R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed In the Shadow of the Crown (Queens of England, Bk 6) on + 1438 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is the story of Mary, firstborn daughter of King Henry VIII told by Plaidy in the voice of this tragic woman. Born to Katharine of Aragon and Henry VIII, she enjoys her father's affection, his scorn when he declares the marriage invalid and his daughter a bastard, and finally his affection again when she does what she must to please him and save her life. She believes that she has a greater purpose in life - to bring back the Catholic church to England. Her father's frail son, Edward, is king for a short time, leaving the crown to Mary whose tender heart and lack of political finesse make her life difficult indeed. She marries Philip of Spain, love at last she believes only to discover that for him it was an arranged marriage. This is a sad tale well written by an author I had not yet read till this book.
Lissette H. (yolen) reviewed In the Shadow of the Crown (Queens of England, Bk 6) on + 92 more book reviews
As Princess, Mary got a RAW DEAL from her father. This is an interesting and sad tale.
Terelyn M. (Terelyn) reviewed In the Shadow of the Crown (Queens of England, Bk 6) on + 25 more book reviews
As much as I usually enjoy Jean Plaidy's books, I had a hard time getting into this one.
Undoubtedly, Mary Tudor had a difficult time from the time her father's (Henry VIII) eye wandered to a younger, prettier woman that held out for marriage. But religious fanaticism is always ugly. She simply is not a sympathetic character -- either in fiction or non-fiction.
Undoubtedly, Mary Tudor had a difficult time from the time her father's (Henry VIII) eye wandered to a younger, prettier woman that held out for marriage. But religious fanaticism is always ugly. She simply is not a sympathetic character -- either in fiction or non-fiction.
