Marie Antoinette

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Pub Date May 02 2017 | Archive Date Jan 03 2017

Description

“The most influential biography of Marie Antoinette.” —Guardian
“Bids fair to be the definitive life of that tragic queen.” —New York Times

International Bestseller: One of the great writers of the 20th century paints a vivid portrait of one of the most famous, complex, and controversial characters in European history.
 
Stefan Zweig based his biography of Marie Antoinette, who became the Queen of France at the age of fifteen, on the correspondence between her and her mother, and her great love the Count Axel von Fersen. Zweig analyzes the chemistry of a woman’s soul from her intimate pleasures to her public suffering as a Queen under the weight of misfortune and history. Zweig describes Marie Antoinette in the King’s bedroom, in the enchanted and extravagant world of the Trianon, and with her children. And in his account of The Revolution, he describes her resolve during the failed escape to Varennes, her imprisonment in the Conciergerie and her final tragic destiny under the guillotine.
 
Stefan Zweig’s account has been the definitive biography of Marie Antoinette since its publication, inspiring Antonia Fraser and the recent film adaptation.
“The most influential biography of Marie Antoinette.” —Guardian
“Bids fair to be the definitive life of that tragic queen.” —New York Times

International Bestseller: One of the great writers of...

Advance Praise

'Certainly no one can arise unmoved from the reading of this powerful work' - The New Republic

'Excellent biography' - The New York Times

'Stefan Zweig's remarkable study of Marie Antoinette; A full-bodied biography which bids fair to be the definitive life of that tragic queen' - The New York Times

'The most influential biography of Marie Antoinette' - The Guardian

'Certainly no one can arise unmoved from the reading of this powerful work' - The New Republic

'Excellent biography' - The New York Times

'Stefan Zweig's remarkable study of Marie Antoinette; A...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781906548308
PRICE $19.95 (USD)
PAGES 592

Average rating from 8 members


Featured Reviews

'Not to idolise, not to deify, but to humanise, is the supreme task of creative psychological study'

True to his intention to 'humanise', Zweig gives us an eminently readable account of Marie Antoinette, a woman he describes as 'one who had abundant capacity and very little will'. The tone is halfway between novel and historical biography so is perfect for anyone who struggles with the drier historians. The focus, too, stays on Marie Antoinette herself, without skimping on the political background and the Revolution. With an eye on her marriage, her love-life and her inner emotions, this offers up a fully-fleshed woman more than a queen. Hugely enjoyable.

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