CONNIE: THE HORSE WHISPERER by NICHOLAS EVANS
Nicholas Evans is an English author. Connie read this novel years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. She said she enjoyed it just as much the 2nd time. The horse in the story is owned by a girl about 12. The horse has a serious accident and loses a leg. The young girl doesn't expect to ride the horse again but her wealthy family do everything they can to save the horse's life. The horse whisperer brings the traumatized, disfigured horse back to normality. The girl loses interest in riding but there is a happy ending for all concerned, but not what you expect.
DIANE: HORSE THIEF by TEA COOPER
This novel is set in Australia in 1865. A young woman takes over her father's horse stud. She employs a man to take over the breeding programme. Di said it wasn't feasible and she couldn't finish it. She would not recommend the book.
TAM: THE ROCKING HORSE HILL by CATHRYN HEIN
This is a romantic novel. Tam said it wasn't really about horses but more about romance. She said it was still a good read.
JOAN: SEABISCUIT (An American Legend) by LAURA HILLEBRAND
This is a true story about three men and a racehorse. It is set in 1903 when a young fellow called Charles Howard,with 26cents in his pocket, goes off to California for work. He becomes a wealthy automobile entrepeneur and then acquires a foal called Seabiscuit. The horse was a big eater and slept a lot and nobody wanted to buy him. Howard and Smith, a horse trainer, bought Seabiscuit. The horse was lazy but talented. They hired an Irish jockey. It's a love story of three men and the American public for Seabiscuit. Over four years he had won all the big races. He was a symbol of hope during the depression. Joan said it was well written.
PAT: FIXED by MATTHEW BRENNAN
This is a book about corruption, doping, rape etc in the horse racing industry. Pat only read 20 pages and didn't like it. Instead she decided to read some facts about horses and talked to the group about what she had learned.
JUDY (3): FLYING CHANGES by SARA GRUEN
Judy said horses don't interest her so she wouldn't normally pick up a book about horses. This book is by the author who wrote Water for Elephants so Judy thought it would be good but "how wrong can you be" she said. The girl in the story wants to be a champion rider but has not had much experience. She has a bad boyfriend who leads her astray. Her characters are one dimensional. She said it was not worth the time wasted reading it.
PRUE: HORSE AND RIDER IN AUSTRALIAN LEGEND: A CULTURAL HISTORY
by NANETTE MANTLE
This book is non fiction. The author used this topic to do her PHD. It is the history of the first seven horses brought out to Australia and the history of horses in Australia up until the present day. She has only read about 1/4 of the book but she has learned a lot. It describes the Aboriginal stockmen, bushrangers, horses used on coaches and how there were cowboys recorded here before they were in America. Prue said it was magnificently researched.
SHEILA: A HORSE CALLED MIGHTY: THE MIGHT AND POWER STORY
by HELEN THOMAS
This is the true story of a horse called Might and Power who won The Cox Cup, the Caulfield Cup and went on to win the Melbourne Cup in a tight finish in the late 1990's. Sheila hadn't heard of the horse before. He was the undisputed champion of Australian turf at the time. Sheila said it was mainly about blood lines which she found boring. Sheila said it would be an interesting book if you were interested in blood lines and knew a lot about horses.
PAMELA: THE STORY OF BLACK CAVIAR by ANDREW EDDY
This is a true story about the race horse, Black Caviar. She was not line bred. Rick Jamison believed if you chose good families on both sides you would get a good horse. Black Caviar was a big horse trained by Peter Moody. She was very anxious in the barriers and after she was hurt in one of the races, a barrier blanket was made. She liked to race with her friends, a big goat called Billy and a 29 year old pony. Black Caviar had a big rump and was a powerhouse. She won all her races in Australia. Pamela really enjoyed the book. She said it was very informative.
