To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Christy English

Jan 12, 2013 Beth marked it as to-be-read-pile

Shelves: hf-to-read, own-it

I think I've entered the giveaway for this 5 times, haha. Hey, can't blame a girl for trying, especially when the book looks so good! :)

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Feb 20, 2012 Leah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books

WOW!
Christy English brings Eleanor to life! Housework be damned when you pick up this book. She tells the story through the eyes, mind, and heart of Eleanor herself.

A story full of dreams and accomplishments, of love and hate, of murder and revenge. There was a time while reading that I felt shock, amazement, and love all at the same time. Thunderstruck is how I can describe it. I told Christy that I felt my emotions were full throttle. I was brought to tears as Eleanor faced this love that was...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, favorites, borrow-me, medieval-history

To Be Queen is a fascinating story of Eleanor becoming Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, to becoming Queen of France and in the end divorces King Louis, then goes on to marry Henry of Normandy.

Eleanor is now my favorite person of the middle ages. She was a courageous, strong-willed, and a powerful women. I was pretty amazed how she was able to keep her title and lands during and after her marriage to King Louis. That was uncommen during those times.

I also felt that Eleanor was brilliant ho...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Jo Butler rated it 4 of 5 stars

Is there anything sadder than marrying a man who loves another more than he loves you? In the case of Eleanor of Aquitaine, her new husband Louis – heir to the throne of 12th century France – is more in thrall to the Catholic Church than he is attracted to her.

Like other women in her situation, Eleanor tries to seduce Louis away from her rival, hoping that Louis will eventually realize that a clever, ambitious wife is more valuable to him than the Church. But in the end, she, like so many other...more

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May 06, 2012 Jody rated it 2 of 5 stars

I quit reading this before Eleanor and Louis went on Crusade. There is a reason no one has chosen to write about Eleanor of Aquitaine's early life before her marriage to Henry. It was incredibly boring!

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Sep 22, 2011 Gaile rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 12th-century, favorites, recommended-2011, emery-s-2011-challenge

I read this book about the young years of Eleanor Of Aguitaine in one day.
Smoothly written and well characterized, it showed me a better picture of Louis, The Pious than the other books I have read about her. I have four books about Eleanor and now I have five!
I wish this had been longer as after Eleanor's divorce from the King Of France, she went on to marry Henry Of Normandy who reclaimed his mother's land and was crowned King Of England but that is another story. Perhaps we will hear about th...more

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Jun 01, 2012 Hannah Fielding rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. The cover drew me in – especially the unusually silky textured paper – and sitting in my garden, I was transported to a bygone era, lost in a world of kings and queens and religion and politics and ambitions and dreams. While the book is full of romance, the focus on telling a tale grounded in history is the priority, and this leads to a compelling page-turner.

There is a wonderful sense of setting in the book – from the Aquitaine to the East – and the depiction of life for a t...more I loved this book. The cover drew me in – especially the unusually silky textured paper – and sitting in my garden, I was transported to a bygone era, lost in a world of kings and queens and religion and politics and ambitions and dreams. While the book is full of romance, the focus on telling a tale grounded in history is the priority, and this leads to a compelling page-turner.

There is a wonderful sense of setting in the book – from the Aquitaine to the East – and the depiction of life for a twelfth-century duchess/queen felt realistic. I have always loved the power of historical fiction to show how life differed for our ancestors, but also which common themes echo across the centuries. In this book, I was delighted by the strong characters (particularly the females), their ambition and, most of all, the pull of their love over righteousness and politics.

Christy’s writing style is poetic and fitting for the era she depicts. She is careful to include vivid descriptions, allowing the reader to understand how this old world looked and felt. It is her romantic prose, though, that most draws me. My favourite phrase is this: ‘Once he met me, and saw his own soul in my eyes...’ What a beautiful way to capture the love at first sight between two characters.

For me, the greatest strength of the book lies in the characterisation. Eleanor is a heroine with whom you identify, and from early on in the book I found myself admiring her courage and her strength in such a male-dominated world. I think Christie finds the perfect balance between making Eleanor ruthless and treacherous when the need arises, but at heart a good, loving woman whom we respect and wish well. And her love interests – well! Attractive, intriguing, a wonderful mix from the alpha male to the devoted worshiper.

The ending of the book was perfect – freedom at last, and the hope of new love and a whole new level of power and accomplishment. I found the afterword of the book most fascinating, and I would have loved a sequel to the book in which Christy explored the rest of Eleanor’s story, particularly her marriage to Henry and her connection to English history.

