Mandy's comments (member since Oct 12, 2008)

Mandy's comments from the European Royalty group.

I'll confess - I gave up on this one.
It was engaging enough WHILE I was reading it, but I just didn't care enough about the story.
I hate quitting a book, but I'm trying not to waste reading time, kwim?

"Oh I didn't even THINK of that!!! I may have to get me a book and say its from my 2 yr old!!!"

Christmas gifts from the kids are the BEST!
My daughter got me a new teapot, my son the book. I'm all set up now :)

Currently reading the Charles II saga by Plaidy - only a few pages in, but enjoying it :)

Misfit - you are such a tease! I'm dying to read it...wish I had an advanced copy...
For now, I filled out a purchase request at my library and ordered Hugh and Bess from B&N.com. I needed something my 3 year olf could give me for Christmas, so I chose that :)

I rated this one a 4!
Here's a link to my review (I think, anyway)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/359...
It's my favorite Plaidy so far, and it makes me want to read more of her novels. I've only read 4 of hers but I didn't like any as much as I did this one.

Some book club questions (from the back of the book)
1. A refrain that Katherine often repeats throughout the novel is that she would be happier had she NOT been born royal.
To what extent do you think this is true/false?

2. In what ways does the example/advice of Katherine's sister, Isabelle, effect her choices/life?

3. Discuss the role of King, as you see it portrayed in this novel. What are the responsibilities of monarch, and in what ways do the kings we see carry them out. What pitfalls are along the way? And what role, if any, should the queen play in his life? K says at one point that she believes her father could have been a great king if her mother had not been there to lure him away from his duty. Do you think this is a valid point, or just wishful thinking from a daughter who loved her father?

4. What are your feelings about the way Katherine handles motherhood, especially the way she deals with her son Henry?

5. What is it that Katherine sees in Owen that makes her fall so deeply in love that she's willing to risk her life to be with him? What is it about her that inspires him to do that same?

6. Henry VI, Katherine's son, became a well-known ruler in his own right. From what you know of his life and later reign, what did you think of his portrayal in TQS? What events and personality traits are foreshadowed here that are true as Henry comes of age? From what you see in this novel what kind of ruler would you imagine him to be, and how does this compare with what you know of his legacy?

I'm so glad we finally read this one!

Katherine's early childhood is tragic! Her mother sounds terrible. It makes me want to learn a lot more about this time period in England and especially in France.

Nice insight, Sara. I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right. If the Native Americans had been able to stop the Europeans it probably would have gone down much like this.

The writing is very intriguing, though the jumps in time bother me. I want to be more open about it, but I really prefer my books to have a clear timeline!

I looked up Westcott after reading her name here - looks like she has some great books - cheap, too, on Amazon!

I finished The Traitors Wife a few days ago.
LOVED it.

I tried to put another Higginbotham on hold at my library - they don't carry anything else by her! Grrr. Guess I'll have to fill out a purchase request.

Castlemaine is quite demanding - but she's also a lot of fun, imo!
You can be both, right? right?!
(I might be both...)
Anyway, she's my favorite of Charles mistresses - and I think she was his true love, even though she was greedy and grasping...

I'll save the rest of my opinions for later - in case we read it :)

Forever Amber has been on my to-read list forever!

Yours looks good, Misfit! I added it to my to-read :)

I want to nominate Royal Harlot A Novel of the Countess Castlemaine and King Charles II

Thank YOU!

Elizabeth -
I loved your explanation!
I also read all your links - truly fascinating!!!
I hate to keep using the same word, but "interesting" just doesn't do it justice! lol
Thank you so much for sharing all that!

I finished The Queens Secret and now I'm reading The Traitors Wife -
TQS was really good - my favorite Plaidy so far.
TTW is wonderful and I'm really enjoying it, though the plot seems a bit unclear to me...it reads almost like a life story. Interesting things keep happening, and then resolving, and then we move on to another event. I'm loving it, I'm just not seeing a story arc.
I'm sure it will resolve itself - it's probably there and I'm just not seeing it yet. I'm about 1/3 of the way through, I think.

Elizabeth,
Your explanation of how you write was fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
The psychic research is especially interesting.
Have you had any really vivid encounters with people during that type of research? How exactly does it work?

I'll nominate Rasputin's Daughter!
I thought the Kitchen Boy was excellent and would love to read the follow up :)

Very cool idea, Sara and Misfit!
Unfortunately, I didn't read this one, so I don't have any questions :(

LMAO!
Great find, Misfit :)

Misfit -
I followed your link - hysterical rant!
Love the blog. I've not read either of her novels, but I might have to try them now. Also, the name of her blog and the story...I remember listening to that song as a kid and I also totally thought the lyrics were "medieval woman", too! lol
My library only has The Traitors Wife, but I put it on hold. Her new one looks excellent, I'll put in a purchase request at my library when I pick up my hold :)

FYI to all...
I found book club questions for this one, but since the point of those was to stimulate discussion (and this discussion is already pretty lively!) I don't know if they need to be posted.
Any requests for them?

Conne wrote: "Mandy I loved your comments! I just started reading this historical fiction stuff & I started with The Other Boelyn Girl. I've since read all of the Tudor ones by Gregory & thats why I joined thi..."

Conne -
Don't feel bad about liking PG! LOTS of people here started reading historical fiction because of The Other Boleyn Girl.
Once you read more of the genre you'll find that Gregory's stuff really is often inaccurate. Some here don't care for her writing, either. But recognizing those things doesn't mean you can't enjoy her work. I've liked most of what I've read by her, despite being pretty well educated about what the facts really are. I just don't see the harm in not sticking to exactly what happened. You can argue that impressionable minds are reading this stuff, people that don't KNOW that Nonsuch Palace wasn't built when Elizabeth Woodville traveled there - I just don't think it matters. First, most of these books are read by American's who haven't been taught ANY of Englands history - I'd hazard to say that even the basic story is brand new to most readers! and second, they're probably not going to remember the names of the palaces later, anyway.
That's not to say I don't appreciate historical accuracy - I love reading a book by an author I trust because I can take what's written as fact - but that's not necessary of ALL authors.
Philippa Gregory is pure entertainment, and entertainment is subjective. Don't think you're the only one that likes her, though. I suspect we have some closet pg fans ;)
But maybe not! lol

Just wanted to let everyone know that I couldn't find any book club questions for this one :(
At least it seemed to have a pretty active discussion without it!

I've seen In the Company of the Courtesan at my Barnes and Noble the last dozen times I've been in. It's on the bargain book table for CHEAP. Good to know you liked it, maybe I'll pick it up :)

Aver seeing a couple of rec's for it, i've put The Autobiography of Henry VII with Notes by his Fool on hold at the library. I think I'll read it next - after the Queen's Secret, which I'm reading now.