Search
Search results
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Queen's Governess in Books
Dec 21, 2018
This is the first book I've read by this author but I thought the concept sounded interesting, even if I do think that perhaps the Tudors are starting to be a bit done to death! The story is in many ways about Elizabeth I, but the narrative character is Kat Ashley, Elizabeth's governess (as from the title!) and later her chief lady of the bedchamber.
The novel is written in the first person, which can be a little clumsy in the hands of an unskilled author, but Harper carried it off well. I was interested in her historical note at the end, as Kat Ashley's origins are a little obscure - I do like to know what is fact and what the author's imagination, but of course fact is often stranger than fiction! I'm not totally sure if the relationship with Cromwell as shown in the novel is based on historical fact or more on conjecture on the author's part.
I did spot a couple of errors in the text - I know they do move county boundaries now and then, but I do beleive that Stamford is in Lincolnshire and not Northamptonshire. Yes, I know it's picky, but it's that sort of thing that makes me stop and think "Are you sure?".
The novel starts with the demise of Anne Boleyn and then takes us back to Kat's earlier life in Devon, leading up to the moment we see in the prologue. We are carried through all the trials and tribulations of the reigns of her half siblings finally followed by Elizabeth's accession and some way into her reign.
The novel is written in the first person, which can be a little clumsy in the hands of an unskilled author, but Harper carried it off well. I was interested in her historical note at the end, as Kat Ashley's origins are a little obscure - I do like to know what is fact and what the author's imagination, but of course fact is often stranger than fiction! I'm not totally sure if the relationship with Cromwell as shown in the novel is based on historical fact or more on conjecture on the author's part.
I did spot a couple of errors in the text - I know they do move county boundaries now and then, but I do beleive that Stamford is in Lincolnshire and not Northamptonshire. Yes, I know it's picky, but it's that sort of thing that makes me stop and think "Are you sure?".
The novel starts with the demise of Anne Boleyn and then takes us back to Kat's earlier life in Devon, leading up to the moment we see in the prologue. We are carried through all the trials and tribulations of the reigns of her half siblings finally followed by Elizabeth's accession and some way into her reign.
Cancer with a Small 'C'
Book
Although any cancer diagnosis is devastating not only to a patient but also to their family, a...
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Mary I: Queen of Sorrows in Books
Oct 22, 2024
I always feel that Mary I gets a lot of bad press. She’s remembered for her bloodthirsty streak (aka Bloody Mary), for being a strict Catholic and for marrying a foreigner - and a Spaniard at that! Oh, and she was a woman at a time when women weren’t believed to be capable of ruling a country in their own right.
Alison Weir is writing a work of historical fiction, but she has done her research. Of course, a lot of Mary’s story could be open to interpretation, and we’ll never know her exact inner thoughts, but she wrote letters and people wrote things down about her at the time. And personally, I really like Weirs interpretation. She makes Mary a human being, with thoughts, loves, hates and responsibilities. The period in history is described so well, that the reader can understand why Mary had such an extreme reaction to those who wouldn’t convert to Catholicism. And, well, Elizabeth I killed a lot more people than Mary ever did, so 🤷🏼♀️
I found the chapters on Mary’s childhood really interesting and very sad. What a traumatic childhood she had.
So, if you enjoy historical fiction and want to find out more about Mary I, then this may well be the book for you too. A totally absorbing read!
Alison Weir is writing a work of historical fiction, but she has done her research. Of course, a lot of Mary’s story could be open to interpretation, and we’ll never know her exact inner thoughts, but she wrote letters and people wrote things down about her at the time. And personally, I really like Weirs interpretation. She makes Mary a human being, with thoughts, loves, hates and responsibilities. The period in history is described so well, that the reader can understand why Mary had such an extreme reaction to those who wouldn’t convert to Catholicism. And, well, Elizabeth I killed a lot more people than Mary ever did, so 🤷🏼♀️
I found the chapters on Mary’s childhood really interesting and very sad. What a traumatic childhood she had.
So, if you enjoy historical fiction and want to find out more about Mary I, then this may well be the book for you too. A totally absorbing read!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2648 KP) rated City of Promises in Books
Aug 26, 2026 (Updated Aug 26, 2026)
This Crossover Delivers
Frank and Sarah Malloy approach Gideon Bates in his job as an estate attorney. Their daughter, Catherine, has recently gotten engaged, and they fear her fiancé is just out to swindle her out of her trust fund, which she has recently gotten access to. While there is nothing that Gideon can do legally to help protect the young woman, his wife, reformed conwoman Elizabeth, is quite willing to see what she can do. Is Catherine under the sway of a conman? Will the combined cast of characters be able to protect her?
