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A review by felinity
The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick
4.0
This is a new take on one of the most famous queens in English history. Chadwick uses her non-Anglicized name "Alienor" instead of the more common "Eleanor", because she called herself Alienor and used that name to sign her charters. That also helps separate her from other fictionalized accounts of Aquitaine's famed beauty (especially those of [a:Sharon Kay Penman|24655|Sharon Kay Penman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234237583p2/24655.jpg], with which I was much more familiar).
I always enjoy the richness of Chadwick's writing, surrounding the reader with sensory descriptions of sound, scent and sight, and this was no exception. I was immersed in Aquitaine and the French court, from the feeling of the fabrics worn to the stifling heat and odors in the summer.
This is more than just Alienor's story though. Through her the reader sees her increasing alienation at the French court, helped by her mother-in-law's disapproval and the influence of bishops and religious leaders, and then we see the potential joy in her initial relationship with Louis, a seed which never comes to fruition. We watch as the marriage mirrors her experience at court, the relationship souring as Louis withdraws his affection as he longs for a male heir, under the influence of male companions. We see the suspicion, the desperation, the hostility, the fervor, and the betrayals.
It's not just Alienor's story though. We also see a lot more of Louis than I had expected. He's not just the French king, left in a corner, but someone we come to know, even though our understanding of his motives is often opaque.
I look forward to reading the next one!
I always enjoy the richness of Chadwick's writing, surrounding the reader with sensory descriptions of sound, scent and sight, and this was no exception. I was immersed in Aquitaine and the French court, from the feeling of the fabrics worn to the stifling heat and odors in the summer.
This is more than just Alienor's story though. Through her the reader sees her increasing alienation at the French court, helped by her mother-in-law's disapproval and the influence of bishops and religious leaders, and then we see the potential joy in her initial relationship with Louis, a seed which never comes to fruition. We watch as the marriage mirrors her experience at court, the relationship souring as Louis withdraws his affection as he longs for a male heir, under the influence of male companions. We see the suspicion, the desperation, the hostility, the fervor, and the betrayals.
It's not just Alienor's story though. We also see a lot more of Louis than I had expected. He's not just the French king, left in a corner, but someone we come to know, even though our understanding of his motives is often opaque.
I look forward to reading the next one!