BKMT READING GUIDES



 
Dramatic,
Slow,
Interesting

1 review

Abundance, A Novel of Marie Antoinette (P.S.)
by Sena Jeter Naslund

Published: 2007-06-01
Paperback : 545 pages
27 members reading this now
20 clubs reading this now
5 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members

Marie Antoinette was a child of fourteen when her mother, the Empress of Austria, arranged for her to leave her family and her country to become the wife of the fifteen-year-old Dauphin, the future King of France. Coming of age in the most public of arenas—eager to be a good wife and ...

No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

Marie Antoinette was a child of fourteen when her mother, the Empress of Austria, arranged for her to leave her family and her country to become the wife of the fifteen-year-old Dauphin, the future King of France. Coming of age in the most public of arenas—eager to be a good wife and strong queen—she warmly embraces her adopted nation and its citizens. She shows her new husband nothing but love and encouragement, though he repeatedly fails to consummate their marriage and in so doing is unable to give what she and the people of France desire most: a child and an heir to the throne. Deeply disappointed and isolated in her own intimate circle, and apart from the social life of the court, she allows herself to remain ignorant of the country's growing economic and political crises, even as poor harvests, bitter winters, war debts, and poverty precipitate rebellion and revenge. The young queen, once beloved by the common folk, becomes a target of scorn, cruelty, and hatred as she, the court's nobles, and the rest of the royal family are caught up in the nightmarish violence of a murderous time called "the Terror."

With penetrating insight and with wondrous narrative skill, Sena Jeter Naslund offers an intimate, fresh, heartbreaking, and dramatic reimagining of this truly compelling woman that goes far beyond popular myth—and she makes a bygone time of tumultuous change as real to us as the one we are living in now.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

No Excerpt Currently Available

Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

monarch dynasties in history that ended in bloodshed or exile
by clairedoll (see profile) 06/26/09

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

No special menu, could have had French wine
by clairedoll (see profile) 06/26/09
We did want to see in what museums housed the portraits of Marie and her family and Sofia Coppola's movie "Marie Antoinette" was discussed for a group viewing.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Julie R. (see profile) 02/20/20

 
by Monica T. (see profile) 01/28/20

 
  "abundance, a novel of marie antoinette"by claire d. (see profile) 06/26/09

Very informative of the French Revolution from a female's (Marie's) point of few. Same social issues exist today as back then. The old adage "history repeats itself" is so true. Very well written. One... (read more)

 
  "I was disappointed in this book."by Christine L. (see profile) 02/19/09

After reading Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund I was really excited to get into this one but it just didn't do it for me! I found it long and tedious and I didn't think she developed her characters as... (read more)

 
  "Good book for those who are really interested in ths period of history. somewhat long"by Rosemary H. (see profile) 11/23/08

 
  "Complete and concise"by Mel M. (see profile) 10/01/08

We enjoyed the fact that the author did not deviate from the truth and did in fact portray Marie Antoinette with truth and clarity.

As a consquence several members have done alternate res

... (read more)

 
  "Well Done!"by Cynthia H. (see profile) 09/15/08

I loved the details of this novel. Sena Jeter Naslund makes one feel that they are experiencing this first hand. The story itself is difficult, but masterfully told.

 
  "Highly Recommend"by Carin B. (see profile) 08/08/08

 
  "Abundance tugs at you emotionally..."by Melissa R. (see profile) 08/07/08

Strong character building combined with historical perspective equals smooth, interesting read. We all know how this ends, but catch ourselves wishing for some sort of saving grace for the innocent, and... (read more)

 
  "Wonderful Book"by Rhona L. (see profile) 06/28/08

If you like historical fiction, then this book is for you. There's a lot to discuss for book clubs.

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...