Other Queen

[nona]

when does the Other Queen come out, I think I have it pre-ordered but I forgot when it was supposed to be released.

[boswellbaxter]

September 16 in the US.

[Misfit]

"110 holds on first copy returned of 1 copy" at my library. Glad I'm not planning to read this one anytime soon. ;)

[cookie]

"110 holds on first copy returned of 1 copy" at my library. Glad I'm not planning to read this one anytime soon. ;)

Surely they buy in another copy if it has that many reservations?
At my library, if there are more than three or four reservations on a book, we buy another copy.

I must be the only person in the world who was disappointed in The Other Queen. :rolleyes:

[Divia]

I havent read it. iw ant to, which means I'll prob have to buy it cause there will be huge holds on th eone at my lib. they suck when it comes to HF.

[diamondlil]

Surely they buy in another copy if it has that many reservations?
At my library, if there are more than three or four reservations on a book, we buy another copy.

I must be the only person in the world who was disappointed in The Other Queen. :rolleyes:

I don't know very many people who have read it! I haven't managed it yet. Somewhat surprisingly my library seems to be buying the American edition, despite the fact that it has been out in the shops here for months.

[Spitfire]

It's still on order at my Library too. I am going to wait for it to come in. With PG it is either love it or hate it. So, will have to see.

[Divia]

It's still on order at my Library too. I am going to wait for it to come in. With PG it is either love it or hate it. So, will have to see.

Yeah there is no middle ground there.

[Ariadne]

I must be the only person in the world who was disappointed in The Other Queen. :rolleyes:

Nope, I was disappointed also. Most published reviews I've seen, from US sources, have been tepid.

If I get a hardcover in the mail when it's out, someone here would be welcome to my ARC.

[Divia]

oh me, pick me! :D

Has anyone from this site done a reivew on it yet?

[diamondlil]

I don't believe so. This is the only blog review (http://hfchallengereviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/other-queen-by-philippa-gregory.html) that I remember seeing so far.

It was on a USA Today list (http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-09-03-fall-books-10-talkers_N.htm?csp=34) the other day as one of the 10 books people were going to be talking about in fall. Could be for all the wrong reasons again though.

[Ariadne]

Alright, Divia, I'll let you know if I get one :)

I stand corrected - Publishers Weekly liked it a lot. Romantic Times did, too. The others I've seen were more "eh."

I finally found my review online at a place I can link to. It's the last one on this page (http://www.youseemore.com/Allegany/CustomHotPicks.asp?Action=6&HotListId=174&BookId=23). I hope the URL remains stable - it points to a library catalog site.

[Divia]

Alright, Divia, I'll let you know if I get one :)

I stand corrected - Publishers Weekly liked it a lot. Romantic Times did, too. The others I've seen were more "eh."

I finally found my review online at a place I can link to. It's the last one on this page (http://www.youseemore.com/Allegany/CustomHotPicks.asp?Action=6&HotListId=174&BookId=23). I hope the URL remains stable - it points to a library catalog site.


Oh sweet! Thanks :)


I'll check out the reviews, hopefully no spoilers.

[Judith]

I will probably wait for this to come out in paperback.

[princess garnet]

I'm planning to borrow from the library whenever it comes in. I've already got Plaidy's two books on her.

[Divia]

My library wait is wicked long with only 2 books in the system. :rolleyes: Brilliant right? Blahhh.

[Misfit]

My library wait is pretty long too but then I'm not in any big hurry to read it. I'll see what reviews come in from the readers first. Kind of curious that King County would only buy one book. Usually the latest hotest and greatest they get multiple copies. A bad sign?

128 holds on first copy returned of 1 copy

[Tanzanite]

I don't feel so bad then - I'm number 6 on my library wait list (I think they only ordered one copy as well).

[Divia]

It could be a bad sign. I dont know. With budgets maybe they are only ordering the SUPER HOT books like King or something.