Overall, this is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves romantic historical fiction.
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Oct 03, 2011 Elena rated it 4 of 5 stars

"He married out of love, a woman out of legend. Not in Alexandria, or Rome, or Camelot has there been such a queen...."~ The Lion in Winter (1968)

To Be Queen by Christy English is a fictional account of the youth of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204), focusing on her unhappy, scandal-ridden years as Queen of France, before Henry II whisked her away to be Queen of England. In the Louvre is a crystal vase which Eleanor gave to Louis VII as a wedding present, which Louis then donated to his mentor A...more "He married out of love, a woman out of legend. Not in Alexandria, or Rome, or Camelot has there been such a queen...."~ The Lion in Winter (1968)

To Be Queen by Christy English is a fictional account of the youth of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204), focusing on her unhappy, scandal-ridden years as Queen of France, before Henry II whisked her away to be Queen of England. In the Louvre is a crystal vase which Eleanor gave to Louis VII as a wedding present, which Louis then donated to his mentor Abbot Suger. In the novel, Eleanor is hurt and furious that Louis would give away one of her family heirlooms, one which she had wanted to pass on to their children. It was one of the many small frustrations which, when heaped together, made her situation untenable; she sought relief from it in danger and passion. While To Be Queen is an imaginative work we must remember that when dealing with Eleanor, the more far-fetched the story is, the more likely it is to be true.

As we journey with Eleanor we see the world she lived in through her eyes. I am pleased to say that the author avoids any feminist anachronisms. Perhaps part of the contemporary fascination with Eleanor is that she is often seen as being a medieval feminist. I doubt that Eleanor saw her actions in terms of being a liberated woman, asserting herself on behalf of the freedom and dignity of women everywhere. Eleanor's motives were usually part of a larger political maneuver which as a queen, a mother and a duchess she found necessary for retaining her power and influence. For a lady of rank, especially rank as exalted as Eleanor's, the loss of power and influence could mean imprisonment or death. Scheming was a matter of expediency; there is no question that she played the game well.

I noticed in some reviews of To Be Queen many people praised Eleanor for being a liberated woman ahead of her time. Although she was unique in many ways, she was not the only medieval woman to have power and rights. According to historian Régine Pernoud in her book Women in the Days of the Cathedrals it is known how heiresses such as Eleanor wielded great authority in their lands but other women as well, including Adela of Blois, Anne of the Ruthenians, Queen of France, and Mathilda of Tuscany. There is much we can learn from them, as the Madame Pernoud explains:

"The exercise of supreme political power did not impede them from being women to the full. They had no desire to imitate or copy masculine models. In their behavior, they remained essentially women even when they acted in a military or political field. They did not renounce being admired or loved. Furthermore, they brought to their activity a certain quality of attention to people and even essentially feminine solutions which would have escaped a lord or captain." (Women in the Days of the Cathedrals, pp. 185-186)

In To Be Queen, Eleanor is shown using her feminine genius to protect herself, her people and her family. The embodiment of worldly charm, she is portrayed as an agnostic, coming from a family who has had political struggles with the papacy for years. She views the Church as a monolithic institution intent upon foiling her plans and pleasures, an institution represented by scheming clerics such as Abbot Suger, grumpy Bernard of Clairvaux, and the misogynist Brother Francis, Louis' confessor, who ends up being a master poisoner as well. I would have enjoyed the story better had the Church characters been a bit more textured and less monochromatic but perhaps that is how Eleanor truly saw them. I do think the part about Brother Francis the poisoner is fictional, since the name "Francis" was not yet used in those days before Francis of Assisi. Pope Eugenius is depicted quite well; in spite of Eleanor's bribes he refuses to blithely dish out an annulment but encourages the troubled couple to try to make the marriage succeed. In spite of her unbelief Eleanor often finds herself speaking as a believer, only to catch herself and retreat into apostasy. She is, in spite of everything, seeking a great love.

Unfortunately, Eleanor's husband Louis uses religion as an excuse to gravely neglect his marital duties, which Eleanor, quite naturally, takes as rejection. His constant attitude of disapproval is a signal to the court to be critical of their Queen, who finds herself more and more alienated, surrounded by gossip and blame, censured for her barrenness. As often happens in a case where a person is unjustly accused of certain sins, the person becomes more and more likely to fall; that is what happens to Eleanor in To Be Queen. Love eludes her, however. Her intense, pseudo-mystical relationship with her Uncle Raymond in Antioch almost destroys her. It is only by the grace of the God she does not believe in, and her will to live, that she survives the tempests.

