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A review by cathybruce208
Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir
4.0
So far, it is very interesting. Two larger than life characters in love with each other, but also pitted against each other. Already know the history, but it's easy to see this won't end well.
I finished the book and I really enjoyed it. It was satisfying. It really made a difference to me that this book is as historically accurate as Ms. Weir could make it. Henry's infidelity was unbelievable, but it really happened. Their family life made today's soap operas seem tame and uninspired.
Reading about Eleanor's life, with its ups and downs, allies and antagonists (often the same person at different times!) made me realize how artificial some fiction can be. Too much fiction wraps up all the loose ends by the last page and each character has a well-defined story arc. Let's face it. No one is right or wrong all of the time (even Henry), and sometimes good intentions are stymied by people or circumstances beyond our control.
We all like to think of ourselves as the hero of our own story, but of course life isn't that tidy. We do the best we can with the tools life gives us. Eleanor's life wasn't all triumph or all tragedy. I like the image of her near the end, older and wiser, honed by the experiences of her life, but finally at peace. We should all be so lucky.
I finished the book and I really enjoyed it. It was satisfying. It really made a difference to me that this book is as historically accurate as Ms. Weir could make it. Henry's infidelity was unbelievable, but it really happened. Their family life made today's soap operas seem tame and uninspired.
Reading about Eleanor's life, with its ups and downs, allies and antagonists (often the same person at different times!) made me realize how artificial some fiction can be. Too much fiction wraps up all the loose ends by the last page and each character has a well-defined story arc. Let's face it. No one is right or wrong all of the time (even Henry), and sometimes good intentions are stymied by people or circumstances beyond our control.
We all like to think of ourselves as the hero of our own story, but of course life isn't that tidy. We do the best we can with the tools life gives us. Eleanor's life wasn't all triumph or all tragedy. I like the image of her near the end, older and wiser, honed by the experiences of her life, but finally at peace. We should all be so lucky.