Histoire de Marie-Antoinette: Nouvelle édition revue et augmentée

Summary

"Histoire de Marie-Antoinette" by Edmond de Goncourt and Jules de Goncourt is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book explores the life and times of Marie-Antoinette, the infamous queen of France, starting from her early years through her marriage to Louis XVI and the complex politics of the French court. The authors aim to present a detailed portrait of the queen, highlighting both her personal character and the broader historical context in which she lived. The opening of the book sets the stage for Marie-Antoinette's life against the backdrop of a declining France in the 18th century and introduces her birth in the context of diplomatic maneuvers, as she is seen as a pawn in the political alliance between France and Austria. It details her journey from Austria to France, where she is presented as a young Bride at a time of national strife and royal tensions. The arrival of the Dauphine at the French court is met with both celebration and underlying political intrigue, reflecting her dual role as a royal figure and a foreigner navigating the complexities of French society and court life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)