I immensely enjoyed the descriptions of Eleanor and Louis' crusade to the Holy Land and the wonderful places they visited en route and on the journey home. It is easy to forget that what we now call the Middle East was once a region of advancements in medicine, science, mathematics and hygiene. I, like Eleanor, felt enthralled with Constantinople and Antioch. I did not want to leave and I did not want her to leave. Nevertheless, going back to real life was the only way Eleanor could obtain her freedom from an impossible situation. In spite of Eleanor's difficulties with Louis, he is a nuanced character in the novel; it is difficult to hate him because he can be so kindly when he chooses. Eleanor does have an overwhelming personality and Louis is, unfortunately, easily overwhelmed.

Another aspect of the book which especially struck me was how Eleanor's father, Duke William of Aquitaine, went out of his way to train Eleanor how to be a ruler. There were lessons she learned, such as how to maintain a passive expression in tense moments, which would help her in future situations. Whatever else can be said about her, Eleanor was a just and able administrator of her lands, and she had the confidence which comes from being carefully taught. In her life a loving parent was indeed the first and best teacher.

At the end of her life, Eleanor the Queen entered a monastery; before death she took the vows of a nun. Among her great-grandchildren were St. Louis IX of France and St. Ferdinand of Castile. All the royal families of England and most of the great dynasties of Europe were and are descended from her. It seems that all of Louis' prayers paid off in the end.(less)

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Jul 10, 2011 J.M. Cornwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Evocative and lush portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Alienor was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine and quite precocious, thanks to her father teaching her politics and the art of governing. He set her feet on the path to obtain what she desired—to be queen—by having her confirmed as duchess of Aquitaine at a time when women were not seen as strong or capable enough of handling the reins of power. Alienor was bound to prove them wrong.

In Christy English’s version of Eleanor of Aquitaine...more Evocative and lush portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Alienor was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine and quite precocious, thanks to her father teaching her politics and the art of governing. He set her feet on the path to obtain what she desired—to be queen—by having her confirmed as duchess of Aquitaine at a time when women were not seen as strong or capable enough of handling the reins of power. Alienor was bound to prove them wrong.

In Christy English’s version of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life, the woman who would be queen of two powerful nations was a strong woman, even at the age of fifteen when her father died. He was poisoned. Heeding her father’s words, she sealed the match between herself and Louis of France, a marriage contract her father had worked for years to obtain. When she was sixteen, she became Queen of France and remained Duchess of Aquitaine, controlling her own lands and money until she gave Louis a son, a task she did not accomplish.

To Be Queen is rich with detail and intrigue and a strong and much more complex woman emerges in English’s novel. Eleanor, the French pronunciation of Alienor, was not a woman to be trifled with, nor was she stupid or feckless. She was a woman of intellect and discipline and control determined to have what she wanted, but not at any cost. Eleanor was careful and not without her enemies, but she proved equal to their machinations and outlived most of her detractors.

In an age when women were little more than chattel, Eleanor was a lion among lambs, but a lion with a conscience at odds with the Catholic Church, a woman of strength, power and vision. She comes alive in English’s lush prose and provides an honest and lusty account of herself, sparing neither her enemies nor herself.

At the end of the book, with Henry I mounting the stage, I was anxious to know more and reluctant to leave Eleanor’s world. It is difficult to write about a strong woman without descending to parody or making the subject unlikable. Christy English does neither, affording Eleanor respect and a stage upon which to work magic. Eleanor was a lion and mistress of her own fate hundreds of years before the women’s movement and much more adept at politics and life than most men of her time—or ever. To Be Queen is a fitting frame for an amazing woman’s life.
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Mar 23, 2011 Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars

In her second historical novel based on the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Christy creates a story where she brings the character of Eleanor to life. This story is told in Eleanor’s point of view where it begins when she is a fifteen-year old girl in her father’s court of love in the Aquitaine Duchy. We get to see Eleanor grow into a strikingly beautiful and strong willed woman, who later inherits her father’s lands after his sudden death while away on crusade. She later becomes Queen of France a...more In her second historical novel based on the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Christy creates a story where she brings the character of Eleanor to life. This story is told in Eleanor’s point of view where it begins when she is a fifteen-year old girl in her father’s court of love in the Aquitaine Duchy. We get to see Eleanor grow into a strikingly beautiful and strong willed woman, who later inherits her father’s lands after his sudden death while away on crusade. She later becomes Queen of France and becomes trapped in a loveless marriage to the overly pious King Louis VII. However, Eleanor sees her way out once she’s enamored by Henry of Normandy who is all man, so unlike Louis in every way!

I really enjoyed To Be Queen and I thought Christy English did an amazing job with telling Eleanor’s story during her earlier years as the Duchess of Aquitaine and Queen of France. However, I must be truthful by admitting I liked The Queen’s Pawn a lot more. I think this is because I find her marriage to Henry of Normandy who later becomes King of England so much more fascinating than her earlier years while she is still married to Louis VII. I don’t know what it is but I find Louis VII a true bore who couldn’t live up to both his manly duties as well as his duty as King of France. I commend Eleanor for high tailing it out of Louis’ court once she finally had the chance.

