I am reading the most brilliant book. It is called Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund. I have read a lot of novels and biographies about Marie Antoinetter and the ladies of the french court, but this is the first one I have read about her that really felt right to me, in that it captures her spirit in all its sweet romanticism and innocent ideals and really lets you see her life through her own eyes. It is sympathetic to her character, but shows her as one who really meant well but was so disconnected with the reality (indeed sheltered from it) that she never had a chance to understand.

I think Sophia Copola may have read this book too, or perhaps they both just drew a lot of inspiration from Antonia Fraser’s biography because there are some scenes in her that match the movie almost to the line. I feel it portrays both the conflict with Du Barry and her relationship with Axel Von Fersen in far greater depth and without the stereotypes and assumptions. Today I also discovered this! It is the japanese collector’s edition dvd and it comes in the most beautiful box and with the special gifts of a round blue jewelry box, a hand mirror, a slipper shaped brooch and a pink lace hankerchief! As well as a little 20 page booklet. It still has the english version, and although its region 2 I can always play it on my computer, and the Prince has a region-free dvd player. I wonder if it will be released like this in a full english edition, otherwise I might just have to buy this version and somehow navigate through the japanese menus!

The weather today is typical of a perth winter, sunny and fine and only a little bit cold. I went for a lovely mid-morning walk and picked some wildflowers, these are called Geraldton wax, and they’re native to this area. They also come in a pink variety, which grows abundantly at my parent’s castle, but here we have the white. Their petals are as their namesake, very waxy, they quite feel as though they are made out of candle wax! They’re not as showy as the Chrysanthemums but still bring a little freshness to my bedside.

I recieved my new bed canopy yesterday, but they sent me the wrong colour and I shall have to send it back for exchange. I think I shall rotate the furniture in my chambers before I set it up. I want to create a little niche for my daybed, somewhere to relax and hide away from the world. I am still trying to choose between a wood or enamel coated metal bedframe though.

I will post more later! Its time for lunch