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Book Review of Meridon (Wideacre, Bk 3)

Meridon (Wideacre, Bk 3)
Meridon (Wideacre, Bk 3)
Author: Philippa Gregory
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
DLeahL avatar reviewed on + 48 more book reviews


I myself have a personal problem with Phillipp Gregory which is based upon the disservice she does her readers with her recent so-called "historical" novels set during, before and after the Tudor period of English history. Her inaccuracies are all the more damning in my eyes because I get the impression that she does know the real historical data yet chooses to ignore it at the drop of a pin. (I could say "drop of a hat," but who drops hats these days?) And because she is such a GOOD story teller (she does get a grip on you), she has a ginormous fan base who believe they have learned "so much about history," by reading her books. And don't get me started on the movie based on The Other Boleyn Girl!

But Meridon is the third book of Gregory's first trilogy, which apparently is drawn from her thesis paper at University. These books seem to be more accurate historically. They do all contain quite a bit of Gregory's famous bodice-ripping, especially the first book of the series, Wideacre. She has a keen understanding of human nature, especially apparent in this, the last book of this series.

Ironically, I DO feel that I learned quite a bit about history from this Wideacre series. She portrays several classes of English society of what I believe is during the rules of James I and Charles I of England. (Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.)

Since this is the third book of the series, it would be very difficult to appreciate this book without having read the first two books. But I must warn you that the first two books can be a bit shocking unless a.) you have an open mind or b.) you have a bit of a kinky side to you.