[Misfit]

I don't think that's the case here. Economy's still pretty healthy (we do have Boeing and Microsoft up here), besides I recently put in purchase requests for a new issue of a Plaidy book and a reissue of A King's Gray Mare and they're buying those. They have 10 + copies of Heretic Queen on order and only one of The Other Queen? Oh well.

I see there's some excerpts (http://www.amazon.com/Other-Queen-Novel-Philippa-Gregory/dp/1416549129/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b) posted on Amazon, as well as a video.

***edited*** Just read the excerpts. Looks like it might be another multiple POV. I'm loosing patience with that style.

[wendallpauls]

I suppose I manage to keep up on who has what book out and when, as I wasn't even aware a new book was due out from Phillipa Gregory until I saw it amongst the stack of new books at 'work. My boss, though, took first dibs, as I guess its the boss' perogative to do so.

[Divia]

Will you be reading it?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

[SonjaMarie]

Philippa Gregory's 'Queen' rules with intrigue
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/reviews/2008-09-15-other-queen_N.htm?csp=34

SM

[diamondlil]

I read that article today and I was like ...um...not sure I want to read it! Hopefully it is not as over the top as that article makes it out to be!

[amyb]

I was at Borders when they opened this morning (how sad is that?!) and I picked this up. I'm only on page 11 or so, but I am already diggin' it! Can't wait til work is over and I can go home, ignore everyone and read my heart out!

[princess garnet]

Here's an interview with Philippa courtesy of Borders Presents:
http://www.bordersmedia.com/shows/borderspresents/gregory.asp?cmpid=SL_20080918_TRW
Enjoy!

[nona]

I have a B&N giftcard and I think I might use it to get this one, it sounds really good and I enjoy her books.

[boswellbaxter]

Alianore from blogdom was kind enough to send me this link to a digested read of Gregory's latest. (May contain spoilers of a fashion.)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/19/fiction

[cookie]

Very good ! :p
My advice, read that and stay away from the boring "real" TOQ.

[EC2]

Alianore from blogdom was kind enough to send me this link to a digested read of Gregory's latest. (May contain spoilers of a fashion.)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/19/fiction

Good fun - thanks!
This probably isn't one for my TBR at the moment. It's garnering some fairly underwhelming reviews from Amazon UK thus far.

[Alaric]

Am I reading that? It costs twenty quid in stores? Bloody hell.

[boswellbaxter]

I skimmed through it at the bookstore and didn't find it intriguing enough to buy. Demented person that I am, I also peeked at the ending and found it reminscent in tone of the endings of the last couple of Gregory novels I've read. So I gave this one a pass--maybe I'll get it at the library or used one day.

[Misfit]

Good fun - thanks!
This probably isn't one for my TBR at the moment. It's garnering some fairly underwhelming reviews from Amazon UK thus far.


I was just looking at those reviews as well. Underwhelming is the perfect description.

[princess garnet]

Out of curiosity: To those who've read Plaidy's Captive Queen of Scots (which covers the same time frame), how does this compare?

[SonjaMarie]

You know I think I'll skip this book, the only Gregory book I enjoyed was "The Boleyn Inheritance", the others I've read were wallbangers.

SM

[Divia]

I got this one from the library. I guess I never took my name off the list :o

its dull as tombs. I get theimpression that everything cool in Mary's life has already happen.

told from 3 point of views again like TBI, only this timeI dont think it works. I just dont care about the characters. I think a book from Mary's point of view, in her younger years would have been far more interesting!

[amyb]

I think a book from Mary's point of view, in her younger years would have been far more interesting!

I couldn't agree more! Her life with Darnley and Bothwell would have been much more appealing.

[Divia]

Why oh why did she choose to do this part of her life then?

[michellemoran]

Very disappointing. I've put it back on my bookshelf half-way through. It's too bad, because Mary had a life that could fill several novels.

[Tanzanite]

The Denver public library system ordered more than 80 copies of the book and I picked mine up yesterday. I'll probably still give it a go (since I went to the trouble to go get it) and we'll see.