Please don’t let my preference for Eleanor’s later life as Queen of England to her younger years as Queen of France to sway you from picking up this book. It’s definitely worth the read especially if you’re not very familiar with Eleanor of Aquitaine. This in no way changes my opinion about Christy English as an author! I LOVED The Queen’s Pawn and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!

I'm giving away 1 signed copy of this book, which ends April 6th 2011!

To sign up for the giveaway or to read more of my Historical Fiction reviews visit my site: http://allthingshistoricalfiction.blo...(less)

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Oct 24, 2012 Kimberly Eve rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was enthralled by Christy’s beautiful writing style with such vivid descriptions and characters so realistically rendered that they felt real to me. I felt as if I knew Eleanor of Aquitaine at times even wanted to tell Louis VII exactly what I thought of him! Especially, after Eleanor realized she married a man who just could not give her what she needed. It was heartbreaking.

‘To Be Queen’ covers the time in her life when we meet a ten year old Eleanor, heir of Aquitaine, in Poitou in 1132. T...more

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Nov 20, 2011 Ellen Ekstrom rated it 5 of 5 stars

Yeah, I've been giving a lot of 5 stars, but that's not because I'm trying to help out my author colleagues; it's because the writing has been so darn good! "To be Queen" is no exception, and frankly, I've added Christy English to my pantheon of historical fiction authors. I think this is one of the best portrayals of Eleanor of Aquitaine in fiction. English's Alienor/Eleanor was three-dimensional and I loved and hated her at times, some "woman what are you thinking" moments and "Yes! That's wou...more

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May 22, 2012 Jean Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eleanor of Aquitaine is a legend. Period.
The early years of her life, particularly her tenure as queen of France are often overlooked in favor of her time as England's queen and consort to the first Plantagenet monarch.

This isn't a bad book, or a bad telling of this early period of Eleanor's life, but it isn't the best version of this story. In a nutshell, it sells the time frame short. First of all, it's a very simplistic version of this piece of history. It being so simplistic cuts off a lot...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this novel based upon the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Most novels about this intriguing Queen focus upon the relationship between her and Henry II, therefore it was refreshing to read of her life before she married this volatile King.
Ms English portrayed Eleanor as a woman who was not afraid to take hold of her life in both hands. She demonstrated this by her success in negotiating a marriage with the King of France, even after the death of her father. In a world dominated by men...more I loved this novel based upon the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Most novels about this intriguing Queen focus upon the relationship between her and Henry II, therefore it was refreshing to read of her life before she married this volatile King.
Ms English portrayed Eleanor as a woman who was not afraid to take hold of her life in both hands. She demonstrated this by her success in negotiating a marriage with the King of France, even after the death of her father. In a world dominated by men Eleanor strove to make her own choices, with the determination to see things through to the end. I loved her character and very much enjoyed reading her story. Ms English did an excellent job developing Eleanor's character.
The character of King Louis was also an interesting figure to read of. In many ways he reminded me of another King Louis of France--son of Blanche of Castille, who was coincidentally Eleanor's grand-daughter. Both men shared a piousness that hindered them in the bedroom and both men went on crusade. Also, both men took their wives with them.
One of the best parts of this novel was the depiction of the journey to the Holy Land. Eleanor and Louis travelled through Germany to reach Constantinople and than travelled on to Antioch, where Eleanor's uncle was King. The descriptions of Constantinople in particular were alluring. The opulence and exoticism were wonderfully portrayed by the author. Eleaor remarks upon the magnificence of the Palace yet inwardly rebels against the separation between the men and the women. As a woman of politics she did not like to rendered obsolete.
Overall, I can honestly say that I loved every second of this novel. Eleanor's character was brought to life for me and I came to admire her as a courageous and determined woman. Considering the time period in which she lived it is no wonder that she made so many enemies. This insight into her early life allowed me to see her become the survivor that she was, enduring everything that life threw at her. She was a remarkable woman.(less)

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Nov 16, 2011 Jerry Dowless rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's to the credit of Christy English that the Eleanore of Aquitaine we meet in "To Be Queen" is--while absolutely compelling--not completely likeable. Here as in her first novel "The Queen's Pawn" English's great strength is her skill in using a spare and efficient prose style to bring to life the emotional world of these historical figures. In the case of Eleanore of Aquitaine, this world is that of a shameless egotist who can, to paraphrase Jane Austen's Mary Crawford, find nothing in twelfth...more It's to the credit of Christy English that the Eleanore of Aquitaine we meet in "To Be Queen" is--while absolutely compelling--not completely likeable. Here as in her first novel "The Queen's Pawn" English's great strength is her skill in using a spare and efficient prose style to bring to life the emotional world of these historical figures. In the case of Eleanore of Aquitaine, this world is that of a shameless egotist who can, to paraphrase Jane Austen's Mary Crawford, find nothing in twelfth century Europe so interesting as the presence of herself in it.

