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katykelly's review
4.0
Historical backstory: the women's side.
1430s England. Now I've enjoyed The White Queen, other Tudor novels and read non-fiction on Henry VIII and his wives, I do like learning about this period.
So when I partway through this realised the family tree connection to those famous monarchs, I was even more interested, with Cecily being mother to a king who sired kings and queens - her influence would have been felt through those generations.
While this is almost a 'typical' woman's story of the period in some ways - endless pregnancies, births, losses of children and day-to-day menial tasks, Cecily being who she was means this is also the tale of a woman working behind the scenes in the ways she was able to, to influence some very significant events.
Watching her discuss political manoeuvres with her husband, and use her own techniques with other ranking women, and observe them for information, it did show just how much power a woman could yield, if she had skill and the right ear to bend.
I liked this as an audiobook, it brought the slowly ageing voice of Cecily in front of me, the conversation of her tale. The sadness of the life of a woman, its confines, but also how that didn't have to be the case - I very much enjoy seeing the other stories from history we hear less of.
For fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy putting the royal family tree in context.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
1430s England. Now I've enjoyed The White Queen, other Tudor novels and read non-fiction on Henry VIII and his wives, I do like learning about this period.
So when I partway through this realised the family tree connection to those famous monarchs, I was even more interested, with Cecily being mother to a king who sired kings and queens - her influence would have been felt through those generations.
While this is almost a 'typical' woman's story of the period in some ways - endless pregnancies, births, losses of children and day-to-day menial tasks, Cecily being who she was means this is also the tale of a woman working behind the scenes in the ways she was able to, to influence some very significant events.
Watching her discuss political manoeuvres with her husband, and use her own techniques with other ranking women, and observe them for information, it did show just how much power a woman could yield, if she had skill and the right ear to bend.
I liked this as an audiobook, it brought the slowly ageing voice of Cecily in front of me, the conversation of her tale. The sadness of the life of a woman, its confines, but also how that didn't have to be the case - I very much enjoy seeing the other stories from history we hear less of.
For fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy putting the royal family tree in context.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
mjporterauthor's review
5.0
Cecily, the story of Cecily Neville up to, and including 1461, is a wonderful retelling of her story.
Having read Anne O'Brien's The Queen's Rival last year, which offers Cecily's story from the late 1450s onwards, I feel that this unknown woman has now been brought to life in wonderful detail. (If you have only read one of these two books then do please try the other one - you won't be disappointed.)
Cecily is told from Cecily's point of view, as such, there are some things that she can't know or witness, and the author manages this incredibly skillfully. We know what Cecily does, and we know other events when she knows them. It's a perfect way to ensure the reader, even if they know the history of the time period, doesn't get ahead of themselves.
Cecily is an engaging and headstrong woman. The author gives her a voice that we can understand, reflecting a quick intelligence and an ability to piece together events skillfully. Some scenes may feel rushed, and there is a refusal to dwell on the royal splendour of the court, but I think this added to the story. It is the interaction of the king, queen and the courtiers that's important, not who was wearing what and eating what. This is absolutely my sort of historical fiction book.
I only wish I'd read it sooner.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
Having read Anne O'Brien's The Queen's Rival last year, which offers Cecily's story from the late 1450s onwards, I feel that this unknown woman has now been brought to life in wonderful detail. (If you have only read one of these two books then do please try the other one - you won't be disappointed.)
Cecily is told from Cecily's point of view, as such, there are some things that she can't know or witness, and the author manages this incredibly skillfully. We know what Cecily does, and we know other events when she knows them. It's a perfect way to ensure the reader, even if they know the history of the time period, doesn't get ahead of themselves.
Cecily is an engaging and headstrong woman. The author gives her a voice that we can understand, reflecting a quick intelligence and an ability to piece together events skillfully. Some scenes may feel rushed, and there is a refusal to dwell on the royal splendour of the court, but I think this added to the story. It is the interaction of the king, queen and the courtiers that's important, not who was wearing what and eating what. This is absolutely my sort of historical fiction book.