[Carla]

Alianore from blogdom was kind enough to send me this link to a digested read of Gregory's latest. (May contain spoilers of a fashion.)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/19/fiction

Glad to see John Crace is on his usual form! Thanks for the link - I can't imagine how I missed that one as I usually read his column every week.

[cw gortner]

Glad to see John Crace is on his usual form! Thanks for the link - I can't imagine how I missed that one as I usually read his column every week.

Remind me of this review the next time I complain that historical fiction writers don't get enough coverage in print media!

[EC2]

Okay, long post but please bear with me:

I'm scheduled to be part of a "hosting" party that will be greeting Ms Gregory when she comes to the San Francisco Bay Area on tour to promote THE OTHER QUEEN.
Having read several of her novels, I was hoping this one would be great, because of course I'll have to buy it and have her sign it. Sigh......
Still, I buy everything she publishes (well, I buy everything everyone who writes anything historical ever publishes, so that's a moot point) and now I'm going to be her host. I sure hope she has a rocking sense of humor or it could turn out to be one of the most uncomfortable author evenings I've ever spent:)

I'll PM you C.W. To say that your experience more or less reflects mine except substitute a couple of different novels. I had the same reaction to Wideacre as you did to The Wise Woman - which I really enjoyed. I loved A Respectable trade. The Tudor stuff - not my cup of tea as far as I've read. I've met Philippa on a few occasions at various functions, but that was when she was only moderately famous - around the time she won the prize for Best Romantic Novel of the year Award for The Other Boleyn Girl.

[Vanessa]

I enjoyed the Wideacre trilogy and the Wise Woman (although I suppose it is a little pornographic in places!!!!:eek: I think Wideacre is quite saucy, too, if I remember - it's some time since I read them - but not quite as graphic.). I really enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl, but, although I have PG's other Tudor books and The Respectable Trade on my TBR pile, I haven't read them yet so can't comment.

[Dani]

I am currently reading this book I must say it is taking me alot longer to get through this one than it did the others I have read by her.So far Mary and Bess seem to be the most interesting parts of the story George is getting on my last nerve.
I think she could have written the book with out having him had his say in the whole thing.

[nona]

what is the Wise Woman about ? I thik I have it on my amazon wish list, I'll have ro check

[Vanessa]

Here's the blurb from Amazon:

This(The Wisewoman) is a haunting story of a woman's desire in a time of turbulence. Alys joins the nunnery to escape hardship and poverty but finds herself thrown back into the outside world when Henry VIII's wreckers destroy her sanctuary. With nothing to support her but her looks, her magic and her own instinctive cunning, Alys has to tread a perilous path between the faith of her childhood and her own female power. When she falls in love with Hugo, the feudal lord and another woman's husband, she dips into witchcraft to defeat her rival and to win her lover, but finds - as her cynical old foster-mother had advised - that magic makes a poor servant but a dominant master. Since heresy against the new church means the stake, and witchcraft the rope, Alys's danger is mortal. A woman's powers are no longer safe to use!

[princess garnet]

Not to give anything away...George is a secondary character in Plaidy's Captive Queen of Scots. He has several scenes in the book; one of them involves his romantic interest in one of his household maids.

[Tanzanite]

Since I'm leaving on Tuesday to go back to Indiana for several weeks, I returned the book to the library having only read about 75 pages. I did however win a copy on a website giveaway so once it arrives, I may try to finish it.

[princess garnet]

Came across this review of Other Queen (http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/07/AR2008100703141.html?hpid=sec-artsliving) by Diana Gabaldon earlier.
Also, Philippa will be doing an online chat (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/02/DI2008100202254.html?sid=ST2008100800285&s_pos=list) at 11 am (Eastern time) on Oct. 9th. If you've got questions for her, here's your chance!

[Misfit]

LOL, see the review I just spotted on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1416549129/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending)this morning. The last sentence is my favorite :D

Repetitive, repetitive...., October 13, 2008
By A Michigan Book Lover - See all my reviews

Ms. Gregory again employs the technique of each chapter spoken from the point of view of one of the characters. This does not work with the material she presents in The Other Queen. Each character essentially says the same thing over and over.