KRIS: HORSES NEVER LIE ABOUT LOVE by JANA HARRIS
This book is an inspiring memoir about the author's relationship with True Colours, the dark red coloured mare known as a blood bay and the first horse she bought in her quest to breed horses. True Colours was a protective mother of a two month old black colt. The colt was delivered first and the mother was to be delivered later. Excuses were continually made about why she couldn't be delivered and eventually when she was delivered she had been disfigured in a fire. She was traumatized, part wild and part domesticated. Jana thought she had made a mistake in buying her but eventually she becomes the heart of the farm and a great bond is forged between them. It was a heartwarming story.
JUDY (4): FOAL'S BREAD by GILLIAN MEARES
This is Judy's favourite book. It is a novel set in Australia in 1929. Noah, a fourteen year old girl and her father, a drover, are herding pigs to market when they set up camp at One Tree Creek. Noah gives birth but she hardly knows what is happening. She didn't even know she was pregnant. She has the baby but it is too premature to live. The father is an 80 year old uncle who has since died. She then meets a young man, Roly who lives on a property at One Tree Creek. He gives Noah a bit of foal's bread. They are smitten with each other and eventually get married and live at One Tree Creek. His mother is angry because her golden haired son has married a dark skinned, dark haired girl but they are passionate about each other as well as horses and show jumping. Roly develops a disease that changes their lives. Judy said she just loved the book. The language is exquisite. The book has won awards.
ANNE: THE WHITE STALLION OF LIPIZZA by MARGEURITE HENRY
This is a children's novel published in 1964. A 13 year old boy dreams of becoming a riding master. When he gets up early with his father, a baker, he sees the horses from the Royal Spanish Riding School. This makes him more determined. Anne found the facts about horses very interesting even though it's a children's book. She said it was a good story, although a little predictable.
LESLEY: THE DIGGERS MENAGERIE: MATES, MASCOTS AND MARVELS-TRUE STORIES OF ANIMALS WHO WENT TO WAR by BARRY STONE
This book documents the true stories of the animals that went off to war including horses for transport from the Boer war to Afghanistan. In World War I most of the Australians who went to war were mounted. The Australian horses travelled well. New South Wales (Walers) used the finest cavalry horses. Horses made a huge contribution to the war. There was a high death rate as there was no vet care at the time. Many horses were left behind as it was too expensive to bring them back. Lesley enjoyed the facts.
DIANN: WARRIOR: THE AMAZING STORY OF A REAL WAR HORSE
by GENERAL JACK SEELY
This is the true story of a thoroughbred gelding, foal of Cinderella, born on the Isle of Wight in 1904. The horse went to war in 1914 with General Jack Seely who always rode him. He was in the Battle of the Somme, at Pashendale and was called "the horse the Germans could not kill". He was returned to the Isle of Wight in 1918. This is a book of historical facts and figures. Diann said it was a very good read if you like facts about horses.
PAULINE: HALF BROKE HORSE by JEANETTE WALLS
This is a true life novel about the author's mother and grandmother. The stories have been passed down and made into a novel. It is written in the grandmother's voice. It is set on a Texas ranch and the family are very poor. The grandmother, as a 13 year old girl is sent to a Catholic college but as the family couldn't continue to pay she was there for only one year. She was then in and out of school and work. She eventually gets qualified and has a family. Pauline thoroughly enjoyed it. She said it was a good story but didn't have much to do with horses.
ROSEMARY: UNDER ORDERS by DICK FRANCIS
The main character in this novel is Sid Halley, a retired British steeplechase rider and former jockey to the Queen mother in 1956. He is now a private investigator. The book is about crime in the horse racing world. Rosemary said it was good, an easy to read "whodunnit". She said you don't have to be interested in racing.
MAREE: HORSES FOR KING ARTHUR by L. S. LAWRENCE
The author is a qualified historian and this book is historical fiction. It is set in Britain in the year 475. One of the characters, Alexa, dreams of breeding horses. Maree liked it. She said it was a well written novel with many historical details, although not a lot about horses.
