Review of Deborah Cadbury's "The Lost King"

Before starting this, I suspected to read the usual history of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, with the odd reference to their son, the uncrowned Louis XVII. Yet once we pass Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s executions – or murders, as I consider them – we have much more focus on their unfortunate son. The treatment this little boy endured during Revolutionary France was the stuff nightmares are made of. Imagine being nine or ten years old, locked in a small room with no toys, books, or any form of occupation; with no visitors, except for rats attracted to the smell of human waste; imagine living in that room among that human waste for eight months and you have an idea of that little boy’s never-ending horror. The narrative continues after poor Louis XVII’s death. His sister did survive the Reign of Terror, but for the rest of her life she endured the mental torture of men claiming to be her brother – claiming they escaped and that the boy who died was an imposter. Over 100 pretenders came forward, some of whom were convincing, one in particular. I won’t delve any further here to avoid spoilers, but it makes for fascinating reading. The DNA angle comes in towards the end of the book. I’m not a lover of forensic science, but the material here is fascinating and easy to follow. The results were revealed to the public several years ago, but I knew nothing of this, so reading about it was highly intriguing. I’ve read a lot about Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and a couple of books on their daughter, but knew virtually nothing about Louis XVII, which made this an engrossing read for me. Waxworks of the boy who should've been king with his parents & sister

Synopsis of " White Rose Blossoms": An Alternative History of Richard III's Children

White Rose Blossoms is a fast-paced adventure story with sword fights, poison, and pestilence. Nothing is easy, nobody is safe.

This alternate history of Richard III and Henry VII opens during the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Halfway through an all-out charge against Henry, Richard changes tactics and retreats. 

Wounded, Richard escapes and goes into hiding with several loyal men, namely Sir Francis Lovell, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and Sir Robert Brackenbury. These men protect Richard during his recovery whilst planning to raise an army to dethrone Henry.

Richard’s illegitimate children – Sir John of Gloucester and Lady Katherine, Countess of Huntingdon – disguise themselves as peasants to avoid Henry’s soldiers. They also face the more dangerous threat of Katherine’s husband who wants to sever all ties to the fallen king, which includes Katherine. 

Synopsis of "The Marquise of Darkness: A Novel of Madame de Brinvilliers"

 

Set in seventeenth-century France, The Marquise of Darkness is based on the real-life exploits and crimes of poisoner Marie-Madeleine d’Aubray, Marquise de Brinvilliers.

Madeleine is married to luckless gambler Antoine who, in 1660, receives a marquisate. While Madeleine is happy to receive the title of Marquise de Brinvilliers, she despairs as her husband wastes their fortune.

Rankled by his adulterous affairs, she takes lovers of her own, the foremost being the dashing Chevalier Godin de Sainte-Croix. Sainte-Croix is the ultimate charmer, yet his handsome face masks the darkness within him.

Sainte-Croix persuades Madeleine to help fund his secret business of dealing untraceable poisons to anyone wanting rid of an enemy or to kill a rich relative to gain an inheritance.

It’s an inheritance that Madeleine needs, thanks to her husband’s continual losses at the card table. For the plan to succeed, Madeleine must poison a family member with her own hands.

Madeleine and Sainte-Croix commit numerous atrocities for financial gain, or to settle scores. They stop at nothing to get what they want, be it via seduction, strangulation, shooting, poisoning, or arson.

Sainte-Croix employs six mercenary servants, with the most formidable being La Chaussée, who will perform any vicious act for money. This dangerous man is the perfect killing tool. Combined, La Chaussée, Sainte-Croix, and Madeleine are a triumvirate of evil.

In the background of all the poisonings, sex, and violence are Madeleine’s five children. She loves her eldest son and daughter, but three illegitimate children are less favoured.

Louis, one of two boys fathered by Sainte-Croix, idolises his mother. Louis yearns for the love she gives to his eldest siblings.

Marie, sired by Madeleine’s cousin, is shy and ugly. This she could live with if her mother would spare her a little kindness. The older Marie grows, the deeper Madeleine’s resentment towards her becomes. Can Marie find a way to earn her mother’s love, or will she become victim to Madeleine’s dark nature?

Review of "Children of England: The Heirs of King Henry VIII 1547-1558"

 

One of the most appealing aspects about this lengthy tome is the author’s ability to write similar to how someone presenting a history documentary might talk. In other words, this doesn’t feature an academic-type of tone, or have a mundane textbook feel.

As a reader of Alison Weir’s fiction and non-fiction works I’m not surprised by the engaging writing style. Also, her in-depth research is most admirable without being tedious.

I was previously quite familiar with this period of English history but this didn’t make the text any less interesting – or in some cases shocking, such as the 300 or so people burnt at the stake for having a difference in religious faith to Mary I, especially those who took 45 minutes to burn, and the woman who gave birth whilst at the stake and whose new-born baby was thrown back into the flames.

“Bloody” Mary does occupy the bulk of this volume, owing to Edward VI leading a short life, as did the highly unfortunate Lady Jane Grey, who deserves the utmost sympathy for the unnecessarily cruel life she endured.

As for Elizabeth I, we see her life up to and straight after her sister Mary’s death. She features prominently throughout the pages of this book, just as she featured prominently and uncertainly during Mary I’s reign.

This is well worth reading from anyone interested in the lesser-known Tudor monarchs who ruled between Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Review of Jean Plaidy's "Flaunting, Extravagant Queen"

 

Having read a biography of Marie Antoinette, I think this fictional account of this fascinating woman is a damn good read. Jean Plaidy has done a great job of bringing Marie Antoinette to life, along with Louis XVI.

The author focuses on many of the most important aspects of this frightening period of French history, mixing in some trivialities, which gives a more rounded story. In reality, Marie Antoinette's final few years were much more drawn-out and wretched than how they are portrayed here. That said, enough events feature here to still make the reader feel the utmost sympathy for Marie Antoinette and her family.

The author does a good job in showing the transition of the "Flaunting, Extravagant Queen" to a loyal wife and mother, who all her life is - in the eyes of lookers-on - damned in whatever she does, and damned in whatever she doesn't.

Waxwork of Marie Antoinette