Queen Mary - I am of royal blood, I can not be killed.
I should rule the world.
All men love me.

George - I am honorable.
I am a fool.
I am infatuated with Queen Mary.

Bess - I love my lands and homes.
My husband is a fool.
Did I tell you I love my lands and homes?

This reminds me of seeing a great actor in a horrible big budget movie and feeling he just acted in this one for more money.
I wonder if we are the fools and we are just helping someone who wants more land and homes?

[nona]

lol, thanks for confirming that I wont be reading this PG book; Though it is a shame, it could be a great story maybe by another author.

[Misfit]

lol, thanks for confirming that I wont be reading this PG book; Though it is a shame, it could be a great story maybe by another author.

Margaret George did a good take on Mary but even then I was losing interest by the last third of the book. The latter part of Mary's life in captivity is just not that interesting IMO, and she's not all that likeable of a character either.

[nona]

I felt the same way though I think it started at the half way point, if you ask me.

[SonjaMarie]

When I read Margaret's book on Mary it was a summer project, and I think it did take me all summer. I couldn't imagine taking that long to read a book now.

SM

[boswellbaxter]

I thought Jean Plaidy did a decent job with Mary's life in captivity, though I wouldn't call the novel (The Captive Queen of Scots) a page-turner.

[nona]

Alison Weir for exampl is a really good author and alot of people have read her books. I would read a book by her about Mary if she ever wrote one because I've always enjoyed reading her stuff, I think it's her style but M. George was too long and PG souds like a let down. I just think a different author with a different pov could have pulled it off better. only my opinion though.

[Divia]

LOL. Love it. Now that I think about it, yeah that review is spot on.

[princess garnet]

Nona, you may want to give Plaidy's recent reissue The Captive Queen of Scots a read. It starts with Mary's captivity in Scotland.

[cw gortner]

I'm meeting Madame Gregory tomorrow at 6:30 pm for our reception before her signing event. Anything anyone would like me to tell her?;)

[SonjaMarie]

Ahem, I don't think telling her how much people are not enjoying "Other Queen" will endear you or any of us to her. I did like her "Boleyn Inheritence" however, it's my favourite of her books, considering I've really disliked her others I've read, that's saying a lot!

SM

[EC2]

I'm meeting Madame Gregory tomorrow at 6:30 pm for our reception before her signing event. Anything anyone would like me to tell her?;)

I hope she is enjoying her book tour C.W. and I'm sure you will be the epitome of affable courtesy.:p I think her talk will be great because she is a fine speaker and knows how to pitch her product.
You could perhaps ask her whether she has an agent at the moment... Then again perhaps not!!!!! ;):cool:

[boswellbaxter]

I'm meeting Madame Gregory tomorrow at 6:30 pm for our reception before her signing event. Anything anyone would like me to tell her?;)

Well, I certainly am curious to see what her Plantagenet novels will be like, and I did enjoy The Boleyn Inheritance a great deal.

[Misfit]

Ahem, I don't think telling her how much people are not enjoying "Other Queen" will endear you or any of us to her. I did like her "Boleyn Inheritence" however, it's my favourite of her books, considering I've really disliked her others I've read, that's saying a lot!

SM

You have to wonder what she's thinking about those reviews. They're not exactly glowing...

[cw gortner]

I hope she is enjoying her book tour C.W. and I'm sure you will be the epitome of affable courtesy.:p I think her talk will be great because she is a fine speaker and knows how to pitch her product.
You could perhaps ask her whether she has an agent at the moment... Then again perhaps not!!!!! ;):cool:

Oh, when I next visit England we must have tea. You're as evil as you are talented;)

[cw gortner]

You have to wonder what she's thinking about those reviews. They're not exactly glowing...

You'd think - though the book already hit the NY Times bestseller list, so she's also smiling all the way to the bank.

