehadtogothrough #fascinating #enticing #fantasticnarrator #cantwaitforthenextone #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

I loved this reading!

Fine details bringing events to life, delightful tone of narrator, and character’s with colorful depth. I wish her other books were on audible.
Thank you for the treat listen to Marie’s story...

word cannot describe. A must read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes and already have.

Who was your favorite character and why?

really? marie of course

Have you listened to any of Juliet Grey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

i like that the author read the story who better to know the charactors

cant wait for the installment!

What made the experience of listening to Becoming Marie Antoinette the most enjoyable?

Rich story, great narration

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator was awesome, covering so many characters well but none better than Marie.

Who was the most memorable character of Becoming Marie Antoinette and why?

Marie of course, so much for a young girl to manage...

Disappointed by abrupt finish.

The story was interesting, with the details of the history of France and Austria. It was read well, although the prince reminded me of the character boy in Charlie and the Chocolate factory- Augustus Gloop. I did feel sorry for Marie Antionette and it portrayed her in a different light than I imagined her to be even though it was her younger years.
Overall I enjoyed the book reading but was disappointed at the abrupt finish when she became queen, it feels like the book was just starting.