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11:28 am
February 24, 2010
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Boleynfan, I bet I'd have a hard time reading Julia Fox's book, too. I'd have to talk myself into picking it up everyday. I give you credit for even trying. I hope to try reading it someday…however, not too soon. Have not read good reviews on it. If I did pick it up, like you, I'd feel obligated to finish it. Hence the stall.
Bella, I can only read one book at a time also. Keeps things straight in my head…lol
The King's Mistress is about Alice Perrers. She was a commoner who Edward III fell in love with. They had three children together. She became his mistress before his wife died, but it wasn't made public until after Phillipa's death. She was married twice. Her surname is her first husband's name. Edward lavished her with jewels and property, but she was smart and acquired most of her properties by investing on her own. Her husband left her money and real estate. This is another historical woman who it seem has been much maligned. It was said that she bewitched Edward. Yes, another one of those women. Anyway it is a good novel. She was mistress to Edward at the same time Katherine Swynford was mistress to John of Gaunt.
Campion's premise for the novel is that Queen Isabella was pregnant when Mortimer was executed. She sent the child, a boy, away to Italy to be raised so no harm would come to him. (Very little is known about Alice's first husband. Apparently, little is known about how Alice came to court either.) The author uses her husband and his mother as the people who take messages back and forth between Isabella and her son. They are found out and killed. Isabella feels an obligation to Alice and she places her at court in the care of the king and queen where she will be safe.
Carolyn…Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…..all one book? LOL
4:34 pm
August 3, 2010
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Sharon, Hmm I think I'll try the two books you talked about (AFTER I finish reading my four!! LOL). I definitely see what you're saying about no more than 1 book…it's difficult but I really have to fight the urge not to start another book if I forget mine at home or something since I'm very rarely not currently reading a book 🙂 Honestly, with 3 other books, I think I might put down Julia Fox's book and restart it another (less busy) time when it will be my only book. I could rant about if for aaages!
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
5:57 pm
January 9, 2010
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Ah, the Julia Fox book! I've read it and I didn't think it was too bad. I think the main problem I had with it was the author's over-use of “perhaps”, “maybe” and “Jane may have been there” and other similar words and phrases. Evidence of an author hedging their bets when they just don't know. Whilst I applaud Ms. Fox's desire to try to shed some light on a very controversial character, I just don't think there's enough evidence personally on Jane Rochford to drag out into a full length biography.
7:23 am
June 7, 2010
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Bella44 said:
Ah, the Julia Fox book! I've read it and I didn't think it was too bad. I think the main problem I had with it was the author's over-use of “perhaps”, “maybe” and “Jane may have been there” and other similar words and phrases. Evidence of an author hedging their bets when they just don't know. Whilst I applaud Ms. Fox's desire to try to shed some light on a very controversial character, I just don't think there's enough evidence personally on Jane Rochford to drag out into a full length biography.
I agree with Bella44. Fox utilized soft-terms: maybe, perhaps, could be, which did nothing to further her agurment, or support her positions. I am all for learning more about Jane Rochford, but only when actual evidence is presented. The information about Jane's life is too scarce to be considered a full-length biography, but I did appreciate the effort.
My biggest issue is that Fox writes an apologist piece. Jane Rochford was so deep in the Anne/George accusations and arrest that there is no way of dismissing her role in it.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
7:56 am
November 23, 2010
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I am actually taking a short break from my PILE of tudor books. I am currently reading 'Let the Right One In' while i am waiting for a book to be delivered from America that i bought called 'Plain Jane: A Novel of Jane Seymour. Has anyone read it?
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11:39 am
January 9, 2010
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I love 'Let the Right One In!' It would have to be one of my most favourite vampire books ever! And the movie's not bad either! I've currently got John Ajvide Lindqvist's latest book 'Harbour' sitting in my to-read pile.
And I've just ordered the new Catherine of Aragon bio as a Christmas present to myself 
12:33 pm
June 5, 2010
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I'm taking a pause in my reading until the new year — got to get through the holidays, and work has been too busy for me to relax with a book, even during my commute on the bus. I love hearing about what all of you are reading, and it gives me a few more ideas for what to add to my special Amazon Christmas 2010 wish list! I'd love to have something new in hand to begin while I'm on vacation (I have 2 weeks off from a few days before Christmas until right after New Year's). Tell me more about <i>Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</i>. I confess — I'm not a fan of zombies, but I know the basic plotline of the novel and it sounds interesting. Thanks to all of you, I have a slew of Tudor books — fiction and non-fiction — on my wish list, as well as some much desired movies (including all 4 seasons of <i>The Tudors</i>, both Elizabeth movies with Cate Blanchett, and this movie buff's dream — the “what we pray is now completely restored” edition of Fritz Lang's science-fiction masterpiece, <i>Metropolis</i>).
By the way — to my fellow Americans: both Borders and Amazon seem very neglectful of the new bio on Margaret Beaufort (Borders sends me to Borders Marketplace and Amazon to Amazon Marketplace, just like it's some rare used book that was released 50 years ago). Have any of you been able to locate it through normal channels?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh and Anyanka — love the Tudor Bunny! She's so sweet.