WENDY: BLACK BEAUTY by ANNA SEWELL
This is junior fiction. It was written in 1877 and was the only novel ever published by the author. It was published just before she died. Wendy said she can't imagine kids reading it today. Wendy really enjoyed the descriptions of the manners at the time, the social structure and the morality of being a good person. She thoroughly enjoyed it.
JULIA: PHAR LAP (HOW A HORSE BECOMES A HERO OF HIS TIME AND AN ICON OF A NATION) by GEOFF ARMSTRONG AND PETER THOMPSON
Julia said the authors are both into sports and have a fascination with racing. This book is an account of Phar Lap's life. Phar Lap was a New Zealand horse rejected by his American owner and then trained by an Aussie battler. It was during the depression and he became an icon of a nation. The book explains why he was so much more than a racehorse. There were statistics in the back of the book which Julia found very interesting. She said it was a nice read.
Julia also talked about a beloved children's book called The Sand Horse by Anne Turnbull. It is a fictional story of a person who made a sand sculpture of a horse. The illustrations were beautiful.
BEV: BREAK IN by DICK FRANCIS
In this novel the main character, Kit is a jockey with a twin sister who is married to a horse trainer. His sister and her husband's families have been feuding for some time. She said it was like Romeo and Juliet. The story is also about the horses that Kit rides and the training of the horses. Bev likes the way Dick Francis writes. She said it was enjoyable and very easy to read.
JO: CROSS FIRE by DICK FRANCIS AND FELIX FRANCIS
In this novel the main character, Tom is a career army officer who has lost a foot in a bombing accident. He comes back to England and goes to see his mother a horse trainer. She is being blackmailed into knobbling horses. When Tom tries to uncover the identity of the blackmailer he gets kidnapped. Jo really likes Dick Francis. His books have everything in them, romance, drama and action.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
JULY - THE TUDOR PERIOD
At our July Book Club meeting we had a lively and interesting discussion about the "Tudors". It was a fascinating period in history. We had a large group today. It was also our annual "Christmas in July" lunch after the meeting.
SHEILA: Elizabeth and Mary by Jane Dunn (Cousins, Rivals and Queens)
This book is historical non fiction. By the second page Sheila was enjoying this book and said it was an extremely good read. She had to read some of it and then go away to think about. It is historically true. It gives a human face to the two women. Sheila thought that some of the men who were vying for either woman were horrible. She found the story riveting.
MARIE: Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbott
This book is historical non fiction. Marie thought it would be statistical but it wasn't. Marie found it very enjoyable.
JUDY DE LA TORRE: The Tudors by G.J. Meyer
Judy said this book was a beautiful written history, mostly about King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. It was engrossing, engaging and well presented. She would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
JOAN: The Tudor Age by Jasper Ridley
This book was also historical non fiction. Jasper Ridley is a barrister turned author. Joan didn't think the author was as good a writer as others have mentioned but the book had some very interesting facts about medicine, fashion, housing, food etc. The book begins in 1485 with Henry VII and ending in 1603 with the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Some of the facts mentioned by Joan were: London was a walled city with London Bridge being the only bridge over the Thames river, prisoners were brought by barge to the Tower of London and many of the houses built at the time are still standing.
CONNIE: A History of English Speaking People's by Winston Churchill
Connie just read the section on Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and half sister to Elizabeth. Mary was a devout Catholic. She was considered illegitimate as Henry VIII had his marriage annulled. Henry changed the religion from Catholic to Protestant. Before Henry died he decreed his successor would be his son and if Edward was childless, it would be Mary and if she was childless, Elizabeth would be next. Mary was the first queen to reign in her own right in 1553. The first thing she did was to change the religion back to Catholic. She became known as Bloody Mary for the number of Protestants she had put to death. She married Philip II of Spain in 1554. She eventually died childless. Connie enjoyed reading it.
JUDY 4: Henry VIII by Alison Weir
This is an historical non fiction - a biography of Henry VIII's life and after his death. Henry's son, Edward takes the throne as Edward VI after his father's death and in his will he excludes his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth from succession and nominates his cousin, Jane Grey, a granddaughter of Henry VII. When Edward dies Jane Grey is on the throne for nine days until Mary declares herself Queen. Judy enjoyed it so much.
