Series
Publication
Broadway Books (2007), Edition: Reprint, 464 pages
Original publication date
1990
Collections
Subjects
Description
In 1470, a reluctant Lady Anne Neville is betrothed by her father, the politically ambitious Earl of Warwick, to Edward, Prince of Wales. A gentle yet fiercely intelligent woman, Anne has already given her heart to the prince's younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Unable to oppose her father's will, she finds herself in line for the throne of England--an obligation that she does not want. Yet fate intervenes when Edward is killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Anne suddenly finds herself free to marry the man she loves--and who loves her in return. The ceremony is held at Westminster Abbey, and the duke and duchess make a happy home at Middleham Castle, where both spent much of their childhood. Their life is idyllic, until the reigning king dies and a whirlwind of dynastic maneuvering leads to his children being declared illegitimate. Richard inherits the throne as King Richard III, and Anne is crowned queen consort, a destiny she thought she had successfully avoided. Her husband's reign lasts two years, two months, and two days--and in that short time Anne witnesses the true toll that wearing the crown takes on Richard, the last king from the House of York.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mhleigh
This is the story of the wife of Richard III of England. Although he is often cast as a villain in history, in this book he is more tragic, misguided, but well intentioned than anything else. Anne and Richard fell in love as children, and due to a series of strange circumstances, are able to marry.
Quote: "My thoughts were all for Richard and some time later I was to hear the truth of all this from his lips. Then I learned how near he had come to failure; and had things gone against him at this time our lives might have turned out to be entirely different."
This is a pretty good historical novel - even though the princes in the tower are only vaguely referenced toward the end of the work, enough evidence is presented throughout the narrative that the reader is presented with a large number of people who could be responsible for the deaths of the heirs to the English throne. Richard III is the last monarch from the house of York, and the events before and after his death lead to the famous Tudors coming into power, and many were working for this possibility. Overall I found it to be very balanced - Richard is neither a monster, nor a saint, just a basically decent guy who is altered by power.
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However, when Richard unexpectedly comes into power, the happy life the couple built for themselves is thrown into disarray and they find that positions of power are perhaps not all they are cracked up to be.Quote: "My thoughts were all for Richard and some time later I was to hear the truth of all this from his lips. Then I learned how near he had come to failure; and had things gone against him at this time our lives might have turned out to be entirely different."
This is a pretty good historical novel - even though the princes in the tower are only vaguely referenced toward the end of the work, enough evidence is presented throughout the narrative that the reader is presented with a large number of people who could be responsible for the deaths of the heirs to the English throne. Richard III is the last monarch from the house of York, and the events before and after his death lead to the famous Tudors coming into power, and many were working for this possibility. Overall I found it to be very balanced - Richard is neither a monster, nor a saint, just a basically decent guy who is altered by power.
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LibraryThing member LucyB.
Anne Neville, second – born daughter of Richard, the Earl of Warwick met Richard at Middleham Castle when they were young children. Anne immediately befriended the reserved and frail-looking boy. The bond and friendship they shared grew into a relationship of caring, trust and love that would
Of course in between all of this we relive the making (by the Kingmaker Warwick, Anne’s father) of Edward lV; the descent of Henry Vl, the Woodvilles, Margaret of Anjou, the treasons and the tragic deaths. As fate would have it, nothing went smoothly. It was, after all, the time of the War of the Roses…
I very much enjoyed this book as it took me through Edward lV’s reign and the details of his family, which of course included his brother Richard. Much of Richard’s personality is seen through the eyes of Anne, as are the rest of the characters in this novel. Consequently, I began seeing many of the historical figures encountered in this novel, from a different perspective. Anne was a keen judge of characters who portrays Richard as a loyal brother to the King, as well as a fair and just man, but, also a caring and devoted husband. Anne immediately recognizes Richard’s brother, George, who was also her sister’s husband, as the devious and scheming character that he was. Through Anne’s eyes, I became a loyal Yorkist who admired King Edward and his charming good ways. Margaret of Anjou, detested at first, became an understanding woman capable of showing compassion and care when Anne became close to her during her short betrothal to this Queen’s son. I despised the whole Woodville clan, starting with Elizabeth Woodville, Edward lV’s Queen.
Anne Neville, in all her simplicity, succeeded in being admired by all. She was a loving and loyal wife to whom Richard confided all his worries and intentions. She was a doting mother who cared and worried constantly for the health of her son. Her own health was very frail but this did not keep her from wanting to be by her husband and son and fulfilling all of her duties. Towards the end of the book is where Anne’s personality takes on a less affirmative role. Much of her self confidence is lost to the persuasion that Richard wants to be rid of her, only to replace her by his own niece, Elizabeth of York, King Edward’s daughter.