[cw gortner]

Ahem, I don't think telling her how much people are not enjoying "Other Queen" will endear you or any of us to her. I did like her "Boleyn Inheritence" however, it's my favourite of her books, considering I've really disliked her others I've read, that's saying a lot!

SM

That sums it up for me, too. Except I also liked A Respectable Trade, which isn't a Tudor-themed novel.

[EC2]

Oh, when I next visit England we must have tea. You're as evil as you are talented;)

It's a date C.W.:D ;)
I really enjoyed A Respectable Trade too - probably my favourite novel of those I've read of the author's.

[cw gortner]

It's a date C.W.:D ;)
I really enjoyed A Respectable Trade too - probably my favourite novel of those I've read of the author's.

I've got you on my calender.;)

And I agree: my favorite novel of hers, by far.

I'll report back with any fascinating developments. They've got this event more tightly orchestrated than a performance of Wagner's The Ring, so I predict it'll be a perfect two hours with the "Queen of Historical Fiction" - a title, I must confess, I rather aspire to myself :p

[Divia]

That sums it up for me, too. Except I also liked A Respectable Trade, which isn't a Tudor-themed novel.

Loved the BI and as for her others not so much. I couldnt stand Respectable Trade but then again I studied slavery and the entire novel just drove me crazy. The relationship was so outta left field.

Does anyone know what she is working on next?

[boswellbaxter]

Loved the BI and as for her others not so much. I couldnt stand Respectable Trade but then again I studied slavery and the entire novel just drove me crazy. The relationship was so outta left field.

Does anyone know what she is working on next?

Her next book (http://danisbookshelf.blogspot.com/2008/08/newsletter-from-philippa-gregory.html)is about Elizabeth Woodville. She's going back from the Tudors to the Plantagenets.

[Misfit]

Does anyone know what she is working on next?

From some interviews posted recently she's going after the Plantagenets now -- and most specifically Elizabeth Woodville.

[cw gortner]

Loved the BI and as for her others not so much. I couldnt stand Respectable Trade but then again I studied slavery and the entire novel just drove me crazy. The relationship was so outta left field.

Does anyone know what she is working on next?

I can see how having in-depth knowledge of the subject would make a difference. I don't know that much about the history of slavery in the UK, I'm embarrassed to say, so maybe if I did I'd have liked RT less. I was actually attracted to the writing and characters more than the plot; I think she did a good job of illuminating the societal hypocrisies, too.

I also enjoyed BI very much, for the same reasons.

[michellemoran]

Does anyone know what she is working on next?

As Misfit says, she's writing on The Plantagenets. Her first book will be The White Queen, followed by The White Princess and The Red Queen, I believe.

[cw gortner]

As Misfit says, she's writing on The Plantagenets. Her first book will be The White Queen, followed by The White Princess and The Red Queen, I believe.

Yep, and she calls Elizabeth Woodville "a deadly beauty."

[SonjaMarie]

Interesting, I just got a hit on my website with these search terms:
Philippa Gregory "the red queen" Margaret Beaufort

I wonder if that was from anyone on here or anyone who read that on here.

SM

[Divia]

Hmm. Well, I was interested in her novels but now I'm eh about em. I'll wait and see what the reviews are before I run out and get it.

[Misfit]

I just did some googling on PG with those titles. From Wik (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippa_Gregory),

War of the Roses
The White Queen (2010)
The White Princess (TBA)
The Red Queen (TBA)

If The White Queen is Woodville, wonder who the other two are? I'm guessing one will have to be Elizabeth of York which would lead her right into the Tudors eventually.

[Ariadne]

I'd wondered if Margaret of Anjou was going to be the "Red Queen," though if Elizabeth of York is the White Princess and her story will lead into the Tudors, she may not be going strictly in chronological order.

[Misfit]

Well she didn't write the Tudor series in chronological order, why change? :):)

[Ariadne]

Yep, true :) I don't mind reading stuff out of chronological order, but this is a planned trilogy, so it didn't make as much sense to me.

