Helene Harrison's Blog, page 8

Book Review – ‘The Marriage Portrait’ by Maggie O’Farrell

Frankly I couldn’t fault this book. It was engaging to read, and the characters came across as real people which is really important when writing historical fiction. Don’t confuse Lucrezia d’Medici with Lucrezia Borgia, though the two are related – Lucrezia d’Medici (the subject of this novel) was married to the grandson of Lucrezia Borgia … Continue reading Book Review – ‘The Marriage Portrait’ by Maggie O’Farrell

Book Review – ‘Tudor Feminists: Ten Renaissance Women Ahead of Their Time’ by Rebecca Wilson

I enjoyed this book – it was good to learn more about some of the people I knew less about like Arbella Stuart, Grainne O’Malley, and Aemilia Lanier. I had only heard of Lanier in passing, knew she was a poet, and O’Malley I largely knew about through Greg Jenner’s excellent episode on her on … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Tudor Feminists: Ten Renaissance Women Ahead of Their Time’ by Rebecca Wilson

Book Review – ‘Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court’ by Owen Emmerson & Kate McCaffrey

A brilliant study of Anne Boleyn’s early years at Blickling, Hever, Mechelen, and in France, up to her debut at the English court. Been a while since the exhibition which this book was designed to go alongside, but I’m really glad I’ve read it now. It’s a lot of information but still easy to read … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court’ by Owen Emmerson & Kate McCaffrey

Book Review – ‘Mary I: Queen of Sorrows’ by Alison Weir

Thanks to Headline Review for sending me a copy of this to review. I really enjoyed this one, better than the previous one in the series on Henry VIII. Mary’s story is less well-known which is perhaps why I enjoyed it more. Henry’s story has been raked over so many times now and trying to … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Mary I: Queen of Sorrows’ by Alison Weir

Book Review – ‘Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower’ by Sandra Vasoli

Who thought it was possible to write an entire book on a single letter? Well, Sandra Vasoli manages it, and what a brilliant book as well! I have never quite been sure what to make of this letter said to have written by Anne Boleyn to Henry VIII from the Tower of London on 6 … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Anne Boleyn’s Letter from the Tower’ by Sandra Vasoli

Book Review – ‘Tudors and Stuarts on Film: Historical Perspectives’ by Susan Doran and Thomas Freeman

This is a book that I first read while at university while studying for my two history degrees. It’s quite a comprehensive look at the Tudors on film, at least up to 2009 when the book was published. Of course, there have been several new adaptations of the Tudor stories published in the last decade … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Tudors and Stuarts on Film: Historical Perspectives’ by Susan Doran and Thomas Freeman

I am still here! Book Update.

Hello all! I feel like I’ve been very quiet recently, but I’ve been beavering away editing my second book and writing my third book, and I’m starting a new job in January at my alma mater, Northumbria University, so I’ve just been quite preoccupied. Thought I’d just quickly jump on here to give you an … Continue reading I am still here! Book Update.

Book Review – ‘Richard III: A Failed King?’ by Rosemary Horrox

These Penguin monarch short biographies are really helpful and concise, especially when you’re not familiar with the monarch or period. They’re very good introductions to the reigns and monarchs. One thing I find slightly off putting about these books is that there is very little on the consorts. For example, in this book I think … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Richard III: A Failed King?’ by Rosemary Horrox

Book Review – ‘Henry VI: A Good, Simple and Innocent Man’ by James Ross

Another great little book in the Penguin Monarchs series. I really these books because they’re not too dense and give you a really good introduction to monarchs you’re not so familiar with. Henry VI is one of these monarchs for me; I know a bit, but not too much. Ross does a really good job … Continue reading Book Review – ‘Henry VI: A Good, Simple and Innocent Man’ by James Ross

Book Review – ‘The Tudors by Numbers: The Stories and Statistics Behind England’s Most Infamous Royal Dynasty’ by Carol Ann Lloyd

I absolutely loved this fresh new look on the Tudors. So much has been written about them as a dynasty and this is a new look through the numbers, like the fact that only 1 Tudor monarch left a diary, there were 7 Tudor coronations, and 42% of the Tudor dynasty was ruled by a … Continue reading Book Review – ‘The Tudors by Numbers: The Stories and Statistics Behind England’s Most Infamous Royal Dynasty’ by Carol Ann Lloyd