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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
As others have said, this doesn't break a lot of new ground but it does dispel some myths and fill in some fascinating background.
I like to consider myself pretty knowledgeable about the Tudor dynasty. If you have read a lot about them, most of the stories will not be new to you. But the strength of this book is that in-depth look at the "private lives" of Henry, Henry, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. The focus on those closest to them, the clothing, the food, etc. Fantastic book, well-researched and thorough. But I expect nothing less from Tracy Borman. Full review to come.
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Check out my complete review on my blog http://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/AllTheBookBlogNamesAreTaken
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Check out my complete review on my blog http://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/AllTheBookBlogNamesAreTaken
I knew very little about the Tudors before I read this and I must say this is a fantastic introduction. It paints the monarchs as real people, which is of great importance to me when engaging with history. It is particularly important for periods pre-19th century, as I do not tend to be drawn to them as much. For the most part this was a gripping read. I had a wobble with keeping my interest going during the chapters on Edward and Mary, but mainly due to their lives not being quite as exciting, rather than the quality of the writing changing in any way. I would most wholeheartedly recommend this book and I am likely to pick up another tome by this author as her style is extremely engaging.
(3.75) Lots of interesting sections and little factual pieces to be found here. There are often misconceptions about what was believed throughout society in the past in regard to subjects such as hygiene, scandals, beliefs, etc. so I always enjoy having the truth clarified.
Borman has a very readable writing style, but I never felt it to be condescending or oversimplified. Despite this, I didn't feel the book was as amazing as I had hoped it to be. There wasn't really an outstanding effect on me. I also felt her attitudes towards Elizabeth I's relationship with Thomas Seymour to be rather dismissive, and it almost appeared that the topic of misogyny was being avoided when discussing rumours and conspiracy theories. There were actually a lot of areas that I felt had been neglected, but I'm not sure whether this would be down to the author's decision/fault or lack of available information.
Borman has a very readable writing style, but I never felt it to be condescending or oversimplified. Despite this, I didn't feel the book was as amazing as I had hoped it to be. There wasn't really an outstanding effect on me. I also felt her attitudes towards Elizabeth I's relationship with Thomas Seymour to be rather dismissive, and it almost appeared that the topic of misogyny was being avoided when discussing rumours and conspiracy theories. There were actually a lot of areas that I felt had been neglected, but I'm not sure whether this would be down to the author's decision/fault or lack of available information.
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I did learn a lot, but it does read like a history text. Well, it is a behind-the-scenes history text, I guess. Borman did quite well at narrowing her topic to the monarchs' "private" lives (as much privacy as they had). Some may object to the narrowness of her focus.
informative
I've read a lot of biographies on the Tudors (specifically the wives, though I'm working on branching out), and the ability to tell their stories without becoming old and dry is hard to do. "The Private Lives" works because it is not just about the juicy relationship drama, the death, the violence. By learning about the details that the Tudors themselves valued - their privacy, their finery, their relationships with those closest to them - the Tudors become less characters in a make-believe tale and more of the living, breathing humans they actually were.