The White Queen
2009 • 415 pages

Ratings41

Average rating3.6

15

I have been a huge fan of Phillipa Gregory's Tudor novels looking at the women affected through the reign of Henry VIII and his daughters after him. I have loved them all but read them already knowing much of the historical background and characters.

I don't however have any real background on the War of the Roses and thought that this time I would allow Greogry to enlighten me. This is a good book in that I did learn much more about the story of the Princes in the Tower and from the viewpoint of their mother Elizabeth Woodville. There are points of the book I was absolutely engrossed and then others where I found myself skim reading. Lots and lots of ups and downs - one minute their at peace - the next at war - the next at peace...it's difficult to keep track of who's fighting who and who's on which side as they all keep changing allegience.

This is probably very historically accurate but it doesn't always make for engrossing reading. I'm glad I read this book as it has helped me to put into context the years leading up to the time I was interested in - Tudor times - hoping the next book is slightly more compelling though.

September 3, 2009Report this review