"A sparkling slice of 18th century life." - Paul Bailey, Independent "An 18th-century scam involving Marie Antoinette, an ambitious jeweller, a charlatan doctor and a countess on the make is the subject of this engaging book. Antal Szerb was a Hungarian novelist who wrote what he called this 'real history' in 1942 and died in a labour camp in 1945. Knowing his fate lends poignancy to his witty, learned and illuminating portrayal of the ancien regime on the brink of the Revolution." - Katie Owen, Telegraph 's Pick of the Paperbacks " The Queen's Necklace is a wonderful book; both thoughtful and blasting, and another revelation of Szerb's light-footed erudition." - Ali Smith 'Szerb belongs with the master novelists of the 20th century." - Paul Bailey, Daily Telegraph "May Szerb's entry into our literary pantheon be definitive." - Alberto Manguel, Financial Times "Szerb is a master novelist whose powers transcend time and language.

" - Nicholas Lezard, Guardian.