Monday, June 25, 2012

Book Review and Autographed Giveaway: DAYS OF SPLENDOR, DAYS OF SORROW



This second book of Juliet Grey’s Marie Antoinette trilogy exceeded- by far, all my expectations.  In the author’s first book,  Becoming Marie Antoinette, we read about Antonia and how she, at a very young age becomes Queen of France- a most delightful read from beginning to end (read my review here)- So much so that I named it my favourite read of 2011.  So how was Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow, going to compare, or better yet; give me more to get excited about?

Detailed to perfection at what is now customary Juliet Grey style, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow, does not disappoint.  Marie Antoinette blossoms into her own woman going through many peeling and riveting stages.  

Her life is initially filled with the border-line obsession of finally consummating her marriage for the ultimate goal of bearing an heir to the French throne.  Infinitely troubled by this freakish circumstance for several unbearable years, (ultimately due to the couple’s ingenuousness and failure to seek proper medical intervention), Marie Antoinette desperately needed a diversion.  

Young and carefree, but nonetheless suffocating behind those palace walls, Marie Antoinette chose to keep a close-knit entourage to help alleviate her sadness.  She enjoyed her late card games, her fashion, her theatre and her beloved Petit Trianon, where she could be herself. Her every move at court though, was hence discriminated.  

Finally, through motherhood and an heir to the throne –Marie Antoinette thought she had finally achieved happiness and won the love of her people...hmmm.  Louis and Marie Antoinette shared a unique bond, but apparently another highly regarded male friend, Axel von Fersen, also held a special place in Marie Antoinette’s heart… 

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is Marie Antoinettes’ rise to womanhood through splendor, carefree times, love, friendship, motherhood but along with that followed: worries, hurt, tragedies, defamation, betrayals, remorse, and as well, a rise to maturity. 

I think what I love most about this novel is precisely the way Marie Antoinette is portrayed.  Juliet Grey does not create an untouchable, pure Marie Antoinette-nor does she follow those who have much maligned her in history.  In this novel, Marie Antoinette encompasses the roles of queen, wife, mother, lover and friend in their purest form; told as is, without pretension.

My favourite part of the book was definitely the necklace affair.  So much has been written on this topic already, yet in this novel it is told in even greater depth- almost like a minute by minute retelling of the facts-  the story flowing with flawless elements and way more information than I have ever read before. Incredibly interesting!

Every little detail in this book is delectable, and I savoured it thoroughly.  Written in good taste, nothing is amiss, and everything is possible.  A work of fiction, yet written with such precise historical details, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is much more than just another Marie Antoinette story! I can't wait for the next and final book of this amazing trilogy.  Excellent!

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!!

Juliet Grey is graciously offering one of my followers an autographed copy of 

Thank you, Juliet Grey!!

TO ENTER 
(Please note: You must be a follower of this blog)

1) Please leave your comment to enter
2) For every Tweet, FB, or Blog Post, Linkedin...you get an extra chance (come back and post link in comment)

Open to Us and Canada only- Winner Announced on Monday, July 1st- CANADA DAY!
Good Luck!

27 comments:

Linda said...

I would love to win this novel. I enjoy books set during this period of the French Revolution. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Candace said...

Hi, I am a new follower from Book Blogs! I would love a follow back at : http://endlessdaysofbooks.blogspot.com/

brokenteepee said...

I follow
http://www.facebook.com/pattyleonardwoodland/posts/315437798549994

https://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/217404571750903809

Thank you! I loved the first book.
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Ingrid Mida said...

Dear Lucy,
It has been so long since I've had time to visit my blogging friends and here you are posting a book about Marie Antoinette. She seems to be everywhere again....
This sounds like the perfect summer break for my overly academic reading load. Looking forward to it based on your review. Hope all is well.
Best wishes!

Bonnie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bonnie said...

Days of Summer, Days of Sorrow sounds like the perfect book to read this summer! I would also like to read Juliet Grey's first book too. Your reviews are wonderful and really peaked my interest. I would love to win a signed copy of Days of Summer, Days of Sorrow. I also made a post on my blog at LoveYourPlace in hopes it will help, and send more interest your way too. Thank you so much for offering such a wonderful giveaway! Bonnie ~ http://loveyourplace.blogspot.com/2012/06/days-of-splendor-days-of-sorrow-book.html (I'm at bjpdesigns at aol.com)

Unknown said...

I love your book cover, really caught my attention and your blog is decorated beautifully! :)

steelers1099@gmail.com said...

I would love to have the chance to win Days of Splendor Days of Sorrow. I love historical reads. I enjoyed your review of the book.

Meg @ A Bookish Affair said...

As much as I've read about Marie Antoinette, I don't think I've read a historical fiction that focuses just on her!

abookishaffair(at)gmail(dot)com

Meg @ A Bookish Affair said...

I posted on FB.

http://www.facebook.com/abookishaffair

Meg @ A Bookish Affair said...

I tweeted!

https://twitter.com/abookishaffair/status/217594595276623873

Christina / Book Addict said...

Thanks for this great review and giveaway. I loved book one and have been dying to know what happens next! I am a follower through GFC. Chris327@mac.com

Rachel said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

Oh, how I want to read this book! I so enjoyed chatting with the author at Amy's awhile back. Thanks for the chance!

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

tweeted: https://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/217674930580504576

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

Posted to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellestockardmiller/posts/489835974365178

Literary Chanteuse said...

Love the Antoinette story. I'd love to read this!

-tweeted Margaret ‏@LiteraryChanteu

http://enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.ca/2012/06/book-review-and-autographed-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+EnchantedByJosephine-CelebratesWomenInHistory+%28Enchanted+by+Josephine+-+Celebrates+Women+in+History%29

-fb https://www.facebook.com/margaret.literarychanteuse

-linkedin Margaret Literary Chanteuse http://lnkd.in/bwUZ3d

Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

Martha Lawson said...

This one sounds really great! Marie Antoinette has always fascinated me. I'd love to be entered to win.

gfc follower

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Hot Off the Shelves said...

I have always loved the story of Marie Antoinette, but hadn't heard of this series yet. If I don't win - onto the wishlist it goes.

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jennifer Irving said...

I love these types of stories... I definitely want to read this!!

Reader Unfolded said...

I have been wanting to read this series. I love anything about Marie Antoinette. I would love to win! My email is erikadlugo (at) yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I heve never read anything of Juliet Gray's ......

Sandra K321 said...

I follow you with GFC as Sandra K321. I enjoy historical fiction novels as I like to feel that I've learned something from a book.

Nancy said...

I'd love to read this, too. Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Hi, can you tell me what.....? Thank you.

mamabunny13 said...

Sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/219866972203130880

mamabunny13 at gmail dot com