PAMELA: The Constitutional History of Modern Britain 1483-1951 by L. Keir
This book is historical non fiction. When Henry VIII died his son, Edward, born to Jane Seymour, comes to the throne age 10. His uncle was Lord Protector. Edward wrote a will and made Jane Grey, his cousin and granddaughter to Henry VII, his successor instead of Mary his half sister. Lady Jane Grey was married to the Duke of Northumberland's son. When Edward dies Lady Jane Grey becomes Queen. Mary had travelled 90 miles just after Edward died and with a large Catholic following, she was proclaimed Queen. Lady Jane Grey was Queen for only nine days and then she was taken to the Tower of London. Pamela said the history is interesting.
From 1547 to 1603 there were 3 Queens and a King.
PRUE: The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
This book is historical fiction. It is about Catherine of Aragon. She is promised to the King of England to make a bond between Spain and England. When Arthur dies, he asks his wife to promise to marry Henry, his younger brother. She is a little bit older than Henry who becomes Henry VIII after his brother's death. Prue said it was an entertaining story and she enjoyed it.
ED: Last Queen of Spain by C. W. Gortner
This book is historical fiction. It is about Juana the the younger sister of Catherine of Aragon and the third child of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain. Her two brothers died fighting when trying to unite Spain. She is sent to marry the Duke of Flanders, sole heir to the Hapsburg empire at the age of sixteen. When her mother dies and she becomes heir to the Spanish throne, she is thrown into battle with her power hungry husband. She is strong and intelligent but she becomes known as Juana La Loca, Spain's mad queen.
KRIS: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
Most historical novels depict Catherine de Medici, the Italian born French Queen in the 16th century as an evil woman. This book depicts her as a determined woman who wants to protect her acquired realm and her children's right to the throne. She is betrothed, at the age of 14 to Henri, the King of France's son, who was also 14. Catherine is widowed, aged 40 to bring up six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions for power by the treacherous nobility, particularly the de Guise family. Eventually the Guise's control is diminished when Philip of Spain's Armada against England is defeated by Queen Elizabeth's navy. Philip of Spain had funded the Guise family to rid the country of Protestants. Kris enjoyed the book. It was fast paced and the subject was interesting.
DIANE: Elizabeth and Leicester (Power, Passion and Politics) by Sarah Gristwood
This is historical fiction. Diane said she wasn't sure what was true. Elizabeth was the virgin queen. She was surrounded by so many men but she loved the Earl of Leicester (Robert Dudley).
They were both really well educated. Why didn't she marry him? Did she get pregnant as rumours suggested? Di was intrigued. She didn't like the writing but was fascinated with the subject.
DIANN: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
This is historical fiction. Diann said it was a good read. It's loosely based on Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's sister who was a mistress of King Henry VIII. The book is a mixture of historical fact and fun.
TAM: Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
This book is historical fiction, although not of the Tudor period. There are three main characters. The first is a talented gardener to the dukes and other nobles and is aware of the goings on in the court. The story is told from his perspective. The second character is the irresistible Duke of Buckingham, who was a homosexual. The third character is King Charles of England, son of James I. He was also homosexual. He was a weak king and he was married to a Frenchwoman who dominated him. Tam said it was a good read.
JO: Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots by Carolly Erickson
This is a fictional memoir. The book begins with the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. Her lover was the Earl of Bothwell. They had a little girl which was kept a secret. She was married at 16. She was tall for her age and had lovely red hair. She married Francis, son of King Henri and Queen Catherine of France. Francis was a sickly boy. Jo read the whole book and loved it. She said it was a fantastic story.
BEV: Blood and Roses by Helen Castor
This book follows the story of the Paston family. They were originally a peasant family but with generations of families falling dead with plague, the Paston family rose up to become quite rich. The book is based on Paston letters following four generations. Helen Castor spent ten years researching the letters which were found in 2004. Bev hasn't finished the book yet.