[Ash]

You have to wonder what she's thinking about those reviews. They're not exactly glowing...


She's probably crying all the way to the bank....

[princess garnet]

When The Constant Princess received poor reader reviews, Philippa posted a thread on the subject on her message board.

[Divia]

Like I said before I think I'll wait to see what the reviews are on em. I used to buy her books cause they were written by her, bu tno more. I'm not falling into that trap again.

[cw gortner]

When The Constant Princess received poor reader reviews, Philippa posted a thread on the subject on her message board.

Really? What did it say?

[Divia]

Yes what did it say? I'm curious as well.

I didnt mind the Constant Princess. It was an OK read. Not steller.

[Misfit]

Yes what did it say? I'm curious as well.

That's three of us. Can you find the old thread Princess Garnet?

[Judith]

Here's one thread. Not sure if this is the correct one, there could be others! ;)

http://www.philippagregory.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=600

[nona]

Here's one thread. Not sure if this is the correct one, there could be others! ;)

http://www.philippagregory.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=600

oh how interesting! i didn't know she wrote childerns books in the UK

[Misfit]

Hi everybody
I was rather shocked to go on Amazon the other day and see a lot of bad reviews for the constant princess. Shocked because it has been a best seller on both sides of the atlantic and sold very well, and reviewed very well in the press. If you liked the book and if you would like to defend it please go to Amazon and post your review. It would cheer me up!
Philippa G

I'm not an author and I can't look at this from an author's viewpoint but I'd be way too embarrassed to make such a blatant plea for positive reviews. I have to say that the comments for The Other Queen on her own boards aren't so hot either.

[SonjaMarie]

Maybe she's gotten too complaisant with her popularity and is not turning out good material as she might have otherwise?

SM

[nona]

They say authors, painters (everyone really) goes through 'funks' maybe this might be one of PG's funks. We know she can write a good book, look at TBI and the story was a little risky but I enjoyed the Widacre triology.

[Misfit]

Probably thinks the masses will buy anything just 'cause its got her name on it?

[Judith]

Probably thinks the masses will buy anything just 'cause its got her name on it?

Could backfire, too. After awhile you get tired of spending good money on an author if they keep putting out boring books. I know I'm not buying this book in hard cover, but will take a look at it when it comes out in paperback.

[Misfit]

Could backfire, too. After awhile you get tired of spending good money on an author if they keep putting out boring books. I know I'm not buying this book in hard cover, but will take a look at it when it comes out in paperback.

The only author I'll buy in hardback is EC, but then I've got a well funded county library system. Despite the not so positive reviews people still must want to read it, here's the wait at my library,


The other queen
Gregory, Philippa.
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2008.
438 p. ; 25 cm.
Call number: FIC GREGORY
229 holds on first copy returned of 51 copies

Either that or they're playing it safe and not buying until they decide if its worth it :)

[Judith]

:D I'd say they're waiting!

One thing I hate to do is spend good money on a book and have it not be any good. :mad: I really should check my local library and see if they have the book! :)

[Misfit]

:D I'd say they're waiting!

One thing I hate to do is spend good money on a book and have it not be any good. :mad: I really should check my local library and see if they have the book! :)

Using the library is saving me a fortune. I only buy the books that 1) I know I'll want to read over and over or 2) I can't get through the library. BTW I really recommend trying Interlibrary loans and purchase requests, I've been quite lucky. I've had ILL's come from Omaha, New Hampshire and Anchorage! Never been charged for shipping either. I just recently tried for an old out of print romance that was highly priced by the used sellers and believe it or not it's showing up as coming in as an ILL. That's another $15+ saved :)

[nona]

my only problem is 98% of the books I read are ones I want to buy, like Chadwick I'm buying all her books new one at a time though I've read most of them already or Plaidy, I want them all and if I don't buy them as I read them they end up beig passed for a new read till later. So many books so little time.

