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culverreader's review against another edition
Freshmen Humanities class is doing a unit on medieval Europe. Will be reading a few things to help make recommendations to students. This one had some humor and a lot of history. Already can think of a few students who would like it.
magistrasheppard's review
5.0
I loved this book ! I appreciated the way the phases of her life were woven together! What an amazing woman!
sonatinalina's review
4.0
A creative take on a fascinating woman--the woman who during her life lead both the courts of France and England. While waiting for Henry to come up to heaven, Eleanor passes the time by hearing her life story from the perspectives of three people who knew here well in different season of her life. Nicely done!
caseyhitchcock81's review
4.0
I found this book fascinating. Not only does it have a structural sophistication not usually seen in children's books, it was also hugely educational. I taught this to a very high-achieving 7th grade class, and I think they really enjoyed it. I mean, how could you not love a woman who marries a king, divorces him to marry another king, and then talks her sons into fighting against their father? Good stuff.
laura_read_that's review
3.0
A good introduction to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Trying to cram all of Eleanor's life into one book is a daunting proposition, and as a result this book barely scratches the surface. There is no time left over to truly develop characters, explain 12th century lifestyle and hobbies, or expound on why certain events were so meaningful. I particularly enjoyed that Eleanor's life is presented by several narrators under the premise of looking back (and down) on human life from their perch in 20th century heaven. This allows for the author to examine events and locations with a modern perspective.
luckthelady's review
3.0
Konigsburg imagines a Heaven in which Eleanor waits for Henry II to join her. And on the day of his judgment at the pearly gates, old contemporaries sit and wait alongside her, gossiping and reminiscing about the past.
A great way to bring history to life for kids. I'm a big Eleanor of Aquitane fan, starting now.
A great way to bring history to life for kids. I'm a big Eleanor of Aquitane fan, starting now.
soph2962's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
gomeggo's review
3.0
RPL 2023 open books challenge: a book about royalty. The premise was kind of weird, but it packed a lot of history in to a short and readable book. Finished in one night, and I realized later that weekend that in the game of Civ that Sean and the boys are playing, Sean is playing as Eleanor of Aquitaine!
julia_zbeth's review
4.0
I read this outloud to my children as part of our homeschool and they enjoyed it very much, asking that I keep reading when I had stopped for the day. They also had a lot to say about the different Royals.
This book follows the life and afterlife of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the lives of her husbands and children as they intersected with her story. It is a bit fanciful beginning in Heaven and then retelling her life story from different points of view.
This book follows the life and afterlife of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the lives of her husbands and children as they intersected with her story. It is a bit fanciful beginning in Heaven and then retelling her life story from different points of view.