Review: The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory and *Giveaway*

Book Info:

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Simon and Shuster; (August 3, 2010)

ISBN: 9781416563723

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher for review

Rating: 3.5/5

Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.

Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy.




The Red Queen is the second book in The Cousins' War trilogy and while it covers roughly the same events as The White Queen, it is told from a very different perspective.  Margaret Beaufort claims to be a religious women and believes that it is God's will that her son rule England.  However, I found her words and her actions to be at odds with each other.  I didn't mind her scheming ways, in fact I expect that from people clawing their way to power, but it didn't lend any credibility to her assertion that she is following God's will.  She is vain, pompous and self-righteous.  In other words, terribly unlikable.

While I was not a fan of Margaret Beaufort, that didn't mean that the whole book was a bust.  I have only read a few of Philippa Gregory's books, but I've always enjoyed them  The pacing is, as usual, wonderful.  I never feel like I am being buried in information, but instead am able to follow the often confusing events easily.  I'm not an expert on the events of the time period though, so I can't say if they are accurate or not.

If you are new to historical fiction, or just new to the time period, I would recommend Gregory's books.  She has quite a knack for bringing history alive.  I didn't like The Red Queen quite as much as The White Queen, but that was primarily because Margaret was so infuriating.  I am still anxiously awaiting the final book in the trilogy.  3.5 stars


Giveaway:

Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy of The Red Queen to share with you.  This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents.  Entries will be taken through August 30th at midnight, with the winner announced on August 31st.  Please fill out the form below to enter.  While I'd still love your comments on the review, you must complete the form to be entered in the giveaway.

Review: A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price

Book Info:

A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Gotham; (March 3, 2009)

ISBN: 1592404340

Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir

Source: For Review, Blog Tour

Rating: 4/5

While in her late twenties, Marjorie Price leaves the comfort of her Chicago suburb to strike out on her own in Paris and hone her artistic talents. Dazzled by everything French, she falls in love with a volatile French painter and they purchase an old farmhouse in the Breton countryside. When Marjorie's seemingly idyllic marriage begins to unravel, she forms a friendship with an elderly peasant woman, Jeanne, who is illiterate, has three cows to her name, and has never left the village. Their differences are staggering yet they forge a friendship that transforms one another's life.




Memoirs are one of my favorite genres, but it's been a while since I've read one that I loved.  It seems like most of the memoirs out are about what a terrible childhood the author had, and how that affected the rest of their life.  A Gift from Brittany is about as far from this kind of memoir as you can get, and it reminded me of why I fell in love with memoirs in the first place.

Price's writing is beautiful and descriptive.  I could easily picture the French countryside, her paintings, and the house she so lovingly restored.  I enjoyed the contrast between her busy life in Paris, and the tranquility of the countryside.  The villagers may have moved at a slow pace, but their lives were full of friends, family and hard work. 

I really felt a connection to Marjorie.  When her relationship with Yves was on rocky ground, I wanted to step in and make things better for her.  Through out the rough times, Marjorie was able to lean on her friend, Jeanne.  Even though Marjorie and Jeanne were so different, their friendship was a testament to the bonds that women form with each other. 4 stars

About the Author:

Marjorie Price was born in Chicago, Illinois. After receiving a B.A. in Speech and Drama (1951) from Stanford University, she returned to Chicago and studied painting and design at the Chicago Art Institute. In 1953 she made her first trip to Europe. She remained there for six months, attending art classes at the Grande Chaumiére in Paris. On her return to the United States, she settled in San Francisco and studied painting at the San Francisco Art League. From 1953 to 1960, she worked in television, continued to paint, and indulged her love of theater by acting in regional theater. In 1960, she again left America for France, living first in Paris and then on a farm in Brittany which she restored and where she created an art center called the “Centre d’Art de la Salle” where painters, sculptors and ceramists came from various parts of France to exhibit their work. In 1970, she moved to Rome, Italy with her daughter Danielle. In 1978, after eighteen years in Europe, she returned to the United States and settled in New York. Her work is represented in numerous private and public collections in the United States and Europe. Marjorie Price lives and works as a painter and author in New York City.

If you check out her website you can also see some of her paintings, which are beautiful.

What's In a Name 3 Challenge

I really love challenges with categories so I couldn't pass this one up. It is hosted this year by Beth and there is a separate challenge blog with all the guidelines.

1. A book with a food in the title:

2. A book with a body of water in the title: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

3. A book with a title (queen, president) in the title: The Red Quenn by Philippa Gregory

4. A book with a plant in the title: Waiting for Daisy by Peggy Orenstein

5. A book with a place name (city, country) in the title: A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price

6. A book with a music term in the title: