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The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Cousins' War #4)
by Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)
by Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)
So much potential...so little fulfilled. I think I'm being harsh on this book because I had such high expectations. I was excited for a book that gave Anne Neville some of her own agency.
Philippa Gregory (who I'm usually a fan of - I loved The White Queen!) took a fascinating couple and turned their story into dull grocery list of historical moments. There was way too much exposition and telling of events, rather than showing (even to the extent of Anne retelling events she probably couldn't have understood given her age/position at the time). It may be interesting for people who know nothing about this period, but knowledgeable War of the Roses buffs looking for interesting characterizations will be left disappointed.
The story was also very rushed. All of a sudden Anne goes from being a 12 year old girl to twenty-something woman, but her narrative voice hardly changes. The book would really benefit from more time spent on formative events, especially Anne's time in France under the influence of Margaret of Anjou. The only relationship that had time to develop was Anne's with her sister, Isabel.
If you're looking for a brilliant fictionalization of Anne, Richard and the War of the Roses, read Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour instead.
Philippa Gregory (who I'm usually a fan of - I loved The White Queen!) took a fascinating couple and turned their story into dull grocery list of historical moments. There was way too much exposition and telling of events, rather than showing (even to the extent of Anne retelling events she probably couldn't have understood given her age/position at the time). It may be interesting for people who know nothing about this period, but knowledgeable War of the Roses buffs looking for interesting characterizations will be left disappointed.
The story was also very rushed. All of a sudden Anne goes from being a 12 year old girl to twenty-something woman, but her narrative voice hardly changes. The book would really benefit from more time spent on formative events, especially Anne's time in France under the influence of Margaret of Anjou. The only relationship that had time to develop was Anne's with her sister, Isabel.
If you're looking for a brilliant fictionalization of Anne, Richard and the War of the Roses, read Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour instead.
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Reading Progress
| 08/15/2012 | "I became obsessed with Richard III and Anne after reading Sharon Kay Penman's Sunne in Splendour. I didn't expect this to match that genius novel...and it doesn't." |
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Tracy
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rated it 2 stars
Aug 24, 2012 11:12am
I agree. I was probably spoiled by The Sunne in Splendor and have a fondness for Anne, probably one of the lesser known Queens in English history. I didn't recognize these characters at all. George of Clarence as a poor, put-upon victim? Um, NO! Richard had no personality at all in this book and, love him or hate him, he is a very fascinating person in his own right historically. Princess Elizabeth as a spoiled brat? Doesn't fit with her historical portrayal as a kind, gentle woman who managed to charm even the eternally suspicious Henry VII. I usually like Philippa Gregory, but this is the worst book of hers I've read. Even the very historically inaccurate The Other Boleyn Girl was more entertaining.
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