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mbenzz's review against another edition
2.0
Even though the reviews of 'The White Queen' were less than stellar, I went ahead and read it anyway, and I really enjoyed it. I was looking forward to this book mainly because I've come across Margaret Beaufort in many other novels, but never had a clear picture of where exactly she came from, and what all it took for her to get her son Henry to the throne. Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment. It's not terrible, but Margaret is an incredibly unlikeable woman, which makes reading an entire novel about her seem kind of like a chore.
I knew going into this that Margaret was an EXTREMELY religious woman. Every time she's been mentioned in other novels, it's always remarked about what a pious and Godly woman she is. Well, you will certainly be reminded of it over and over and over again in this book. As well as her fascination/obsession with Joan of Arc. If you read the first book, think 'Melusina the Water Goddess'. Remember how tired you were of hearing about her? It's the same with Joan.
I never, at any point in this book felt sorry for Margaret (except maybe when she was giving birth). I'm not sure if it's how Ms. Gregory wrote her, or if she was actually like this as a person (I'm thinking it's a little of both), but for being so holier-than-thou, she sure was a nasty woman. NOTHING would please this her. Her first marriage was a very good match. Though she was still a child, she just couldn't understand that this was her lot in life. Being born into the family she was, it was her duty to marry young and have children. After being widowed a year later, her second marriage, while to a man twice her age, was a very lucky match. Henry Stafford was extremely caring and patient towards her. He gave her books to read, taught her Latin. He let her run their church on her terms and he was never 'rough' with her in physical terms, though she constantly whined about how terrible it was to married to him. She was never happy.
There were times when I actually laughed out loud, like whenever she would talk about how unfair it was that she wasn't the Queen of England. How she deserved above any other woman to be Queen. How God had chosen her for great things. I was SO pleased when someone (her 3rd husband, Thomas Stanley) finally said what I had been thinking all along, that he thinks much of it is just Margaret hearing only what she wants to, and that maybe it's her own voice telling her she's destined for greatness. Really, the whole 'Chosen by God to do great things' theme began to run thin.
Also, because Margaret spent much of her early years in the country, nothing really happens TO her, it all happens AROUND her. Battles that were won or lost, secret plans that were hatched, they all come to us in quick little blurbs since Margaret was never in the thick of things. I think one would really need to know this time period to be able to fully understand everything that's happening. Some major events are passed over in just a paragraph or two. Those unfamiliar with the times will miss quite a bit. And when Margaret finally DOES get to court, the chapter jumps 10 years, and she speaks of it in past tense, like it was nothing!
*Sigh*...I could go on, but I'll stop here. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book. Even though there were parts of 'The White Queen' that were irritating and repetitive, it had some action to it. I felt like people were doing things and stuff was happening. This, this just felt like a whiny old woman constantly complaining about why nothing ever works out for her. Why God, who supposedly chose her for great things, would ignore her for so many years. By the time she finally gets everything she felt she deserved, I just didn't care anymore.
I knew going into this that Margaret was an EXTREMELY religious woman. Every time she's been mentioned in other novels, it's always remarked about what a pious and Godly woman she is. Well, you will certainly be reminded of it over and over and over again in this book. As well as her fascination/obsession with Joan of Arc. If you read the first book, think 'Melusina the Water Goddess'. Remember how tired you were of hearing about her? It's the same with Joan.
I never, at any point in this book felt sorry for Margaret (except maybe when she was giving birth). I'm not sure if it's how Ms. Gregory wrote her, or if she was actually like this as a person (I'm thinking it's a little of both), but for being so holier-than-thou, she sure was a nasty woman. NOTHING would please this her. Her first marriage was a very good match. Though she was still a child, she just couldn't understand that this was her lot in life. Being born into the family she was, it was her duty to marry young and have children. After being widowed a year later, her second marriage, while to a man twice her age, was a very lucky match. Henry Stafford was extremely caring and patient towards her. He gave her books to read, taught her Latin. He let her run their church on her terms and he was never 'rough' with her in physical terms, though she constantly whined about how terrible it was to married to him. She was never happy.
