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94th out of 533 books
—
1,389 voters
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
While waiting in heaven for divine judgment to be passed on her second husband, Eleanor of Aquitaine and three of the people who knew her well recall the events of her life.
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
October 1st 2001
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(first published 1973)
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I especially anticipated reading this book for a couple of reasons.
1 - I love other books by this author especially From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Jennifer, Hecate, McBeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth.
2 - The book tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, from whom, I am decended.
I really liked the execution of the unfolding of the story. Eleanor is in heaven with people she knew during her mortal life, they are awaiting the decision of whether or not her husband...more
1 - I love other books by this author especially From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Jennifer, Hecate, McBeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth.
2 - The book tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, from whom, I am decended.
I really liked the execution of the unfolding of the story. Eleanor is in heaven with people she knew during her mortal life, they are awaiting the decision of whether or not her husband...more
I don't often call it quits with a book that I begin reading. Especially before I give it a fair chance. But I just couldn't get past the fact that the characters were sitting around in the afterlife, discussing their former lives and wondering who would be allowed out of purgatory next. Especially after just reading Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life, I just couldn't stomach it.
Reread. I remember checking out this book from the library multiple times when I was about twelve or so, and I'm happy to report it stood up to yet another reread as an adult.
Up in heaven, Eleanor of Aquitaine is waiting, impatiently and a bit impertinently, to find out if her husband Henry II will finally be judged to have served enough time "Below." To help her pass time before the verdict, three figures from her life--Abbot Suger, who knew her at the time of her marriage to Louis VII; Empress...more
Up in heaven, Eleanor of Aquitaine is waiting, impatiently and a bit impertinently, to find out if her husband Henry II will finally be judged to have served enough time "Below." To help her pass time before the verdict, three figures from her life--Abbot Suger, who knew her at the time of her marriage to Louis VII; Empress...more
I seem to be on a Konigsburg kick. A telling of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. While maybe not the best person, certainly not the worst, and definitely an amazing woman in history. It is told from the perspective some who knew her, with comments from her, as they wait in heaven for her second husband to join them. I had read an "adult" history of her a long time ago and remembered bits and pieces. She was truly a unique woman. Powerful and driven and intelligent. Able to stand up for herself...more
Apr 01, 2012
Kay
added it
Captive Queen led me to re-read A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg for the umpteenth time. It still holds up. And the historical detail dovetails perfectly with the scholarly effort of Alison Weir. This book may have been written for older children, but I enjoy it every time. The premise is that several of Eleanor’s contemporaries have moved Up to Heaven and are gathered to find out if Henry is finally going to join them. We have brief scenes in Heaven as each of the charac...more
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I'm sure there are some who didn't like this book, but I thought it was pretty well done especially since it was written in the late 1970s. The book is about Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is one of my favorite historical women in history. I especially liked how the tale was narrated from heaven by contemporaries of Eleanor, and how she has been in heaven for 500 more years than her husband Henry, who is about to find out if he can come up to heaven. I thought it was amusing that both Eleanor,...more
Aug 07, 2007
Laura
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
rachel anne (though she's probably already read it)
Shelves:
childrensbooks
i wish i liked konigsburg more. i recognize that she is very good, but her books are always really dense and slow. i enjoyed reading about eleanor of aquitaine - and i certainly know more about her than i did before - but i am now reading with my kids in mind and i don't think any of them will enjoy it. i felt similarly about "a view from saturday." too slow for our adhd culture. is it the book? is it us?
Not my favorite Konigsburg by any means, maybe only 2.5 stars. But I do wish I had read this historical fiction (I guess?) account of Eleanor of Aquitaine back in high school when I did a report on her than the horrible books I did read. I might not of been able to use this as a cited reference but it would of helped me to make more sense of all the names, places, culture and facts in all the other books and maybe the whole research paper would of been a little more intersting for having been fl...more
While waiting for her husband, Henry II, to join her in Heaven, Eleanor of Aquitane reminisces about some of the events of her remarkable life. She is joined on this walk down memory lane by her mother in law and her priest. This was a pretty quick and enjoyable read for me. I find stories about the life and times of Eleanor of Aquitane fascinating... No, Really... I do. Married to two kings, Louis the ? of France and Henry II of England: Mother of two kings; Richard II and King John I of Magna...more
So I couldn't fall back asleep this morning, so I decided to start reading this one since the current book was in the other room. And I read the whole thing in less than two hours. :)
Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my favorite queens, therefore I'll give just about any historical fiction novel about her a try. This one is definitely aimed at a younger audience. I didn't learn anything new (in fact, I'm pretty sure there was some wrong information in there at one point), but it was entertaining no...more
Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my favorite queens, therefore I'll give just about any historical fiction novel about her a try. This one is definitely aimed at a younger audience. I didn't learn anything new (in fact, I'm pretty sure there was some wrong information in there at one point), but it was entertaining no...more
This book had an interesting premise. Eleanor of Aquitaine is in heaven waiting for her second husband, Henry II of England, to be judged. She has been waiting for him for a long time, because he has had to suffer for some of his actions on earth for many years. While she is waiting, her mother-in-law, a bishop, and a knight, all take turns telling about different parts of her life - with Eleanor herself filling them in on the end of it.
