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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This book was really rough for me to get through which, given the reviews and my fondness for historical biographies, was a surprise. It may be one of those cases that it just wasn't the right time for me to read this book. However, there was also a sort of bloodlessness and pedantry about the way the text read that was off-putting. The events were quite exciting, and sometimes even scandalous, but the dry tone of the narration put them at a remove and made them read like a textbook. Frieda also had an irritating habit to referring to items it seems "everyone" knows (or assumes they know) about Catherine de' Medici, but she never goes on to elaborate. Perhaps I didn't pay attention to this section in school, but I didn't know (or assume) much of anything at all about her. It would have been nice for her to fill in the gaps of how Catherine is painted and then contrasted with the actual historical record.
I may give this book a try again later. I did make it several hundred pages in before completely losing interest.
I may give this book a try again later. I did make it several hundred pages in before completely losing interest.
informative
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
Very interesting biography of famous "black queen" who was remembered chiefly as a mean and manipulative influence from the backstage on her family of rulers (three of her sons were kings).
Leonie Frieda did some excellent research all over the France and came up with slightly different modern view on this fascinating subject - as expected,she places Catherine de Medici right into proper historical surrounding and by explaining situation around her makes her motives and deeds somehow understandable. True,Medici herself was heavily criticized even during her lifetime and later suffered the fate of every ruler who was replaced by another regime (bad propaganda) but what Frieda did here is to at least try to understand what actually happened and what options Medici had as a widow and mother who fiercely fought to protect her sons rights.
Lot of first class stories and anecdotes,this could easily be used as a base for some movie or a documentary,it is really very gripping and highly enjoyable story.
Leonie Frieda did some excellent research all over the France and came up with slightly different modern view on this fascinating subject - as expected,she places Catherine de Medici right into proper historical surrounding and by explaining situation around her makes her motives and deeds somehow understandable. True,Medici herself was heavily criticized even during her lifetime and later suffered the fate of every ruler who was replaced by another regime (bad propaganda) but what Frieda did here is to at least try to understand what actually happened and what options Medici had as a widow and mother who fiercely fought to protect her sons rights.
Lot of first class stories and anecdotes,this could easily be used as a base for some movie or a documentary,it is really very gripping and highly enjoyable story.
challenging
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Catherine de Medici is a fascinating women, strong and determined with a political savvy that nevertheless failed her at key moments in history. I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about her. Unfortunately Frieda's writing style made this book difficult to get to at times. She had a tendency to jump from one topic to another with no transitions or explanations of how one incident related to the rest. There was also several references to how Catherine has been painted as evil sine her death, but I would have enjoyed to see more contrasting of the real woman and the myth. I believe I will explore further biographies on her in the future so I can have a chance to do this myself.
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Zeer interessante geschiedenis die erg ongeïnspireerd wordt beschreven. Waardeloze vertaling vol fouten.
informative
3.5 This was utterly fascinating as I only know her through being Mary of Scots mother in law. She lived a really interesting life and I learned quite a lot about her. She certainly lived a life full of complications and somewhat hard times for someone of her standing. I reccomend this if you are interested in the life of Catherine.