R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1438 more book reviews
How does one comment about a novel featuring a character whose personality is grating? Just begin. Queen Henriette, known as Queen Henrietta by the English, is most unlikable. Spoiled but beautiful, she grew up the center of attention and deeply religious. When she is betrothed to Charles I of England, she is determined to convert not only the king but the people of England to what she called "the true faith," the Catholic Church. She has no compassion nor tolerance for those of other religious beliefs. Henriette was so determined to convert others that she refused to be crowned because the ceremony contained Protestant phrases she could not tolerate. Her actions alienated the people again and again.
While she grew to love Charles deeply and birthed many children, the two were fated to lose their thrones and Charles, his head. She escaped that fate when she retuned to her childhood country, France. Charles was a good man but a poor king. He found it difficult to understand and deal with people. Those he chose as advisers were intensely disliked by the people. He was a good father and loved the queen, he was no politician and the advice he took led him to his demise.
It was ten years before England became disenchanted with Puritan rule and asked Charles II to take the throne. Fortunately, he was a quite different man than his father. He was more tolerant, listened to the people and chose his advisers wtih this in mind.
This is the first of Plaidy's series about the queens and it was well written. While I did not like the key character as portrayed by her, I enjoyed the read. There is so much more to a reading a novel than liking a character. It's a good read.
While she grew to love Charles deeply and birthed many children, the two were fated to lose their thrones and Charles, his head. She escaped that fate when she retuned to her childhood country, France. Charles was a good man but a poor king. He found it difficult to understand and deal with people. Those he chose as advisers were intensely disliked by the people. He was a good father and loved the queen, he was no politician and the advice he took led him to his demise.
It was ten years before England became disenchanted with Puritan rule and asked Charles II to take the throne. Fortunately, he was a quite different man than his father. He was more tolerant, listened to the people and chose his advisers wtih this in mind.
This is the first of Plaidy's series about the queens and it was well written. While I did not like the key character as portrayed by her, I enjoyed the read. There is so much more to a reading a novel than liking a character. It's a good read.
