About the Book: When thirteen year old Eleanor married Hugh le Despencer, she had no way of knowing that he would embark on a love affair with King Edward II, her uncle. This affair would put her life—and her country—at risk. Overrun by his passions, neither Hugh’s marriage to Eleanor, nor the King’s subsequent marriage to Isabella (daughter to the king of France) could stave off his feelings for the younger man.
As hostilities erupt between England and France, Edward II sends Isabella to negotiate peace, where she quickly becomes the lover of an escapee from the Tower of London named Roger Mortimer. United by a hatred for Hugh, they return to England with an army in tow and are welcomed as liberators. Edward II and Hugh flee London, leaving Eleanor in charge of the Tower. When riots break out, killing several people, Eleanor surrenders and she and her children are taken prisoner by Isabella’s adherents.
The Traitor’s Wife follows Eleanor le Despenser’s life through marriage, separation, imprisonment, betrayal and the eventual redemption of the le Despenser name. This award-winning novel is a unique story that every reader will connect with.
My Review: Man I seem to love every scandalicious page of books about the royals! Unlike fellow reviewer, Meghan, I knew nothing about these people and so it was like meeeting them for the first time. Their lives were far from glamorous and certainly full of all kinds of sorrow, poor decisions, love, betrayal, greed, ambition...need I say more?
This is a huge book! But it's well worth the journey, particularly if you love this kind of story, where the characters leap off the pages and feel real. The writing style is nice and engaging...not dry at all. This older form of celebrity drama is great to indulge in.
As I said, I knew nothing about these people, but the author provides a lovely note in the back of the book explaining her decisions in the story-telling.
Rating: 4/5
Things You Might Want to Know: Some sex of course
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15 comments:
I can't wait to read this book. Loved your review.
Great review Amy! I like that this book appeals to both people who know all the characters and people who have no clue who they are. =) This one is definitely scandalous!
Royals! Scandaliciousness! I am so in.
I used to keep up with historical fiction, especially living in London when I could go easily and check the places out. I haven't paid attention for a while and apparently I am missing out. The cover of this book is so cute and I know about these characters just not much as I should.
I don't read much historical fiction, but all the great reviews have got me wanting to read this one!
I missed out on this tour, but this book looks so good! I'm adding it........
I love the cover you chose to display also! :) This one is on my list... I hate saying that now. Some day there will be a sigh of relief and I can say "I've read this and..."
I love books about royals, too. This one sounds like fun!
I am surely in need to read this one. It is not the first time I have been coveting it either. :) Nice review.
Nice review, Amy! I'm glad to know we don't have to have Meghan's knowledge of the royals to enjoy this one. Author's notes/references do help separate the "historical" from the "fiction".
Thanks for the review!
I agree Amy. This book was fantastic! I loved each scandalicious page too-lol. I love when you can read a piece of historical fiction and feel like you're a part of the whole story that's going on.
Argh! As I'm going to a book sale at the library this weekend I planned to bring a short list to try and rein myself in from gettomg too many books. But then I read this.
What was I thinking?
Great review Amy. I love historical fiction and this sounds like a read I'll like.
Definitely one I'm putting on my short-but-getting-longer-with-every-blog-I-read list.
I'm glad you enjoyed this book. I thought it was ok.
I didn't know anything about this period and these people, either. I thought the book was great. The characters were all interesting, and for such long book, I was never bored.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
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