The Queen's Fool: A Novel (Boleyn)
by Philippa Gregory
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Book Summary Information
Author: Philippa GregoryEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-02-03
ISBN: 0743246071
Number of pages: 512
Publisher: Touchstone
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780743246071
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Queen's Fool: A Novel (Boleyn)
Book Review: "May you live in interesting times".....
Summary: 4 Stars
some think that living in interesting times is a curse rather than a blessing and for the narrator of this novel, Hannah Green, the times were far too interesting. As the story opens Hannah is about ten years old but she had already seen her mother burned at the stake by the Inquisition, fled with her father from Spain, through Portugal and France to England smuggled from one community of secret Jews to the next. When Hannah inadvertently reveals her gift of Sight she is placed in the Royal Court officially as a fool to young King Edward but really as a spy for the ambitious Dudley family. Hannah finds herself thrust into the dangerous world of international politics as the throne of England is fought over by Henry VIII's children and others. She finds her loyalties torn between Catholic Mary and Protestant Elizabeth even though she realizes that either would condemn Hannah and her family to the fires as a heretic. In addition her father has arranged a marriage for her to a suitable young man, Daniel, but both Hannah and Daniel have doubts about the match.
This is very like Gregory's better known work, THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, in that it breathes life into this intriguing period by using a combination of established fact and fictional events and characters. Hannah is a completely fictional character although communities of Jews existed at the time scattered throughout Europe, hiding from persecution. The story of how Hannah manages to carve a place for herself in this inhospitable environment makes for a compelling and enjoyable read but it is not without flaws. Despite being the main character Hannah is not very well drawn. She develops strong attachments to the Dudley family and to bother Mary and Elizabeth even though she is aware that anyone of them would betray her and her family if it suited their interests. Incredibly she attempts to serve all three factions even knowing that they are all in direct opposition. These conflicting loyalties, her ambivalence about her heritage and uncertainty about her personal life all leave Hannah as a shadowy, rather cardboard character.
Overall though this is an interesting tale about a turbulent time. Gregory has managed to introduce new viewpoints into this often visited period of European history. Fans of Gregory's other works or those interested in Tudor England in general would find this an enjoyable novel.
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