The Wise Woman: A Novel by Philippa Gregory
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Book Reviews of The Wise Woman: A Novel
Book Review: The Wise Woman
Summary: 3 Stars
I have ordered many "used" books and this was by far in the worst condition. It was formerly a soft cover library book. It had lots of external wear but the pages inside were fine and that's what really counts in such a suspenseful novel.Book Review: The Wise Woman
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is in the author's Tudor series; however, it steps further into the mystical that I was expecting. It is well written, but if you are looking for another Tudor book like The Other Boleyn Girl you might be disappointed.Book Review: OK book.
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is ok, but not as good as others by this author.Book Review: The single strangest book I have ever read.
Summary: 2 Stars
All I can do looking back at this book is laugh. What the heck did I just read?!! This is by far the most bizarre and badly written book by Gregory I have read yet. The only reason I finished it all the way through was because I had unfortunately purchased the book, and felt I needed to get my $15 worth. HA!
First of all...this book was strange, as I mentioned before. She casts spells on people with these little wax dolls that have private parts. The wax dolls come alive and chase after people. A woman even gives birth to a wax baby because of the spell that was put on her. ha...I am still laughing at this book...bear with me.
Second, Alys has this constant struggle between "God" and the "devil". And without giving away too much of the book...this struggle was poorly put together. The only time you see that she really wants to stick on God's side...is in the beginning. Then its satan, satan, satan. Then the ending??? I can't say it here, but if you read the book you know what I mean.
Third, I really never expected Gregory to write a cheap, trashy, romance novel. This comes pretty darned close. There are some very ILLICIT and DESCRIPTIVE sex scenes in this book. Holy moly...I felt like I needed to take a shower after this book...it was so dirty. And the scenes really were totally unnecessary to the plot of the book. A simple "and they lay in the bed together" would have been fine. Really. There's even a threesome. Not joking.
So for comic relief...this was a good read. You will, however, feel you wasted a good chunk of a couple days when you are done. I love Gregory's novels...and I was SO dissapointed in her for this one. What a let down. But thanks for the good laugh Philippa! (The only reason this book got two stars and not one, was because it still was somewhat well written. Though the editor must have been drunk, because they say one thing on one page, and then say the exact same thing on the next. Like Lady Catherine's "face lines" coming back after the birth. Umm...how many times do we need to say that in one chapter? Must be four...because that's how many I counted!) And I guess you can't hate the creativity. haha...oh man.
Book Review: Not her best work
Summary: 2 Stars
The Wise Woman, written early in Gregory's career, is not the author's best work. Better known for gripping historical dramas, such as 'The Other Boleyn Girl', Gregory strays from historical fact in this novel, flirting rather with fantasy and the supernatural. Which is all well and good, when done well. But to be worthy of a reader's investment, any good novel requires at minimum one character who is at least marginally sympathetic. Unfortunately, such is not the case in 'The Wise Woman'. The main characters are, in fact, selfish and occasionally cruel and even perverse. This would not be a fatal flaw if at least one character were to attain, or at least strive for, redemption. Alas, the 'heroine' does neither, simply making one bad choice after another. Ultimately the reader is left with no one to idenfify with or to root for, and it becomes increasingly difficult to care about the protagonist's fate. In subsequent novels, Ms. Gregory mastered this crucial story-telling skill. In fact, she now manages to make even her most scheming and underhanded characters worth caring about. But that vital skill is not in evidence here. All in all, this is a diverting read, but not a very satisfying one.