This makes for some delicious storytelling. Again and again, Eleanore's narration subordinates momentous historical occurrences to private events. A devastating military defeat dealt to her first husband Louis VII in the mountains of Anatolia while he is on crusade with Eleanore is incidental, compared to how she was spending her time that day a few miles away. Likewise, Eleanore's reasoning for personally participating in the crusade in the first place is presented--fascinatingly--as a gambit in her strategy with respect to her marriage to Louis and an effort to support her kinsman Raymond of Antioch. Larger commitments to God or Church do not really enter the picture. Of course, given Eleanore's attitude towards religion as it's presented here, this is hardly surprising. But it's nonetheless an amazing display of self-regard and cynicism. And it's the best example of how English both writes as her narrator and skillfully articulates that narrator's excesses.

And these excesses themselves are great, sometimes eye-rolling fun. Eleanore is not just a narcissist, she's sure-footed, subtle, and witty, the sort of narrator and character a reader can conceivably pass an unlimited number of pages with. But to a certain extent Eleanore's outsized personality and her omnipresence in the novel as both narrator and principle character creates a serious problem. Simply put, Eleanore's narration is from behind the wheel of the steamroller. And from her perspective, her choices are all quite acceptable and sound. So we never have the opportunity to truly savor just how transgressive those choices are to the people who witness them and who otherwise share the world with her. Of course, Eleanore shares "To Be Queen" with her husband, the long-suffering and somewhat pathetic King Louis. But Louis usually only knows what Eleanore chooses for him to know. And likewise, the scheming churchmen who provide "To Be Queen" with its villains only occasionally interact with Eleanore directly, and the courtiers whose disdain Eleanore continually shrugs off the reader seems never to encounter at all.

So "To Be Queen" is in sore need of a Greek chorus, a character or set of characters near enough to Eleanore to observe what she does, and close enough to the mores of the time that the novel has a way to register just how beyond the pale Eleanore is. Unfortunately Amaria, Eleanore's principle lady-in-waiting, is presented as strangely opaque and yet utterly committed to Eleanore's well-being. It's in this lack of a foil that makes "To Be Queen" less satisfying in some ways than English's previous effort, "The Queen's Pawn."

However, even apart from the zest and complexity of Eleanore's portrayal, there's much ambitious about "To Be Queen" that recommends it. Rather than confining her story to a single palace or a court, English moves the action from Aquitaine, to Paris, to sites along the march of the Third Crusade eastward, to Constantinople, to points between, to Antioch, to Sicily, and back to Paris. In each case, English provides a welcome sense of place. Her description of the Byzantine capital in all its glory is one of "To Be Queen"'s most riveting passages.

When all is said and done, "To Be Queen" manages to be both brisk and complex, to be compulsively readable and to portray its subject in a way that--by presenting these imperfections--humanizes her. Obviously Eleanore fascinates English, and that's a good thing, because I for one am eager for further installments of Eleanore's story as reimagined by English.(less)

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Aug 15, 2011 Katherine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

The book is as lovely as the cover and is easy to read. Christy's strength is in description of countryside and characters. Eleanor's youth and strength come through very clearly as does the influence of the Church in Europe at the time. It was this corruption and interference on the part of the noble sons who made up the Cardinals and Popes of the time that led, eventually, to the Protestant revolutions in all there forms throughout Europe. Unfortunately, though William's training of Eleanor an...more

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May 01, 2011 Isis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: medieval-age-1000-to-1400ce-fiction, first-reads, all-starting-to-look-the-same

