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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Long, dry account of Margaret's life. It was helpful to give Henry Tudor's history. But very dry.
Necessary caveat- this book is Historical Fiction, not a History.
Margaret Beaufort, the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty and the arguable winner of the Wars of the Roses is the tenacious child, teenager, woman and My Lady, the King's Mother that is required to survive the mid and late 15th century. In this novel, Gregory writes Margaret as the scheming woman she must have been- one such scheme potentially being the murder of the Princes in the Tower. From a position of historical truth, we can never be sure but many historians refute this claim. However, when taken as fiction, a nuanced and complex figure emerges. I personally enjoy this view regardless of being a firmly planted believer in alternative theories (of which i have studied intensely).
The Wars of the Roses is a topic with no lack of books written of it, but this novel has a protagonist that can be seen as a fully-fleshed person, rather than the wimple-clad sources she can be reduced to. Sometimes championing women is to allow them to act in the age old way of men- by carving history to fit yourself instead of merely tumbling along the path made for you. This book accomplishes what it set out to do so well that even is current historical circles, we still encounter people who believe in this version of Margaret more than the one we have seen for 500+ years.
Margaret Beaufort, the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty and the arguable winner of the Wars of the Roses is the tenacious child, teenager, woman and My Lady, the King's Mother that is required to survive the mid and late 15th century. In this novel, Gregory writes Margaret as the scheming woman she must have been- one such scheme potentially being the murder of the Princes in the Tower. From a position of historical truth, we can never be sure but many historians refute this claim. However, when taken as fiction, a nuanced and complex figure emerges. I personally enjoy this view regardless of being a firmly planted believer in alternative theories (of which i have studied intensely).
The Wars of the Roses is a topic with no lack of books written of it, but this novel has a protagonist that can be seen as a fully-fleshed person, rather than the wimple-clad sources she can be reduced to. Sometimes championing women is to allow them to act in the age old way of men- by carving history to fit yourself instead of merely tumbling along the path made for you. This book accomplishes what it set out to do so well that even is current historical circles, we still encounter people who believe in this version of Margaret more than the one we have seen for 500+ years.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As other reviewers have mentioned, this book isn't about Margaret of Anjou, but Margaret Beaufort.
I will admit that this one was more of a struggle to read than The White Queen. However, I find Margaret Beaufort to be just as interesting as Elizabeth Woodville. This is fiction not biography, but most of the action and events really happened so it's a great way to be introduced to this amazing woman.
Margaret dreams of becoming a nun, or an Abbess where she can read lots of books and learn more than she can as a high born girl. But, her plans are thwarted when she's married off at 12.
This is a story of a woman's determination to get what is owed to her. She's heir to the throne, god damn it, and she's coming for the Yorks.
If you compare the White and Red Queens, they are such different women, but they are both strong and feisty.
The women of the wars of the roses are incredible and I'm glad these two got a novel each!
I will admit that this one was more of a struggle to read than The White Queen. However, I find Margaret Beaufort to be just as interesting as Elizabeth Woodville. This is fiction not biography, but most of the action and events really happened so it's a great way to be introduced to this amazing woman.
Margaret dreams of becoming a nun, or an Abbess where she can read lots of books and learn more than she can as a high born girl. But, her plans are thwarted when she's married off at 12.
This is a story of a woman's determination to get what is owed to her. She's heir to the throne, god damn it, and she's coming for the Yorks.
If you compare the White and Red Queens, they are such different women, but they are both strong and feisty.
The women of the wars of the roses are incredible and I'm glad these two got a novel each!
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Enjoyable still, but not quite as fun and funky as the white queen.
Also hate to say it but she’s annoying.
Really cool battle scene though (just a shame that’s the bit about the men)
Also hate to say it but she’s annoying.
Really cool battle scene though (just a shame that’s the bit about the men)
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
A enjoyable read but at many times during the book, I felt frustrated with some of the characters. Bits of Margaret's righteousness dragged on a bit, too much on her high horse. Overall, glad the pace quickened towards the end
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes