Search - The Queen's Fool

Very compelling, this is the sequel to The Other Boleyn Girl. I couldn't put down this book! Great historical novel, tells the story of the succession to the throne after Henry VIII through the eyes of a young woman who goes to work at the court. Good read!

My least favorite of all the books by P. Gregory which I've read to date. I found Hannah unlikeable through most of the book. In the last third of the book she became bearable to me, but I never really warmed up to her.

Interesting in the way it took the tale of the Marranos (Jews who converted to Christianity) fleeing Spain and the Inquisition for a safer haven and wove it into a story/bit of history that I'm all too familiar with (Tudor England).

I like all of Philippa Gregory's books. They contain historical events but are fiction.
This one was a little bit hard to get into, but a good read anyway.
A young Jewish girl flees Spain with her Father to England. She has the "sight" and her gift influences her in the court of Queen Mary and with Princess Elizabeth and Robert Dudley also.
She is promised in wedlock to a commoner and must choose between him and an exciting and dangerous life at court.

This books follows The Other Boleyn Girl thus continuing the story of Henry VIII, now focusing on his offspring: Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. Again there is treachery, spying, secrets, upending loyalites, and a fight till death for the throne. All this is told and seen through the eyes of a Jewish-turned-Christian girl Hannah Green, who is a common girl with an uncommon gift: she is able to predict the future. She is quickly taken into the royal court to serve both the Queen Mary and Princess Elisabeth and to no surprise she gets caught in lies and scheming herself. She gets into some big trouble and must decide what she wants in life. This is a nice coming of age story as you see Hannah mature and decide where her true loyalties lie. I have come to love Philippa Gregory's books and this is no exception. Next up I am going to take on her Wildacre series.

I love that even though we've been taught our history lessons in school, Philippa Gregory is able to write a book from a "minor" character's prospective to give the feeling that this is all new material. There are plenty of plot twist to keep this book moving. I love the descriptions of the era from the dress, mannerisms, and activities of the day. I can't wait to read more from this author!!!

Philippa Gregory, as is typical of her works, is able to re-tell common tale in a very uncommon manner - by way of utilizing a servant's perspective. Love it!

Probably one of my favorites of Philippa's. Tells about Hannah who has the "gift" of sight and is hired by Queen Mary and then Queen Elizabeth. Around the time of the witchtrials in England and she must choose to continue serving the queen, or choose a commoners path. Very good read and very detailed oriented like all of her books are. Beware though, could take you awhile to finish, took me about a week to read the book. =)

"The Queen's Fool" is the story of Hannah Green who has the Sight, and is therefore invited to be a Holy Fool for King Edward, and after his death, Queen Mary, and eventually Queen Elizabeth. Hannah and her father fled from Spain after her mother was burned at the stake by the Inquisition for being Jewish.

"The Queen's Fool" is a compelling story, but I was a bit disappointed after reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" (also by Philippa Gregory). I thought that "The Queen's Fool" was not quite as gripping, and it took me a bit longer to get into the story. I love the time period surrounding the story, and Gregory definitely offered a different perspective than the ones taught in history class (obviously I know that this is historical fiction, and not all true).

I recommend that you read "The Queen's Fool", especially if you enjoy historical fiction and the period between King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth.

To read this series chronologically, read them in this order: TCP, TOBG, TBI, TQF, TVL, and TOQ (coming 9/16/08). If you want advice on the best way to read the books when you have started with TOBG (most of us seem to have done this), I recommend reading all of them chronologically after TOBG to the end, and then looping back to read TCP after you have finished the series. I heard that from folks who've read them all, and it seems to be working for me. However, I don't think I can wait that long now because I would have to wait until September when TOQ comes out. This is the best of the three Gregory books that I have read so far. I read the two Boleyn books and enjoyed them thoroughly, but this is much richer. It is very interesting that my favorite of her characters is not nobility but a fool! Hannah is strong, unexpectedly adept in dealing with matters of the court, independent, and idealistic but grounded. I love this book. Also, this book has a good little slice of war which rounds it out well. A note to readers of historical fiction, Gregory is filled with PLENTY romance and cotton candy to make the reads seem light while informing of the period.

This story centers around a young Jewish girl with the gift of Sight. She ends up in the court of Edward, then Mary, then Elizabeth. She must keep hidden her true faith, while precariously being tossed from one court to the next -- putting on the mantle of whichever faith is presently reigning. She is a kind hearted girl who finds good in each of the royalty she serves and in her way respects and loves them even when in conflict with her own fears and desires. This book hooked me on Philippa Gregory's writings.

It was an ok book....TOBG was a lot better...in my opinion it got off to a slow start but about half way through it got better

Interesting how the central intelligence of the book is a commoner....and seeing the royal court from her perspective. Not my fave P.Gregory book, but still in all, engaging and fascinating really. Her Tudor books always lead me to look something up on the map or geneology, that is, to dig deeper into this period. She is really a gifted writer and a new favorite for me.

Philippa Gregory does a great job with these books! I usually can't stand anything having to do with this time period, but once I read The Other Boleyn Girl I was hooked! Now I have been reading all of her books and they are just fantastic

Another great work of historical fiction from Gregory.

This book focuses on the reign of Mary Tudor, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon (Henry's first wife). The story is told from the viewpoint of a young female servant, whom I liked and enjoyed reading about.

I have read other books set in this time period in England, and Gregory managed to tell the story in a way that was fresh and entertaining.

If you are interested in the period, or a fan of Gregory's you'll enjoy this one.

I'm enjoyinng this whole series. This one is about Queen Mary. Henry's daughter with his first wife.

This book was a disappointment. Although I have read and immensely enjoyed the author's other books, this one seemed forced - and like another reviewer said, I also couldn't stand the main character until the end of the book. Also, couldn't there have been a couple of gratuitous sex scenes to spice things up, like all her other books? That would have made the main character's whining bearable. ;)

good and entertaining

I love Phillippa Gregory's books.

excellent book...don't miss it! One of her best!

Ms. Gregory's books are addictive. This is the first period piece I've ever read where "Bloody Mary" was portrayed as a loving, caring woman as well as a shortsighted regligious fanatic. Very interesting read.