The Queen's Fool: A Novel (Boleyn)
by Philippa Gregory
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Book Reviews of The Queen's Fool: A Novel (Boleyn)
Book Review: Big fan of Gregory and all of her books, this one's no different.
Summary: 4 Stars
In all truthfulness, I haven't met a Philippa Gregory novel that I didn't like. They are not literary masterpieces, sure, but they are certainly entertaining, fun books set in a VERY interesting time in history (mostly during the Tudor reign of England). The Queen's Fool was no different - I loved the characters, the setting, the historical descriptions, the raunchiness dressed up as romance; I loved it all. One aspect of The Queen's Fool that I especially liked was the main character, Hannah Green. I liked how this book was told from the perspective of someone outside of the royal family - it gave quite a different spin on the events, and the book wasn't JUST focused on court life. There was a deeper aspect to the story, since the entire time Hannah was worried about the Inquisition and constantly fearing that someone would discover her secret about her own past. I felt that Hannah was a pretty likable character - she certainly wasn't perfect and made plenty of mistakes along the way, but she always seemed to want to do the right thing and was generally a good person amidst the evil surrounding the royal family. I also enjoyed how the book spent a lot of time on Queen Mary, as I haven't read much fiction based on her before. Of course I'm well aware that Ms. Gregory's books aren't extremely historically accurate, but I found the plot surrounding Queen Mary interesting all the same.
Generally speaking, if you're a Philippa Gregory fan, The Queen's Fool is one not to be missed. And if you're a historical fiction/historical romance fan and haven't read anything by this author, I'd suggest giving her a try. I always find myself racing through her books - they are highly entertaining and I can't recommend them enough.
Book Review: The plot is brilliant.. if you're 5 years old
Summary: 3 Stars
3 stars only because Hannah is a fascinating character. The story however is preposterous and insulting. Unlike the boring "The Other Boleyn Girl" (too many insipid women chasing after a dull man), this book has good characters, especially the heroine Hannah who is intelligent, curious, and interested both in people and in ideas.
Hannah's circumstances are implausible but acceptable as improbable fiction. However, there is a difference between improbable and impossible. It's not possible that a human being would love that monster, Bloody Mary, when her own mother had been burned alive by people like her. What child, or any human being of flesh and blood would do this?
Not to say that Hannah herself is sent to the stake by this very "nice" lady! And what does Hannah do? Just exactly the opposite of what you and I would do. She runs back to her Queen like a good little girl. But then book characters know they'll end up well anyway so they can take big risks. How convenient of the author to have Hannah saved juuuust at the right time from inquisitorial torture.
Hannah is a sensitive and perceptive person. How can such a person feel great empathy for someone tortured in the Tower or burned to death, and at the same time be blind to the hand that sets these horrors in motion?
Despite the author's great efforts to present a different picture, I found Elizabeth a highly likable person. Many authors of historical fiction portray her as promiscuous, although I believe the historical evidence for it is scant. One wonders why they feel a need to diminish such a great woman... but then again, it seems the norm with great female historical figures.
Book Review: solid depiction of real 1553-1558 historical figures
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1553 Hannah de Verde and her father flee Spain following the Inquisition burning her mom at the stake for being Jewish. With the help of the Carpenters, they open up a London bookstore changing their name to Greene. Their sponsors and the Greenes hide their Jewish traditions behind a Christian façade. Teens Hannah and Daniel Carpenter are betrothed to marry when she turns sixteen.Scholar John Dee and Lord Robert Dudley arrive at the bookstore seeking books from the early ages of Christianity and Hebrew antiquity. Hannah, garbed in boy's clothing, mentions a third person with them that excites John as he realizes that God gave Hannah the gift of sight. She describes an angel.
Hannah delivers their purchases to Whitehall Palace. Robert introduces her to the ailing teen King Edward who names her his Holy Fool. She sees death lingering near Edward, but says nothing. Robert's father threatens to expose her and her father as Jews if she refuses the position. She accepts though Daniel is unhappy. Now her adventures amidst the royal intrigue begin over the next several years as Mary reigns.
The solid depiction of real 1553-1558 historical figures provide an in-depth look at an era of transition from an ailing King Edward through the short reign of Queen Mary to the point of ascension of Queen Elizabeth. That serves as a double edged sword as at times the story seems to go tediously on. Hannah is a strong protagonist who enables the audience to look closely at the royals and some key aristocrats while depicting the plight of the Jews in Western Europe. Historical readers will devour this deep look at England's mid sixteenth century monarchy.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: deep look at Englands mid sixteenth century monarchy
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1553 Hannah de Verde and her father flee Spain following the Inquisition burning her mom at the stake for being Jewish. With the help of the Carpenters, they open up a London bookstore changing their name to Greene. Their sponsors and the Greenes hide their Jewish traditions behind a Christian façade. Teens Hannah and Daniel Carpenter are betrothed to marry when she turns sixteen.Scholar John Dee and Lord Robert Dudley arrive at the bookstore seeking books from the early ages of Christianity and Hebrew antiquity. Hannah, garbed in boy's clothing, mentions a third person with them that excites John as he realizes that God gave Hannah the gift of sight. She describes an angel.
Hannah delivers their purchases to Whitehall Palace. Robert introduces her to the ailing teen King Edward who names her his Holy Fool. She sees death lingering near Edward, but says nothing. Robert's father threatens to expose her and her father as Jews if she refuses the position. She accepts though Daniel is unhappy. Now her adventures amidst the royal intrigue begin over the next several years as Mary reigns.
The solid depiction of real 1553-1558 historical figures provide an in-depth look at an era of transition from an ailing King Edward through the short reign of Queen Mary to the point of ascension of Queen Elizabeth. That serves as a double edged sword as at times the story seems to go tediously on. Hannah is a strong protagonist who enables the audience to look closely at the royals and some key aristocrats while depicting the plight of the Jews in Western Europe. Historical readers will devour this deep look at England's mid sixteenth century monarchy.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Another great Phillippa Gregory read
Summary: 4 Stars
Phillipa Gregory is an amazing author! I have truly loved every book that I have picked up from her. Her stories are so much fun and interesting to read; and The Queen's Fool is no different!
Although this book is a little darker, not as saucy as The Other Boleyn Girl or The Boleyn Inheritance, it is just as entertaining and still a page-turner. The story takes place after Henry VIII dies and discusses his successors (his three children: Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth) rise to power. When young King Edward passes away, it is Mary who has a rightful place on the throne. However, because of her religious beliefs and who her mother was, middle-aged Mary does not have an easy time stepping into her rightful place. Half of the country wants Mary, the other half wants Elizabeth who is definitely her mother's daughter (Anne Boleyn...) You will feel like a ping-pong ball in terms of whose side your on, Queen Mary or Princess Elizabeth!
Our main character, a.k.a.-The Queen's Fool, is a both intriguing with dangerous secrets of her own and very loveable to boot. She accidentally gets caught in the middle of the secrets and plots between Mary and Elizabeth and not only does she have to do her duty as a paid member of the royal court, she has to watch her step so as not to get sent to the Tower! There are so many surprises and twists scattered throughout the book that it makes it a relatively speedy read.
This was a great book and I definitely recommend picking it up for your summer collection!