I only wish I'd read it sooner.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
secre's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cecily is a fascinating piece of historical fiction, partly because of the perspective. Cecily Neville, as with most women of the era, is shadowed in historical narratives by her husband and her sons. Yet she is very much at the centre of this novel, and whilst she very much knows her place, she is also integral to many of the decisions that changed history - for better or worse.
This is a very involved historical fiction; there are a huge amount of names and details, so much so that I found it overwhelming at points to keep track of who was who. Those coming in relatively blind to the period of history may struggle, however there was more than enough here to keep my interest. It's an intricate historical narrative, but with the view being behind the scenes rather than the people in power. Cecily is a character it's easy to empathise with, she's strong and smart as well as being politically astute - often more so than her husband.
The novel takes us through a turbulent time in English history, with a weak willed king who often listens to those whispering close to his ear at the expense of all others. There's war, heartbreak and disaster, but there's also strength, both on a personal and on a larger level. Despite my lack of knowledge for the period, and occasional confusion with the numerous characters - several of whom share names regrettably, it was a novel that wove it's way around me and I felt completely emmeshed in the events of the time. I found it interesting that Garthwaite focussed very much on Cecily's life before her sons became kings; this is the story of the making of the woman, not the making of her sons.
All in all, an excellently researched and fascinating piece of historical fiction that also reminded me that I really ought to know more about my own country's history.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of this title.
This is a very involved historical fiction; there are a huge amount of names and details, so much so that I found it overwhelming at points to keep track of who was who. Those coming in relatively blind to the period of history may struggle, however there was more than enough here to keep my interest. It's an intricate historical narrative, but with the view being behind the scenes rather than the people in power. Cecily is a character it's easy to empathise with, she's strong and smart as well as being politically astute - often more so than her husband.
The novel takes us through a turbulent time in English history, with a weak willed king who often listens to those whispering close to his ear at the expense of all others. There's war, heartbreak and disaster, but there's also strength, both on a personal and on a larger level. Despite my lack of knowledge for the period, and occasional confusion with the numerous characters - several of whom share names regrettably, it was a novel that wove it's way around me and I felt completely emmeshed in the events of the time. I found it interesting that Garthwaite focussed very much on Cecily's life before her sons became kings; this is the story of the making of the woman, not the making of her sons.
All in all, an excellently researched and fascinating piece of historical fiction that also reminded me that I really ought to know more about my own country's history.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of this title.
historydragonsandmagic's review
4.0
Before I started reading fantasy, historical fiction was my mainstay for reading. Particularly historical fiction set during the Wars of the Roses. Cecily was a person who often featured on the fringes of the stories I read and I always wanted to read a book that told her story. Cecily Neville came from a prominent noble family and after she married Richard Plantagenet, she became the Duchess of York. She was sister to the earl of Warwick and aunt to his son who played so prominently in helping Cecily’s son, Edward the IV to the throne. She was mother to the king, mother in law to Elizabeth Woodville, grandmother to the ill fated princes in the tower, grandmother to Elizabeth Tudor, the mother to Henry the VIII.
Annie Garthwaite begins Cecily’s story during the early years of marriage in France with her husband, the Duke of York and continues until her son ascends the throne as Edward the IV. At first I was disappointed that her remarkably long life was only portrayed up until that point but then I found out that there is a part two coming from Annie this year with a book called The King’s Mother and I cannot wait. Cecliy is a remarkable historical figure who deserves to have her story told when we have heard the stories of so many other of the prominent women involved in the Wars of the Roses! Move over Elizabeth Woodville, Elizabeth Tudor and Margaret Beaufort, Cecily is here!
Annie Garthwaite begins Cecily’s story during the early years of marriage in France with her husband, the Duke of York and continues until her son ascends the throne as Edward the IV. At first I was disappointed that her remarkably long life was only portrayed up until that point but then I found out that there is a part two coming from Annie this year with a book called The King’s Mother and I cannot wait. Cecliy is a remarkable historical figure who deserves to have her story told when we have heard the stories of so many other of the prominent women involved in the Wars of the Roses! Move over Elizabeth Woodville, Elizabeth Tudor and Margaret Beaufort, Cecily is here!
hlw1983's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Fictionalised account of the war of the roses, as viewed through the eyes of a strong, politically minded matriarch. Covers a lot of ground, about 60 years of action, through a small core of characters.
bookmarking's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-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
3.0
The cover overplays the importance of Cecily. She is not a politician, but a a politician’s wife. Of course, there is a difference. In this book she is presented as politically engaged, astute and interested, but for large swathes of the book she is at home reading letters from her husband. Surprisingly, she doesn’t interact much with other women in this book - much more could have been made of that.