I would describe To Be Queen as a definite page-turner, though that descriptive alone doesn’t suggest any positive or negative implications, rather it’s what makes it a page-turner that counts. I would say that the novel is partly a page-turner because it’s an enjoyable read. I was entertained enough to apply myself and stick with it pretty consistently, reading it cover to cover in two days non-continuously. However it is also a page-turner because it’s easy to read. Is that a good thing or a b...more I would describe To Be Queen as a definite page-turner, though that descriptive alone doesn’t suggest any positive or negative implications, rather it’s what makes it a page-turner that counts. I would say that the novel is partly a page-turner because it’s an enjoyable read. I was entertained enough to apply myself and stick with it pretty consistently, reading it cover to cover in two days non-continuously. However it is also a page-turner because it’s easy to read. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Well, neither I would argue. When I say the book was easy to read, I mean that it was clear, accessible, and flowed well – which is definitely good – but at the same time I also mean that I found it pretty unchallenging. Again this has neither positive nor negative connotations for me – I could have handled something more challenging had it been played that way, and I do take enjoyment from challenging novels, but equally I didn’t need this novel to be challenging in order to enjoy it. A book being easy to read only becomes a bad attribute if it ends up being overly patronising to its readers or oversimplifying its plot. I did notice that perhaps the plot of To Be Queen was somewhat on the simplistic side, but it wasn’t too simplistic and it never patronised. I’m quite happy to say that in the vast majority the ease of reading To Be Queen was a positive attribute.

Expanding on my comment about the relative simplicity of the plot – and I do stress the word relative here – Christy English does cover all the necessary bases and key points in Eleanor’s early life, and believe me there is a lot of material to sift through. I never felt like she left out any of the major points out that one would want to see in this story. However, there was an element of paring down and keeping things simple. English doesn’t attempt to cover every event in Eleanor’s early life – which would admittedly be a monumental task. In places we jump ahead a few years, and whilst I would have been eager to read more and have those gaps filled, this was not a major detriment to the book, there was enough material there that we could join the dots and it wasn’t strictly necessary to the plot to cover those extra events. At other points, events from Eleanor’s life that are part of the story are pared down or simplified, or else are given a different focus if you will. For example, Eleanor’s time on Crusade is not covered wholesale, (view spoiler), and then later events on the Crusade are mentioned in passing because the rest of that tale is given more of a personal focus, and is concerned with events in Eleanor’s personal life rather than the military goings on. Would I have preferred a more complex plot that covered events in more detail and had greater historical accuracy? Probably, but as I said, English hits all the key bases and provides a solid outline of this period of Eleanor’s life, and I can understand where creative decisions have been taken and why. All I would say to those with no prior knowledge of Eleanor’s life is don’t take the novel completely at its word – I would view the novel as an enjoyable, solid outline and jumping off point, and I can well imagine that those who enjoyed To Be Queen might want to read more about Eleanor.

Historical accuracy? Well, that rather ties in with my point about the plot. It’s reasonably good, but a looser plot does mean looser historical accuracy, and as aforementioned some facts have been somewhat altered in order to make the plot smoother and simpler. The biggest alterations to historical accuracy are simplifications and alterations to the events of Eleanor on Crusade, though Eleanor’s travails on her return to Europe and meeting with the pope are also somewhat altered, and events going on in the French court are simplified and omitted in some cases. Two of the biggest alterations of historical fact are that (view spoiler)

Speaking of Eleanor’s affairs, I have joked with a few friends, during the course of reading this novel, that the love scenes between Eleanor and her various lovers felt like moments where I’d suddenly slipped into a parallel dimension in which I was actually reading a Harlequin romance. That was meant in good fun, but it’s not that bad. The language does rise towards purple prose in these scenes, but I think English toed the line well in these scenes. They made me roll my eyes and chuckle, they didn’t make me cringe. I was laughing with the scenes, I was having fun with their corniness, I wasn’t groaning and putting the book down in disgust. Love scenes aside, I found English’s writing style competent and enjoyable as well as being clear, accessible, and readily flowing, and I most enjoyed the chance she got to be descriptive when Eleanor goes on Crusade. English painted a wonderful picture of exotic eastern palaces and beautiful flower gardens, and the sights, sounds and smells Eleanor encounters therein. Her description of Persian roses was simply gorgeous.

Christy English hoped that I would love her Eleanor. Did I? The Eleanor of this novel is certainly forceful, and passionate, and she does have a unique stamp compared to all the other Eleanors I’ve read. She was a little romanticised, with all those love affairs, and I think certain of her traits were exaggerated slightly. I think she would have had a bit more canniness and cunning than to go so far as to (view spoiler), but she was clever. But the Eleanor of To Be Queen captures enough of Eleanor’s forcefulness and passion to be a credible version of the fascinating real woman, and this Eleanor certainly stamped her own unique interpretation into my memory.

7 out of 10. The novel is more than entertaining and well-written enough to warrant a rating well above average, and To Be Queen is a thoroughly decent read and an enjoyable book.(less)

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Sep 29, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my favourite women in history. She took charge of her own life, controlled her own duchies, and did not take crap from anyone, even her husbands. She outlived nearly everyone in her family! I love reading about her.

