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trin's review
3.0
Mystery box book #26!
I'm not sure how historically accurate this book is, or even how narratively interesting/successful (why is the end so rushed compared to the beginning?) but it's delightfully weird. Bring back more weird YA/MG like this! Who else besides like M.T. Anderson is doing weird shit like this these days?
I'm not sure how historically accurate this book is, or even how narratively interesting/successful (why is the end so rushed compared to the beginning?) but it's delightfully weird. Bring back more weird YA/MG like this! Who else besides like M.T. Anderson is doing weird shit like this these days?
eggjen's review against another edition
5.0
This was excellent. I loved how unstuffy the author made nearly 70 years of history, she really brought the tale to life with a unique perspective and story telling method.
barbarajean's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
3 and a half stars. I love EL Konigsburg and this book was fun because you liearn a little European history with it.
the_jesus_fandom's review against another edition
"Wouldn't it be strange if there were different rules for different coloured people? Like different rules for red people and for blue people?" WE GET IT
RTC
The review:
Lol imagine living in the 12th century and having to deal with all these entitled nobles.
Yeah, so none of the characters were cool at all (except maybe the Abbot, although he kept encouraging Eleanor in her shenanigans). It turns out royal families were very dysfunctional!
Okay, so I already knew that but reading about it was even worse. Also, how are you going to read a man's character when he's only 6 years old??? Leave my boy John be.
So, anyway, it was written in an easy-to-read way that spoke to the imagination. As I said, the characters were all the worst, but that's not really something the author had any control over. I liked how it felt like a description and the author didn't take sides. (Because there were no good sides to take lol)
The book follows the medieval view of heaven: you get an amount of time in Purgatory (length depends on how nasty you were) and then you get into heaven. Churchill's there but Hitler's still in purgatory I guess.
The in-between parts are set in heaven. Personally, I thought the quips and references to modern-day Europe were a bit annoying. They were trying to come off as tongue-in-cheek and quirky, but they just weren't really. I did appreciate the effort to bridge the gap between then and now. That was cool, it might help children see how humans back then were the same as humans now.
RTC
The review:
Lol imagine living in the 12th century and having to deal with all these entitled nobles.
Yeah, so none of the characters were cool at all (except maybe the Abbot, although he kept encouraging Eleanor in her shenanigans). It turns out royal families were very dysfunctional!
Okay, so I already knew that but reading about it was even worse. Also, how are you going to read a man's character when he's only 6 years old??? Leave my boy John be.
So, anyway, it was written in an easy-to-read way that spoke to the imagination. As I said, the characters were all the worst, but that's not really something the author had any control over. I liked how it felt like a description and the author didn't take sides. (Because there were no good sides to take lol)
The book follows the medieval view of heaven: you get an amount of time in Purgatory (length depends on how nasty you were) and then you get into heaven. Churchill's there but Hitler's still in purgatory I guess.
The in-between parts are set in heaven. Personally, I thought the quips and references to modern-day Europe were a bit annoying. They were trying to come off as tongue-in-cheek and quirky, but they just weren't really. I did appreciate the effort to bridge the gap between then and now. That was cool, it might help children see how humans back then were the same as humans now.
abarbato's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
24marsha's review against another edition
4.0
Not a real gripping historical fiction for an adult but I can see how this novel might get a younger reader hooked on history. I thought the premise of Elenore waiting in heaven with a few people from her life, for her 2nd husband Henery to arrive was an excellent and unique way to tell the story of her life. Loved the nedieval histories of England and France and their kings, wars and troubles. I think I would enjoy reading other literature about this time period. BTW I had to google what Scarlet and Miniver refered to. :)
cbendixe's review against another edition
4.0
When I read this as a kid, this book began my lifelong obsession with Eleanor of Aquitaine, the queen to two kings, and the mother of two more. She lived so long ago (1122-1204), and yet this fictional biography for middle readers/young adults is so accessible and fresh. The story of her amazing life is told from a few perspectives, each with a unique insight into her character and yet they do not gloss over her imperfections. It was a great relief to re-read this book that I so loved as a young reader, and not only enjoy its historical intrigue and romance, but also renew my obsession with Eleanor!
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
E. L. Konigsburg is one of my favorite children's authors and I must admit to a fascination with Eleanor of Aquitaine, so a novel by Konigsburg about Eleanor was bound to ring my literary bell. For children reading this book, I do feel a bit of background on Eleanor and some knowledge of the Catholic view of Heaven and purgatory would enhance the pleasure from this book. It might not be necessary, but I do believe this information will make reading the book easier and more enjoyable.
While the writing in this book does not shine as much as Konigsburg's later works, it is a solid and strong piece of literature.
While the writing in this book does not shine as much as Konigsburg's later works, it is a solid and strong piece of literature.