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rosemarieshort's review
3.0
As my Mom has just said to me, while discussing this book over the kettle, "Norah Lofts is a poor man's Jean Plaidy" - and in terms of historical fiction she's right.
I'm reliably told that Lofts has written fiction which, whilst in the historical realm, are not based on actual, living breathing, written in the history books people. And that, again I am told, is very good. I can see why - Lofts has a flair for narrative which really draws you in. The only problem I had with Eleanor the Queen is this - I've read Jean Plaidy.
I've read [b:The Plantagenet Prelude|865347|The Plantagenet Prelude (Plantagenet Saga, #1)|Jean Plaidy|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347935082s/865347.jpg|850749] and [b:The Revolt of the Eaglets|1327500|The Revolt of the Eaglets (Plantagenet Saga, #2)|Jean Plaidy|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347937575s/1327500.jpg|169531] and revelled in Jean Plaidy's no holds barred, completely flawed and wholly steely portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine. So Lofts overly sympathetic view just didn't hold with me. I may be biased; I worship at the font of Plaidy, accepting her flaws and studiously ignoring them all the same, so it was always going to be difficult for any other book to measure up for me.
Also; Eleanor the Queen is a whistle stop tour of the life of the woman who, in succession, was Queen of France and then Queen of England - an impressive portfolio to be sure. Plaidy takes a more in depth and leisurely look, spreading Eleanor's story over three or four books. At just tipping two hundred and fifty pages Lofts glances through, often drawing attention to fictitious and historical characters alike and turning the attention from Eleanor more than once in their favour. Usually I would applaud that; but in a book so short if feels like the main character should indeed hog the spotlight. Saying that, as I have previously said, Lofts writing style won me over more than once when I felt exasperation at the lack of detail (the amount of time spent on the Crusade with Louis was a shame as it could have been a descriptive gold mine).
However, despite all of that, for those looking for light historical fiction based on one of the most formidable people in history this is just right. Just as this would be a fine addition for those who want to begin their interest in the Plantagenet's and Eleanor; it's a book which makes you eager to do more in depth research as you skid over her marriage to Louis, glide past Raymond of Antioch and sweep through Eleanor's second marriage to Henry Plantagenet with very little being truly said about any of them or of their effect on her.
For beginners in the period this is a great start. For anyone who has read Jean Plaidy I think you would find this overly simplistic. If you have read this and it's sparked an interest Alison Weir did a very in depth look at Eleanor of Aquitaine in [b:Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life|111220|Eleanor of Aquitaine A Life |Alison Weir|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320538974s/111220.jpg|977136] (also known as Eleanor of Aquitaine: By The Wrath of God, Queen of England).
Over all nicely written and narratively kind but real Eleanor buffs will be disappointed by the lack of detail and perhaps even the wholesomeness of the thing.
I'm reliably told that Lofts has written fiction which, whilst in the historical realm, are not based on actual, living breathing, written in the history books people. And that, again I am told, is very good. I can see why - Lofts has a flair for narrative which really draws you in. The only problem I had with Eleanor the Queen is this - I've read Jean Plaidy.
I've read [b:The Plantagenet Prelude|865347|The Plantagenet Prelude (Plantagenet Saga, #1)|Jean Plaidy|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347935082s/865347.jpg|850749] and [b:The Revolt of the Eaglets|1327500|The Revolt of the Eaglets (Plantagenet Saga, #2)|Jean Plaidy|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347937575s/1327500.jpg|169531] and revelled in Jean Plaidy's no holds barred, completely flawed and wholly steely portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine. So Lofts overly sympathetic view just didn't hold with me. I may be biased; I worship at the font of Plaidy, accepting her flaws and studiously ignoring them all the same, so it was always going to be difficult for any other book to measure up for me.
Also; Eleanor the Queen is a whistle stop tour of the life of the woman who, in succession, was Queen of France and then Queen of England - an impressive portfolio to be sure. Plaidy takes a more in depth and leisurely look, spreading Eleanor's story over three or four books. At just tipping two hundred and fifty pages Lofts glances through, often drawing attention to fictitious and historical characters alike and turning the attention from Eleanor more than once in their favour. Usually I would applaud that; but in a book so short if feels like the main character should indeed hog the spotlight. Saying that, as I have previously said, Lofts writing style won me over more than once when I felt exasperation at the lack of detail (the amount of time spent on the Crusade with Louis was a shame as it could have been a descriptive gold mine).
However, despite all of that, for those looking for light historical fiction based on one of the most formidable people in history this is just right. Just as this would be a fine addition for those who want to begin their interest in the Plantagenet's and Eleanor; it's a book which makes you eager to do more in depth research as you skid over her marriage to Louis, glide past Raymond of Antioch and sweep through Eleanor's second marriage to Henry Plantagenet with very little being truly said about any of them or of their effect on her.
For beginners in the period this is a great start. For anyone who has read Jean Plaidy I think you would find this overly simplistic. If you have read this and it's sparked an interest Alison Weir did a very in depth look at Eleanor of Aquitaine in [b:Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life|111220|Eleanor of Aquitaine A Life |Alison Weir|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320538974s/111220.jpg|977136] (also known as Eleanor of Aquitaine: By The Wrath of God, Queen of England).
Over all nicely written and narratively kind but real Eleanor buffs will be disappointed by the lack of detail and perhaps even the wholesomeness of the thing.
thetomatowriter's review against another edition
2.0
Well, I'd heard the name Eleanor of Aquitaine but didn't know that much about her before reading this book. It was kind of a boring introduction, but I might look into her further in the future?
rose508's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
infosifter's review against another edition
3.0
A nice bedtime comfort read; this author has a deft hand with characterization.
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