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tharina's review against another edition
2.0
The life of Eleanor of Acquitane provides a great writer with fertile soil - she definitely had experiences that could be compelling stories. Despite Alison Weir's evident knowledge and mastery of historical fact, Captive Queen is not a captivating book. It became tedious toward the end.
sherylubookquitous's review against another edition
4.0
Weir is one of the most readable biographical historians currently writing, but by her own admission, history is about piecing together the scraps and bits, and simply acknowlegeing when there is not enough evidence to declare something as true.
By contrast, her historical fiction is about filling those gaps with something that is probable and fits in with what we do know. She tries to stay true to what is known and likely possible, and perhaps because of that, her novels don't have some of the intrigue of those who sometimes sacrifice history for plot. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Her characters are deeply developed in Captive Queen and Eleanor is a as strong a character as she was a historical figure and was sympathic.
Weir may have succeeded in her goal: for me the difference between the biography and the novel was a lack of frustration at an incomplete narrative.
By contrast, her historical fiction is about filling those gaps with something that is probable and fits in with what we do know. She tries to stay true to what is known and likely possible, and perhaps because of that, her novels don't have some of the intrigue of those who sometimes sacrifice history for plot. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Her characters are deeply developed in Captive Queen and Eleanor is a as strong a character as she was a historical figure and was sympathic.
Weir may have succeeded in her goal: for me the difference between the biography and the novel was a lack of frustration at an incomplete narrative.
chocolate3cake's review against another edition
3.0
I always enjoy Alison Weir's writing but she's sometimes a bit too overreliant on sex scenes.
Expanded review (read this and more at ellieceejay.wordpress.com)
String me up and hang me from the altar of historical accuracy if you don't agree with me, but I actually didn't mind this book.
Alison Weir is a pretty polarizing author—she is not a historian, by any means (unlike many people who do write historical fiction), which isn't a grounds for concern, but it's something a lot of people like to bring up when critiquing her stories. Her writing style is very easy to read and understand, and considering I was first recommended her by my beloved Year Eleven English teacher, I am predisposed to enjoy everything she puts out.
Oh, and I met her. But I'm trying to not let that affect my opinion of this book.
The Captive Queen is the fictionalised story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, a 13th Century princess from the French province of Aquitaine. She's quite a controversial figure in English history, as she was married to King Henry II, and famously drew up arms against him, along with her sons. However, this novel starts at the time of the annulment of her marriage to Louis VII of France, in 1152, when Eleanor is 31.
Probably the most notable aspect of this story is how Alison Weir portrays Eleanor as a sex-obsessed queen, who marries Henry for his good looks and attractiveness, and not a whole lot else. Henry is not the best man to ever walk the planet (although I think if you read any biography of him, historically accurate or not, it's a pretty common sentiment) and I ended up despising his entire existence.
Overall, I do think my main gripe with the story is just how sex-obsessed Alison Weir made Eleanor. I feel like there was a lot more to her than that, and I hope there actually was. However, seeing history through the eyes of someone that was really a remarkable woman was fascinating.
I gave The Captive Queen three stars out of five, so it wasn't the most amazing historical fiction novel I'd ever read, but it wasn't the worst, by any means. I would really recommend Alison Weir in general, though, as she reads properly readable historical novels, that aren't maybe the most accurate but are definitely some of the most enjoyable.
Expanded review (read this and more at ellieceejay.wordpress.com)
String me up and hang me from the altar of historical accuracy if you don't agree with me, but I actually didn't mind this book.
Alison Weir is a pretty polarizing author—she is not a historian, by any means (unlike many people who do write historical fiction), which isn't a grounds for concern, but it's something a lot of people like to bring up when critiquing her stories. Her writing style is very easy to read and understand, and considering I was first recommended her by my beloved Year Eleven English teacher, I am predisposed to enjoy everything she puts out.
Oh, and I met her. But I'm trying to not let that affect my opinion of this book.
The Captive Queen is the fictionalised story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, a 13th Century princess from the French province of Aquitaine. She's quite a controversial figure in English history, as she was married to King Henry II, and famously drew up arms against him, along with her sons. However, this novel starts at the time of the annulment of her marriage to Louis VII of France, in 1152, when Eleanor is 31.
Probably the most notable aspect of this story is how Alison Weir portrays Eleanor as a sex-obsessed queen, who marries Henry for his good looks and attractiveness, and not a whole lot else. Henry is not the best man to ever walk the planet (although I think if you read any biography of him, historically accurate or not, it's a pretty common sentiment) and I ended up despising his entire existence.
Overall, I do think my main gripe with the story is just how sex-obsessed Alison Weir made Eleanor. I feel like there was a lot more to her than that, and I hope there actually was. However, seeing history through the eyes of someone that was really a remarkable woman was fascinating.