Henry: Mistress Anne, will you teach the king of England how they dance in the French court?
Anne: There is nothing that France can teach England, your majesty.
King Henry VIII: Well said. Well said.
– Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
4:00 pm
November 18, 2010
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Clarebear said:
I am actually taking a short break from my PILE of tudor books. I am currently reading 'Let the Right One In' while i am waiting for a book to be delivered from America that i bought called 'Plain Jane: A Novel of Jane Seymour. Has anyone read it?
If that's the one By Laurien Gardiner….it's not the best (IMHO) since there are several errors in the timings of things, ie Henry succeeds at 19 not 17/18 as in real life. H7 died when H8 was 17 but H8 was crowned with KoA when he was 18.
S we dicussed in another thread, LG appears to be a group of authors so that explains, to me anyway, the inconsistancies between the first 3 novels.
It's always bunnies.
4:07 pm
November 18, 2010
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Boleynfan said:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies! I mean to read it (and I've meant to read it for a few months now…) How is it?
It's not too bad . Lots of it are pulled straight from P&P and the you get moderatly graphic scenes of violence. Great lit it isn't, but a fun read.
I know need to re-read all My Austin. HOwever everything has been put on hold as I got THe Girl WHo played with Fire by Stieg Larsson out of the library.
And my first bundle of CHristmas books has arrrived.
It's always bunnies.
4:19 pm
November 18, 2010
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TinaII2None said:
I'm taking a pause in my reading until the new year — got to get through the holidays, and work has been too busy for me to relax with a book, even during my commute on the bus. I love hearing about what all of you are reading, and it gives me a few more ideas for what to add to my special Amazon Christmas 2010 wish list! I'd love to have something new in hand to begin while I'm on vacation (I have 2 weeks off from a few days before Christmas until right after New Year's). Tell me more about <i>Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</i>. I confess — I'm not a fan of zombies, but I know the basic plotline of the novel and it sounds interesting. Thanks to all of you, I have a slew of Tudor books — fiction and non-fiction — on my wish list, as well as some much desired movies (including all 4 seasons of <i>The Tudors</i>, both Elizabeth movies with Cate Blanchett, and this movie buff's dream — the “what we pray is now completely restored” edition of Fritz Lang's science-fiction masterpiece, <i>Metropolis</i>).
By the way — to my fellow Americans: both Borders and Amazon seem very neglectful of the new bio on Margaret Beaufort (Borders sends me to Borders Marketplace and Amazon to Amazon Marketplace, just like it's some rare used book that was released 50 years ago). Have any of you been able to locate it through normal channels?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh and Anyanka — love the Tudor Bunny! She's so sweet.
I ordered my first set of books last week and they arrived this afternoon. The temptation is starting to get to me.
My Aunt has all the Royal Daulton Bunnykins H8 and his wives set. I'm still hoping since she has a son, 2 grandsons and 2 greatGSs. DH laughs that I want to be on the ANtiques Roadshow with them one day.
It's always bunnies.
12:58 pm
August 3, 2010
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Love the Tudor Bunny too, Anyanka!
What books do you have in your new reading pile?
I've finished one today and am off to another…
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
5:39 pm
November 18, 2010
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TGWPWF lived up to what I expected. It took me about 10 solid hours of reading to finish,
I currently reading Lies and Lust in the Tudor Court, see thread in the Books and Movies forum.
It's always bunnies.
7:23 am
August 3, 2010
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Interesting, wreckmaster. Which book is it?
"Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be"
3:03 pm
January 9, 2010
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Is it the Josephine Wilkinson one? Or is it one I don't know about?!
3:31 pm
June 7, 2010
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Sharon said:
I'm reading The King's Mistress, by, Emma Campion. About Edward III and his mistress Alice Perrers.
Sharon: What are is you opinion about The King's Mistress? I have it on request from my local public library, but would like to know what to expect.
I've just finished reading The People's Queen by Vanora Bennett. This book is also about Alice Perrers. It examines her intelliegence and business transactions, her patron, Chaucer, and her business relationship with the Duke of Lancaster. Compared to other Vanora Bennett books, I actually enjoyed it. I didn't love it, but I thought it was far more enjoyable than Blood Royal (about Catherine of Valois).
However, Katherine by Anya Seton remains my absolute favourite novel of all time. Katherine Swynford appears periodically in Bennett's novel, but no one can bring Katherine to life like Seton. I wish someday a movie version of Katherine would be made, but until then, I shall re-read Seton's novel again and again!
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
10:18 am
February 24, 2010
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DuchessofBrittany said:
Sharon: What are is you opinion about The King's Mistress? I have it on request from my local public library, but would like to know what to expect.
I've just finished reading The People's Queen by Vanora Bennett. This book is also about Alice Perrers. It examines her intelliegence and business transactions, her patron, Chaucer, and her business relationship with the Duke of Lancaster. Compared to other Vanora Bennett books, I actually enjoyed it. I didn't love it, but I thought it was far more enjoyable than Blood Royal (about Catherine of Valois).
