Scan barcode
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
I seem to be developing quite a taste for royal historical novels. I'm slowly expanding my reading beyond that of the Plantagenet/Tudor times and that's one of the two reasons I downloaded this as an arc from netgalley.
The other reason was more personal. I'm keen on genealogy and Eleanor (or Alienor in the book) is actually my 25th great grandmother! I know this is a work of fiction but as with many of these based on extensive research so fascinating to discover what this woman (and great granddad King John) was potentially like. And what a woman. I love the idea that well into her 70's she was still extensively travelling and being involved in politics.
I really struggled to like eldest son Richard (Lionheart) and wondering if that's latent DNA of being related to his brother. It made me chuckle anyway.
In terms of the actual book, it's a long story covering 30 years and sometimes I felt that time span. It's 520 pages (according to Goodreads) and I couldn't seem to read at my usual pace. I wouldn't say the story dragged, it did keep my attention but I struggled with the length on this one.
The writing is excellent though. You can tell there has been a lot of research as the characters are very well rounded and fit the personalities we know of them. Alienor is a very strong woman but the author isn't afraid to show her more vulnerable side. It's a fascinating insight into a woman who once travelled by horseback to Jerusalem when women were meant to be at home producing heirs and also gave us a couple of iconic kings and an incredible dynasty.
My first book with this author but I'll be going back to read the first two books to see if that Jerusalem journey is recounted as it's caught my interest and to see the other works this author has done. Highly recommended
The other reason was more personal. I'm keen on genealogy and Eleanor (or Alienor in the book) is actually my 25th great grandmother! I know this is a work of fiction but as with many of these based on extensive research so fascinating to discover what this woman (and great granddad King John) was potentially like. And what a woman. I love the idea that well into her 70's she was still extensively travelling and being involved in politics.
I really struggled to like eldest son Richard (Lionheart) and wondering if that's latent DNA of being related to his brother. It made me chuckle anyway.
In terms of the actual book, it's a long story covering 30 years and sometimes I felt that time span. It's 520 pages (according to Goodreads) and I couldn't seem to read at my usual pace. I wouldn't say the story dragged, it did keep my attention but I struggled with the length on this one.
The writing is excellent though. You can tell there has been a lot of research as the characters are very well rounded and fit the personalities we know of them. Alienor is a very strong woman but the author isn't afraid to show her more vulnerable side. It's a fascinating insight into a woman who once travelled by horseback to Jerusalem when women were meant to be at home producing heirs and also gave us a couple of iconic kings and an incredible dynasty.
My first book with this author but I'll be going back to read the first two books to see if that Jerusalem journey is recounted as it's caught my interest and to see the other works this author has done. Highly recommended
kimberwood's review against another edition
3.0
A great conclusion to this trilogy. This one wasn't quite as good as the other two, but that may have been a combination of the events of her life at this point combined with a slight fatigue of reading so much about Eleanor.
mellanclear's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
lesliebcook's review against another edition
5.0
What a way to end the triology! The Autumn Throne was by far my very favorite of the three. I am glad to have read so much about Ailenor of Aquitaine through this series and am anxious to learn more.
kath61's review against another edition
5.0
A good historical novel, interesting and largely factual whilst retaining human and emotional interest.
lara_bookella's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-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
5.0
Ho divorato questo libro. La prosa di Elizabeth Chadwick è incredibile, la sua capacità di calarti nel tempo e nello spazio è indescrivibile, e Alienor è stata una protagonista eccezionale.
Per la verità nella prima metà del libro non succede quasi niente… ma nella seconda metà. Caspita.
Alienor non molla mai, fino all’ultima riga dell’ultima pagina, non accetta pietà e compatimento e continua ad essere regina, se non di nome, almeno nei fatti.
La sua storia mi ha fatto riflettere sul fatto che, se tu lo vuoi, puoi fare la differenza anche se il mondo ti vuole far credere che non conti niente.
Una donna eccezionale, che non dimenticherò facilmente, raccontata da una penna altrettanto eccezionale. Una trilogia consigliatissima.
Per la verità nella prima metà del libro non succede quasi niente… ma nella seconda metà. Caspita.
Alienor non molla mai, fino all’ultima riga dell’ultima pagina, non accetta pietà e compatimento e continua ad essere regina, se non di nome, almeno nei fatti.
La sua storia mi ha fatto riflettere sul fatto che, se tu lo vuoi, puoi fare la differenza anche se il mondo ti vuole far credere che non conti niente.
Una donna eccezionale, che non dimenticherò facilmente, raccontata da una penna altrettanto eccezionale. Una trilogia consigliatissima.
louise_jb0's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lisamariepe's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this trilogy so much, and the final book was my favorite even though I cried through the last 100 pages.
halkid2's review against another edition
4.0
Sound Retelling of Eleanor's Last Years
This is a very satisfying conclusion to Elizabeth Chadwick's three-volume tome to Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the greatest medieval queens and feminist role models of all time. Beginning with the years of her imprisonment by husband Henry II until her death at Fontevraud Abbey -- The Autumn Queen spans 30 years. But don't think that because these were Eleanor's final years that they were anything staid and quiet.
After Henry II's death, Eleanor is freed from imprisonment by her famous son, Richard I "the Lionhearted", and plays a pivotal role in governing England while he goes off on Crusade. Eleanor takes on dangerous and lengthy journeys, raises a ransom to free her kidnapped son, is besieged in a tower, and grieves the loss of several of her many children, including Richard. She then goes on to provide key support to her son John's reign (pre Magna Carta) and arranges strategic marriages for several of her grandchildren. In short, Eleanor remains the brilliant powerhouse depicted in history, up to the end.
I am a big fan of Elizabeth Chadwick's historical novels. And this series shouldn't be missed.
This is a very satisfying conclusion to Elizabeth Chadwick's three-volume tome to Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the greatest medieval queens and feminist role models of all time. Beginning with the years of her imprisonment by husband Henry II until her death at Fontevraud Abbey -- The Autumn Queen spans 30 years. But don't think that because these were Eleanor's final years that they were anything staid and quiet.
After Henry II's death, Eleanor is freed from imprisonment by her famous son, Richard I "the Lionhearted", and plays a pivotal role in governing England while he goes off on Crusade. Eleanor takes on dangerous and lengthy journeys, raises a ransom to free her kidnapped son, is besieged in a tower, and grieves the loss of several of her many children, including Richard. She then goes on to provide key support to her son John's reign (pre Magna Carta) and arranges strategic marriages for several of her grandchildren. In short, Eleanor remains the brilliant powerhouse depicted in history, up to the end.
I am a big fan of Elizabeth Chadwick's historical novels. And this series shouldn't be missed.
annie_t's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0