This obsession consumes her as she slowly convinces herself that the only reason Richard ever married her, was for her to produce an heir to his throne. Towards the very end of the novel there is a climatic moment revealing much of what Anne suspects of both Richard and Elizabeth, his niece. Plaidy ties this exceptionally well by setting the mood; where anticipated celebration is destroyed by what Anne believes to be obvious deception. I felt her torment, and her spirit crush.
The story moved along at a very good pace. I must admit though, that some transitions seemed a bit ‘cut-off’ (especially in cases of tragic moments and deaths). These, I believe could have used a few more lines that would have made the episode much less mechanical, while providing the reader with more feeling for the moment. On the other hand, a story with such tremendous continuous evolvement could not have been told without these needed constraints.
The title for this novel is perfectly suited. No other word but ‘Reluctant’ could have better described how Anne felt as a Queen. Plaidy delivered once again in terms of historical accuracy and depiction of characters; even when seen from another perspective. Although The Reluctant Queen was not passionate enough to move me to tears, this Plaidy novel is outstanding in terms of capturing the historical essence of the time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone needing clarification of the many historical figures and events that happened during the War of the Roses (which can, at times, be so confusing).
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eventually bring them to marriage, a coronation, a son, to culminate with the early death of Anne, at age 42.Of course in between all of this we relive the making (by the Kingmaker Warwick, Anne’s father) of Edward lV; the descent of Henry Vl, the Woodvilles, Margaret of Anjou, the treasons and the tragic deaths. As fate would have it, nothing went smoothly. It was, after all, the time of the War of the Roses…
I very much enjoyed this book as it took me through Edward lV’s reign and the details of his family, which of course included his brother Richard. Much of Richard’s personality is seen through the eyes of Anne, as are the rest of the characters in this novel. Consequently, I began seeing many of the historical figures encountered in this novel, from a different perspective. Anne was a keen judge of characters who portrays Richard as a loyal brother to the King, as well as a fair and just man, but, also a caring and devoted husband. Anne immediately recognizes Richard’s brother, George, who was also her sister’s husband, as the devious and scheming character that he was. Through Anne’s eyes, I became a loyal Yorkist who admired King Edward and his charming good ways. Margaret of Anjou, detested at first, became an understanding woman capable of showing compassion and care when Anne became close to her during her short betrothal to this Queen’s son. I despised the whole Woodville clan, starting with Elizabeth Woodville, Edward lV’s Queen.
Anne Neville, in all her simplicity, succeeded in being admired by all. She was a loving and loyal wife to whom Richard confided all his worries and intentions. She was a doting mother who cared and worried constantly for the health of her son. Her own health was very frail but this did not keep her from wanting to be by her husband and son and fulfilling all of her duties. Towards the end of the book is where Anne’s personality takes on a less affirmative role. Much of her self confidence is lost to the persuasion that Richard wants to be rid of her, only to replace her by his own niece, Elizabeth of York, King Edward’s daughter.
This obsession consumes her as she slowly convinces herself that the only reason Richard ever married her, was for her to produce an heir to his throne. Towards the very end of the novel there is a climatic moment revealing much of what Anne suspects of both Richard and Elizabeth, his niece. Plaidy ties this exceptionally well by setting the mood; where anticipated celebration is destroyed by what Anne believes to be obvious deception. I felt her torment, and her spirit crush.
The story moved along at a very good pace. I must admit though, that some transitions seemed a bit ‘cut-off’ (especially in cases of tragic moments and deaths). These, I believe could have used a few more lines that would have made the episode much less mechanical, while providing the reader with more feeling for the moment. On the other hand, a story with such tremendous continuous evolvement could not have been told without these needed constraints.
The title for this novel is perfectly suited. No other word but ‘Reluctant’ could have better described how Anne felt as a Queen. Plaidy delivered once again in terms of historical accuracy and depiction of characters; even when seen from another perspective. Although The Reluctant Queen was not passionate enough to move me to tears, this Plaidy novel is outstanding in terms of capturing the historical essence of the time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone needing clarification of the many historical figures and events that happened during the War of the Roses (which can, at times, be so confusing).
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LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
“The Reluctant Queen” is Anne Neville, second daughter of the famous “King Maker”, the Earl of Warrick, and wife of England’s controversial King Richard III.
We see the Wars of the Roses through Anne’s eyes. At least that’s the idea. In fact, for much of the time we read Anne’s
The problem with this is that it creates a passive story. We hear reported speech. We’re “told” instead of “shown”.
