A review by mcastello13
The Tudors in Love: Passion and Politics in the Age of England's Most Famous Dynasty by Sarah Gristwood, Sarah Gristwood

informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

The Tudors will forever fascinate me, and the lens through which this book looks at them was especially interesting. I loved that it focused on many different members of the dynasty and not just Henry VIII and his wives and Elizabeth I. That said, I think Elizabeth I is possibly the most fascinating (well-known, at least) person to ever live, so I could readily read anything about her life, really. But I also enjoyed reading about other members of the family who I know less about.

And of course I appreciated that it focused on women and gave us a very three-dimensional look at their lives and experiences with courtly love, and the ways in which those ideals professed to elevate and empower them while ultimately working to constrain them ever further. Depressing, but fascinating.