European Royalty discussion
European Royalty Discussions
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What have you read lately?
I'm still reading 5 at a time. I found I liked it. So I'm reading Eleanor Roosevelt (Bio), still Courts of Love, Seven Deadly Wonders, Ritual, and Cane River. I'm hoping this way to meet my challenge of 100 books from May 09 to May 2010.
Tanzanite wrote: "Elysium wrote: "I just started Catherine De Medici but so far I've liked it.Is that the non-fiction one by Leonie Frieda (sp?)? I'm planning on starting that one tomorrow.
"
Yes it is.
Mandy wrote: "I just finished volume one of the Two Diana's and started volume two.If anyone like Dumas or is interested in more about Diane de Poiters I would highly recommend these books! They are really, rea..."
Mandy, concerning The Two Dianas, take a look at our comments at Dumas rere group.
Working on Time and Chance now. I do so love SKP. :)
Just finished the new Philippa Gregory, "The White Queen". I didn't know much about the war of the roses, so it was nice start to full in that gap. It was a good novel, though I do find Gregory a little too flowery, though I do tend to forgive her, more than others :). Elizabeth Woodville and the York's are soooooooo interesting. My god the family Xmas's would be something to see I know most families have issues but the Plagenets are a whole different level. Of course now I have Sunne of Splendour sitting next to my bed, can't wait!!!!!
Lindsay wrote: "Just finished the new Philippa Gregory, "The White Queen". I didn't know much about the war of the roses, so it was nice start to full in that gap. It was a good novel, though I do find Gregory a..."You will not look at Gregory the same again after you finish Sunne.
"You will not look at Gregory the same again after you finish Sunne."That would be the understatement of the year.
Misfit wrote: ""You will not look at Gregory the same again after you finish Sunne."That would be the understatement of the year."
I have Sunne in Splendour next on my list but I also own Weir's War of the Roses. Which should I read first to have a good background on the subject?
Susan C, do I have this right that Sunne in Splendour is written by Sharon Kay Penman? Somewhere along the line I got the erroneous info that this title was used by two different authors. That is wrong, isn't it?
If I'm not mistaken Plaidy has a title by the same name.
Plaidy's version is spelled "Sun" instead of "Sunne."
Sorry if this post is out of place - I wasn't sure where to put it.Has anyone read: The Courilof Affair by Irène Némirovsky? If so what did you think?
Thank you Robin, Misfit and Susan C - YUP with the two different spellings I found both books here at GR.
Wow I have a two week break in a couple of weeks, and sunne was going to be my holiday read. Hopefully I can hold out till then :).
I'm reading Dulcie M. Ashdown's Royal Murders Hatred, Revenge and the Seizing of Power. It's interesting but it has the same problem as Sex With Kings, it's hopping around. It's really annoying makes me just confused.
Emily wrote: "Sorry if this post is out of place - I wasn't sure where to put it.Has anyone read: The Courilof Affair by Irène Némirovsky? If so what did you think?
"
I haven't read this yet, but I read and loved Suite Francaise and really want to read her other novels.
I must be weird - I seem to be the only one who did not like Suite Francaise...... I thought it was so unfinished. That I KNOW is unfair b/c it was unfinished. Also I have been spoiled by the French author Régine Deforges who wrote about France during the war. The first book in the series is called the Blue Bicycle. Now that is really good! OK it was interesting to see how many of the French really supported the Vichy Government. They wanted order. I found this aspect interesting and a very honest representation. Character develpment is so much stronger in Deforges series. It continues through France's war with Algeria, which I haven't read yet.
Chrissie, I also was disappointed with Suite Francaise and I do agree with you, the trilogy of Blue Bicycle reflects with more accuracy the Nazi´s occupation in France or at least Deforges characters are more realistic.
Laura, thanks for saying that - all I ever hear is praise for Suite Francaise! I read the Déforges books in French!Elysium, I have that Plaidy book sitting on my shelf but I haven't gotten around to it yet....... I hope you continue to like it!
