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Farewell, My Queen (2002)

by Chantal Thomas

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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2841292,079 (3.49)19
Detailed and dramatic novel narrated by Agathe-Sidonie Laborde, companion and lectrice to Marie-Antoinette. On the day of her sixty-fifth birthday in Vienna 1810, Agathe looks back on the most tumultuous days of her life. The action begins on 14 July 1789 and details the last hours during which Louis XVI, the close associates of the royal family and most of the Court flee from Versailles. Told in a simple but pacy and engaging manner, the narrator recounts, in intimate detail, the last days of the queen and the various intrigues which are thrown up as the Court disintegrates. This is a fantastically commercial book which transports the reader back to 1789 and is written with great drive and narrative tension. Chantal Thomas is a specialist of the period so the novel is also based on years of historical research.… (more)
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» See also 19 mentions

English (11)  French (1)  All languages (12)
Showing 1-5 of 11 (next | show all)
The book is translated quite well from French, originally, I think in 2002. I reviewed the film for my newspaper and, without my knowing much European history (sadly), I was moved by it to read the book and do a little other reading to fill in some of the gaps in my understanding. The book, narrated in first person by the protagonist, did not make her as much a figure of mystery as did the film. Sidonie Laborde, a reader to Queen Marie Antoinette at the court in Versailles, loves her. The book implies a relationship with some sexual elements between the queen and her friend/courtier Madame Gabrielle de Polignac, which Sidonie notices. Sidonie has many sources of information about goings on at court and also about what is happening in Paris. What is happening in Paris is that the bourgeoisie and the workers are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with having to bear the weight by taxation of a basically bankrupt economy. The nobility and the clergy are exempt, though of course it is they who continue to, for example, eat well, while many do not. The people storm the Bastille and a pamphlet is sent around which contains a list of the "268 heads that must fall." Finally, the king, queen, and nobility begin to understand just how serious this is. We follow the Queen's reader through the beginnings of the French Revolution and the fall of the Chateau in Versailles.

Some melodrama appears from time to time as Sidonie and those around her become upset. It is more than balanced by the description and dialogue. I'd give this a 3.75 stars if I could







Here is the link to my review of the film, if anyone is interested:
http://evanstonroundtable.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&Articl... ( )
  NatalieSW | Jan 1, 2015 |
Farewell My Queen has some great writing, some great scenes, some great impressions, but much of it is dull and uneven.

It recounts, almost hour-by-hour, Versailles on July 14th-16th 1789. The first day is a normal one as courtiers and servants do what courtiers and servants do. The second day begins with the residents learning that the King was awoken in the middle of the night to be told about the Bastille. By the third day everyone is making plans to flee and the monarchy appears to be over.

The story is told in flashbacks from the perspective of then-young woman who was a backup reader to Marie Antoinette. Her flashbacks are largely a series of people she interacted with and scenes she witnessed, like the animal keeper lamenting the death of his animals, the official court historian who is on volume 7 of his history, the man in charge of the household who is being ignored as everyone flees, and several other characters. The depiction of Marie Antoinette wandering around alone, knocking on doors and attempting--without success--to enter them is particularly moving, as Chantal Thomas explains that these are the first times she has even touched a door. It is interesting to understand that there is something infantile about the kings and queens who were helpless without people doing even the basic things for them.

It starts out telling all of these events in a witty and amusing manner. But then the method of telling does not sustain interest for the entire book, although it picks up again at the end when everyone is fleeing Versailles. ( )
  nosajeel | Jun 21, 2014 |
-- Although I studied French language through college I didn't understand origins of Bastille Day until I read FAREWELL, MY QUEEN, a novel by Chantal Thomas. In 1789 Madame Agathe Sidonie Laborde is Queen Marie Antoinette's reader (& FAREWELL, MY QUEEN's storyteller). They live at Versailles in France. Madame Laborde describes rooms & passages in the chateau, servant roles, & royal famiy members. The Bastille was a prison in Paris. In mid-July 1789 inmates along with ordinary citizens revolted against royalty. Wearing a disguise Madame Laborde left Versailles on July 16, 1789. Safely in Vienna 20 yrs. later she tells her story of being reader to Marie Antoinette. Author Thomas is qualified to write this historical novel. She is Director of Research at National Center of Scientific Research in France & an 18th century literature specialist. She & FAREWELL, MY QUEEN won the Prix Femina in 2002. In 2012 film version was released. -- ( )
  MinaIsham | Aug 7, 2013 |
Farewell My Queen has some great writing, some great scenes, some great impressions, but much of it is dull and uneven.

It recounts, almost hour-by-hour, Versailles on July 14th-16th 1789. The first day is a normal one as courtiers and servants do what courtiers and servants do. The second day begins with the residents learning that the King was awoken in the middle of the night to be told about the Bastille. By the third day everyone is making plans to flee and the monarchy appears to be over.