Anyone familiar with the late Victoria Thompson’s mysteries will recognize this as a crossover between her two series. And they will love every page. The Gaslight characters don’t just have cameos but play a major part in the story. Most importantly, everyone feels like themselves, and I loved seeing where those characters are in twenty years. I also enjoy seeing the Counterfeit Lady characters again. I do wish the plot were a little better, but that’s been an overall complaint with this series. I need more cat and mouse. But I did still find the story fun. If you are a fan of Victoria’s books, you’ll be as happy as I am that her daughter has picked up the mantel.
Anyone familiar with the late Victoria Thompson’s mysteries will recognize this as a crossover between her two series. And they will love every page. The Gaslight characters don’t just have cameos but play a major part in the story. Most importantly, everyone feels like themselves, and I loved seeing where those characters are in twenty years. I also enjoy seeing the Counterfeit Lady characters again. I do wish the plot were a little better, but that’s been an overall complaint with this series. I need more cat and mouse. But I did still find the story fun. If you are a fan of Victoria’s books, you’ll be as happy as I am that her daughter has picked up the mantel.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
January is proving to be a challenging month, so many historical and biographical movies and a lot of me saying "this was great but..."
Scrolling back through Saoirse Ronan's acting career I've only actually seen her in two things, Lady Bird and City Of Embers (which for the life of me I cannot remember her in), and I can't say that I was going in as a fan, but I came out pleasantly surprised by her powerful portrayal of Mary.
The cast in this is brilliant, so many recognisable faces. Ian Hart, Gemma Chan, David Tennant (not initially so recognisable until he starts to speak), Brendan Coyle and Joe Alwyn who is clearly hedging his bets by appearing in The Favourite as well.
Margot Robbie is wonderful, just generally, and I love so many of her roles. I do feel like she was rather underused as Elizabeth, but thankfully her brief appearances were quite striking.
I was so happy to see Adrian Lester's name connected to this. I'm slightly obsessed with Hustle, and his stage and screen work is usually something tremendously entertaining to watch. However, I didn't feel that the script allowed him to get anything good out of Lord Randolph sadly. Guy Pearce fared much better and gave an impressive performance.
Visually the locations and costumes make for a magnificent film, but while I wasn't bored at any point it does feel like it could have lost a few minutes here and there.
What you should do
It's worth giving a watch at some point but I don't think there's any rush to get to the cinema for it.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Some quality Mary ginger hair... maybe without the halo of volume.
Scrolling back through Saoirse Ronan's acting career I've only actually seen her in two things, Lady Bird and City Of Embers (which for the life of me I cannot remember her in), and I can't say that I was going in as a fan, but I came out pleasantly surprised by her powerful portrayal of Mary.
The cast in this is brilliant, so many recognisable faces. Ian Hart, Gemma Chan, David Tennant (not initially so recognisable until he starts to speak), Brendan Coyle and Joe Alwyn who is clearly hedging his bets by appearing in The Favourite as well.
Margot Robbie is wonderful, just generally, and I love so many of her roles. I do feel like she was rather underused as Elizabeth, but thankfully her brief appearances were quite striking.
I was so happy to see Adrian Lester's name connected to this. I'm slightly obsessed with Hustle, and his stage and screen work is usually something tremendously entertaining to watch. However, I didn't feel that the script allowed him to get anything good out of Lord Randolph sadly. Guy Pearce fared much better and gave an impressive performance.
Visually the locations and costumes make for a magnificent film, but while I wasn't bored at any point it does feel like it could have lost a few minutes here and there.
What you should do
It's worth giving a watch at some point but I don't think there's any rush to get to the cinema for it.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Some quality Mary ginger hair... maybe without the halo of volume.
Art, Animals, and Experience: Relationships to Canines and the Natural World
Book
Elizabeth Sutton, using a phenomenological approach, investigates how animals in art invite viewers...
The Face of Britain: The Nation Through its Portraits
Book
A portrait opens a window into a person's life: who they were and wanted to be, who the artist saw -...
Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
10.0
Rate It
Movie
Hal B. Walli’s production of “Anne of the Thousand Days” for Universal Pictures recreates from...