PAT: Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson
This book is historical fiction, although not of the Tudor period. Pat said it was interesting, a combination of embellished fact and fiction. It is a journal of Marie Antoinette's time in Austria and then her time as queen until her imprisonment and death during the French revolution. Marie Antoinette was an Austrian who was sent off to King Louis of France at age 14. He wasn't interested in her. He was a weak husband and she was strong. She was blamed for everything. Pat said it was a good read and she found it very interesting.
LAURA: The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory
This is historical fiction. It is a romance and Laura doesn't enjoy romance but she liked the history. It is about Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII's last wife. Laura didn't feel she found out anything about her. The characters were two dimensional. Catherine was so intelligent and kind and madly in love with another man. Laura didn't find the story believable.
JUDY 1: The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson
This book is historical fiction. It is written as from Catherine Parr's perspective. She was forthright and opinionated which was unusual in those days. Henry often went to her for advice as he trusted her. She was married twice before she married Henry and was in love with Thomas Seymour. This led to much intrigue at the court. From what she writes Henry had a strong affection for her and often left her in charge. Judy said, although it was not as historically accurate as it could be, it was a good overview.
ROSEMARIE: The Boleyn Inheritance (The Tudor Court Novels) by Philippa Gregory
This is historical fiction. Rosemarie said it was easy to read. It is the first person narratives of Anne of Cleaves, Katherine Howard and Jane Boleyn.. Both Katherine and Jane were related to Anne Boleyn. Anne of Cleaves and Katherine Howard were the 4th and 5th wives of Henry VIII.
JULIA: Royal Inheritance (Secrets of the Tudor Court) by Kate Emerson
Kate Emerson writes many history novels. Julia really enjoyed it and will read more of her books, although Julia is not sure what is true in the story. A young girl is sent to live with the tailor of King Henry VIII. All Tudors have red hair so the young girl becomes intrigued as she has red hair as well. She suspects she may be the illegitimate offspring of Henry VIII. Julia said there were maps in the back. She also liked the fact that the all the characters were listed on the back of the book.
WENDY: Heartstone by C J Sansom
There are five in this series of historical crime fiction and this book is no 5. Wendy says she is addicted. She said it is well researched and the stories are fascinating. The main character is a lawyer at the time of King Henry VIII, who is getting very old at this time. It's set against the French war. It's written amazingly well and it is very informative about life at the court, the intrigue and the plots.
ANNE: Dissolution by C J Sansom
This is book 1 of the series mentioned previously. It is the author's first published novel. It is an historical mystery. King Henry VIII is still mourning Jane Seymour. Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII's vicar general is shutting down the monasteries. One of his commissioners is killed and Cromwell sends another emissary, a lawyer to investigate the murder. Anne enjoyed it and found life at the monastery interesting.
IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST WE WILL BE READING BOOKS ABOUT HORSES
SHEILA: Elizabeth and Mary by Jane Dunn (Cousins, Rivals and Queens)
This book is historical non fiction. By the second page Sheila was enjoying this book and said it was an extremely good read. She had to read some of it and then go away to think about. It is historically true. It gives a human face to the two women. Sheila thought that some of the men who were vying for either woman were horrible. She found the story riveting.
MARIE: Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbott
This book is historical non fiction. Marie thought it would be statistical but it wasn't. Marie found it very enjoyable.
JUDY DE LA TORRE: The Tudors by G.J. Meyer
Judy said this book was a beautiful written history, mostly about King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. It was engrossing, engaging and well presented. She would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
JOAN: The Tudor Age by Jasper Ridley
This book was also historical non fiction. Jasper Ridley is a barrister turned author. Joan didn't think the author was as good a writer as others have mentioned but the book had some very interesting facts about medicine, fashion, housing, food etc. The book begins in 1485 with Henry VII and ending in 1603 with the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Some of the facts mentioned by Joan were: London was a walled city with London Bridge being the only bridge over the Thames river, prisoners were brought by barge to the Tower of London and many of the houses built at the time are still standing.
