Tagged: philippa gregory
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
(Cover picture courtesy of Whitcoulls.)
Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England. Ignored by her sainted cousin Henry IV, mocked by her mother, married at age twelve, and endangered by childbirth, she sets her heart on putting her son on the throne regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. She names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to the daughter of her sworn enemy, Elizabeth of York.
Margaret charts her own way through loveless marriages, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. Finally, gambling her life that her husband, the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, will support her, she masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of all time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.
My overall impression of the second book in The Cousin’s War is one of indifference mingled with boredom. For once, I’m actually reading a series in order and I think The White Queen was much better. Perhaps it is the fact that I can identify more with the enchanting Elizabeth Woodville than my ruthless ancestor (according to family legend) Margaret Beaufort.
I really do feel sorry for Margaret—she is married at the age of 12 for goodness sake! But my sympathy pretty much ends there as she schemes her way to the top with a single-minded focus that even I am surprised at. I respect her determination, but her ruthlessness is too much, even for me. I understand Genghis Khan better than I understand her because of Conn Iggulden’s wonderful portrayal. Maybe my lack of understanding is partly because of Margaret’s obsessive piety, something that is foreign to me.
Like The White Queen, the plot is not exactly fast-paced, but I don’t really expect fast plots in historical fiction—unless the author is Conn Iggulden, of course. I can’t quite sympathize with all of the characters, but I do understand what drives them. Maybe I will be able to understand them better on a second read through, but for now my ‘meh’ judgment stands.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
(Cover picture courtesy of Glamour Glory.)
Brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize, the throne, in this dazzling account of the wars of the Plantagenets. They ruled before the Tudors, and now Philippa Gregory brings them to life through the dramatic and intimate stories of the secret players: the indomitable women.
The White Queen tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition, who secretly marries the newly crowned boy king. While Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become the central figures in a famous unsolved mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the lost princes in the Tower of London. Philippa Gregory brings the artistry and intellect of a master writer and storyteller to a new era in history and begins what is sure to be another best-selling classic series from this beloved author.
When I received The White Queen as a late birthday present from my best friend, I was a bit skeptical. Historical fiction had bored me up to that point, but Philippa Gregory’s amazing novel forever changed my attitude toward it.
The White Queen is the tale of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman who is recently widowed and fighting for her two sons’ inheritance. She meets the boy king Edward and immediately sparks fly. A whirlwind romance, battle and secret marriage later, Elizabeth becomes Queen of England. Philippa Gregory’s amazing novel chronicles the life of an extraordinary woman who was a secret force behind politics in the late 15th century England.
Elizabeth is a very believable, complex character who makes a wonderful narrator. Her motivations vary throughout the novel, yet she is still sympathetic and readers will root for her the whole time. She truly comes alive in Philippa Gregory’s vivid descriptions of life in 15th century England and the multifaceted politics of the time. There is certainly a reason why Philippa Gregory is known as the queen of royal fiction.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.