Commentaires client les plus utiles
|
|
4.0étoiles sur 5
TheVirgin's Daughters,by Jeane Westin, Oct. 20 2009
Splendidly written, The Virgin's Daughters, by Jeane Westin, captures the essence of service, honour and love in the court of Elizabeth I. Stories of ladiesin-waiting and their relationship and attachment to their queen are really tops in my list of favourites to read, in both fiction and non-fiction. So, I was peeked with interest in this particular novel, where the author unravels the turbulent love stories of two such ladies living similar journeys leading towards different outcomes.
The story begins with Lady Katherine Grey, sister of the beheaded Jane Grey- and cousin to Elizabeth I. Kate was torn between her love of service for the Queen and her lifelong love, Edward Seymore (in direct lineage with Jane Seymore, Henry VIIIs third wife; hence first cousin of Edward VI). Lets just say that with lovers of such high pedigree, Kates position at court was of more than particular interest to all. Not only did Kate serve the Queen-she was also named successor to the throne, in accordance to the will of Henry VIII, her uncle. A marriage to her beloved Ned invited the possibility of future male heirs; whom, Elizabeth deduced, would have most certainly jeopardized her throne.
The second part of the book is about Mary Rogers, a distant (and decades younger) cousin of both Elizabeth I and Katherine Grey. Mouse as Elizabeth often called her, was more of a country girl than a noble. With great aspiration to completely devote herself to her Queen, Mary never swayed. When love to John Harrington (Elizabeths godson), was forbidden in order to permit a promised marriage of which Mary wanted no part, loyalty to her Queen again prevailed.
In conjunction, The Virgins Daughters, takes us through the life of the young and beautiful Elizabeth I and her tumultuous relationship with Robert Dudley, her impossible, yet everlasting love. The second part sees an aged and less lustrous Elizabeth in her ending years, with the Earl of Essex playing the role of deplorable substitute as favourite to the Queen. Throughout the book, we can sense Elizabeths emotions and reactions towards these men and the importance they held in her life. Consequently, Elizabeths decisions regarding her ladies were exercised through the reasoning and beliefs she held about love and loyalty and all that it entailed. It would only be logical for her to expect no less from those in her service- sacrifice for a higher purpose. Elizabeth reigned supreme and ultimately, love for her country always came first.
I really enjoyed reading about the deceptions and triumphs of these young women who suffered honorably for a cause they remained faithful to, until the end. The Queen was everything to them, much to their demise. And, although I cheered them on and wanted happiness and love for them both, it was often difficult for me to understand this total devotion for their sovereign. Most times I found Elizabeth to be cruel and even coarser than Henry VIII ever was. In fact, Elizabeth seemed cold, unmoved, vain, self-serving and completely incapable of love in any form. Harsh? No, I think its ingenious. Westin, I believe had me exactly where she wanted completely magnetized by Elizabeth.
Throughout the book I kept hoping for my desolate heroines, and every time, the unexpected happened. I enjoy it when a book keeps me this entertained. As for Elizabeth, her portrayal, which had me despising her, also led me to an unwitting, yet forceful need to admire her. Ive never been a die-hard fan of Elizabeth (yeah, Im one of those-sorry), but her portrayal in this beautiful novel, manages to bring forth her greatness as ruler and sovereign without ever undermining her vulnerability as woman, lover and ...mother. Unfaltering to the end, Elizabeth was faithfully committed for the sake of a higher purpose. When seen under this light, I began to comprehend Elizabeths difficult choices and their impact on history. In The Virgins Daughters, the Queens verdict always determined loves fate, albeit at a cost to all those involvedeven Elizabeth.
Historically accurate and beautifully written, you will find more than just love stories to remember along with the insuperable power of a queen. The Virgins Daughters takes you deeper distinguishing itself by making a significant impression that will leave you pondering about forbidden love and royal reasoning in the times of Elizabeth I.
Wonderful!
www.enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0étoiles sur 5
Not great, but not bad either, Sep 27 2009
I have to admit going into this one being confused about what the story was actually about, so many reviews go into such great plot detail that I found my head spinning - I'm keeping it short and sweet. This is actually two stories of two different women who served Elizabeth Tudor at two different periods in her life. The first, Katherine Grey falls in love with Edward Seymor and wishes to marry him but Elizabeth refuses to give permission for the two to wed - and their defiance leads to drastic circumstances. The second *daughter* is Mary Rogers (distantly related to Katherine) who joins Elizabeth's household in her later years and finds herself in love with the rakish Sir John Harrington, but Elizabeth has other plans.....
And that's pretty much it. While I enjoyed a look at a couple of lesser known ladies instead of the focus being on the monarch, I have to say that this book fell a tad bit flat for this reader. I didn't find much chemistry between either pair of lovers, Elizabeth was pretty un-intimidating in the first half of the book (thankfully that improved in the latter half), but worst of all was the portrayal of Robert Dudley. Instead of being the "Machiavellian master courtier" as he's been described as he reminded me more of those irritating *barfly* flirts I used to come across in my younger bar hopping days. I just never felt connections with any of the characters, nor did I feel I was in the period itself - always on the outside looking in. A good book, just not a great one.
Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles
Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