I am on the other hand a little overwhelmed by everyone's sudden discovery of how awesome she is at the same time -- there are at least half a dozen fictional works on Eleanor now. I was worried about how well Ms. English's text would hold up.

I actually...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Dizzyc rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Middle ages did not interest me in history lessons at school, and I have neglected this period in my historical fiction reading.

I accepted a copy of this novel, from the author, as I had heard good things about her writing. Christy English has grabbed my attention with the fascinating story of Eleanor of Aquitaine's early life and first marriage. I want to know more about this little known Queen and this period in history.

Eleanor, at her father's side, had to grow up very quickly after her m...more

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May 15, 2011 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eleanor is brought to life in this imaginative relationship of character and fact. having researched a little of Eleanor already, this book put emotion and life into what otherwise might be just another history lesson.

On the counter-side, although this is a smooth blend of a real character and what we know of Eleanor's life, there were still points where I wondered if this could be truly her. It is easy to believe she was this woman in the story, but it is just as easy for me to believe she was...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Pat rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a novel based on the true life of Eleanor of Aquitane, circa 1132-1204.

She becomes the Dutchess of Aquitane after her beloved father's murder, then the Queen of France. She is a powerful, ambitious woman. Beautiful and determined to have a son. Her marriage to King Louis is a marriage that is filled with hope. She did not count on how powerful the church was and the depth of Louis's piety.

"I was my father's favorite. I knew this from day I was born. I seemed to take this knowledge in wi...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Andrea Wall rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This was a great Historcal Fiction Novel. Eleanor was real to me, and totally how I thought she should be. In fact, all the characters came to life. Yay :D

I also think that it's great that this book focused on Eleanor's earlier life. In most cases I've found that this area gets skipped over, or not gien a fair description. Mostly, it follows along the lines of "Married Louis. Had two girls. Marriage was hopeless and fell apart. Went Crusading. The end. Lets move on." I'm so glad that this novel...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Rick F. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Everything a historical novel should be- exciting, educational and deeply affecting. Ms. English is clearly at the very top of historical fiction writers today, one who takes the time to research her subject, and translate the facts into a brilliant fictional tale that catches the reader from the firstpage and doesn't let go! To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine is a book that should appeal to both historical fiction fans and those who simply love GREAT storytelling!!

A...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Patty rated it 2 of 5 stars

Spoiler Alert:

The book was pleasant enough to read, and I have to admit the author had me enthralled in Eleanor's story. BUT the story she wrote was more legend than fact. Did Eleanor really sleep with her uncle or was incest a convenient charge to hold against her by her enemies? The author presents Eleanor as an unbeliever in Christianity. What basis in truth is there for that or is it more about a contemporary disdain for religion?

She could have dealt more with truth. For example she glossed...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Gabrielle Watson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Eleanor of Aquitaine is a fascinating historical figure, and this books fictionally embodies the tone of the powerful woman during a time when women held little power over men. I could not and did not want to put this book down, but I am always enthralled in a good historical fiction novel. Ms. English developed her leading character well, and I could empathize with Eleanor. I can't wait to read her other work of historical fiction The Queen's Pawn, and I have it on reserve at our local library...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Rick F. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Everything a historical novel should be- exciting, educational and deeply affecting. Ms. English is clearly at the very top of historical fiction writers today, one who takes the time to research her subject, and translate the facts into a brilliant fictional tale that catches the reader from the firstpage and doesn't let go! To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine is a book that should appeal to both historical fiction fans and those who simply love GREAT storytelling!!

A...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Anne Ipsen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-novel

I was captivated by this glimpse of the life of a feisty queen (twice over). This re-creation by Christy English seems very faithful to what I know of the 13th century and Eleanor of Aquitaine. As a fellow-writer of historical novels, I was fascinated by the author's use of language that skillfully steered a path between the archaic words and modernisms. I could not but visualize a vibrant, red-headded, young Katherine Hepburn as we knew her from films long before she played the older Eleanor in...more

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Apr 25, 2012 kyrsta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, france, plantagenet, historical-fiction, read-in-2011

This story could be summed up with one phrase: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get exactly what you want. Alienor of Aquitaine was just young girl when her father, William X of Aquitaine, started grooming her to become his heir. Alienor learns at an early age to inspire love and loyalty in her people and how to be powerful in the midst of the ruthless politics of court. Alienor enjoyed life in Aquitaine in the Court of Love with her father and younger sister Petra and her only reque...more This story could be summed up with one phrase: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get exactly what you want. Alienor of Aquitaine was just young girl when her father, William X of Aquitaine, started grooming her to become his heir. Alienor learns at an early age to inspire love and loyalty in her people and how to be powerful in the midst of the ruthless politics of court. Alienor enjoyed life in Aquitaine in the Court of Love with her father and younger sister Petra and her only request of her father was to help her become the Queen of France. With her father’s mysterious and untimely death, Alienor becomes Duchess of Aquitaine at the tender age of 15 and she is forced to finish her own betrothal agreement with the King of France—an agreement which is prolonged by Alienor’s refusal to give up her duchy to her husband but to remain Duchess of Aquitaine with the title passing on to her son.

