The People's Queen by Vanora Bennett

[Leo62]

Finished already Miss M? Sorry I've been lagging behind - have reached around the half-way point - Alice and Chaucer are having a fling, and Alice is clearly heading for a fall...

[quote=""Miss Moppet""]
What fascinates me is John's repudiation of Katherine - in the Seton Katherine left of her own accord for religious reasons, but VB's author's note says that the initiative came from John and that he referred to her as a 'she-devil.' But later on married her. So was it all for show and did they secretly have an understanding, or did he genuinely turn against her?[/quote]

Either way, it makes him look like a s*&t. Like a modern politician who will say anything and backstab anyone to hold onto power.

[cw gortner]

I keep trying to buy this one via Book Depository and it's always out of stock, but Alibris has it listed as in stock! Maddening.

However, I'm going to have to read it. I liked Campion's take but would enjoy a different interpretation, plus I have enjoyed Bennett's work in the past.

[Leo62]

I'm bailing on p.320. Just can't really engage with either the situation or the characters - not sure if it's me or the book, cos I enjoyed her other stuff. Will give it another try sometime...

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""Leo62""]I'm bailing on p.320. Just can't really engage with either the situation or the characters - not sure if it's me or the book, cos I enjoyed her other stuff. Will give it another try sometime...[/quote]

I just checked the book to find out where you were up to and I have to say I thought there was a definite sag at that point. I was confused as to why she decided to describe Alice's first trial through Chaucer's viewpoint rather than Alice's or at a stretch, John of Gaunt's. Alice gets arrested offstage as if she were a minor character. It does get better though.

[EC2]

I thought the pace sagged too and from what I remember it sounds to be at about that stage.

[Leo62]

I definitely *will* go back to it. I have to agree, Alice seems to be sidelined at times, considering she's supposed to be the main character! I've just got Fall of Giants from the library and I'm going to have to get through it in three weeks, so once that's done I'll try to get back to PQ.

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""Leo62""]I definitely *will* go back to it. I have to agree, Alice seems to be sidelined at times, considering she's supposed to be the main character! I've just got Fall of Giants from the library and I'm going to have to get through it in three weeks, so once that's done I'll try to get back to PQ.[/quote]

I almost wondered at one point if VB didn't get more interested in Chaucer than she was in Alice, but had to keep Alice as the main focus because most HF readers are women, etc, etc...Not sure I'm right about that though.

Hope you enjoy Fall of Giants. Great to see this kind of saga making a comeback.

[Leo62]

[quote=""Miss Moppet""]I almost wondered at one point if VB didn't get more interested in Chaucer than she was in Alice, but had to keep Alice as the main focus because most HF readers are women, etc, etc...Not sure I'm right about that though.
[/quote]

Oh I think you are - it permeates the whole novel. I'm not sure why though - her characterisation of Chaucer doesn't exactly portray him as a riveting personality...

[Miss Moppet]

[quote=""Leo62""]Oh I think you are - it permeates the whole novel. I'm not sure why though - her characterisation of Chaucer doesn't exactly portray him as a riveting personality...[/quote]

Yes, and given the amount of page space he gets, that's one problem with the book. I thought he seemed far too naive for someone who had lived his whole life at court.