Yeah Bettie - speak up all you readers who didn't really like Suite Francaise!!!
I loved Suite Francaise!I thought the "unfinished" aspect of it was very potent. It really brought home the uncertainty of the war for me.
The afterward's about Irene's experience had an even bigger impact. I walked around in a daze after reading it.
I'll have to try out the Deforges books! They sounds good, too.
Mandy wrote: "I loved Suite Francaise!I thought the "unfinished" aspect of it was very potent. It really brought home the uncertainty of the war for me.
The afterward's about Irene's experience had an even bigg..."
I thought Régine Deforges books were better! I know that the first in the series exists in English with the title The Blue Bicycle. Maybe it was even made into a movie.
I just read The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory. I didn't feel it was up to par with her other novels, it drug on a bit at the end and when it did end I found it dissapointing. I would have liked to get Mary's perspective on her being sentenced to death, and a more in depth description of her beheading (I know I'm morbid right?)
Reading Mary Queen of Scots, by Antonia Fraser. I know more of a bio, but am enjoying it. The Scottish line of royal succession is really confusing. But so would recommend it.
I finished SKP's "Time and Chance" last night. While some of the Becket stuff dragged a bit for me, I really enjoyed it. I do have to say that I really hated Rosamund Clifford. She just grated on my nerves. Silly little girl who was dazzled by the king, "fell in love with him," and kept putting herself in his way until she got in his bed. I just wanted to smack the little [insert nasty word here:]. And then her constant crying and sniveling over the fact that Henry was away from her so much..."Um...he IS the king and has important things to take care of. And oh yeah... he IS married."
I couldn't have been as calm as Eleanor was when she confronted her, though I suppose that's why she was a queen.
I have 'time and chance' sitting in my pile - can't wait!!!!!
I bought Jean Plaidy's series on Catherine De Medici and Lucrezia Borgia from Amazon UK. They are reprints from Arrow publishers. They just arrived and are beautiful. They are well worth the extra shipping from the UK to the US.
Danielle wrote: "I just read The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory. I didn't feel it was up to par with her other novels, it drug on a bit at the end and when it did end I found it dissapointing. I would have liked t..."Have you read Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir? It's about Lady Jane Grey who was also beheaded. The ending was very powerful (and descriptive).
I am now flying through Josephine Tey's "Daughter of Time." I'm loving it!! The points the detective brings up about Richard and what happened before and after he died are incredible.
Elysium wrote: "I started my first Plaidy book Castile for Isabella. I've really liked it so far."I really love this trilogy! I think this trilogy and her Katherine of Aragon trilogy (now in one volume) are my favorite Plaidy books.
Mandy wrote: "I loved Suite Francaise!I thought the "unfinished" aspect of it was very potent. It really brought home the uncertainty of the war for me.
The afterward's about Irene's experience had an even bigg..."
I also loved Suite Francaise (especially the appendixes), but I'm also really intrigued by these Deforges books now. I'll have to add them to my list.
Susan C wrote: "I bought Jean Plaidy's series on Catherine De Medici and Lucrezia Borgia from Amazon UK. They are reprints from Arrow publishers. They just arrived and are beautiful. They are well worth the extra..."Next time you should get them from The Book Depository (UK) - they have free worldwide shipping!
I finished Castile For Isabella and Spain For The Sovereigns by Jean Plaidy and started Daughters of Spain. I've really liked the books so far. But I have this sudden desire to shake Ferdinand every time I read! I also have Catherine de Medici serie and Murder Most Royale, The Shadow of the Pomegranate and The Thistle and the Rose. I kinda went wild when I was shopping in capital city xD
I'm almost finished with PG's The White Queen.I like it. I don't love it, but it's not bad.
It's a quick read, so that's nice!
It's missing the racy love scenes I always enjoy in a PG novel. That sucks. I was looking forward to some bodice-ripping like in TOBG. Not so much.
