Historical Fiction

Golden Oldies

Posted by elizabeth on Nov 16, 2009 in Books, Historical Fiction | 2 comments

Seems like everyone is reading Philippa Gregory’s The White Queen, a novel about Elizabeth Woodville, who married (or didn’t, depending on who you believe) Edward IV of England. This made me think of another book I read long ago, and sent me digging through dusty old boxes of books that won’t fit on the six (!) bookcases in my office.

Here it is. The Summer Queen, by Alice Walworth Graham. “The swirling drama of a beautiful commoner who dared marry a king… Luminous and fascinating!” And it is. Long out of print, of course, but worth pursuing at used-book stores and sites. Alice Walworth Graham was (and still is) one of my favorite authors—her Vows of the Peacock is, if anything, even better than The Summer Queen.

My paperbacks are may be crumbling and yellowed (and as you can see from the $1.25 price point on the scan, really really old), but Graham’s crisp, literate style and richly romantic storytelling will never grow old.

Sailing Away into Time

Posted by elizabeth on Nov 9, 2009 in Books, Historical Fiction, Writers | Comments Off

I’ve been devouring a huge stack of historical fiction over the past couple of weeks. How I love boarding a frigate (hat tip to Emily Dickinson) and sailing away to other times and places!

The Queen of Subtleties by Suzannah Dunn, sailing me away to Tudor England. An eye-poppingly different take on Anne Boleyn, plus much delicious play on the word “subtlety.”

To the Tower Born, by Robin Maxwell, sailing back a bit more in time to 1502. Just what did happen to the little princes in the Tower? Ms. Maxwell has her own ideas about the mystery, and very intriguing they are.

The King’s Grace, by Anne Easter Smith, continuing my voyage back in time. It’s now 1485, and who is that mysterious “secret boy” at Margaret of Burgundy’s court? Why, it’s Perkin Warbeck. Is he one of the princes from the Tower, come back to claim his rightful crown?

The Courtesan, by Susan Carroll, tacking off across the Channel to France and 1575. The second book of a trilogy (which I didn’t realize until I started reading it), featuring a beautiful “daughter of the earth” with unusual painting skill, confronting the dark and complex Catherine de’ Medicis. My only question is, why is the woman on the cover wearing a Directoire gown?

Mistress of the Sun, by Sandra Gulland, running before the wind to the France of Louis XIV. This is the tale of Louise de la Vallière, and I gobbled it up, having first met Louise in my beloved Angélique books, many years ago. A lovely, lovely book.

How I’ve enjoyed my travels! Now, I think, it’s time for me to steer my frigate back to Edinburgh…