However, Katherine by Anya Seton remains my absolute favourite novel of all time. Katherine Swynford appears periodically in Bennett's novel, but no one can bring Katherine to life like Seton. I wish someday a movie version of Katherine would be made, but until then, I shall re-read Seton's novel again and again!
Duchessof Brittany, I just finished The Queen's Mistress. I enjoyed it. I did a short synopsis which you can find on page 9 of this thread. Loving a King never seems to be a good thing for the women involved. In this version, the Duke of Lancaster is an on again off again friend. I actually did not like him or Prince Edward in this book. Chaucer is a dear friend. Katherine is mentioned a few times, but she has no part in the book, which was a little disappointing. Alice was a very astute business woman, however. She stayed with the King when he was ill, which was probably a mistake. She gets into trouble for doing so. History has accused her of ruling the kingdom for Edward during this illness, but with the Duke and the Prince there, I doubt that was true.
Can anyone write like Anya Seton? I absolutely fell in love with Katherine and her Duke after reading her book “Katherine.” My copy was so old it was falling apart. I just replaced it with the more recently published one. I don't think “The Queen's Mistress” is as good as that book, but I have never found an author who can match Seton's “Katherine.” As for a movie version of “Katherine,” I have been waiting forever for someone to make it.
6:24 pm
August 12, 2009
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I'm halfway through the second book in C.J. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake Tudor mysteries series. I've got to agree with you guys; I'm hooked! The first book, Dissolution, was a very complex mystery with lots of period detail. You really feel like you're there! In the second book, Dark Fire, it's promising to be just as complicated and I'm glad to see the character Brother Guy from the first book back again. It's a little twisty how Shardlake is working for Cromwell (again), but is (still) wisely afraid of him, even though they're on the same side. It shows how complex Tudor politics were and how you always had to be on your guard, even when you thought you were amongst friends. It's also very close in time to Cromwell's fall and I'm wondering if that will be involved in this case somehow and/or how Shardlake manages to not get pulled into Cromwell's downfall.
"Don't knock at death's door.
Ring the bell and run. He hates that."
7:10 am
June 7, 2010
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Sharon said:
Duchessof Brittany, I just finished The Queen's Mistress. I enjoyed it. I did a short synopsis which you can find on page 9 of this thread. Loving a King never seems to be a good thing for the women involved. In this version, the Duke of Lancaster is an on again off again friend. I actually did not like him or Prince Edward in this book. Chaucer is a dear friend. Katherine is mentioned a few times, but she has no part in the book, which was a little disappointing. Alice was a very astute business woman, however. She stayed with the King when he was ill, which was probably a mistake. She gets into trouble for doing so. History has accused her of ruling the kingdom for Edward during this illness, but with the Duke and the Prince there, I doubt that was true.
Can anyone write like Anya Seton? I absolutely fell in love with Katherine and her Duke after reading her book “Katherine.” My copy was so old it was falling apart. I just replaced it with the more recently published one. I don't think “The Queen's Mistress” is as good as that book, but I have never found an author who can match Seton's “Katherine.” As for a movie version of “Katherine,” I have been waiting forever for someone to make it.
Thanks, Sharon!
I agree that no one can write like Anya Seton. She really brings 14th century England alive. I also fell in love with Katherine and the Duke. I guess it appeals to the romantic in me.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
9:50 pm
October 31, 2010
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I'm currently reading Starkey's The Six Wives of Henry VIII…which I have honestly been reading for 7 years now. I received the book for Christmas in 2003 and I got bogged down in the Anne Boleyn section. Not because I don't like Anne, I just kept getting confused with all the people. Strangely enough, watching The Tudors has really helped me because now I can put a face with most names in the book (even if it's not the real person). So, I'm almost through Anne Boleyn, and, really, after Anne there's not much left of the book.
After this, though, I've got nothing lined up because I'm getting a Kindle for Christmas and I refuse to buy anymore books. Instead, I'm just adding books to my Amazon wishlist.
However, after Starkey, I'm going to have to take a break from Tudor England for a little while and read The Disappearing Spoon and Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of Elements and Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities. What can I say? My degree is in biology.
I actually all ready know that Abraham Lincoln's mother was killed by milk sickness which is caused by a weed (or fungus maybe?) that grows in cow pastures. The cows eat the weed, the compounds from the weed get into the cow's milk, people drink it, and they die.
After those two books I have The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn by Eric Ives and Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir on my list along with Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Lightening Thief, The Other Tudors, Awakened (the 8th book in the House of Night series–one of my students got me started on the series. Not as good as Twilight, but good enough), and City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (the 4th book in the Mortal Instruments series). Oh! And Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton. I'm kind of interested in Wolf Hall which I know was the focus of the book club last month (or month before last maybe).
"We mustn't let our passions destroy our dreams…"
7:37 am
November 23, 2010
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I have now given up on 'Let the Right One In'…. i have watched both the films … original and the new remake and decided that I know the story a bit to well now, i might pick it up again at a later date. I have gone back to my stack of tudor novels and have picked out 'Mary, Queen of France' by Jean Plaidy. I have only read one chapter so far, but am throughly enjoying it already. I havent really read that much or even know that much about Princess Mary to be honest. I am looking forward to getting to know her
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