Maybe PG wants to be taken seriously, lol.
Mandy wrote: "I'm almost finished with PG's The White Queen.I like it. I don't love it, but it's not bad.
It's a quick read, so that's nice!
It's missing the racy love scenes I always enjoy in a PG novel. That ..."
Considering the relationship that Edward and Elizabeth had, there's hardly any visible chemistry between them in PG's book.
Mandy wrote: "I'm almost finished with PG's The White Queen.I like it. I don't love it, but it's not bad.
It's a quick read, so that's nice!
It's missing the racy love scenes I always enjoy in a PG novel. That ..."
She probably left it out 'cause everyone complained about the weird sex. Now we complain 'cause there isn't any. I'm thinking she might make up for that in the next one with Bess and R3. Could be wrong though.
Ugh....I honestly hope she doesn't go that route.
Robin wrote: "Mandy wrote: "I'm almost finished with PG's The White Queen.I like it. I don't love it, but it's not bad.
It's a quick read, so that's nice!
It's missing the racy love scenes I always enjoy in a P..."
I know I was getting annoyed with Mary, oh but I love him, then she would do something sneaky and underhanded. Sap and minx do not mix!
Robin wrote: "Mandy wrote: "I'm almost finished with PG's The White Queen.I like it. I don't love it, but it's not bad.
It's a quick read, so that's nice!
It's missing the racy love scenes I always enjoy in a P..."
I know I was getting annoyed with Mary, oh but I love him, then she would do something sneaky and underhanded. Sap and minx do not mix!
We were actually discussing PG's newest novel The WHITE Queen. :)But I agree...when I read The OTHER Queen I got annoyed at Mary as well.
I tend to get annoyed at Mary generally!
Elysium wrote: "I finished Castile For Isabella and Spain For The Sovereigns by Jean Plaidy and started Daughters of Spain. I've really liked the books so far. But I have this sudden desire to shake Ferdinand ever..."The Shadow of the Pomengranate is the second book in her Katherine of Aragon trilogy. The first book is Katherine, the Virgin Widow and the last book is The Kings Secret Matter. If you don't have those two, you might be able to get them cheaper by buying the volume that was recently published which contains all three books (even if you already have the second book, buying the one volume is probably cheaper than buying two books) - Katharine of Aragon. I read these books right after the Isabella and Ferdinand series (I don't remember there being too much overlap).
Tanzanite wrote: "Susan C wrote: "I bought Jean Plaidy's series on Catherine De Medici and Lucrezia Borgia from Amazon UK. They are reprints from Arrow publishers. They just arrived and are beautiful. They are well..."Thank you for the information, the shipping price was rather excessive.
Vainglory by Geraldine McCaughrean. A big fat multi generational saga set in 15C France.
I'm reading The French Mistress A Novel of the Duchess of Porthsmouth and King Charles IIIt's slow moving at the beginning - I'm about 150 pages in and it's still kind of blah.
I HATE all the silly forshadowing at the end of every chapter.
She keeps saying stuff like "It wasn't the first time I heard her name, and unfortunately, it wouldn't be the last, either"
or
"In that moment, my fate with him was cast."
It's driving me crazy.
I actually loved her other 3 novels, but this one kind of sucks.
Hoping it will get better - at least it's not too long!
European Royalty
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book of Royal Useless Information: A Funny and Irreverent Look at the British Royal Family Past and Present (other topics)Katherine (other topics)
Queen of the North (other topics)
Victoria and her daughters (other topics)
The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII, the Playboy Prince (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Noel Botham, Bruce Montague (other topics)Alison Weir (other topics)
Alison Weir (other topics)
Alison Weir (other topics)
Jean Plaidy (other topics)
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If anyone like Dumas or is interested in more about Diane de Poiters I would highly recommend these books! They are really, really good.
I have a giant stack of books to read when I'm done - some HF, some general. I don't know what I'll move on to next!