The Red Queen by PG

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat July 24th, 2010, 9:07 pm

[quote=""Jemidar""]I won't be getting my copy for at least another couple of weeks (Why do friends with bookshops go away at such crucial times?!) so I hope the discussion is still running by the time I get mine.

It's a pity Margaret is so unlikable, I was hoping we would somehow get a look at her other side or get some insight into her actions, but it looks like PG has stuck to the tried and true

.[/quote]

I just got my hot little hands on a copy today and I am under no obligation to keep my trap shut.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sun July 25th, 2010, 12:25 am

On page 35. Margaret is twelve and married to Tudor and carrying *the heir*. Her piousness is wearing a wee bit thin at the moment, as is her utter belief that she is carrying the heir and savior for England. She believes that God has given her a destiny, same as he did with Joan of Arc.

"King," I say quietly, "You are going to be King of England," and I knew that the baby hears me and knows that his destiny and that of all England is given to me by God, and is in my keeping.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Sun July 25th, 2010, 12:31 am

hmmm. Not sure I'm gonna like being beat over the head like this.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sun July 25th, 2010, 1:16 am

I hear the second half improves, as does Margaret's character. Stay tuned.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sun July 25th, 2010, 6:02 pm

[quote=""Divia""]She likes to beat people over the head with things, doesnt she. Last book it was the fishy woman, this one its Joan of Arc.[/quote]

I agree. Half way through and the Joan of Arc references and her destiny with Henry are driving me nuts. Glad I didn't play the drinking game over it

What is everyone seems to take her Joan references in strides and not treat her like a nutter.

Interested to see how R3 will be played out, as well as the princes. Looking forward to Margaret getting nasty and stop this pining over Henry's God-given destiny as the true and rightful heir. I always thought he was a long-shot.

I know I'm not fond of first person narrative but I think third person would have worked better. So far, Margaret spends a lot of time in the country and I'm getting a wee bit too much telling instead of showing. PG switched to 3rd P during the Battle of Towton and I actually enjoyed that, short as it was.

**Edit**
Klausner has already reviewed it.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Mon July 26th, 2010, 4:52 pm

Finished. I think PG fans will like it, or those new to the period not wanting to get overwhelmed with a chunkster like Penman's. I think she'd have done better with the third person narrative, Margaret spends too much time stuck in the country and it really boxed things into a corner. Ack, those letters with all their treasonous plots

I am chuckling over Harriet's review. Love it when she gets stuff wrong

She is quickly widowed at thirteen and forced to marry again. This time she has a son, whom she names Henry after the king. To keep him safe she sends him away but pledges him to the daughter of the White Rose rival York family. Widowed and married this time to Lord Thomas and knowing her son is ready to take the throne from the usurper, Margaret executes a coup.

I do believe Henry came off of husband #1.

robinbird79 · Post by **robinbird79** » Mon July 26th, 2010, 7:32 pm

[quote=""Misfit""]Finished. I think PG fans will like it, or those new to the period not wanting to get overwhelmed with a chunkster like Penman's. I think she'd have done better with the third person narrative, Margaret spends too much time stuck in the country and it really boxed things into a corner. Ack, those letters with all their treasonous plots

I am chuckling over Harriet's review. Love it when she gets stuff wrong

I do believe Henry came off of husband #1.[/quote]

He did. Sigh...I really can't stand that woman.

Helen_Davis · Post by **Helen_Davis** » Mon July 26th, 2010, 11:48 pm

[quote=""robinbird79""]He did. Sigh...I really can't stand that woman.[/quote]

Who? Harriet, Philippa Gregory, or Margaret Beaufort?

robinbird79 · Post by **robinbird79** » Tue July 27th, 2010, 2:06 am

[quote=""Andromeda_Organa""]Who? Harriet, Philippa Gregory, or Margaret Beaufort?[/quote]

Hehe...that comment was aimed at Harriet. Lol! Though I didn't like Margaret in this book.

*Edit 7/27 - My review is posted on my blog.

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Tue August 3rd, 2010, 5:01 pm

I got my copy today and started reading it during lunch. I'm rather enjoying it, though I've found myself telling Margaret that I understand already that she has a destiny. I liked the scene where Jasper hangs around while baby Henry is being changed.