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The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette

A wonderful addition to her Young Royals series, Carolyn Meyer reveals a new tender side to Marie-Antoinette in The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette.  Once Austrian Princess Antonia Hapsberg, she was the 12th child of a commanding mother who arranged her marriage to Louis-Auguste Bourbon, the process of which changes her name.  Meyer presents the voice of a 12 year old child, forced to dental extractions, French lessons and rules of etiquette from her mother that become the foreshadow-laden chapter titles in the book.  France is already physically and mentally deteriorating when she arrives to marry the shy, fat Dauphin.  While she is given beautiful things to wear and attends outlandish parties, the marriage leaves Marie-Antoinette confused more than satisfied as neither Marie or Louis know how to make a baby — the purpose of the marriage.  Most readers will probably like how Meyers paints Marie as a true companion to Louis, as she works to build the relationship by learning how to ride horses so she can accompany him on hunting trips — the only passion in his life.  In this light, one sees that this loyalty to Louis is the shining jewel in her crown, even when she had the chance to love another man passionately and also escape France with her children and her life.  Instead the rules for Marie switch to “Instructions for Madame Royale”, as Marie gives instructions to her daughter and the voice switches to Marie-Therese-Charlotte de France to finish her mother’s story to the guillotine.   Historical references such as visits from Ben Franklin add to this more positive account of the French Queen, despite the title’s implications and her lavish lifestyle.  This is highly recommended for both public and high school libraries.