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: Foolish Not to Love This Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Set in 1553, Philippa Gregory's "The Queen's Fool" is the story of Hannah Verde. Hannah is a 14-year-old girl when her tale begins. having witnessed the burning death of her mother for their Jewish heritage, Hannah and her father flee Spain and finally settle in London. Hannah's father is a printer and she dresses in boy's clothing to work in his shop as his apprentice. But Hannah is soon embroiled in more court intrigue than she can handle. Hannah is a seer and is picked to be the Queen's holy fool. The new Queen, Mary, adores Hannah and Hannah is her faithful servant. But neither are free from the meddling of Mary's younger sister Elizabeth, Anne Boleyn's bastard daughter. Soon, both sisters are struggling for the same court and the same man - Prince Philip of Spain. Hannah is caught in the middle. To whom does she stay loyal and will that protect her from following her mother to the pyre?
I adore Philipa Gregory! Her work is so enthralling that it is painfully hard to put down. Gregory has such attention to detail that the story leaps off the page and encapsulates the reader. I highly recommend Philipa Gregory to any fan of historical fiction.
Book Review: WONDERFUL
Summary: 5 Stars
Ms. Gregory's The Queen's Fool is as beautifully written as her other historical fiction novels. We continue the story of the Tudor line in England, but instead of being guided through a queen's view or a princess's view, we read through the eyes of Hannah the Fool. Hannah is a wonderful character who grows from an apprentice tomboy to a desirable woman. We pick up the story from Henry VIII's last wife to see his son, Edward IV, on the throne. Edward, ruled through the Duke of Northumberland, dies and the throne is shoved into the hands of Jane Grey (Northumberland's relation). The victory is short-lived, because Mary (Henry VIII's first and only child with Katharine of Aragon) raises an army to fight for her as Queen. Though she wins, it is not long before her sister, Princess Elizabeth (Henry VIII's first and only child with Anne Boleyn), conspires to take the throne. Hannah is thrown in between the half-sisters and must use her Sight as a gift to help both women. The story line is filled with historical fact, tweaked enough to give a well rounded account of The reign of Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. WONDERFUL!Book Review: Passionate story
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1553, Hannah Green and her father are fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition. Hannah's mother had been burned at stake for being a marrano and Hannah and her father seek refuge in London as a bookseller and his apprentice. Hannah dresses as a boy to help protect her identity. One day, she sees three men looking for her shop. One is the Lord Robert Dudley, who at that time held a very powerful position in the little King Edward's court as the son of the Regent. The other is John Dee, a famed scholar who searches feverently to know about the beginning of the world and the language of the angels. When they hear Hannah speak of the third, shinning man who she had seen, they discover the secret that she has the Sight, and the ability to see into the future. They immediately take Hannah away to be begged as their King's Holy Fool, where she says that the heavens are opening for Edward. This historical novel is a wonderful introduction into the rule of Bloody Mary and her rival the Princess Elizabeth. Told from the viewpoint of a passionate, courageous girl, this novel is a story you can't miss.Book Review: Fascinating historical novel about Queen Mary.
Summary: 5 Stars
The queen of England, Mary, who preceeded the more famous Queen Elizabeth on the throne has all but been forgotten. The central character to this book, Hannah Verde, is a Jewish girl pretending to be Christian for her own protection. Hannah has the unpredictable gift of being able to see the future. She is brought to court to work as a "fool" to the short lived King Edward and stays on, through thick and thin, to work for Queen Mary and her half sister Elizabeth. I found this story to be less about Hannah and more about Queen Mary who had a disastrous reign because of her fanatical Catholic faith and her poor selection of a husband. The story also focuses on the manipulative Queen Elizabeth before she was Queen. Although a bit dry at times I found this book to be a fascinating study of England at a time of extreme religious turmoil and intolerance. The message of the book, I think, is that more murder and mayhem has been committed in the name of religion than for any other reason and that the only way to peace is religious tolerance. I highly recommend this book.Book Review: Gregory is a genius...
Summary: 5 Stars
It was hard to put this book down. I read it over a weekend and nothing could keep me away.
Hannah is a fantastic character that everyone can relate to. Whether one has faced prejudice, or persecution for ones own convictions. Whether one has ever loved, or run away from some thing. She's so "normal" and yet so different. When Hannah had a crush on Lord Robert, I felt as if I wanted Lord Robert for her. When Hannah found out about her husbands extra marital affair, I felt as if I were upset by it. The story really captivates you and you miss Hannah Verde when the story is over.
What I loved most about the book, was that it was very historically based. I didn't know the story of Mary Tudor as well as I knew Elizabeth's story. This really brought the character to life and helped her to be seen in a softer light.
Fantastic book, couldn't put it down, and didn't want to anyway! I recommend it to everyone and anyone who loves history, novels, and the beauty of Tudor England.