The story is told in flashbacks from the perspective of then-young woman who was a backup reader to Marie Antoinette. Her flashbacks are largely a series of people she interacted with and scenes she witnessed, like the animal keeper lamenting the death of his animals, the official court historian who is on volume 7 of his history, the man in charge of the household who is being ignored as everyone flees, and several other characters. The depiction of Marie Antoinette wandering around alone, knocking on doors and attempting--without success--to enter them is particularly moving, as Chantal Thomas explains that these are the first times she has even touched a door. It is interesting to understand that there is something infantile about the kings and queens who were helpless without people doing even the basic things for them.

It starts out telling all of these events in a witty and amusing manner. But then the method of telling does not sustain interest for the entire book, although it picks up again at the end when everyone is fleeing Versailles. ( )
1 vote jasonlf | Aug 14, 2012 |
The last week of Marie-Antionette's freedom as a Queen recounted through the eyes and memories of a woman whose function was to read books aloud to the Queen of France. The tone reminded me of 'Rebecca' - Intriguing look into the royal court during those tumultuous last days at Versailles. There are a lot of characters, so focus on just the most relevant or you will get lost with all the names. Highly recommend for those who love historical fiction. ( )
  cooperca05 | Jan 24, 2010 |
Showing 1-5 of 11 (next | show all)
Dans les pas d'Agathe Sidonie, le lecteur découvre les personnages du château, de "l'amoureux de la reine" à "la Panique", cette gueuse qui, le 16 juillet, parvient à interrompre le cérémonial du dîner et à jeter un rat mort au milieu de la table du monarque. Le tout, enlevé dans un phrasé lent et somptueux de cérémonie royale, fait des "Adieux à la reine" un livre très passionnant. Et même, si l'on y regarde de près, tout à fait d'actualité...
added by Ariane65 | editLe Point, Jean Pierrard (Nov 8, 2002)
 
De jour en jour, même ici, la Révolution semble inéluctable. Et le monde ancien, frivole, léger, d'une mortelle beauté, pressent qu'il va s'éteindre à jamais. Chantal Thomas nous le donne à sentir avec une grâce infinie, fait deviner la grande histoire par l'anecdote, le fracas de la Révolution par le silence apeuré des aristocrates, l'émergence du peuple par la fuite des favoris. De ce récit en creux de la tourmente, du basculement dans la modernité, on sort ébloui. L'auteur a ressuscité tout un art de vivre, de jouir dans l'instant et le non-dit, et nous l'a fait aimer, comme Marie-Antoinette aime Gabrielle. Sans même y penser.
added by Ariane65 | editTélérama, Fabienne Pascaud (Oct 2, 2002)
 
C'était un autre temps, un autre monde dont le prince de Talleyrand gardera la nostalgie: «Qui n'a pas vécu à cette époque n'a pas connu la douceur de vivre.» Grâce soit rendue à Chantal Thomas de nous la restituer intacte, style y compris, dominant son émotion pour mieux susciter la nôtre.
added by Ariane65 | editMagazine Lire, Gabrielle Rolin (Sep 1, 2002)
 
En choisissant, parmi les obscurs de Versailles, une lectrice adjointe, Mme Laborde, dont elle invente le destin minuscule, Chantal Thomas met en scène le bref moment où, en romancière inspirée, elle voit l'effondrement d'un monde, dont la souveraine se réduit presque à une figure allégorique. A travers les trois folles journées - et la nuit appartient pleinement à cette dramaturgie du retournement - qui séparent la prise de la Bastille, et l'incrédulité de "ce pays-ci" face à l'événement, et la fuite des courtisans, brouillon carnaval d'un triste grotesque, c'est le dérèglement de l'impitoyable mécanique de Versailles qui se joue ... Chantal Thomas sait rendre à merveille l'envers de cette "providence" qui faisait admettre qu'à la Cour "tout peut advenir". Une prouesse littéraire inattendue.
added by Ariane65 | editLe Monde, Philippe-Jean Catinchi (Aug 30, 2002)
 

» Add other authors (1 possible)

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Chantal Thomasprimary authorall editionscalculated
Black, MoisheTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Je m'appelle Agathe-Sidonie Laborde, un nom rarement prononcé, presque un secret.
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Detailed and dramatic novel narrated by Agathe-Sidonie Laborde, companion and lectrice to Marie-Antoinette. On the day of her sixty-fifth birthday in Vienna 1810, Agathe looks back on the most tumultuous days of her life. The action begins on 14 July 1789 and details the last hours during which Louis XVI, the close associates of the royal family and most of the Court flee from Versailles. Told in a simple but pacy and engaging manner, the narrator recounts, in intimate detail, the last days of the queen and the various intrigues which are thrown up as the Court disintegrates. This is a fantastically commercial book which transports the reader back to 1789 and is written with great drive and narrative tension. Chantal Thomas is a specialist of the period so the novel is also based on years of historical research.

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