Title: The Paris of Marie Antoinette. Everything you guide me
Author: Alice Mortal
Data: 2010, 256 p., paperback
Publisher: Damocles (necklace Essays)
Website author: Mortal Alice
I've already talked about this wonderful and useful guide, but does not go into that, which I intend to do so in this post, because I think very worthwhile dwell on the contents of this book, very well written and interesting, besides the fact that I had the chance to personally put questions to the author, who has been a very kind and helpful person.
Even today many people, obviously poorly informed, have a tendency to associate the name of Marie Antoinette as famous as the puzzling statement: 'If the people did not bread, let them eat brioche! ' .
We were wrong when you consider that Marie Antoinette did not say, I never dreamed it would be unfortunate to say those words.
So who was this interview that many Regina paint again as one who, with their greed and wickedness, he dragged a whole country in ruins?
He explains in his book Alice Mortal The Paris of Marie Antoinette , taking his hand and takes you step by step, in the places that were the backdrop to the life of this unfortunate and misunderstood sovereign, from the splendours of Versailles Tetra cell in the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette spent her last days. With a
flowing and elegant writing, the author introduces us to all the most important events in the existence of the Queen, leaving no stone unturned, but using a code narrative of refined simplicity and directness, which makes the text enjoyable and useful to anyone, even those who has never approached the character. The ability to Alice Mortals is precisely to engage the reader, to do so passionate about, leading to a path attractive and charming, when driving through the city add depth and accurate understanding of history, the result of a long and careful study .
And so, from its pages, it emerges a vivid portrait of a woman who changes over time, little more than a child when he came to Versailles, Marie Antoinette did talk about himself the whole court with his recklessness as the game, jewelry, clothes and improbable hairstyles, a real 'Queen of fashion', he thought the most fun to duty. No one guessed that behind this frivolous and wasteful attitude was concealed and wounded soul: the soul of a woman humiliated by a husband too many nights totally inadequate.
When, after seven long years, the wedding will be finally consumed with motherhood Queen finally reach equilibrium, putting aside the pleasures and recklessness of youth, but will be too late. The label that has stuck on the whole court is to 'Madame Deficit', and the history of France is rapidly heading towards a tragic and dramatic change, so quickly that Marie Antoinette will never succeed in changing the view negative that his subjects have been made over the years will pay their own mistakes and sins he never committed to humiliation and losses, and only in desperation bring out the best part of himself, staying in front of adversity head-up last, tragic ending.
The Paris of Marie Antoinette is an exciting account of the life of this woman, and is a guide through the city that welcomed her with open arms upon his arrival, only to repudiate it in the end. Every place, every building, theater, cafes, prison, the square that was the backdrop to a part of his existence is duly registered by the mortals, who cares to report the museums containing the few surviving relics of the Revolution, and the most curious sites such as the address on the site of the studio of Madame Bertin, a dressmaker to Marie Antoinette, and the pharmacy, which still exists, where the Count Hans Axel von Fersen bought the invisible ink to write to his beloved. In the bottom of the text are indicated times and addresses of all the places mentioned, plus a useful and elegant map of the city, where the stages are indicated by a rose.
favorite flower of Queen .
And now for the interview with the author, who has been kind enough to provide most of his time to answer these questions.
• Hello Alice, welcome to this blog! Tell us a little 'you, how did your passion for writing?
Hello and thanks the invitation. The passion for writing came to really love the character. Let me explain: this book is the result of research carried out, at least initially, mainly for the consumption personal. I was looking for more information on possible locations in Paris linked to a figure from which I was, for quite some time, literally spellbound. When after a series of lectures, research and travel, the amount of information has become substantial, I decided to throw down some sort of plot that slowly became a manuscript of 250 pages. I did not start to write with the idea that one day someone might read and perhaps an interest in my work, but when it happened it was really wonderful.
• As we develop your interest in Marie Antoinette? What is the aspect that most impressed you this unfortunate sovereign?