Louis VII was raised in the Church, being the second son he never aspired to become King, however he is forced to do so upon the death of his older brother. The Church means everything to Louis and the Church’s power only grows stronger with Louis VII on the throne. Being young, impressionable and dedicated to God, he is easily manipulated by the Church. Although he is awed by Alienor, now named Eleanor by Louis, his true love and devotion is to the Church and God. Eleanor tries to guide her weak and naive husband but she faces a constant opposition at every turn by the Church. Trapped in a loveless marriage that has only produced daughters for France and in a life in which she does not believe, Eleanor looks to dissolve her marriage to the King of France and return home to Aquitaine.

This story is everything that a great historical fiction should be—it’s educational; it’s exciting; there’s romance, deception and betrayal; and finally it’s a fantastic read. I have loved Alienor of Aquitaine ever since I learned about her in a French history class in University. She was a strong, independent, determined and unconventional woman who was born to rule in a time of male dominance. I read Christy English’s “The Queen’s Pawn” last year and I have to say that English’s sophomore novel is just as good as her debut novel. It is evident that English has a personal love and interest in her subject, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and this shines through in her writing. The story is written in such a way that it is evident that English did her research. She paints her characters in such a life-like way that it is possible for the reader to be able to feel the love between Alienor and her father. Her father William realizes that his daughter is special and instead of remarrying to produce an heir, he is comfortable leaving his lands to his daughter—there is obviously a loving and trusting bond between the two. Her style of writing and the amount of rich details evokes the senses – it is almost as if the reader is transported into the novel and experiencing the same sounds, smells and sights as the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced, page-turner by Christy English and I cannot wait to read what she has in store for the future.
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Jan 03, 2013 Jeni Enjaian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, england

I really wanted to like this book. I really did.
English's prose creates incredibly vivid word pictures. This is one of the few books that I have read that the prose is crafted in such a way as to seem like I'm watching the story unfold rather than reading it.
Unfortunately, this also contributes to one of its major detractors. When English describes Eleanor's wedding night, her words while chaste created quite an unchaste images. In my opinion, this cheapens the book.
Additionally, English seems...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: women's historical fiction fans

Shelves: medieval-fiction

When I first heard about this book, I realized just how long it had been since I'd read a fictionalized account of Eleanor of Aquitaine's life. I've read so many different versions over the years that they all kind of run together, but this one was quite memorable in that it only covers Eleanor's childhood and her time as Queen of France.

Ms. English brings the time period to life with all of its glory and its flaws. Though the story is told from Eleanor's perspective, there is still an element o...more When I first heard about this book, I realized just how long it had been since I'd read a fictionalized account of Eleanor of Aquitaine's life. I've read so many different versions over the years that they all kind of run together, but this one was quite memorable in that it only covers Eleanor's childhood and her time as Queen of France.

Ms. English brings the time period to life with all of its glory and its flaws. Though the story is told from Eleanor's perspective, there is still an element of mystery about her, as though she and even the Aquitaine are surrounded by a golden mist. "A woman out of legend," to quote Henry II in James Goldman's 1968 play The Lion in Winter.

I like how Eleanor went into her marriage with Louis with the intent of trying to care for her husband, even as she planned to use him to further her own ambitions. She and Louis were so different, though, and given those differences as well as the hatred Louis' people held for her, it feels as though their marriage was doomed from the beginning, even before they were left longer and longer without a son.

One thing I found a little jarring was Eleanor's abrupt change of heart near the end of the book. She'd been planning her separation from Louis, intent on returning to Aquitaine to rule it herself without any other consort. Then BOOM -- Henry of Normandy blows into her life and within the course of a day, she's complete enthralled with him and his irrepressible energy and ambition (so like her own) that she's planning to marry him. It threw me a bit, feeling like the author had remembered that Eleanor's life still had many more years to it and that she spent many of those years married to Henry, so she had to have them planning their marriage in the final pages.

That aside, though, the ending also reminded me of another line from James Goldman's play: "How, from where we started, did we reach this Christmas?" Henry and Eleanor's plans, however abrupt, seem to be leading them to a grand future, with no hint of their future unhappiness and plots against each other.

Overall, a lovely rendition of one of the most amazing women of European history. (less)

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