The premise is interesting, and for a historic fiction boo...more
The premise is interesting, and for a historic fiction boo...more
This is the book that kicked off my obsession with Eleanor of Aquitane in middle school/ early high school. I even started writing a "Royal Diaries" style historical fiction book on her until they came out with their own version (which was very disappointing).
Okay, so the theology of Heaven and Hell is... unusual to say the least, but once you get past the framing device, the actual historical parts are so interesting and vivid. I love how we get to see her life from so many different angles, a...more
Okay, so the theology of Heaven and Hell is... unusual to say the least, but once you get past the framing device, the actual historical parts are so interesting and vivid. I love how we get to see her life from so many different angles, a...more
Mini-review: A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg
I read this book in one sitting; it was clever, fun, and surprisingly educational. From Heaven, Eleanor of Aquitaine is waiting for the judgement of her former husband, Henry II. While she waits, three of her contemporaries join her and they begin to tell the story of her life. First with Abbot Suger narrating, then Matilda Empress, William the Marshal, and Eleanor herself finishing the novel. I can't decide if the best part o...more
I read this book in one sitting; it was clever, fun, and surprisingly educational. From Heaven, Eleanor of Aquitaine is waiting for the judgement of her former husband, Henry II. While she waits, three of her contemporaries join her and they begin to tell the story of her life. First with Abbot Suger narrating, then Matilda Empress, William the Marshal, and Eleanor herself finishing the novel. I can't decide if the best part o...more
Thsi book is really good. Of course, Eleanor's experience in heaven is a little messed up, but the story is really good. This was actually on my history list because of all the information about that time period, I suppose, but it gave you a good look at Eleanor's life and the what was happening between England and France. I especially thought Eleanor's relationship with her ex-husband was interesting. Not accurate, of course, but I think it was funny how she and Louis (I'm not even sure if that...more
This is the story of a pretty awesome lady, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Not only did she live to the ripe old age of close to 80 in the 12th-13th centuries, and wield a lot of power, she bore numerous children, effectively divorced her first husband, and, um, supported her own sons' rebellions against her second husband.
Konigsburg has three different people - an abbot, Eleanor's second mother-in-law, and a knight - tell Eleanor's story from the vantage point of Heaven. I'm not sure if I quite apprecia...more
Konigsburg has three different people - an abbot, Eleanor's second mother-in-law, and a knight - tell Eleanor's story from the vantage point of Heaven. I'm not sure if I quite apprecia...more
This book was a treasure. I cannot believe I didn't discover it earlier, seeing as Konigsburg's book "From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" was one of my favorites when I was younger. This simple, personal, rich, succinct summary of Eleanor of Aquitaine's life was so unique and refreshing. I wish there were more books like this for other historical people. This will be one of those few books that I will reread numerous times, perhaps partly for the lovely illustrations as well. I...more
Will a book about Eleanor of Aquitaine appeal to my young readers book group? That was the question I set out to answer when I began reading this.
It seemed like a good bet: A fascinating woman who gave rise to one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, who embarked on Crusades and had two husbands -- all written by an author who wrote one of my favorite books (From the Mixed Up Files), and yet, it fell short.
Written as a series of remembrances by various characters who are keeping Eleanor com...more
It seemed like a good bet: A fascinating woman who gave rise to one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, who embarked on Crusades and had two husbands -- all written by an author who wrote one of my favorite books (From the Mixed Up Files), and yet, it fell short.
Written as a series of remembrances by various characters who are keeping Eleanor com...more
This book opens a whole different veiw of who Elenor of Aquitaine was. The book is set in Heaven while they are waiting for Elenor's second husband, Henry, to be judged. Her three companions, Abbot Sugar, Her Mother-in-Law, Matilda-Emperess, and William Marshal tell of different eras in Elenor's life such as her marriages, children, adventures, such as the crusade, and many other details that are breifly if ever mentioned in the history books. Later, Elenor herself tells her own story.
