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A review by sherylubookquitous
Captive Queen by Alison Weir
4.0
Weir is one of the most readable biographical historians currently writing, but by her own admission, history is about piecing together the scraps and bits, and simply acknowlegeing when there is not enough evidence to declare something as true.
By contrast, her historical fiction is about filling those gaps with something that is probable and fits in with what we do know. She tries to stay true to what is known and likely possible, and perhaps because of that, her novels don't have some of the intrigue of those who sometimes sacrifice history for plot. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Her characters are deeply developed in Captive Queen and Eleanor is a as strong a character as she was a historical figure and was sympathic.
Weir may have succeeded in her goal: for me the difference between the biography and the novel was a lack of frustration at an incomplete narrative.
By contrast, her historical fiction is about filling those gaps with something that is probable and fits in with what we do know. She tries to stay true to what is known and likely possible, and perhaps because of that, her novels don't have some of the intrigue of those who sometimes sacrifice history for plot. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Her characters are deeply developed in Captive Queen and Eleanor is a as strong a character as she was a historical figure and was sympathic.
Weir may have succeeded in her goal: for me the difference between the biography and the novel was a lack of frustration at an incomplete narrative.