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Marie-Therese, Child of Terror by Susan Nagel

My head is full of France. I have lately finished Marie-Therese, Child of Terror: The Fate of Marie Antoinette’s Daughter by Susan Nagel, an engrossing book that tells of Marie-Therese’s life. In this fascinating and clearly well-researched account, Nagel brings the reader from before Madame Royale’s birth on through and after her death. The book illustrates her life as a child of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who, as one may have gathered from the recent movie depicting an interpretation of Marie Antoinette’s life, said at her daughter’s birth: “Poor little thing; you are not what they wanted, but we will love you nonetheless. A son would have belonged to the State; you shall be mine, and have all my care; you shall share in my happiness and soften my sorrows.”

I personally had not previously found much interest in the French Revolution and the events surrounding the Reign of Terror, but before I even reached Page 100 I was enthralled in the mysterious tales surrounding the time. The writing style flows comfortably and almost throughout the whole book, it tricked this reader into late nights with wide eyes and genuine sympathy. I could not put it down; indeed, I wouldn’t, even when others distractions sought my attention.

This book seeks to confirm the identity and character of Marie-Therese, which apparently has been under some debate. Marie-Therese was the only surviving child of her parents through the Reign of Terror; her mother, father, Aunt Elisabeth and brother Louis Charles were imprisoned with her at the Temple Prison and each made his or her way to death with the exception of Marie-Therese. An illigitimate half sister was said to have been switched with her, and several legends sprung forth from speculation.

Though Marie-Therese, Child of Terror faithfully follows the life of the Marie-Therese who endured years of emotional torment, withstood political uncertainty, handled annoying relatives, and even stood up to Napoleon, who, awestruck, called her the “only man in the family,” there is also mention of an unknown, unrevealed woman called “the Dark Countess” travelled with a man, Vavel de Versay. Some insist that this mysterious figure was, in fact, Marie-Therese, though the people who knew of the identity of this stranger took that secret with them to death.

Susan Nagel has used handwriting samples, DNA testing and family letters to solve the mystery. The identity of the Dark Countess is not revealed, though Nagel is certain that she is not Marie-Therese. It is possible that she is an aforementioned illegitimate half-sister; however, the woman had some resemblance to her mother. She was identified as Sophie Botta by her companion, Vavel de Versay, though Nagel later reveals that her research proved no one under the name of “Sophie Botta” existed long enough to be this woman. Years after the funeral to this Dark Countess, “a Doctor Lommler, who performed the autopsy on the body, admitted that he was stunned by the corpse’s resemblance to Marie Antoinette.”

Equally interesting to me was the mystery surrounding Marie-Therese’s brother, Louis Charles, who was said to have died in the Temple Prison. Marie-Therese was left in the dark about all deaths around her except her father’s, who died before she was forever separated from her mother, aunt and brother. A body for Louis Charles, also known as King Louis XVII after his father’s death, was never found; throughout Marie-Therese’s life, men of appropriate age attempted to prove their legitimance as the rightful heir of the throne. His heart was said to have been separated from his body, but for over 200 years there was no proof that this heart was that of the 10 year old King of France and not of an imposter switched to save the life of Louis Charles. (I have read that current DNA testing has proved it to be the correct heart, but I have also read that the testing can’t prove that it’s Louis Charles’ heart - only that it is a heart related to the family. Thus, I can’t give any conclusive evidence here until I look into it further.)

Though the book doesn’t elaborate on this mystery, except where it concerned Marie-Therese specifically, I found the parallels quite enchanting. To me, there was the possiblity that both Louis Charles and Marie-Therese were safely hidden away while others took their places in the world - for Louis, an already diseased child, and for Marie-Therese, a half-sister. Though it seems clear to me that the Dark Countess was not Marie-Therese, I still wonder about the 10 year old king.

Susan Nagel vividly writes Marie-Therese as a kind, forgiving, saintly woman who put her loyalty to France above all else. Though others have described her as cold, harsh and intimidating, Marie-Therese, Child of Terror depicts through letters, journal entries, and other accounts made during her life the astonishing and fascinating tale of a strong woman. I admit that when I received this book I didn’t expect much from it, but I now find myself enamored with this era of France and I am willing and ready to soak up any material concerning Marie-Therese, the Dark Countess, and Louis Charles that I can get my paws on. It is rare for a single book to encite such interest in me; I blame this entirely on the writing style and vivacious portrayal of an admirable Marie-Therese.