This paper explains that Lady Antonia Fraser's "Marie Antoinette: The Journey" is a good introduction to this period of French
history and, after more than two centuries of criticism, is a needed antidote to the bad image the
reader may have of Marie Antoinette because she is shown to be much more a victim than a victimizer. The author points out that the story is told in a straightforward fashion with numerous citations, so the interested reader can delve further if desired. The paper relates that Fraser includes a great deal of
information on the social and cultural attitudes of the time, as well as painting a picture of the world of the 18th century, especially of the world of the royals.