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The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Tue October 13th, 2009, 12:00 am

Give it a bit more, but don't kill yourself. Any chemistry I picked up between the two was in the first few chapters. Then it's all "bed wife" (and no juicy details either).
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Divia
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Post by Divia » Tue October 13th, 2009, 2:32 am

[quote=""Misfit""]Give it a bit more, but don't kill yourself. Any chemistry I picked up between the two was in the first few chapters. Then it's all "bed wife" (and no juicy details either).[/quote]

LOL you do have a point about that! He does say that often. But then again they had like 20 kids...well maybe not but it seemed like she was preggers her entire adult life.
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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Tue October 13th, 2009, 11:53 am

[quote=""Divia""]LOL you do have a point about that! He does say that often. But then again they had like 20 kids...well maybe not but it seemed like she was preggers her entire adult life.[/quote]

Therein lies the problem - Edward marrying someone below him like Elizabeth (King's are supposed to marry for dynastic reasons aren't they?), plus all those kids you would expect some sizzle and sexual chemistry but it just isn't there.
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Miss Moppet
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Post by Miss Moppet » Sat January 2nd, 2010, 10:49 pm

[quote=""Misfit""]Therein lies the problem - Edward marrying someone below him like Elizabeth (King's are supposed to marry for dynastic reasons aren't they?), plus all those kids you would expect some sizzle and sexual chemistry but it just isn't there.[/quote]

Really good review of TWQ up at the Book Blog of Evil, and it addresses exactly this point. Warning, though, there are spoilers.

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Misfit
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Post by Misfit » Sat January 2nd, 2010, 11:02 pm

Thanks for sharing that. She's spot on in her assessment.
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enelya
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Post by enelya » Thu March 25th, 2010, 10:15 am

I have just started reading it yesterday evening and haven't come far yet. I know PG isn't too good on the facts, but she tends to write well.
My only issue with the book so far is the witchcraft bit. It hasn't been acknowledged as a certain fact and so it annoys me it takes up such a big part in the book. I'll see how the rest of the book is, I am curious about Elizabeth's relationship with Edwards brothers.....

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Post by enelya » Mon March 29th, 2010, 11:28 am

I have finally finished the book. I didn't think it was very good. It was one of the first books where I did not gain some kind of sympathy or understanding for the main character at all.
Besides not being too well written, the witchcraft bit and the repeating started to get very annoying after a while. i don't think i will buy the Red Queen

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Vanessa
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Post by Vanessa » Wed September 22nd, 2010, 5:51 pm

I've finished this book and I did very much enjoy it, I found it a page turner! I thought the voice was very compelling and I liked the magical element with regard to 'Melusina'. I sometimes like a bit of fantasy and it is, at the end of the day, a work of fiction - a little bit of fact combined with a lot of imagination.

I didn't find Elizabeth Woodville such a bad person as she is usually painted. She seemed to have been a bit more sympathetically portrayed. It was interesting that PG went along the lines that one of the princes was 'exchanged' - I suppose we will never know what really happened. One of life's mysteries which will always fascinate. And what a way to go...... drowned in a vat of wine!! :eek: I know that's hearsay, too, but just the thought of it.....

I look forward to reading The Red Queen to see what I make of that.
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Post by Gretchen Craig » Wed March 9th, 2011, 11:32 pm

[quote=""Misfit""]Therein lies the problem - Edward marrying someone below him like Elizabeth (King's are supposed to marry for dynastic reasons aren't they?), plus all those kids you would expect some sizzle and sexual chemistry but it just isn't there.[/quote]

This is what I object to about PG. Not just the missing sexual chemistry, but the skillful use of emotion on the page to evoke emotion in the reader. I guess I'm guilty of wishing she'd write her books the way I write mine, which of course is pointless. However, I do agree the book is dry.

rebecca
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Post by rebecca » Tue July 19th, 2011, 4:14 am

When it comes to the White Queen what spoilt it for me is the entire magical aspect, this is only my personal taste but I found the whole doing spells rather annoying and unbelievable. I was a little bit disappointed in it and still feel Philippa's best books is TOBG.

As for the Other Queen, I don't know why PG chose the least interesting time in Queen Mary's life where she is imprisoned albiet in a castle. The most interesting time of Mary's life surely would be in France and then her travails in Scotland? But I suppose PG has her reasons.

I am looking forward to 'The Cousins War' and 'Lady of the Rivers'.

Best wishes

Bec :)

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