The book ends very abruptly. The last 50 pages felt rushed and crammed in, contrasting with the beginning which was a little slow. There was also very little character growth or reflection on her character. This is a shame, as she starts the book hard and calculating, and ends it the same way. In some ways, Marguerite has a better development, but that is not explored or reflected upon.
Overall, not a bad first novel, but the uneven pacing, lack of character growth and lack of interesting details of day to day medieval female living rendered this book uninspiring. I like the idea though, and would read a second novel by this author.
The book ends very abruptly. The last 50 pages felt rushed and crammed in, contrasting with the beginning which was a little slow. There was also very little character growth or reflection on her character. This is a shame, as she starts the book hard and calculating, and ends it the same way. In some ways, Marguerite has a better development, but that is not explored or reflected upon.
Overall, not a bad first novel, but the uneven pacing, lack of character growth and lack of interesting details of day to day medieval female living rendered this book uninspiring. I like the idea though, and would read a second novel by this author.
amandax777's review
5.0
Review
The plotting, the politics, the bloody births and battles are all part of the exhilarating story that we take with Cecily, as she witnesses the burning of Joan of Arc on the first page through to her son becoming King of England. We are never in any doubt that the path that Cecily takes is fraught with treachery and danger for her and her family. Cecily demonstrates a fierce intelligence, perhaps more than that of her Husband Richard - Duke of York, but being a man in these times allowed him to raise an army and fight for his position. Cecily was the force, the strength and the ambition behind Richards rise in Englands noble court.
The relationship between Cecily and Richard is the strength of the book. Many contemporary marriages would not have had the strong foundations that this marriage has. It is this partnership that enables Cecily to negotiate the courtly webs, and build an enduring future for her husband and children.
The perilous position of women at court is always in our eye line, starting with the burning of Joan of Arc as the books opener. A woman's role to produce children, is to negotiate the politics of the noble courts, Cecily takes this perhaps a step further with the building of her family's fortunes through battles out on the battlefields of England, Cecily plays her role in bringing her sons to the ultimate role through her intelligence and strength at court - ending with two of her sons serving as Kings of England.
A huge level of research has clearly been undertaken, and this is clearly demonstrated in the various domestic rituals that Cecily undertakes. As a reader, we also feel the heartache of loss at childbirth. By the end of the book we know Cecily well - we revere and respect this strong women of the 1400’s. She is perhaps a woman for our times - does she have it all - the children, successful husband? Cecily lacks the recognition that she deserves for her role in history.
#Cecily #NetGalley
Score ⅘
fenwench's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
nicolamarie84's review
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
nyeran's review
2.0
"Non ce l'ho una citazione perchè era come leggere l'enciclopedia"
♠ Una cosa deve essere ben chiara per chi si approccia a leggere questo libro. Se non si è molto più che ferrati in storia inglese non si capirà ne in che momento storico siamo, ne chi sia Cecilia Neville, ne chi siano tutti gli altri personaggi che vediamo. Indicativamente viene data un' informazione che anche se non si è appassionati di storia può aiutare per inquadrare a grandi linee che momento si sta vivendo; la morte di Giovanna d'Arco e di conseguenza la guerra dei cento anni che ovviamente non viene nominata in quanto tale ma noi sappiamo che lo è.
Io da appassionata l'ho capito, a chi conosce la storia solo superficialmente potrebbe essere d'aiuto dire che Cecilia Neville fu la madre dell'ultimo re York di Inghilterra, l'ultimo prima dell'ascesa al trono della dinastia Tudor. (Ma è davvero d'aiuto!?)