CONNIE: A History of English Speaking People's by Winston Churchill
Connie just read the section on Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and half sister to Elizabeth. Mary was a devout Catholic. She was considered illegitimate as Henry VIII had his marriage annulled. Henry changed the religion from Catholic to Protestant. Before Henry died he decreed his successor would be his son and if Edward was childless, it would be Mary and if she was childless, Elizabeth would be next. Mary was the first queen to reign in her own right in 1553. The first thing she did was to change the religion back to Catholic. She became known as Bloody Mary for the number of Protestants she had put to death. She married Philip II of Spain in 1554. She eventually died childless. Connie enjoyed reading it.
JUDY 4: Henry VIII by Alison Weir
This is an historical non fiction - a biography of Henry VIII's life and after his death. Henry's son, Edward takes the throne as Edward VI after his father's death and in his will he excludes his half sisters, Mary and Elizabeth from succession and nominates his cousin, Jane Grey, a granddaughter of Henry VII. When Edward dies Jane Grey is on the throne for nine days until Mary declares herself Queen. Judy enjoyed it so much.
PAMELA: The Constitutional History of Modern Britain 1483-1951 by L. Keir
This book is historical non fiction. When Henry VIII died his son, Edward, born to Jane Seymour, comes to the throne age 10. His uncle was Lord Protector. Edward wrote a will and made Jane Grey, his cousin and granddaughter to Henry VII, his successor instead of Mary his half sister. Lady Jane Grey was married to the Duke of Northumberland's son. When Edward dies Lady Jane Grey becomes Queen. Mary had travelled 90 miles just after Edward died and with a large Catholic following, she was proclaimed Queen. Lady Jane Grey was Queen for only nine days and then she was taken to the Tower of London. Pamela said the history is interesting.
From 1547 to 1603 there were 3 Queens and a King.
PRUE: The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
This book is historical fiction. It is about Catherine of Aragon. She is promised to the King of England to make a bond between Spain and England. When Arthur dies, he asks his wife to promise to marry Henry, his younger brother. She is a little bit older than Henry who becomes Henry VIII after his brother's death. Prue said it was an entertaining story and she enjoyed it.
ED: Last Queen of Spain by C. W. Gortner
This book is historical fiction. It is about Juana the the younger sister of Catherine of Aragon and the third child of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain. Her two brothers died fighting when trying to unite Spain. She is sent to marry the Duke of Flanders, sole heir to the Hapsburg empire at the age of sixteen. When her mother dies and she becomes heir to the Spanish throne, she is thrown into battle with her power hungry husband. She is strong and intelligent but she becomes known as Juana La Loca, Spain's mad queen.
KRIS: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
Most historical novels depict Catherine de Medici, the Italian born French Queen in the 16th century as an evil woman. This book depicts her as a determined woman who wants to protect her acquired realm and her children's right to the throne. She is betrothed, at the age of 14 to Henri, the King of France's son, who was also 14. Catherine is widowed, aged 40 to bring up six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions for power by the treacherous nobility, particularly the de Guise family. Eventually the Guise's control is diminished when Philip of Spain's Armada against England is defeated by Queen Elizabeth's navy. Philip of Spain had funded the Guise family to rid the country of Protestants. Kris enjoyed the book. It was fast paced and the subject was interesting.
DIANE: Elizabeth and Leicester (Power, Passion and Politics) by Sarah Gristwood
This is historical fiction. Diane said she wasn't sure what was true. Elizabeth was the virgin queen. She was surrounded by so many men but she loved the Earl of Leicester (Robert Dudley).
They were both really well educated. Why didn't she marry him? Did she get pregnant as rumours suggested? Di was intrigued. She didn't like the writing but was fascinated with the subject.
DIANN: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
This is historical fiction. Diann said it was a good read. It's loosely based on Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's sister who was a mistress of King Henry VIII. The book is a mixture of historical fact and fun.
