The Wardrobe Mistress: A Novel of Marie Antoinette

I love reading historical fiction about the French Revolution/Marie Antoinette. It is fascinating to learn about how the nobility lived during that time, and the horrific way they were disposed of. Unfortunately, I have found that there are not many historical fiction novels that take place during this time, good ones that is. I was excited when I came across this novel, and it grabbed my interest right away. I read through it pretty quickly, not only because it is an easy read, but also because it is exceptionally well-written. The main character's point of view is great, because she gets to see both sides of the coin when it comes to the French Revolution. She works for Marie Antoinette, so she feels empathy for her and her family during this time, but she also is friends with and engaged to people who are involved in and strong believers of the Revolution. The only thing that annoyed me is how Giselle (the main character) lets her fiance treat her. However, that is me as a modern woman looking at it from my point of view, so I definitely don't judge it harshly.I would 100% recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. The author does a great job at staying true to history while still creating an interesting story that feels real. I can definitely imagine that there were people in the royal household who struggled with choosing sides during the turmoil that was the French Revolution.

I love historical fiction, but have become picky about the books I will read to the end. When you start The Wardrobe Mistress you are deep in the story, the setting, and the history, right away. The rich descriptions are wonderful, and the tension of the story (clearly based on detailed research) never lets up. We know how Marie Antoinette's story ends, but Chapter 24 is a compelling scene that makes you feel as if you are right next to the guillotine. Even if you are not a history buff, this is a very good read.

Overall a good story and historically accurate for the most part. Interesting perspective as well. It took me awhile to get into, I didn’t really get enthralled until the last couple of chapters. The character makes logical (and usually safe) decisions for the most part which lead to logical (and usually safe) results. Good story, might read again, but not in my top 5.

I enjoyed this novel as having lived in Paris I love to read historical based novels. Marie Antoinette and the Revolution in particular always capture my interest. Perhaps not quite as engaging as the Tillar Mazeo book, but engaging non the less. Well done!

THE WARDROBE MISTRESS combines a likable protagonist, vivid historical details, an exciting romance, and an unconventional portrayal of the infamous Marie Antoinette. It's enjoyable and fast-paced, and I highly recommend it!

I really liked this book. It kept my interest and had a lot of history in it.

I would definitely recommend this!

If you are interested in learning about the French Revolution, you will enjoy this book. It provides a wide brushstroke of historical information told in the point of view of an undertirewoman in Marie Antoinette's court. In a way, this book had the feel of a young adult novel with the exception of two sex scenes that would put it in the adult category, so if you have a teenager (older than 16) who you might feel would benefit from learning about this incredible historical event and you don't mind the sex, you might want to introduce it to him or her. It has a little of everything in it--adventure, intrigue, history, and romance.

Incredible book!