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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Liked this one well enough, though really, really could have done without all the Melusina stuff. Got to the point where just seeing the word caused me to roll my eyes and skim through whatever was italicized. Also not fond of the "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" moments every time Henry Tudor and how he would never be king was mentioned. I know Gregory wrote her Tudor series first. I get it. Stop dropping anvils on my head.
I have been a big fan of Philippa Gregory's books for a while now. So when I picked up "The White Queen", I was looking forward to once again getting lost in reading. Sadly, it didn't happen this time. Reading this book was more of a chore than it was a pleasure. I didn't like the new style of story-telling. I forced myself to finish the book purely out of my loyalty to the author.
Yes, it makes a good read; although I like Gregory´s style less than that of other authors of historical fiction, say C.J. Sansom, or, God forbid, Neal Stephenson.
It´s an entertaining, but overall rather dry read, like a very extended literary version of a school textbook, at least in my opinion. But ok - at least she doesn´t seem to stretch the historical details overmuch and I tend to read good historical fiction always with the idea to learn something as well. So, its a solid 3 stars and I decided to give the next part of the trilogy "The red queen" a chance.
It´s an entertaining, but overall rather dry read, like a very extended literary version of a school textbook, at least in my opinion. But ok - at least she doesn´t seem to stretch the historical details overmuch and I tend to read good historical fiction always with the idea to learn something as well. So, its a solid 3 stars and I decided to give the next part of the trilogy "The red queen" a chance.
This is a time period in history I am so intrigued by, and Philippa Gregory did not disappoint! So excited to start watching this series on Starz as well!
Amazing take on a very interesting Queen in a turmoltous time in history.
Wishing there were half stars. Would give this a 3.5. I love historical fiction, and some of Gregory's other work, but this was not one of her favorites of mine.
I wanted to like the book. I really did. But it just doesn't deliver. I know that due to lack of hard evidence literary liberties have to be taken. But the book tries to portray Elizabeth as the victim of circumstances and the politics of the time, while showing the actions of a petty immature girl, facing the consequences of her own actions, her lack of decisiveness and lack of political savvy, while laying guilt in everyone else's door. So in the end, you end up with a bland main character and narrator. I say make her evil or make her good, but make up your mind.
Don't know what else to say.
Don't know what else to say.
slow-paced
I picked up this book at our BookClub and finished it in more or less one sitting!
I'm enjoying historical fact-fiction books at the moment and this one is perfect. The story is told from the point of view of the Queen. There's a bit of sex and seduction, some magic, and some politics (though I felt that that section was glossed over and the author could have gone into a lot more detail).
I enjoyed it for the introduction to the era and the history of that time and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
After reading this I'll also definitely pick up her other titles about the Tudors.
I'm enjoying historical fact-fiction books at the moment and this one is perfect. The story is told from the point of view of the Queen. There's a bit of sex and seduction, some magic, and some politics (though I felt that that section was glossed over and the author could have gone into a lot more detail).
I enjoyed it for the introduction to the era and the history of that time and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
After reading this I'll also definitely pick up her other titles about the Tudors.