MBP's comments (member since Jan 12, 2008)

MBP's comments from the European Royalty group.

I really enjoyed this one. I didn't know much about the history of the period, so I found that very interesting. I also liked how Emma's character was developed, from insecure young girl, to mature, powerful queen, to sorrowful older woman.

I did think that there were points where Emma's story disappeared while other threads were followed, and in these places it dragged a bit for me. One point where this happened was in book 1; I remember thinking for about a hundred pages or so that there was very little about Emma.

Also, the ending seemed unsatisfying, but I gather from the author's note that she needed to end it the way she did so that it would fit with the already-written sequel.

I envy you guys your first reading of this one! This is one of my all-time favorites. I'd like to join in for a re-read if I have time, but I'm not sure if I can fit it in right now. I'm looking forward to seeing the discussion on this.

Hi Sara - the book is divided into 4 parts, if you want to use this to create the threads:

Part 1: Aethelred 1002-1013
Part 2: Edmund 1014-1016 (p. 309)
Part 3: Cnut 1017-1035 (p. 437)
Part 4: Emma 1035-1041 (p. 673)

I'm up to page 121 and really enjoying it. The history is very interesting to me, since I haven't read much in this period, and the style so far reminds me a bit of my beloved Sharon Kay Penman.

I do wish it had a "cast of characters' list, though, because it's a bit hard for me to keep track of the similar sounding Anglo-Saxon names (Aethelred, Aelfric, Alfhelm, Athelstan, etc..) There is a family tree, and maps, which are helpful, and an author's note at the end, which I always like to see.

I usually give a book 50-100 pages, and if it hasn't captured my interest by then, I put it aside. I figure there are too many good books out there to waste my precious time on a bad one. I'm surprised by the number of people who have not finished only 2 or 3 books ever - I think I have 9 this year that I abandoned!

I agree with Misfit on the value of the library. I'm amazed at the number of readers who don't utilize their public libraries, or who consider them a last resort. I simply couldn't afford to buy all the books I want to read - not to mention I have no place to store them. I try to limit my book buying to books that I can't get through the library (or that I want to own for other reasons - I want a copy for reference, I want to be able to mark it up, etc...)

I'm so glad to hear Penman will be writing another book in the Henry & Eleanor (& offspring) series! Loved the first two, and I just got my copy of Devil's Brood - can't wait to start reading it.

I just read The Queen of Subtleties too, and I really had mixed feelings about it. I thought the idea of combining Anne's story with that of Lucy Cornwallis was a good one, but the threads didn't quite mesh well (maybe in part because the dates switched along with the narrators, so that you'd have Anne in 1536 followed by Lucy in 1528, etc...) Just telling Lucy's story might have been more effective; I was intrigued by this independent, self-made woman's story, and wanted to hear more of it.

I thought Anne came across as even more of a bitch than usual. The only times I felt any sympathy for her character were when her dog died, and when she expressed love and concern for Elizabeth through her letters.

I also found the author's use of language jarring at times, like Anne calling Catherine of Aragon "Fat Cath" and other names. I understand the issues around language usage in historical fiction (authors can't recreate exactly how people spoke in the past, so colloquial expressions are just as legitimate as the elegant or near-archaic language often used for historical characters.) The language used in this book seemed overly rude or vulgar to me, like the author was writing for the shock effect.

I'd like to vote for The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner. I just bought a copy and am planning on reading it anyway.

I'd be open to any changes in the nominations/voting. I do think "one vote per person" might be easier to track than 3 votes.

I agree with Sera; I'm in 2 other book groups, and I also want to have time to read whatever I'm into at the moment, so I can't always read the selection when the group is reading it. I have read all except one of the group reads eventually, though, and then it's interesting to be able to look at the posts and see what others thought of the book.

I'm also a huge Tudor fan, but there are many other periods that interest me, and I love to discover new interests. Emily's "theme of the month" idea might help diversify the selections a bit, for those who have OD'd on Tudors.

I'd like to vote for The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. This is the only SKP I haven't read, and I'm planning to read it anyway before The Devil's Brood is released in October. Her work is excellent - When Christ and his Saints Slept is the book that really hooked me on historical fiction.

I have the book and I'm almost finished (about 30 pages to go). I think it's great, and I look forward to seeing how other people feel about it (there's one plot twist in particular that might cause some controversy!)

It's broken into 3 parts:
1. The King's Daughter (chapters 1-11, 155 pages)
2. The King's Sister (chapters 12-15, 135 pages)
3. the Queen's Sister (chapters 16-22, 183 pages)

Hope this helps in making the discussion threads!

Thanks Nan - I love medieval period fiction, and I'll have to take a good look at your site in my "spare" time!

I'd like to vote for #2, The Lady Elizabeth. I just got a brand new copy from the library, so I'll be reading it anyway!

I agree with Despina on this one. I've had it checked out from the library for a week now, and just haven't felt any motivation to read it.

Instead, I just started The Reckoning by Sharon Kay Penman, which I've been looking forward to for a long time.

I hope to join the group for the May/June selection!

I'd like to vote for Bloody Mary by Carolly Erickson.

Innocent Traitor is Alison Weir's first historical fiction book. She has a second historical fiction book, The Lady Elizabeth, due out on April 29. I can't wait for that one!

I vote for #1, The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy - I love Eleanor, and I'd like to read some Jean Plaidy, since she's been recommended to me many times!

I've read #2, Innocent Traitor, and enjoyed it - I think there's some great discussion material in there. And #3 sounds interesting too - I'm curious about the "Spider King" after reading our previous book. All are great choices!

I just finished the book, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I agree with the readers who said they had to frequently refer to the genealogy chart near the front of the book to keep the Henrys, Georges and Johns straight (which often happens during this period!) I liked the portrayal of Richard as the reluctant hero, and enjoyed watching his growth throughout the story. The romance with Anne was well done.

I thought the episode near the end, where Richard and Anne journey into the countryside and are taken in by the couple who have been wronged by the judicial system, seemed a bit forced, and seemed to have been added so that the author could explain Richard's concern with reforming the judicial system.

As always when I finish a historical fiction book, I wonder about the "truth" - was Richard really good, as in this book, or evil, as in Shakespeare and many others? At this point in history, there's no way of knowing, but it would be interesting if you could strip away the years and all the different interpretations and see what was really there.

Also, I'd love to know more about some of the other characters - Elizabeth Woodville and the other Woodvilles, and Louis the "Spider King," to name a few. I'll have to do some research!

Today's the opening of the film version of The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen. I hope to see it this weekend. Is anyone else planning to see it? I know the book is controversial to historical fiction lovers, so it'll be interesting to see how people respond to it.

Can you take me off the list? If I decide to add it back later, I'll let you know. Thanks!

Hi Sara - Would you mind if I pass for this month? I've been really busy and I'm not sure I can keep up with the discussion.