I didn't find Marie Antoinette nearly as compelling as Naslund's heroine from Ahab's Wife, and maybe that was the real problem: to do this one justice, maybe it should have come first. I kept waiting for new insights, or a new way to look at things, or just something a bit more profound. But Marie A. was a girl who wanted only simple pleasures and the quiet joys of motherhood. Her story was certainly sad in many ways, but I found it less than compelling most of the time.

I often felt like many of the events came out of nowhere, as my knowledge of the French Revolution and what led up to it is sketchy at best. On reflection I think that maybe this was deliberate on Naslund's part: after all, the young Queen was sort of existing in a bubble there at Versailles, so would not have had her finger on the pulse of the masses either. So the reader sort of felt as shocked as she did when things began to get ugly.

The story dragged for a time somewhere just after the midpoint; I just kind of wanted it to end. But of course we all know how it ends, so I then started to dread the conclusion because I really wanted a different outcome for her and her children.

I do like the fact that this presented a kinder, gentler, more human Marie Antoinette than I remember from my history lessons.

I'll be sending this off to istop4books some time this week as part of a trade. Hope you enjoy it! :-)

Just came in today's mail as part of a postal trade. Will read for June book club. Thanks so much and thanks for the lovely postcard!

This book got postponed for September bookclub as there was not enough time for everyone to buy the paperback (which came out in June). Currently on loan to Kristen.

Guinneth - your comments reflect my feelings to a T. I didn't like her style of writing in the first person, present tense; I also didn't like not knowing what was factual and what was made up. For example, much of the correspondence between Marie Antoinette and her mother is documented. Were the letters that are in Abundance a reflection of that correspondence, or just part of the fictionalized version? I'd like to know. Also, because of the way the book was written, there was very little area for reflexion or explanation of what was going on in the world at the time of the Revolution. For example - why didn't any foreign country come to the aid of the royals? Also, the consummation of her marriage was a big part of the book; is this based on fact? I guess I'll just have to find out from another source. There is a great book called "To the Scaffold" don't remember the author, but it is factual. I might have to reread it to figure this one out.

Thanks again Guinneth for the trade!

Sending out to Kookaburra as a surprise RABCK as part of the Holiday Gift Giving Thread. Enjoy!!

Huzzah hooray!
Thank you so much for sending me this book from my wishlist, istop4books! I look forward to reading this one. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season :)

I was lucky enough to receive a hardcover copy of this book, so I shall set this copy traveling once more. I hope to get around to reading my copy soon!

Thanks again for sending this book to me! I'm sorry it has taken me so long to (not) get around to it!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

sent to spuddossis because it was on her wishlist as a RABCK!

Received today as a RABCK this wishlist book from the very generous k00kaburra! Thanks so, so much! What a nice thing to find in my mailbox when I got home today!

Finally pulled this one down from Mt. TBR and so glad I did! Enjoyed this book thoroughly as much as I enjoyed her "Ahab's Wife." It is now available for trade or release.