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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Epitaph for Three Women (Plantagenet Saga, #12) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Epitaph for Three Women</b> turned out to be far less about these three women than I was led to believe by the book's description. Broken into three parts titled Katherine of Valois, Joan of Arc, and Eleanor of Gloucester, only Joan, or Jeannette rather, has an actual story that follows her path in life. The other two are background players to the politics going on at the time, especially those concerning the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester and England's fight for France. Whenever Katherine enters the picture, it's all light, airy, and extremely romanticized, especially in regards to Owen Tudor. For most of the book they live a totally idyllic life that doesn't feel realistic in the least. Eleanor Cobham is portrayed as a scheming, crown-hungry social climber who proves far too trusting of witches and soothsayers. Isabeau of Bavaria fares even worse and I got tired of the constant references to how whorish she was. Since this was written, historians have looked into the accuracy of her reputation and dismissed certain facets as untrue. Still, this isn't a completely bad book. Putting aside Katherine's storyline where she only made cameo appearances anyway, I enjoyed the first part the most. Not knowing much about this period, the history was fascinating. The second featuring Jeannette was my least favorite, but I lay full blame at my feet because I have just never cared for Joan of Arc's story, so found most of this part boring. While there was some interesting information in the book, I didn't love the book but it's an easy introduction to this particular time.
For more information on Eleanor Cobham, I recommend Susan Higginbotham's guest <a href="http://madameguillotine.org.uk/2012/09/03/the-duchess-downfall-eleanor-cobham/">post</a>; at Madame Guillotine.
Originally Reviewed: October 17, 2012
Received: Local Library
Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated Foundation in Books
May 30, 2019
No character in Foundation really elevates to the unrealistic heroics one might expect in a sci-fi epic, save for possibly Hari Seldon. And though he get's all the credit, he did have a team of psycho-historians behind him. Every era throughout has its hero, to be sure, but they all identify within the confines of Seldon's prophecies. They recognize the Seldon crises, and they act, but only because they see what must be done. It's probably my favorite thing about the book and also the most frustrating. If a single person can set in motion the solution to a Seldon crisis, then how could Seldon have accounted for the variables of a single, powerful king or advisor? I'm no psycho-historian, so presumably his models give room for one rogue actor to deviate, causing another to react in a way that would guide the trajectory back on target. Who knows. All I know is it's fun. It's fun and frustrating, and despite my initial reservations, I can't wait to continue the series. I was wrong. There, I said it.