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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book as it was the first historical fiction that I read about this era. I gave it three stars instead of four mainly because of the over-emphasis, in my opinion, of the battles. It did not hold my attention as much as did the scenes about Elizabeth Woodville.
Want to read the rest of series. Ms Gregory is a great historical fiction writer of strong women.
Love her books. Women are so crazy! but also strong and smart. A good one.
"Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition, (and an ancestor of magical Melusina) secretly marries the newly crowned boy king. While she rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for the success of her family, her two sons become the central figures in a famous unsolved mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the lost princes in the Tower of London."
I loved this book-I thought I would have no interest, but once I picked it up- it was hard to put down. It was sometimes hard to follow just by the nature of everyone having the same name - but the story lines and characters were developed and interesting while not being so overwhelming, that you felt attached one way or the other.
I do wish Gregory inculuded some additional timelines or family tree/ org charts to help me viaualize the blood lines.
I was originally interested in the stories of the Princes of London, and wished more research or more was solved in the case of their murders.
I do wish Gregory inculuded some additional timelines or family tree/ org charts to help me viaualize the blood lines.
I was originally interested in the stories of the Princes of London, and wished more research or more was solved in the case of their murders.
The first Philippa Gregory I read, was The Other Boleyn Girl and I was hooked for good. I read all her other books, mainly on the Tudors. They were all fascinating reads and the best part was that the books were always written from the point of view of a woman. It gave a rare insight into what might have gone on, with the women, behind the scenes. The women who were responsible(in a way) for the formation of the Church of England. It also piqued my interest in the history and I read up a lot of history, in an effort to understand what was fiction and what was fact.What fascinated me was that most of what Gregory wrote was based on facts. And the dimensions she adds to her characters are wonderful.
When I saw The White Queen in the library, I just had to pick it up. In this book, she moves on from the Tudors to the dynasty before them – the Plantaganets. The book starts off with Elizabeth Woodville, a Lancastarian widow who stops the King Edward on his way, to ask for justice and for her lands to be returned to her. It turns out that Edward falls in love with her and marries her in secret. In the backdrop, there is also the suggestion of witchcraft. Elizabeth and her mother are shown indulging in witchcraft. Soon, she is accepted as the Queen of England, but not without her share of enemies who believe that she tricked the King to marry her. It does not help matters that her family is given a lot of important positions by the king.
As the story develops, with treason, treachery and conquests, it is fascinating to read it from the queen’s point of view. Of her ambitions and hopes for her children.The choices that she makes, the life that she lives. I especially love the fact that she shows all the blacks and the greys as well as vulnerable parts of the queen’s character. As I said earlier, it shows the important role the women played in aspects of governing even in those days. I have not read up the history yet, but I definitely found it very interesting.
My recommendation is that if you like historical fiction, go for it, otherwise keep away.
When I saw The White Queen in the library, I just had to pick it up. In this book, she moves on from the Tudors to the dynasty before them – the Plantaganets. The book starts off with Elizabeth Woodville, a Lancastarian widow who stops the King Edward on his way, to ask for justice and for her lands to be returned to her. It turns out that Edward falls in love with her and marries her in secret. In the backdrop, there is also the suggestion of witchcraft. Elizabeth and her mother are shown indulging in witchcraft. Soon, she is accepted as the Queen of England, but not without her share of enemies who believe that she tricked the King to marry her. It does not help matters that her family is given a lot of important positions by the king.
As the story develops, with treason, treachery and conquests, it is fascinating to read it from the queen’s point of view. Of her ambitions and hopes for her children.The choices that she makes, the life that she lives. I especially love the fact that she shows all the blacks and the greys as well as vulnerable parts of the queen’s character. As I said earlier, it shows the important role the women played in aspects of governing even in those days. I have not read up the history yet, but I definitely found it very interesting.
My recommendation is that if you like historical fiction, go for it, otherwise keep away.
I really enjoy books that combine history with fiction. The White Queen was such a fascinating read, and while the author takes some liberties with history, it works, and works well. The English Monarchy is both fascinating and troublesome.
It took me a very long time to read this book, and I am glad I finished it. This is a rich book, filled with war, and betrayal and a whole lot of death. I have already read the Red Queen, and am looking forward to the White Princess. I love the characters and details from history that make these stories so enjoyable.
I downloaded this book on tape for my mother who loves history and further enjoys the works of Philippa Gregory. I started listening to it one day at work, and I'm glad I did.
The only reason the book isn't rated higher is because by necessity, historical novels often don't carry much of a plot line. They have to cover so much time and, especially in the case of kings and queens, so much intricate history. There are so many players and events you need at least a passing knowledge of in order to understand what happened. As a result, the book doesn't really have a plot so much as it is the story of a life. As with all lives, it meanders with no larger purpose except to survive the next event. That's great for life, but for me it makes for an unsatisfying read.
However the writing was interesting and I appreciate how the character is portrayed, flaws and all. I also appreciate this book in that dry tales I only heard in my history book are now vividly, wonderfully alive. Love it. Will move on to the second book when I have the time.
The only reason the book isn't rated higher is because by necessity, historical novels often don't carry much of a plot line. They have to cover so much time and, especially in the case of kings and queens, so much intricate history. There are so many players and events you need at least a passing knowledge of in order to understand what happened. As a result, the book doesn't really have a plot so much as it is the story of a life. As with all lives, it meanders with no larger purpose except to survive the next event. That's great for life, but for me it makes for an unsatisfying read.
However the writing was interesting and I appreciate how the character is portrayed, flaws and all. I also appreciate this book in that dry tales I only heard in my history book are now vividly, wonderfully alive. Love it. Will move on to the second book when I have the time.