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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
DNF this at page 166. This book just wasn't for me. Couldn't get into the story and didn't feel a connection with the characters.
Although I've loved C.W. Gortner's historical novels, The Queen's Vow was a profound disappointment. The book's coverage of Isabella's life is so odd--for about half the book, Isabella is a young woman, and the remainder of the book rushes through her life, listing historical events like a catalogue. Rather than writing about Isabella's experiences during these events, Gortner lists Isabella's travels, battles that were fought, and births of children--a catalogue rather than a portrait. Gortner also failed in that unique way male writers can fail in writing women. Depictions of childbirth, Isabella's body and sexual experiences, and some of her internal insights (for example, her thoughts when putting on armor) seemed too much like male imaginations of what women must experience.
Overall (and I hate to say it), The Queen's Vow does a disservice to Isabella of Castile, who was a complicated and accomplished historical figure, ahead of her times in many ways. Any literary depiction of her should do her justice.
Overall (and I hate to say it), The Queen's Vow does a disservice to Isabella of Castile, who was a complicated and accomplished historical figure, ahead of her times in many ways. Any literary depiction of her should do her justice.
What I know of Isabella and Ferdinand is that they were Columbus's patron, and they oversaw the Inquisition (nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!)... I found some of Isabella's thoughts to be too modern in this book (I don't think her expectation that Ferdinand was completely faithful to her during their years apart was realistic. Certainly not for that time. And not for kings.). It was a pity the book ended when it did though - I'm left wondering what Isabella did with her maid, Beatriz, who was from "converso" stock and would had to have left Spain in the later years of the Inquisition! Overall though, I enjoyed this :-)
Another excellent historical novel from CW Gortner. I appreciated that he didn't try to shy away from or gloss over the events in Isabella's reign which are looked on as unsavory nowadays.
Well written, very interesting, and kept my attention. Educational as well, as I have not read anything on Spanish royalty. (Ferdinand and Isabella) This is the mother of Catherine of Aragon and also she was a warrior queen and was responsible for part of the Spanish Inquisition. Great read and now I want to read about her daughter, the "mad" Queen, Juana. I've found a new author for sure! Already have downloaded his book on Chanel!
Fyrri hlutinn var frábær! Fannst sagan missa aðeins flugið þegar á leið. Gaman og áhugavert að lesa um spænska sögu. Á mögulega eftir að nýta þessa bók í kennslu.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
C. W. Gortner does an amazing job of letting the reader step into the worlds of his characters. This is a wonderful complement to the story of Queen Joan. His books make you want to learn more about every charcter that appears in them.
I enjoyed a lot of the story line, such as her family and children, but had difficulty keeping up with all the names and connections of people. I picked this up and put it down many times, but was happy to finish it.
Gortner is masterful at painting the lives of historic queens, rich in imagery, place and intrigue. Gortner’s Queen Isabella of Spain was a bad ass feminist, who co-ruled ancient Spain with her beloved Fernando (in English, Ferdinand, they of the Christopher Columbus patronage). While historical fiction, the story is based on truth, and I had not realized that Queen Isabella had such deep ties to Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition. While completely speculative, I really liked how Gortner made Queen Isabella sympathetic to the Jews (though she clearly had no love lost for the Islamic Moors!) and had her questioning the moral correctness of expelling the Jews from Spain, all while deeply believing in the superiority of her Catholic faith and that she was saving her Jewish people from eternal damnation. The perspective made her deeply human and conflicted, and added veracity to the story. All in all, a terrific read.