On the whole, I enjoyed Diana Giovinazzo's historical fiction novel Antoinette's Sister (#1,094). The subject is Maria Carolina Charlotte, sister of Marie Antoinette, who became Queen of the Two Sicilies quite by chance.
The book alternates between Charlotte's first person narratives, and a series of letters to her from various correspondents: her mother, the Empress Marie Therese, her siblings and other characters pertinent to the story. I did find this device a bit confusing, as the narratives and the letters don't always synch in time, and tend to jump backwards and forwards in history.
I really didn't know much about Charlotte's remarkable life, which is a shame. Her husband Ferdinand was raised without the education necessary to govern competently, but Charlotte's formidable mother had the foresight to raise all her children to govern. So as Queen, she was able to better the lives of her Neapolitan subjects despite continued political opposition. In many ways she was overshadowed by the tragic history of her closest sister, Antoinette, and she ultimately became obsessed by Antoinette's fate.
I did think the book bogged down several times in the middle, but overall, I always enjoy learning about history, and this was an interesting window. If I am ever fortunate enough to return to Naples, I will be sure to visit the palace of Caserta, built mainly by Charlotte and Ferdinand, a remarkable legacy to leave to the world.
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