Tudors history
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2648 KP) rated A Royal Affair in Books
Sep 4, 2024 (Updated Sep 4, 2024)
Protecting Royal Love
Someone has sent Princess Elizabeth a letter hinting at a scandal in the past of Prince Philip. The letter was intercepted, and Iris Sparks and Gwen Baingridge have been approached to find out if there is any truth to the scandal or not. Since it is believed that the two royals are heading for an engagement by the end of the summer, time is of the essence. When Iris and Gwen begin digging in to see if there is truth behind the insinuation, they hit dead ends and uncertain connections. Can they find out if someone is about to out a royal scandal?
I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get back to this series. This was a fun second visit. The characters are sharp, and I love how Iris and Gwen complement each other so well. The mystery was good, although it was a little overly convoluted at the end. It all made sense, however. The real world fits well into this historical mystery, and, even though I knew how history actually played out, I was hooked. I’d forgotten just how much humor there was, especially the banter between the leads. Hopefully, it won’t be so long before I am able to visit them again.
I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get back to this series. This was a fun second visit. The characters are sharp, and I love how Iris and Gwen complement each other so well. The mystery was good, although it was a little overly convoluted at the end. It all made sense, however. The real world fits well into this historical mystery, and, even though I knew how history actually played out, I was hooked. I’d forgotten just how much humor there was, especially the banter between the leads. Hopefully, it won’t be so long before I am able to visit them again.
Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated Pride and Prejudice in Books
Dec 31, 2018
Modest Romance
Contains spoilers, click to show
Everyone always mentions this novel, it’s a classic, how can it not be mentioned? When I picked up this novel, I was just praying that it wouldn’t be one of those clichés where everyone says it’s amazing and once you’ve read it you think to yourself, what was all the fuss about? I’m pleased to say that this was not the case.
Most people know the rough story of this novel but I will give a little recap anyway. You are introduced to a middle-class family with 5 young girls that are ready to be married off. The mother is a hysterical kind of woman that cannot keep herself out of her daughter’s business. The eldest daughter Jane is a very shy individual and she falls in love with a wealthy man Mr. Bingley. When Mr. Bingley arrives in town, he brings with him his friend Mr. Darcy who is constantly described as a disagreeable fellow particularly as he does not enjoy the social norms that were custom in this era. Jane’s sister Elizabeth finds something curious about this man and spends the majority of the narrative expressing her dislike of him. Eventually though, he wins her round but the journey is what is so beautiful about this novel.
When I read this, I really thought it was going to be a cliché novel and I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. You can see parallels between the relationship with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. Looking back on this, there are quite a lot of similarities between these two novels and the characters that make them.
Austen has created an incredible classic novel that highlights what life was like in this era and how people behaved. You could look at this novel as a study of personalities. The romance between the two is incredibly sweet especially when it seems as though it would be such an unlikely couple. Both characters have to have internal battles before they are both ready to open up to each other and declare how they really feel.
I can now understand why this novel has been such a fascination for literary scholars. It is beautifully written and contains the modest kind of romance that leaves you wanting more. It will be going up there as one of my favourite works of literature.
Most people know the rough story of this novel but I will give a little recap anyway. You are introduced to a middle-class family with 5 young girls that are ready to be married off. The mother is a hysterical kind of woman that cannot keep herself out of her daughter’s business. The eldest daughter Jane is a very shy individual and she falls in love with a wealthy man Mr. Bingley. When Mr. Bingley arrives in town, he brings with him his friend Mr. Darcy who is constantly described as a disagreeable fellow particularly as he does not enjoy the social norms that were custom in this era. Jane’s sister Elizabeth finds something curious about this man and spends the majority of the narrative expressing her dislike of him. Eventually though, he wins her round but the journey is what is so beautiful about this novel.
When I read this, I really thought it was going to be a cliché novel and I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. You can see parallels between the relationship with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. Looking back on this, there are quite a lot of similarities between these two novels and the characters that make them.
Austen has created an incredible classic novel that highlights what life was like in this era and how people behaved. You could look at this novel as a study of personalities. The romance between the two is incredibly sweet especially when it seems as though it would be such an unlikely couple. Both characters have to have internal battles before they are both ready to open up to each other and declare how they really feel.
I can now understand why this novel has been such a fascination for literary scholars. It is beautifully written and contains the modest kind of romance that leaves you wanting more. It will be going up there as one of my favourite works of literature.