The interest in Marie Antoinette was born almost by accident. I've always been a huge fan of history and art. Since adolescence, I began to read biographies of important historical figures of the past, especially for women. Then four years ago by chance I read the biography of English writer Antonia Fraser's "Marie Antoinette. The loneliness of a queen." Despite being a book in itself very accurate, I decided to dig deeper and investigate more about this fascinating character: Marie Antoinette I had already hit the heart. As I wrote in the book, the life of Marie Antoinette can not fail to fascinate: When you told her story goes from gold and opulence of the Palace of Versailles, the desolation of more filthy prisons, the frivolity and happiness, the tragedy and pain. Maria Antonietta charms and stuns for his style, his unusual life as a couple, for his "madness" as the Hameau at the Trianon, the hairstyles, the gold and jewels. But then, without even realizing it, going a little deeper, you find yourself in front of a woman alone, unloved (if not compliant with friends and maybe a charming Swedish count), a mother who has seen two of his dying four children, a queen who has lost his throne, a widow who killed her husband, a prisoner who just 37 years will also lose his life, without ever losing the fortitude and dignity.
• While doing your research on the field, such as stage of this process has excited you most? And what do you consider truly essential for anyone who wants to get closer to Marie Antoinette through places that were the backdrop to his life?
Each site visited has aroused in me strong emotions from anguish to wonder, until the commotion. Of all the places he visited but I think the greatest thrill was visiting the private apartments of the Queen at the Palace of Versailles in these rooms reserved and not very well frequented by tourists, for the first time I had the feeling of coming into contact with his being and his daily life. You get the impression that the Regina has just moved away and it will return at any moment. Among the steps necessary for any fan of the Queen of course recommend the Palace of Versailles, perhaps with a visit to the private apartments, the Petit Trianon, the prison of the Conciergerie and the basilica of Saint-Denis. Among the museum, a must in my view, the visit to the Carnavalet museum that preserves some precious and rare relics.
• Do you think that a character discussed as Marie Antoinette has something to teach even today?
The strongest message coming from the "woman" Marie Antoinette, not the "queen" is obviously impossible today to share the values \u200b\u200band customs monarchists the era in which the lived. So I think the woman should be valued above all Marie Antoinette for the way it has remained true to his beliefs and values, without hesitation, never, even in the face of death. Even if in extremis, was able to cancel your Marie Antoinette frivolous and carefree and leave to posterity a more powerful and lasting: the woman and the mother in the darkest moment of his life find the strength to defend its ideals and the future of its children.
• In recent years, to complete your work, have made several trips to Paris. How is your relationship with this city?
I think Paris is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world, a veritable treasure trove of art and story without end: in practice, is my ideal city. During the research for the book, I was in Paris five times in three years. The trips were veritable tour de force: too many things to see, to seek, to ask and always too little time. During these visits I was able to meet people of infinite kindness and availability, such as two highly trained Conferencier the Palace of Versailles, but also rude and disrespectful people like "nice" concierge of the National Archives. Apart from these little mishaps, Paris is a unique and wonderful city which I remember wonderful, from which you can not stay away too long.
• To write this guide you have seen a great deal of fine material, as evidenced by the references given there, it was difficult to find all the information you need?
Yes, find the necessary material was the tricky part: many very valid work written about the Queen are unfortunately out of print and very often only available in France. From this point of view, the research has not always been easy. It must be said, however, I received a valuable and irreplaceable support from some highly trained and enthusiastic members of the forum site www.ladyreading.net.
Without their support I would not be never been able to complete my work and so I take this opportunity to thank them all, one by one.
• Have you any advice for anyone wanting to begin a book about a historical figure?
My advice is to choose a theme or character that you are really interested: I read personally for more than three years only documents and books about Marie Antoinette and if I had not had a strong curiosity and passion for the character I do not think I would have never succeeded. Second important thing is to control the sources of writing history is difficult and there is often over rough terrain. We must check and verify the infinite dates, names, events, you can not afford to invent anything, especially if the goal is to be published. From this point of view, it is essential to subject the work judged by more than one person responsible before you start to send the manuscript to various publishing houses: When you re-read your writing for the hundredth time you run the risk of not seeing more their mistakes .. I know something.
• Thank you for your time dedicated to Alice! Finally, you want to add something about your book?
I take this opportunity to thank all those who read and enjoyed my book. I often get emails from people who have been affected by the smoothness and the ease with which they are exposed to events perhaps unknown to most. My intention was just to write a book for everyone, not just to fans and lovers of the Queen. The greatest satisfaction is knowing that even those who previously had never heard of the unfortunate sovereign, thanks to my book was able to approach the character and maybe decided to spend an unusual weekend in Paris with "Paris of Marie Antoinette" in his pocket.
Thank you and congratulations for this fine and very interesting blog.
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