[cw gortner]

I'm not an author and I can't look at this from an author's viewpoint but I'd be way too embarrassed to make such a blatant plea for positive reviews. I have to say that the comments for The Other Queen on her own boards aren't so hot either.

I don't think it's very good form. I've had negative reviews on amazon for both my books, and while it does hurt, it's the way of the world. You roll with it; not everyone is going to love your work.

[diamondlil]

LOL, see the review I just spotted on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1416549129/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending)this morning. The last sentence is my favorite :D

Repetitive, repetitive...., October 13, 2008
By A Michigan Book Lover - See all my reviews

Ms. Gregory again employs the technique of each chapter spoken from the point of view of one of the characters. This does not work with the material she presents in The Other Queen. Each character essentially says the same thing over and over.

Queen Mary - I am of royal blood, I can not be killed.
I should rule the world.
All men love me.

George - I am honorable.
I am a fool.
I am infatuated with Queen Mary.

Bess - I love my lands and homes.
My husband is a fool.
Did I tell you I love my lands and homes?

This reminds me of seeing a great actor in a horrible big budget movie and feeling he just acted in this one for more money.
I wonder if we are the fools and we are just helping someone who wants more land and homes?



Well, I finished the book last night and I would have to say that this is a pretty fair assessment of the book!

[Divia]

I understand that authors can feel bad about the reviews. But I dunno to go on a MB and say "help me out!" that just sad. The reviews are there for a reason.

I'll say this. I woudl buy her stuff all the time, but now not so much. I didnt buy her last novel and I have no intention of buying any of her novels in the future unless she picks up the intensity and starts writing something good.

Look back in all fairness I can say that the only one I REALLY liked was BI. Virigin's lover was eh, Constant princess was eh, Queen's fool downright sucked, and TOBG was good at the time but now I dont think I would enjoy it. Too many duds if ya ask me.

[EC2]

I don't think it's very good form. I've had negative reviews on amazon for both my books, and while it does hurt, it's the way of the world. You roll with it; not everyone is going to love your work.

I agree, absolutely. Of course you get a sinking feeling when you see less than five stars on your work, but you deal with it. Whining ain't a pretty sight and can be downright damaging. When an absolute slew of reviews are negative and all the reviewers are singing from the same hymn sheet, a wise author generally takes note of the comments.
IMO some authors have a very shrewd business sense though. One's fan board is going to be a place where one can count on support to try and bury those negative reviews. In some cases a very knowing steel fist in a velvet glove is driving the 'sob-sob, shocked, hard done by poor ickle me.' scenario.

[nona]

I would think one could use the negative reviews as a way to 'fix' some flaws maybe not all cause your not going to win over everyone who reads the book, but you could see what the people want or expect as far as regular readers go. does that make sense?

ex: as far as everyone is saying PG shouldn't have told the story in the same manner as TBI.

[diamondlil]

I would think one could use the negative reviews as a way to 'fix' some flaws maybe not all cause your not going to win over everyone who reads the book, but you could see what the people want or expect as far as regular readers go. does that make sense?

ex: as far as everyone is saying PG shouldn't have told the story in the same manner as TBI.

***SPOILERS***
(Although to be fair if you know the history there are no spoilers here!)


I haven't read TBI, so I wasn't aware that the format was the same. I think that the format could work though. There are other authors who have used a similar format. The problem here for me was that the characters were one dimensional, and that I don't think that she really knew who her main character was. Everything in the book pointed at Mary being the main character, so we got to see what Bess was thinking about Mary, and what George was thinking about Mary, and what Mary was thinking about Mary, but then in the author's note, PG said that she wanted to concentrate on the time where Bess of Hardwick was involved in the guarding and imprisonment of Mary. This leads to a couple of anomalies. Mary was a guest/imprisoned for twenty years. This book covers 3 or so years, with a couple of additional brief chapters to mention the Babington plot and her execution. Actually her execution is not really covered in the book, but rather in a foreshadowing dream of one of the characters. There is nothing about what was it that finally made Elizabeth decide that Mary had to be executed or anything like that.

