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the_jesus_fandom's review against another edition
2.5
"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
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
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
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.
mrswythe89's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know what prompted me to start picking up E. L. Konigsburg's books, but she's very good. I could totally see myself becoming a giant Plantagenet geek if I'd read this when I was younger.
mada21's review
4.0
3.5 It has an interesting approach, as interesting is the subject. It was good, but not very good, I really liked the finale.
rebeccacider's review
Got it in my head that I wanted to read E.L. Konigsburg's backlist. This fictionalized biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine is dated and missable, but no doubt inspired some kid in the 70s to grow up and become a medieval historian. Konigsburg's passion for the source material is obvious, and I did enjoy her sweet illustrations.
The upshot is that I do know quite a bit more about Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Plantagenets than I did before. (Turns out that The Lion in Winter is ENTIRELY FICTIONAL, I am very offended and would like a refund please.)
Would I recommend this for a kiddo interested in medieval history? Sure, why not, but for goodness' sake supplement it with some newer books, preferably ones that center the experience of ordinary people living under the rule of these messy megalomaniacs.
The upshot is that I do know quite a bit more about Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Plantagenets than I did before. (Turns out that The Lion in Winter is ENTIRELY FICTIONAL, I am very offended and would like a refund please.)
Would I recommend this for a kiddo interested in medieval history? Sure, why not, but for goodness' sake supplement it with some newer books, preferably ones that center the experience of ordinary people living under the rule of these messy megalomaniacs.
poachedeggs's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of a pretty awesome lady, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Not only did she live to the ripe old age of close to 80 in the 12th-13th centuries, and wield a lot of power, she bore numerous children, effectively divorced her first husband, and, um, supported her own sons' rebellions against her second husband.
Konigsburg has three different people - an abbot, Eleanor's second mother-in-law, and a knight - tell Eleanor's story from the vantage point of Heaven. I'm not sure if I quite appreciated what I thought was a bit of a gimmicky setting though, and the deliberate mention of presidents and televisions (which were few and far between, but somehow more intrusive because of that). But this was very readable and entertaining - and a great way of bringing the rather incestuous history of this branch of royalty to life.
Konigsburg has three different people - an abbot, Eleanor's second mother-in-law, and a knight - tell Eleanor's story from the vantage point of Heaven. I'm not sure if I quite appreciated what I thought was a bit of a gimmicky setting though, and the deliberate mention of presidents and televisions (which were few and far between, but somehow more intrusive because of that). But this was very readable and entertaining - and a great way of bringing the rather incestuous history of this branch of royalty to life.