Henriette de La Tour du Pin was born into incredible privilege as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette. Journal d'une femme de cinquante ans is the first half of her remarkable life story, written when she was older and looking back. The book follows her from the glittering, gossipy halls of Versailles straight into the chaos of the French Revolution. We see the terror begin not with armies, but with whispers and shifting loyalties. Henriette chronicles the gradual collapse of her world, the dangerous escape from Paris with her young family, and their attempt to build a new life as farmers in upstate New York, far from everything they ever knew.

Why You Should Read It

This book completely changed how I see this period. Henriette isn't a distant historical figure; she's a witty, sharp, and deeply practical woman trying to protect her family. You feel her fear when the mobs gather, and her determination as she learns to churn butter in America. Her voice is surprisingly modern—honest, sometimes funny, and never self-pitying. She doesn't just tell you about history; she makes you live it through the small, personal details of a life upended.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like memoirs or history. It reads like a novel, full of tension, close calls, and resilience. If you enjoyed the personal drama of Hamilton or the survival story of Laura Ingalls Wilder but with royal intrigue, you'll be glued to this. It's a powerful reminder that history is made of individual people making impossible choices.