One of our general rules is that our book club does not read biographies. However, if someone is itching to pick one up, I would highly recommend Marie Antoinette: The Journey. The author, Antonia Fraser, does not even attempt to hide the fact that the last queen of France was not a natural born leader. What she does do is focus on Her Majesty as a person set up to fail by explaining with great detail each disastrous decision - no matter how small - that led to her unfortunate end.
Note: Fashionistas will love reading about how the Queen was practically an 18th century Coco Chanel.
Still not interested? Check out the movie. Even though the French were not happy with Sophia Coppola casting Kirsten Dunst as the most famous Versailles resident, I thought the film was fabulous and could not get enough of the costume design. And in terms of "fancifulness," no one can argue against the fact that Marie Antoinette is marked in history, at least in part, by her unrestrained imagination.
One Last Thing Before The Weekend Sets You Free:
Forget the fact that Marie Antoinette most likely never said "Let Them Eat Cake" (you will have to read the book), the phrase and French pastries on this cover remind me of how much I enjoyed reading this book. You can buy your own at Etsy.
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