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: A Beautiful Addition
Summary: 5 Stars
When I turned the final page of "The Other Boleyn Girl" I did not think it possible for Phillipa Gregory to out do herself.
I continue to marvel at the way Ms. Gregory fills pages with wonderful, colorful, magical words.
"The Queen's Fool", in my humble opinion, is historical fiction written with a difference.
A very brilliant and unusal angle is used to tell yet another fascinating tale belonging to the English.
Again, I find myself drifting to a previous century, sitting in the huge rooms of massive castles, feeling the bitter chill of cold run through my veins as does Hannah Green.
As much as times were difficult even to royalty, going back in time to witness a brief glimpse of such an intriguing era would be none other than pleasure for me.
I have a copy of "The Virgin's Lover" on my reading table as I write this review.
I shall savor each wonderful page!
-Yvonne Bornstein, Author, Eleven Days Of Hell
Book Review: Another Masterpiece by Philippa
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the sequel to "The other boleyn Girl", narrated through the eyes of Hannah, and spirited spanish immigrant who has the gift of sight. Dudley is amused by Hannah's "gift", and also by her wit. She is ordered to the castle, where she reluctantly becomes a royal fool, along side Will Sommers (King Henry's fool). Queen Mary uses Hannah as both a spy and a mediator between herself and her stubborn half sister, Princess Elizabeth. She learns the personal details of both women: Mary's desperate struggle for an heir from her unloving husband, and obsession with her country's faith staying consistant with her own, as well as Elizabeth's careless love affair with the infamous womanizer Robert Dudley,(who constantly tries to seduce Hannah).
Meanwhile, Hannah's frustrated betrothed, Daniel, waits in the for her to leave the court and become his bride. Although she doesn't much care for life at court, she is hesitant to become anyones wife.
Book Review: this masterpiece earns more than 5 stars!
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh what a glorious read! This is one of the first "fun books" I have read since my college career began and I am pleasantly surprised that historical fiction can be so satisfying to read. You visit Tudor England through the eyes of Hannah, a Jewish girl on the run from the Spanish Inquisition with her father. She ends up unwillingly tangled within the conspiracies of the Dudley's to put Jane Grey and Princess Elizabeth on the throne after the death of young King Edward. She is used for her powers to "see" the future as well as a spy between Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) and Princess Elizabeth. She finds herself growing into womanhood amongst courtiers and learns through her trials and tribulations that she is indeed deeply in love with her husband. This book not only has an addicting storyline, but has bits of English history tucked magnificently into the pages. I love this book and would recommend it to anyone in search of a satisfying read.Book Review: A wonderful read
Summary: 5 Stars
Gregory is one of my favorite novelists. Her tale of secret Jewish life, as well as the life of English court during the time of Queen Mary, was very interesting. Her descripton of Mary, her half sister, Elizabeth, Lord Robert Dudley (Elizabeth's married lover), among others, was very plausible. I felt like I was there in the 16th century England! My heart skipped a beat when the heroine of the book, Hannah Green, was arrested for heresy. Hannah's fear of being burned alive, just like her mother did, came through the pages. Was this book historically accurate? Who cares? This book is a novel and not a documentary! Maybe Gregory put too much sympathy on Bloody Mary (as Queen Mary became known historically), but this is Gregory's take on what made Mary act the way she did. Making history come alive can't be all that easy. Gregory does it with ease. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!Book Review: Riveting time period and character portrayals
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel set in 16th century England about a young Jewish girl who is snatched up from her normal life to become a fool for Queen Mary and consequently becomes intimately involved in all the intrigue surrounding this time period and especially the relationship between half-sisters "Bloody" Mary and Elizabeth I. All the characters are real except for the young girl and her family.
I loved this book because I had seen documentaries about Elizabeth and this time period before, but this book made it truly come alive and portrayed the complexities of both Mary and Elizabeth's personalities as well as the religious turmoil existing at this time in a very real way as Jews literally ran for their lives and everyone else constantly had to change their religion depending on who was on the throne. Kept me reading and sparked a renewed interest in learning about this time period.