There were times when I actually laughed out loud, like whenever she would talk about how unfair it was that she wasn't the Queen of England. How she deserved above any other woman to be Queen. How God had chosen her for great things. I was SO pleased when someone (her 3rd husband, Thomas Stanley) finally said what I had been thinking all along, that he thinks much of it is just Margaret hearing only what she wants to, and that maybe it's her own voice telling her she's destined for greatness. Really, the whole 'Chosen by God to do great things' theme began to run thin.
Also, because Margaret spent much of her early years in the country, nothing really happens TO her, it all happens AROUND her. Battles that were won or lost, secret plans that were hatched, they all come to us in quick little blurbs since Margaret was never in the thick of things. I think one would really need to know this time period to be able to fully understand everything that's happening. Some major events are passed over in just a paragraph or two. Those unfamiliar with the times will miss quite a bit. And when Margaret finally DOES get to court, the chapter jumps 10 years, and she speaks of it in past tense, like it was nothing!
*Sigh*...I could go on, but I'll stop here. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book. Even though there were parts of 'The White Queen' that were irritating and repetitive, it had some action to it. I felt like people were doing things and stuff was happening. This, this just felt like a whiny old woman constantly complaining about why nothing ever works out for her. Why God, who supposedly chose her for great things, would ignore her for so many years. By the time she finally gets everything she felt she deserved, I just didn't care anymore.
becky_mercer93's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
While I liked the story I absolutely hated Margaret. I felt the entire time she was throwing a tantrum. I can't stand her holier than thou bit, or her jealousy for Queen Elizabeth. I'm much more of a fan of the White Queen.
qkat's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book right after the first book in the series "The White Queen". I really struggled to read this book because it was actually an almost rehashing of the first book, but from a different persons perspective. I found it too boring and repetitive. I finally finished it and will not pick it up again.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
You really can't like Margaret. She's condescending, self-important, overly pious, proud, calculating, convinced her views are those of God. But that doesn't mean her narration isn't a fascinating side to an important story in our history.
You CAN feel sorry for Margaret. Married off at 12, she's wanted for her name and background as a close relative of the King. Forced to bear a child at 13, she's soon after widowed and remarried, a pawn in the machinations of others. But this is Margaret Beaufort, destined, she believes to be an English Joan of Arc, her son destined for the throne.
You can also feel pride in Margaret's accomplishments. However the story may stray from the truth (we can never know the contents of her letters, her conversations, her accurate dealings with people), history bears the marks of her own growing power and confidence.
Pushed yet further away from power when the York family take the crown, Margaret must bide her time, allow her son to be raised away from her, use her husbands power and position wisely to further her own aims.
True history is made real in Gregory's books, the role women played made exciting and behind-the-scenes vital. The perfect companion piece to The White Queen, this tells the flip side of Queen Elizabeth's story, that of the ruling power in ascension. Margaret must even be lady-in-waiting to the Queen she loathes, and befriend her. You couldn't write more tense soap operas than this true story! Margaret really isn't someone you can imagine having round for a meal, but she is fascinating.
I saw the BBC adaptation before considering this series, but am really glad I did. Very easy to read, interesting female characters, encourages further research into the period (Wikipedia, where art thou?!).
Next up for me - The White Princess.
You CAN feel sorry for Margaret. Married off at 12, she's wanted for her name and background as a close relative of the King. Forced to bear a child at 13, she's soon after widowed and remarried, a pawn in the machinations of others. But this is Margaret Beaufort, destined, she believes to be an English Joan of Arc, her son destined for the throne.
You can also feel pride in Margaret's accomplishments. However the story may stray from the truth (we can never know the contents of her letters, her conversations, her accurate dealings with people), history bears the marks of her own growing power and confidence.
Pushed yet further away from power when the York family take the crown, Margaret must bide her time, allow her son to be raised away from her, use her husbands power and position wisely to further her own aims.
