Friday, November 2, 2012

{Book Tour} Review and Giveaway: Tales of Splendor, Tales of Sorrow by Juliet Grey

Winner:  Anita Yancey


My thoughts:
Marie Antoinette's story is so well known to many of us so I would imagine writing about her life in new and fresh ways is a difficult task.  Fortunately, Juliet Grey does not have this problem.  I have always been interested in Antoinette's story.  As a child, I devoured every book I could find about her.  I truly believe that Ms. Grey has captured the essence of who Antoinette was.  A figure that has been much maligned in history who was actually a caring soul and someone who was loyal to her husband and to the country to which she became a transplant.  While reading, I was transported to that time and place.  The book really makes the reader feel as if she is part of the book.  The characters are so engaging and the dialogue is natural.  This is actually the middle book of a planned trilogy, with Becoming Marie Antoinette being the first.  I now must go back and read the first and then look forward longingly to the final book.  Well done, Juliet Grey!



About the book:
A captivating novel of rich spectacle and royal scandal, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow spans fifteen years in the fateful reign of Marie Antoinette, France’s most legendary and notorious queen.

Paris, 1774. At the tender age of eighteen, Marie Antoinette ascends to the French throne alongside her husband, Louis XVI. But behind the extravagance of the young queen’s elaborate silk gowns and dizzyingly high coiffures, she harbors deeper fears for her future and that of the Bourbon dynasty.

From the early growing pains of marriage to the joy of conceiving a child, from her passion for Swedish military attaché Axel von Fersen to the devastating Affair of the Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette tries to rise above the gossip and rivalries that encircle her. But as revolution blossoms in America, a much larger threat looms beyond the gilded gates of Versailles—one that could sweep away the French monarchy forever.


About the author:
Juliet Grey is the author of Becoming Marie Antoinette. She has extensively researched European royalty and is a particular devotee of Marie Antoinette, as well as a classically trained professional actress with numerous portrayals of virgins, vixens, and villainesses to her credit. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and southern Vermont.

Tour Schedule
Twitter Event Hashtag: #DaysOfSplendorVirtualTour

Publication Date: May 15, 2012 | Ballantine Books | 448p

GIVEAWAY
One copy of the book.  Open to US/Canada.  To enter, please leave a comment telling me your opinion of Marie Antoinette, good or bad, and leave your email address.  Giveaway will end on Friday, November 23 at 11:59pm CST.  Good luck!
  
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12 comments:

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  1. I'm one of those with mixed feelings about Marie Antoinette, never been a real fan, but maybe I need to read a novel that is sympathetic to her. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Don't really have an opinion about her. I think she's interesting.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  3. My opinion is good really. I don't think she is so bad. There have certainly been much worse royals before her. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  4. I'm with Margaret on that. There are much worse. That said, my opinions are formed from movies and the BBC, thanks to DVDs and Netflix! I think the last movie was where Kirsten Dunst played Marie Antoinette. Did you see that one?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read your first book on Marie A and loved the detail, background and information. I was always curious about her and your book gave me more than I expected and wanting more. Marie was spoiled yet naive and narcissistic yet your information seems to allow her to be the way she is because of her background.
    Mary
    suekeemary@gmail.com

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  6. I'm not very informed on her so I currently don't have an opinion

    Kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I actually have a good opinion of her, I do think she is misunderstood. I might have been influenced by the first book in the series though, b/c it paints marie in a very good light. She seemed to have cared about the people of her country instead of having the 'let them eat cake' attitude.

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

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  8. I guess you could say I think Marie is good and I can't really give you a reason why but I find her very intriguing. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  9. I forgot to to give you my email - it is griperang at embarqmail dot com

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  10. Marie Antoinette...where to begin? At times I seriously think she was just concerned with herself and not really aware of what was going on around her. I would even go as far to say that she was an air head. But I do love that comment she said, that she is now famous for, 'Let them eat cake.' I love that statement for some reason. Please enter me in the giveaway, my email is girllostinabook@hotmail.com

    Kimberlee
    http://girllostinabook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Having spent a day at Versailles a few years ago I am intrigued by the woman. I am also loving the cover.
    stacybooks at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't really know much about her so I don't have an opinion. But the book sounds great and I'd love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
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