I gave The Captive Queen three stars out of five, so it wasn't the most amazing historical fiction novel I'd ever read, but it wasn't the worst, by any means. I would really recommend Alison Weir in general, though, as she reads properly readable historical novels, that aren't maybe the most accurate but are definitely some of the most enjoyable.
colleenlovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, I have trouble describing exactly how I felt about this book. I absolutely love Alison Weir (both her fiction and nonfiction) and, true to form, it was beautifully written. However, it took me about two months to finish this book and I actually stopped in the middle to read and finish another novel! The book just didn't capture my attention. I felt like it dragged on at parts and, my copy being 473 pages, it just felt like there were parts that could have been left out. I would have preferred to learn more about Eleanor's early life and felt like I was beginning the book in the middle of the story. If I had been more familiar with the life of Eleanor of Aquitane I might not have felt this way. It is never a good sign when you look at the book you are currently reading and sigh at the thought of having to pick it up and read some more (as opposed to wanting to devour it and never put it down), and that is how I felt about this book. I am still a huge fan of Ms. Weir's writing but I think this might be my least favorite of her books and is definitely my least favorite of her novels. For someone who has never read this author before, I would definitely recommend beginning with The Lady Elizabeth (my favorite or her novels) or The Princes In The Tower (my favorite of her nonfiction books).
kristaann's review against another edition
2.0
What a horrible representation of Eleanor of Aquitaine. This book was overly bawdy and degraded Eleanor to a common trollop. Not at all what I was expecting from Alison Weir's latest.
caz241153's review against another edition
5.0
It's been decades since I last read a historical novel, don't really know why as I used to enjoy them. This one was very good indeed. Reawakened my interest.
oliviamunrow's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely not one of Weir's best, which is disappointing since Innocent Traitor and The Lady Elizabeth were fairly engaging, if not amazing. Weir's devotion to historic fact is admirable, but as a result her Henry of Anjou and Eleanor of Aquitaine fall completely flat. Their positions and attitudes feel contrived to fit the facts rather than like natural elements of who they are. Watching Eleanor's dealings with Henry make you feel like banging your head against a wall.
Good enough for reading on the plane, but definitly not one I'll flip through again.
Good enough for reading on the plane, but definitly not one I'll flip through again.
firesoulbird's review against another edition
2.0
This book had some serious pacing issues. If we got rid of all of the pointless (as in, not relevent to the plot - this was not a smutty book unless dull descriptions of missionary is of interest) sex scenes it'd be shorter by about a third.
Then we get to the period of time where Eleanor is imprisoned. I realize Weir wants to maintain historical accuracy, but I felt there was way too many chapters of "Boy, being a prisoner sure sucks" and nothing else.
On top of all of this, the other POVs all sounded the same. I had trouble discerning who was thinking at times.
Then we get to the period of time where Eleanor is imprisoned. I realize Weir wants to maintain historical accuracy, but I felt there was way too many chapters of "Boy, being a prisoner sure sucks" and nothing else.
On top of all of this, the other POVs all sounded the same. I had trouble discerning who was thinking at times.
jennutley's review against another edition
3.0
One of my favorite ways to be introduced to an historical figure is to pick up some historical fiction, give it a read, and then read the real history to figure out where the author took a bit of license. This was my intro to Eleanor of Aquitaine (other than The Lion in Winter).
As usual, Alison Weir's books are pretty interesting reads. I will admit to preferring her non-fiction. I found this story to rely much too heavily on Eleanor's, shall we say, appetites. I am disappointed to think that she was driven that much by her carnal side. C'mon, she had to have been brilliant not just beautiful. (Is this wishful thinking?) I also had a hard time with the cavalier way she left her first two daughters with their father after her annulment.
I found the political maneuverings by her husbands and sons to be fascinating--more so than the love stories. But the conflict between Eleanor and Henry over the troubadors and courtly love was pretty forced.
Still, I learned a lot and was entertained to boot, so it was worth the time.
As usual, Alison Weir's books are pretty interesting reads. I will admit to preferring her non-fiction. I found this story to rely much too heavily on Eleanor's, shall we say, appetites. I am disappointed to think that she was driven that much by her carnal side. C'mon, she had to have been brilliant not just beautiful. (Is this wishful thinking?) I also had a hard time with the cavalier way she left her first two daughters with their father after her annulment.
I found the political maneuverings by her husbands and sons to be fascinating--more so than the love stories. But the conflict between Eleanor and Henry over the troubadors and courtly love was pretty forced.
Still, I learned a lot and was entertained to boot, so it was worth the time.