True history is made real in Gregory's books, the role women played made exciting and behind-the-scenes vital. The perfect companion piece to The White Queen, this tells the flip side of Queen Elizabeth's story, that of the ruling power in ascension. Margaret must even be lady-in-waiting to the Queen she loathes, and befriend her. You couldn't write more tense soap operas than this true story! Margaret really isn't someone you can imagine having round for a meal, but she is fascinating.
I saw the BBC adaptation before considering this series, but am really glad I did. Very easy to read, interesting female characters, encourages further research into the period (Wikipedia, where art thou?!).
Next up for me - The White Princess.
keamph's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It would get 1 since Margaret sucks so bad and I can't STAND her as the main character, but it gets 2.5 because it was a little juicy, very traitorous, and the plot would have been DELICIOUS if it wasn't her as the MC. Margaret is a prime example of someone who thinks they are "holier than thou" and that they are favored by God, and everyone else is below them like little rats. She has no problem letting everyone else know that they SUCK and that they are nasty little sinners but she can do no wrong bc she was "chosen by God to be the Lady Mother of the King of England."
Love Philippa Gregory bc this woman has got some RANGE to write an entire book from the perspective of an extremely self-righteous, rude, egotistical, and flat out annoying woman. I rolled my eyes at LEAST 9 times during this book, and I'm glad it is over. All she cares about is cheating everyone around her, whining about how she has been "passed over," and making her son (Henry Tudor) king of England. We'll see if they get better, I liked that this book had more war/behind the scenes/conspiring, but I had to deal with Miss Goodie Two Shoes Temper Tantrum Soul Sucking Should Have Been Cult Leader Margaret Stanley/Beaufort/Tudor whoever she was married to by the end of it.
No, I don't feel bad for ripping a fictional depiction of a real life woman who died over 600 years ago to shreds.
Anyways, not a whole lot from Mr. Jasper Tudor, hopefully more in a later book? Excited to see how Elizabeth and Henry play out. Can't wait for some crazy ish to happen.
RIP Margaret you would have loved Jim Jones.
Love Philippa Gregory bc this woman has got some RANGE to write an entire book from the perspective of an extremely self-righteous, rude, egotistical, and flat out annoying woman. I rolled my eyes at LEAST 9 times during this book, and I'm glad it is over. All she cares about is cheating everyone around her, whining about how she has been "passed over," and making her son (Henry Tudor) king of England. We'll see if they get better, I liked that this book had more war/behind the scenes/conspiring, but I had to deal with Miss Goodie Two Shoes Temper Tantrum Soul Sucking Should Have Been Cult Leader Margaret Stanley/Beaufort/Tudor whoever she was married to by the end of it.
No, I don't feel bad for ripping a fictional depiction of a real life woman who died over 600 years ago to shreds.
Anyways, not a whole lot from Mr. Jasper Tudor, hopefully more in a later book? Excited to see how Elizabeth and Henry play out. Can't wait for some crazy ish to happen.
RIP Margaret you would have loved Jim Jones.
bsolarz's review against another edition
2.0
Much like the first book, I was incredibly disappointed in this book. I did not find it AS boring as the first book, at least not in the beginning. The beginning of the book was, to me, quite good.
I feel that the book moves too quickly with not enough depth into each time period or how the characters really got to the decisions and place they are at now. It may have been better if the author had focused on a few key years within a smaller bracket.
Would really not recommend it to anyone, and am sad to say that I did not actually finish this book. This is the 3rd book I have not finished completely.
I feel that the book moves too quickly with not enough depth into each time period or how the characters really got to the decisions and place they are at now. It may have been better if the author had focused on a few key years within a smaller bracket.
Would really not recommend it to anyone, and am sad to say that I did not actually finish this book. This is the 3rd book I have not finished completely.
threesixnine's review against another edition
1.0
Out of all of P. Gregory's books that I've read, this one was the worst. I hated the main character and her self-serving holiness. On and on about her fanatical beliefs in herself, her family, God, Joan of Arc - I almost didn't finish the book.