I would add in terms of the review that Misfit posted from Amazon, the only thing that the review missed out on, was the everyone hates Cecil point of view that was prevalent throughout the book!


And there is most of my review!

[nona]

it does not spoil anything for myself this is one PG I'm skipping which is sad cause I was somewhat giddy about it coming out, she could have made it 'wow' but after all the feedbak I feel let down and I haven't even picked it up.

[Divia]

I guess its just a knee jerk reaction to defend oneself, and I guess I can understand why PG and other authors do it. But then I see authors on here who take the punches and keep rolling. What makes them just go with it while others need to take a stance and fight?

I agree that if there is a majority of people telling PG that her Mary book sucked and these are the reasons for it, then ya think she'd take notice. Best selling author you maybe, but that could be only cause of your name. If she keeps churning out crap it won't matter who her name is people won't read her stuff.

I think this woudl be a perfect chance for her to step back, realized she dropped the ball, gather up her wits and make things better.

Eh, but what do I know?

[princess garnet]

Here's one thread. Not sure if this is the correct one, there could be others! ;)

http://www.philippagregory.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=600

Yes, that's the thread. Sorry for not posting the link! I didn't understand why she wrote such a thread. :confused:

I still appreciate Jean Plaidy and Margaret Campbell Barnes for their novels on the same people.

[boswellbaxter]

Look under Amazon Antics in "Chat" for the non-Gregory related posts re: authors on Amazon.

[Misfit]

Thanks, I had a feeling that split was coming :D

[Andromeda_Organa]

Very disappointing. I've put it back on my bookshelf half-way through. It's too bad, because Mary had a life that could fill several novels.

Yeah, I agree. I started it and put it away after 10 pages

[Tinuviel]

I still haven't read it (though I did buy a copy)...I've just had a ton of stuff to read and haven't really had enough time, but I'm hoping to read it over break, though now after hearing all of your reactions I'm a little bit worried (though I have loved almost all of her other books).

[boswellbaxter]

Nice to have you here, Tinuviel! I may pick this one up at the library sometime, but I'm not in any hurry after reading the reviews of it.

[zsigandr]

it does not spoil anything for myself this is one PG I'm skipping which is sad cause I was somewhat giddy about it coming out, she could have made it 'wow' but after all the feedbak I feel let down and I haven't even picked it up.

I waited several months for this book at my local library and I am definitely glad that I borrowed it from the library rather than to have purchased as I was first inclined to do!

I was quite disappointed and found the characters lacking in this novel! I had previously read Fatal Majesty by Reay Tannahill and found this novel gave more life to Mary. I found myself feeling sorry for Mary in this novel, while in The Other Queen, I just found her whiny and arrogant.

I would not recommend this novel unless you are a true die hard PG fan.

[Lauryn]

I have several of PG's books, but I wore out on her after awhile. It seemed to me that either she really doesn't care for the Tudors as much as one might think, or that she really doesn't care for people all that much. It's a shame, because I thought her approach to TOBG was really interesting, and I was hoping for such creativity in the rest of what I had read.

[Divia]

I know I'm burnt out on her. I'm waiting to see what the reviews are like on the White Queen.

[Chatterbox]

Reay Tannahill's books about Mary & Richard III are great! Too bad they got such limited release in North America.

PG's more recent books, esp. The Boleyn Inheritance & The Other Queen, have this choppy, abrupt style, and multiple viewpoints -- I end up feeling as if she's taking a lazy approach to writing. Turning the books into rotating first-person perspectives means there is a lot of 'background writing' that she doesn't have to worry about. But it feels as if I'm not getting what I expect as a reader, much less my money's worth.

[Divia]

I did like The Boleyn Inheritance. but I think the story caused for the different POVs. To be honest I havent really enjoyed the Virigin's lover, Other Queen, Constant Princess. They were OK. and Queen's fool was downright HORRIBLE.

[SCW]

My favourite novel about Mary Queen of Scots was the one by Margaret George.