TAM: Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
This book is historical fiction, although not of the Tudor period. There are three main characters. The first is a talented gardener to the dukes and other nobles and is aware of the goings on in the court. The story is told from his perspective. The second character is the irresistible Duke of Buckingham, who was a homosexual. The third character is King Charles of England, son of James I. He was also homosexual. He was a weak king and he was married to a Frenchwoman who dominated him. Tam said it was a good read.
JO: Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots by Carolly Erickson
This is a fictional memoir. The book begins with the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. Her lover was the Earl of Bothwell. They had a little girl which was kept a secret. She was married at 16. She was tall for her age and had lovely red hair. She married Francis, son of King Henri and Queen Catherine of France. Francis was a sickly boy. Jo read the whole book and loved it. She said it was a fantastic story.
BEV: Blood and Roses by Helen Castor
This book follows the story of the Paston family. They were originally a peasant family but with generations of families falling dead with plague, the Paston family rose up to become quite rich. The book is based on Paston letters following four generations. Helen Castor spent ten years researching the letters which were found in 2004. Bev hasn't finished the book yet.
PAT: Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson
This book is historical fiction, although not of the Tudor period. Pat said it was interesting, a combination of embellished fact and fiction. It is a journal of Marie Antoinette's time in Austria and then her time as queen until her imprisonment and death during the French revolution. Marie Antoinette was an Austrian who was sent off to King Louis of France at age 14. He wasn't interested in her. He was a weak husband and she was strong. She was blamed for everything. Pat said it was a good read and she found it very interesting.
LAURA: The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory
This is historical fiction. It is a romance and Laura doesn't enjoy romance but she liked the history. It is about Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII's last wife. Laura didn't feel she found out anything about her. The characters were two dimensional. Catherine was so intelligent and kind and madly in love with another man. Laura didn't find the story believable.
JUDY 1: The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson
This book is historical fiction. It is written as from Catherine Parr's perspective. She was forthright and opinionated which was unusual in those days. Henry often went to her for advice as he trusted her. She was married twice before she married Henry and was in love with Thomas Seymour. This led to much intrigue at the court. From what she writes Henry had a strong affection for her and often left her in charge. Judy said, although it was not as historically accurate as it could be, it was a good overview.
ROSEMARIE: The Boleyn Inheritance (The Tudor Court Novels) by Philippa Gregory
This is historical fiction. Rosemarie said it was easy to read. It is the first person narratives of Anne of Cleaves, Katherine Howard and Jane Boleyn.. Both Katherine and Jane were related to Anne Boleyn. Anne of Cleaves and Katherine Howard were the 4th and 5th wives of Henry VIII.
JULIA: Royal Inheritance (Secrets of the Tudor Court) by Kate Emerson
Kate Emerson writes many history novels. Julia really enjoyed it and will read more of her books, although Julia is not sure what is true in the story. A young girl is sent to live with the tailor of King Henry VIII. All Tudors have red hair so the young girl becomes intrigued as she has red hair as well. She suspects she may be the illegitimate offspring of Henry VIII. Julia said there were maps in the back. She also liked the fact that the all the characters were listed on the back of the book.
WENDY: Heartstone by C J Sansom
There are five in this series of historical crime fiction and this book is no 5. Wendy says she is addicted. She said it is well researched and the stories are fascinating. The main character is a lawyer at the time of King Henry VIII, who is getting very old at this time. It's set against the French war. It's written amazingly well and it is very informative about life at the court, the intrigue and the plots.
ANNE: Dissolution by C J Sansom
This is book 1 of the series mentioned previously. It is the author's first published novel. It is an historical mystery. King Henry VIII is still mourning Jane Seymour. Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII's vicar general is shutting down the monasteries. One of his commissioners is killed and Cromwell sends another emissary, a lawyer to investigate the murder. Anne enjoyed it and found life at the monastery interesting.
IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST WE WILL BE READING BOOKS ABOUT HORSES
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)