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bookworm_eliz's review against another edition
2.0
Not one of my favorite of this author but still felt the end was powerful. Her other books are much more powerful especially Lady Elizabeth.
ihavenouseforit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
paige1947_'s review against another edition
5.0
A great novel based on the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She is a favorite historical woman- and this is the best thing I have ever read about her. Shades of The Lion In Winter- a favorite movie
jmarshall9's review against another edition
1.0
To say that Eleanor of Aquitaine was an incredible woman is an understatement, to say the least. After her father’s death, Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine at age 15, a lush region in the south of France. Soon after, she married King Louis VII and became Queen of France. As Queen of France, she traveled east and participated in the Second Crusade. Tiring of Louis, she divorced him and married Henry FitzEmpress, heir to the throne of England. When he was crowned in 1154, she became Queen of England. In 1174, she was imprisoned by Henry for having aided theirs sons in a revolt against him. She remained his captive for 16 years. Justifiably, I was incredibly excited to read Captive Queen, but my fervour soon dissipated after a few minutes of reading.
I discovered during the first few pages that Weir’s Eleanor was not the formidable woman I imaged. The novel begins when Eleanor, soon to be divorced of Louis, first meets the young Henry II. The moment she set eyes on Henry II, sparks were flying and she fell madly in lust (or what Weir insists, love) with him. This Eleanor was not motivated by power, but by her attraction to Henry. The idea that if Eleanor could rid her troublesome husband and marry Henry, she could a build vast and powerful empire was a mere afterthought (if that) compared to her intention of bedding him. And bed him she did. After the first 20 pages -the very night they met- Henry and Eleanor were already committing ”sins of the flesh”. This is the start of an unfortunate pattern of sex scenes that are needlessly detailed, but lacking in even an ounce of passion.
Read more at :
http://windowtoapast.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/captive-queen-by-alison-weir/
I discovered during the first few pages that Weir’s Eleanor was not the formidable woman I imaged. The novel begins when Eleanor, soon to be divorced of Louis, first meets the young Henry II. The moment she set eyes on Henry II, sparks were flying and she fell madly in lust (or what Weir insists, love) with him. This Eleanor was not motivated by power, but by her attraction to Henry. The idea that if Eleanor could rid her troublesome husband and marry Henry, she could a build vast and powerful empire was a mere afterthought (if that) compared to her intention of bedding him. And bed him she did. After the first 20 pages -the very night they met- Henry and Eleanor were already committing ”sins of the flesh”. This is the start of an unfortunate pattern of sex scenes that are needlessly detailed, but lacking in even an ounce of passion.
Read more at :
http://windowtoapast.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/captive-queen-by-alison-weir/
liziev's review against another edition
4.0
A very solid 4 stars!
This is the first book I've read by Weir, and I wouldn't hesitate to read more from her given her engaging writing style and depth of knowledge. Eleanor is an intriguing character and I found myself really liking her throughout the book.
I saw in other reviews that some people were bothered by the sexual tone of parts of the book, but I didn't find anything offensive or pornographic. I'm an adult, so I understand that passionate people do passionate things, both in the bedroom and out. I think Weirs's depiction of Henry and Eleanor's relationship captures that very well. There are some sex scenes in the book, so I wouldn't recommend this for children, but I don't see too many children enduring a 500 page historical novel in the first place.
I wish there was more information about Eleanor's relationship with her family (her children, her sister, etc) as those are glossed over at times. And I wish that there was more info on her political and economic plans. Throughout the book Weir makes it clear that Eleanor wanted to be, and was capable of, independent rule apart from her husband. But she doesn't allow Eleanor to really talk about her ruling strategy, so that part of her life feels a bit empty for me.
Overall an interesting set of characters and an engaging plot. I look forward to reading more from Alison Weir!
This is the first book I've read by Weir, and I wouldn't hesitate to read more from her given her engaging writing style and depth of knowledge. Eleanor is an intriguing character and I found myself really liking her throughout the book.
I saw in other reviews that some people were bothered by the sexual tone of parts of the book, but I didn't find anything offensive or pornographic. I'm an adult, so I understand that passionate people do passionate things, both in the bedroom and out. I think Weirs's depiction of Henry and Eleanor's relationship captures that very well. There are some sex scenes in the book, so I wouldn't recommend this for children, but I don't see too many children enduring a 500 page historical novel in the first place.
I wish there was more information about Eleanor's relationship with her family (her children, her sister, etc) as those are glossed over at times. And I wish that there was more info on her political and economic plans. Throughout the book Weir makes it clear that Eleanor wanted to be, and was capable of, independent rule apart from her husband. But she doesn't allow Eleanor to really talk about her ruling strategy, so that part of her life feels a bit empty for me.
Overall an interesting set of characters and an engaging plot. I look forward to reading more from Alison Weir!
miraya's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
sabregirl's review against another edition
3.0
Oh i did not enjoy this book at all. This was a solid two and half from me. I absolutely love Eleanor of Aquitaine, and really enjoyed Elizabeth Chadwick's stories. But this one just fell so flat to me. I didn't like Eleanor at all. She was annoying and naive. I don't understand how someone who grew up in the courts could assume that Henry was only sleeping with her. It just was like WHAT?! How is she that dumb? The beginning of the book was a bit slow and I was so bored with it. I didn't really like how the author portrayed Richard the Lionheart as like his father and that's just not right. Looks like I'll give up on Alison Weir again I just can't like her novels.
zoeeann's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
A bit slow to start but got better as it went on. Well written and interesting
mjminkowich's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
mseyre13's review against another edition
1.0
This was so painful, it aged me, by fifty years. It was so tedious, I'm pretty sure it made my fingers ache holding the burden that is this book. I read this (barely, I quit half way) a while ago, on the recommendation from an aunt, who clearly is not a historian or a buff of history. Not even a dabbler. Because if she were a buff or dabbler, even, she would have known better. The history is fine, I got the basic gist of it, the sexy-sex times got boring after a while, especially with the descriptions of Eleanor's body (Flat tummy? Really?) , and the constant back and forth of Henry and Eleanor, of the misguided attempt at arguing for equal rights in the 1100's. Not to say they didn't need a spice in that pot, but how was she not burned as a witch? Modern beauty standards and second wave feminism aside, the problem was the Eleanor remained undeveloped. She had no goals, no desires (besides that D, oooooh!), and no interactions besides with men. She was "supposed" to be attached to her children, but you didn't get any scenes of her as a mother. No interaction with Maud, who started the Civil War to get Henry on the throne. We're talking about some of the most prominent people of this time period, and I can't get a Maud scene? Really? not to mention, did this woman not write a fricken biography about Eleanor! She had all the resources in the world, and we get nothing, zilch, nadda, of her character. Just an expectation that we know what Weir is talking about.