Helpful Score: 10
I really wanted to love this book, as I so thoroughly enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl. But this story was SO boring and repetitive.
I got really tired of hearing about how Mary was regal and untouchable, and George was honorable (but a fool), and Bess brought herself up from nothing and loved nothing more than her houses and land. Over and over, the same things. Yawn.
The plot was boring. Nothing ever really happened. A lot of planning, but no results. Back and forth from house to house. I didn't feel a need to keep reading - it was far from compelling. I realize this story is based on real events, so maybe this just wasn't the best subject for Ms. Gregory to write a novel about.
I forced myself to keep reading, but found my mind drifting off several times, because I wasn't engaged in the story.
A disappointing read.
I read the Advanced Reader's Edition for this review.
I got really tired of hearing about how Mary was regal and untouchable, and George was honorable (but a fool), and Bess brought herself up from nothing and loved nothing more than her houses and land. Over and over, the same things. Yawn.
The plot was boring. Nothing ever really happened. A lot of planning, but no results. Back and forth from house to house. I didn't feel a need to keep reading - it was far from compelling. I realize this story is based on real events, so maybe this just wasn't the best subject for Ms. Gregory to write a novel about.
I forced myself to keep reading, but found my mind drifting off several times, because I wasn't engaged in the story.
A disappointing read.
I read the Advanced Reader's Edition for this review.
Helpful Score: 10
I am a huge fan of Philippa Gregory and was very disappointed in this book. She did a lot of repeating words by characters and I found it hard to concentrate. Also she kept referring to Queen Mary as young but when she died Mary was 44 according to Wikipedia. But her style of writing is what kept me reading it to the very end and I will still anticipate her next novel.
Helpful Score: 7
I have loved every book of Gregory's, other than the Wideacre trilogy, so much. This however, was dull, boring, and totally failed to capture my attention. Her other books flowed, and carried you along for the ride while showing you the castles, clothing, and the day to day activities that the royals indulged in. There was romance and the books were compelling. You absolutely could not put them down. Again, not a trait of this book.
The story of Mary Queen of Scots while in the care of Bess of Hardwick and her husband, George. Told in three voices (Mary, Bess and George) the trio shuffles from house to house, b*tching and moaning about the same old stuff for 400+ pages. Recommended for diehard Gregory fans only.
Helpful Score: 5
Gregory once again gives a new perspective on Tudor England. This time she focuses on the captivity of Mary, Queen of Scots. The story is told in a similar style to The Boleyn Inheritance, alternately from the perspective of Mary and the two people charged to house her George and Bess Talbot. The thing that makes this novel great is that although the three characters are vastly different in their upbringing, beliefs and actions, the reader is able to sympathize with all three as well as see their faults. The reader really understands how turbulent is must have been to live in England during this time period. You didn't know day to day where your loyalties were or even your own religion and nobody could be trusted. It makes corruption in politics today seem very tame!