This book...more
This book...more
A children's book about Eleanor of Aquitaine, framed as different people she knew in life telling stories about her after her death. It was... frustrating, I guess, because of the way it simplifies so many things that are complex, but OTOH it's a kid's book, so maybe I expected too much of it? I don't know. I wouldn't object at all to a kid reading it, but I would be afraid that they'd find it pretty boring. The framework means there's no immediacy or excitement to anything, no suspense or dange...more
A very readable biography of a fascinating historical figure, a woman I've been intrigued by since I first learned about her back in grade school. And the more I know about her, the more impressed I am. The tale of Eleanor's life is told here by three who lived her story too, and are now reminiscing in heaven some eight centuries later. Lots of interesting facts and educated guesses anchor Konigsburg's creative tale, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know. Amazing to think that just one per...more
Not a real gripping historical fiction for an adult but I can see how this novel might get a younger reader hooked on history. I thought the premise of Elenore waiting in heaven with a few people from her life, for her 2nd husband Henery to arrive was an excellent and unique way to tell the story of her life. Loved the nedieval histories of England and France and their kings, wars and troubles. I think I would enjoy reading other literature about this time period. BTW I had to google what Scarle...more
Aug 11, 2011
Lisa Rathbun
added it
Wow! I am amazed at the positive reviews this book is getting: everyone loved this book. I, however, hated it. I thought it boring, dull, and confusing, and, personally, the view of heaven - bored people sitting around on clouds - while perhaps a necessary literary device, was offensive to my theology. Maybe I need to go back and read it again. I cannot imagine having to read it in 5th grade; I could barely get through it now as an adult. (And I love reading about the Middle Ages.) I truly hated...more
Proud, feisty Eleanor of Aquitaine impatiently waits in heaven to find if her husband, Henry, is going to finally be allowed into heaven. Eleanor and Henry haven’t seen each other for 800 years, in part because Henry had to spend so much time “below.”
Eleanor waits for the verdict with three people who knew her at different times in her life: Abbot Suger, her tutor and friend; Matilda-Empress, her second mother-in-law; and William the Marshall, her knight and guard. These three tell each other ab...more
Eleanor waits for the verdict with three people who knew her at different times in her life: Abbot Suger, her tutor and friend; Matilda-Empress, her second mother-in-law; and William the Marshall, her knight and guard. These three tell each other ab...more
Its a novel about the life of Elenor of Aquitaine (wife of Henry II/ mom to Richard I and Prince John), she is actually her own narrator, from heaven after her death. The novel is written for younger audiences, but its a good, clear introduction to her life story and she was a remarkable woman. She was one of the most powerful (if not the> most powerful) women in medievel europe. She was raised to be the duchess of Aquitaine and educated by her father at a time when educating girls wasn't eve...more
I read this book, like so many of Konigsburg's, over and over as a kid. I was probably the only fifth grader at my school who not only knew who Eleanor of Aquitaine was, but could rattle off details of her life as easily as talking about an old friend. The wonderful, personal way that this book is written makes it easy to read and remember the details of Eleanor's life, and I am pretty much still waiting for Konigsburg or another author to do the same thing for other historical figures.
A fascinating book recommended by a dear friend. Eleanor of Aquitaine is in Heaven, waiting to find out if her second husband, Henry II of England, will be allowed "Up." Eleanor gets her own story, as do other significant people in her life: the Abbot Suger, her mother-in-law Matilda, and her ally William the Marshall. It's not just a lyrical recounting of medieval history,though. It also explores what Heaven and the afterlife might be like. Another winner from E.L. Konigsburg!
One of the cleverest youth-targeted historical fiction books ever written. Eleanor of Aquitaine & friends are perched on a cloud in heaven, waiting to see if her infamous second husband, Henry II of England, will be allowed out of Purgatory and into Heaven.
'A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver' ages very well. I'm 25 and I still enjoy it as much as I did when I was eleven. If you've never read this book, find a copy and spend an afternoon with it.
Awesome book.
'A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver' ages very well. I'm 25 and I still enjoy it as much as I did when I was eleven. If you've never read this book, find a copy and spend an afternoon with it.
Awesome book.
I love this book. It is written well after the deaths of the all the characters involved, but they are all tied together because they are all waiting for the old king after he has served his sentence in purgatory. As they sit in their afterlife heaven, they recall the goings ons of their times. It is really quite lovely, and one must appreciate the queen. She is exactly what she ought to be for she is amazingly headstrong. A wonderful novel!
The construct-- historical characters reminiscing in heaven-- is silly but effective. Eleanor certainly comes to life, and Konigsburg concisely gets to the heart of some sticky medieval matters like piety, homage, crusade, and courtly love. By the end I was depressed because Eleanor outlives everyone, including eight of her ten children. The scope of history can be a real punch in the gut sometimes.
P.S. I love the illustrations.
P.S. I love the illustrations.
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Elaine Lobl Konigsburg was an American author and illustrator of children's books and young adult fiction. She was the only author to win the Newbery Medal and a Newbery Honor in the same year (1968), with her second and first books respectively: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth. Kongisburg won a second Newbery...more
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Jul 02, 2009 05:54am