Marie Antoinette

The Journey

By: Antonia Fraser

Narrated by: Donada Peters

Length: 20 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

France's iconic queen, Marie Antoinette, wrongly accused of uttering the infamous "Let them eat cake", was alternately revered and reviled during her lifetime. For centuries since, she has been the object of debate, speculation, and the fascination so often accorded illustrious figures in history. Married in mere girlhood, this essentially lighthearted child was thrust onto the royal stage and commanded by circumstance to play a significant role in European history. Antonia Fraser's lavish and engaging portrait excites compassion and regard for all aspects of the queen, immersing the listener not only in the coming-of-age of a graceful woman, but in the culture of an unparalleled time and place.

©2001 Antonia Fraser (P)2001 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The portrait is drawn delicately, with pleasant touches of humor...Fraser's approach is controlled and thoughtful." (Publishers Weekly)
"Absorbing as ever. Fraser's blend of insight and research persuade us that this unfortunate queen deserves neither the vilification nor the idealization she has received." (The New Yorker)
"Donada Peters...excels at injecting subtle irony into seemingly flat narrative. She handles the snotty comments and the lewd scandal-mongering of the court with equal aplomb. Fraser is one of the most highly respected and best-selling biographers of our time, and it's easy to see why in this enlightening glimpse into the turbulent France of the 1770s." (AudioFile)

Excellent, gripping detail, and fine narration.

Finally, an indepth portrait of a much misunderstood woman, mother, and monarch. well worth the listen.

It goes by fast

Making my way through royalty through centuries via audio books and this was an excellent, quick(er) and - yes - emotional, read. I found my preconceived knowledge or what I thought I knew challenged and re-educated through this tome. Not only are you learning about Marie-Antoinette, but Louis XVI, their family, relations, events of the Revolution. It is easy to keep up with events and names while listening. I am sad it has ended - I am well read on many monarchs but I have not cried for any like I did for Marie Antoinette (Mary Queen of Scots would have been it emotionally). If you are thinking about it, just get it. The 2006 movie featuring Kirsten Dunst also is nearly fact for fact up until about 1787 (where the movie ends).

A touching tale

Fraser's elegant telling and touching tale of the maligned and exploited queen contains perfect proportions of intimate domestic detail, analysis and historic background. I was carried along by it's compelling momentum and even-handed description of the personal and social tragedies of the French Revolution.

Yes, the reader Donada Peters takes a little getting used to. But those completely intolerant of her British accent deprive themselves of an excellent "read".

Excellent, sympathetic biography

This is a well-written, superbly detailed and very engaging biography of Marie Antoinette. Unlike other reviewers, I thought the narrator did an excellent job, underscoring the drama adequately, provided nice characterizations of the historical figures, and pronounced the French and other foreign names on the whole rather well. It is true that her voice can be a bit harsh at times, but I didn't find it got in the way of enjoying the book.

Very informative! Best History. It's wonderful.

Very informative and very interesting at the same time. There is an overflow of interesting information about Marie Antoinette and those close who were close to her that isn't well known. Alot of scandal and juicy details. It's hard to believe that this all really happened. There is a lot of reference information dropped causually, which adds to the credability of the book. Antonia Fraser did an excellant job helping the reader/listenter comprehend the complexity of the subject without losing interest. Infact, at times it's jaw dropping. The narrator is perfect for the job. Very well spoken and uses different accents in order help imagine the people she spoke of.

Was hoping for more dialogue.

I was hoping for dialogue between characters. I had just finished a series on Louis XV's mistresses where there was more dialogue and I guess I assumed this would be written the same way. Though this book had great information and insight into Marie Antoinette's life it could be dull at times as it just read over facts of her life. If the preview option would have been in the middle of the book instead of the introduction, I probably would not have purchased the book since my expectations were different from the product. Overall though I did enjoy the book.

Excellent book by respected author

Where does Marie Antoinette rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The second best book I have read through Audible. The first was The Presidents Club

What did you like best about this story?

As usual Antonia Fraser tells a well known subject but has a different and well researched twist.

Which character – as performed by Donada Peters – was your favorite?

Mfarie Antoinette of course

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several

Any additional comments?

I have read other books by this author and always enjoyed them

Interesting but Easy on the Details

The overall story was enjoyable and well written. However, this story drags you down with too much detail.

A groundbreaking book, but a fumnel-view of M.A.

This book is highly regarded and for the time it was published, very groundbreaking in busting the myths around Marie Antoinette. I found the first few chapters difficult for audiobook, since they mostly cover Royal family lineage and there are a bazillion names and ranks to remember. Midway, it picks up as MA becomes a Queen and ends strong with her demise. However, if you're looking for a larger view of what the Revolution was about or anything outside of palace doors, you'll be disappointed. I was as mystified as MA at deciphering the politics surrounding her. The reader is expected to have a basic knowledge of the main players of the French Revolution. Key leaders are given no backstory and even Louis XV's part in the cause of the Revolution is given short shrift. The main focus is on the daily life of MA, her relationship with her family and how she dealt with 'haters.' I feel like i know who she was as a woman now, but I'll have to read a separate book on the Revolution itself. The movie actually added more detail that wasn't in the book. Overall, I'd say read it for a foundation on MA, but go elsewhere for the bigger picture.

Great book Rough Listen

Once again Antonia Fraser does a magnificent job bringing what could be bland historical research, to life. The problem with this audiobook is the reader. Her voice, once you get used to it is fine. It is her choice of doing foreign accents, male/female voice characters and even children's voices that is .... freaky. I wanted to pull off my headset more than once. Please, next time, just a good solid read would suffice.