♠ Detto questo, quanto ci interessa la sua storia all'interno di questo contesto? Nulla. Perchè Cecilia, ovviamente, è una politicante e il libro è un susseguirsi di intrighi politici, tranelli e sotterfugi. Per quanto sia un personaggio interessante, ambizioso e spietato, deficita di una vita poco pregna di eventi diretti. Si, due suoi figli diventeranno re d'Inghilterra ma nessuno, a meno che non sia uno storico o un grande appassionato, si interesserà poi tanto alle loro storie. Tanto più che l'evento realmente interessante di questi 100 anni, forse, probabilmente, è proprio Giovanna d'Arco che brucia al rogo. Per quanto l'autrice si sia impegnata e abbia cercato di darle una personalità, sembra più una biografia che un vero romanzo e tutto quel politichese stanca presto, dubito che potrebbe appassionare qualcuno che nutra della semplice curiosità. Sopratutto perchè, voglio ripeterlo, si parla di alleanze, guerre e accordi con persone che tu non conosci o non ricordi, leggi semplicemente dei nomi che intuisci siano importanti ma non sai perchè. Non sai, o non ricordi, i legami di parentela, di casato, chi ha sposato chi e quando.
Non c'è introduzione del contesto storico ne dei personaggi, l'autrice da per scontato che tu sappia di chi sta parlando, all'inizio introduce Riccardo Plantageneto senza spiegarti chi sia (si, all'inizio del libro c'è l'albero genealogico ma 1. l'ho letto in ebook ed è illegibile; 2. non è d'aiuto se io non so o ricordo chi siano nessuno di questi nomi), sarebbe bastato fare un breve recappino di ciò che è successo prima e da dove stiamo partendo.
♠ Una cosa deve essere ben chiara per chi si approccia a leggere questo libro. Se non si è molto più che ferrati in storia inglese non si capirà ne in che momento storico siamo, ne chi sia Cecilia Neville, ne chi siano tutti gli altri personaggi che vediamo. Indicativamente viene data un' informazione che anche se non si è appassionati di storia può aiutare per inquadrare a grandi linee che momento si sta vivendo; la morte di Giovanna d'Arco e di conseguenza la guerra dei cento anni che ovviamente non viene nominata in quanto tale ma noi sappiamo che lo è.
Io da appassionata l'ho capito, a chi conosce la storia solo superficialmente potrebbe essere d'aiuto dire che Cecilia Neville fu la madre dell'ultimo re York di Inghilterra, l'ultimo prima dell'ascesa al trono della dinastia Tudor. (Ma è davvero d'aiuto!?)
♠ Detto questo, quanto ci interessa la sua storia all'interno di questo contesto? Nulla. Perchè Cecilia, ovviamente, è una politicante e il libro è un susseguirsi di intrighi politici, tranelli e sotterfugi. Per quanto sia un personaggio interessante, ambizioso e spietato, deficita di una vita poco pregna di eventi diretti. Si, due suoi figli diventeranno re d'Inghilterra ma nessuno, a meno che non sia uno storico o un grande appassionato, si interesserà poi tanto alle loro storie. Tanto più che l'evento realmente interessante di questi 100 anni, forse, probabilmente, è proprio Giovanna d'Arco che brucia al rogo. Per quanto l'autrice si sia impegnata e abbia cercato di darle una personalità, sembra più una biografia che un vero romanzo e tutto quel politichese stanca presto, dubito che potrebbe appassionare qualcuno che nutra della semplice curiosità. Sopratutto perchè, voglio ripeterlo, si parla di alleanze, guerre e accordi con persone che tu non conosci o non ricordi, leggi semplicemente dei nomi che intuisci siano importanti ma non sai perchè. Non sai, o non ricordi, i legami di parentela, di casato, chi ha sposato chi e quando.
Non c'è introduzione del contesto storico ne dei personaggi, l'autrice da per scontato che tu sappia di chi sta parlando, all'inizio introduce Riccardo Plantageneto senza spiegarti chi sia (si, all'inizio del libro c'è l'albero genealogico ma 1. l'ho letto in ebook ed è illegibile; 2. non è d'aiuto se io non so o ricordo chi siano nessuno di questi nomi), sarebbe bastato fare un breve recappino di ciò che è successo prima e da dove stiamo partendo.