After detailing much of Anne’s early life, the author skips on to about a decade later. Why? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have cut – or at least reduced – the amount of the other characters’ back stories and focused on her heroine?
This is a first-person narrative, thus one expects to experience that character’s life, not hear second-hand accounts of the other cast members’ past endeavours.
Okay, you may argue that Ms Plaidy skipped over ten years or so because she felt nothing much of interest happened during that time, or because so little is known of Anne Neville from that period, but this is where an author with a good imagination conjures up something to entertain the reader.
She proves she can do this during a spell were Anne winds up in a cookshop. This is the least likely section in the whole book to hold any truth, yet it’s one of the most engaging parts. This could’ve been expanded and made even better.
Novels that feature Richard III tend to be either for or against the former king. Few strike a realistic balance. Some authors paint him too black, and Ms Plaidy is one who paints him too white. This doesn’t ruin her characterisation of Richard by any means, but it does spoil it a little.
I’ve read many different books on the Wars of the Roses – fiction and non-fiction – and this one ranks somewhere in the middle. Despite all the above criticisms, “The Reluctant Queen” does have merit, and it was worthwhile reading it … but just the once.
We see the Wars of the Roses through Anne’s eyes. At least that’s the idea. In fact, for much of the time we read Anne’s
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second-hand account of events. Sometimes this is done via dialogue, such as when Margaret of Anjou relates her early years with Henry VI, all of which is more for the reader’s benefit than Anne’s, while it’s not really significant to Anne’s story. Other times we have Anne saying, “I heard later …” or “Richard told me that …”, which is sometimes necessary, but often it’s not.The problem with this is that it creates a passive story. We hear reported speech. We’re “told” instead of “shown”.
After detailing much of Anne’s early life, the author skips on to about a decade later. Why? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have cut – or at least reduced – the amount of the other characters’ back stories and focused on her heroine?
This is a first-person narrative, thus one expects to experience that character’s life, not hear second-hand accounts of the other cast members’ past endeavours.
Okay, you may argue that Ms Plaidy skipped over ten years or so because she felt nothing much of interest happened during that time, or because so little is known of Anne Neville from that period, but this is where an author with a good imagination conjures up something to entertain the reader.
She proves she can do this during a spell were Anne winds up in a cookshop. This is the least likely section in the whole book to hold any truth, yet it’s one of the most engaging parts. This could’ve been expanded and made even better.
Novels that feature Richard III tend to be either for or against the former king. Few strike a realistic balance. Some authors paint him too black, and Ms Plaidy is one who paints him too white. This doesn’t ruin her characterisation of Richard by any means, but it does spoil it a little.
I’ve read many different books on the Wars of the Roses – fiction and non-fiction – and this one ranks somewhere in the middle. Despite all the above criticisms, “The Reluctant Queen” does have merit, and it was worthwhile reading it … but just the once.
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LibraryThing member classyhomemaker
Once again, I really enjoyed this historical read by Jean Plaidy. I know there are lots of options out there for books on the history of the monarchy and many say these aren't the best options, but I really love it that they're clean and chock full of history.
When I read the back-o'-the-book
The story runs the whole course of Anne's life and, as per usual for Plaidy, she's a young and inquisitive teen who turns into a very strong and influential wife over her husband. I liked reading about Anne's friendship with Margaret d'Anjou---it reminded me of my own relationship with my step-mother-in-law. Once she became romantically involved with Richard, the story took the usual Plaidy turn, having him being mostly good and making many decisions based on his love for her. I think this is overly romanticized but I do like it that the author tends to see the best in everyone. I'm looking forward to ordering and reading the next in this series of the queens of England.
When I read the back-o'-the-book
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blurb, I thought it sounded very sympathetic to Richard III. I've never really liked him and must admit I think he's good for the death of his nephews. However, I was willing to give the story a chance to change my mind. To be honest---I still think he's guilty.The story runs the whole course of Anne's life and, as per usual for Plaidy, she's a young and inquisitive teen who turns into a very strong and influential wife over her husband. I liked reading about Anne's friendship with Margaret d'Anjou---it reminded me of my own relationship with my step-mother-in-law. Once she became romantically involved with Richard, the story took the usual Plaidy turn, having him being mostly good and making many decisions based on his love for her. I think this is overly romanticized but I do like it that the author tends to see the best in everyone. I'm looking forward to ordering and reading the next in this series of the queens of England.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0307346153 / 9780307346155
Physical description
464 p.; 5.24 inches
Pages
464