The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
audiobook
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio in 2009
ISBN-13: 9780743582292
Type: {Beach Read: fluffy, mindless, or easy to read.}
Rating: {I’m Lovin’ It: Very entertaining!}
Why You’re Reading It:
- You are a fan of Philippa Gregory
- You prefer fast paced historical fiction
- You’re looking for something to keep you occupied in the car (audio version)
What I Thought:
The White Queen was a perfect pick as an audio book. It kept my attention in the car and I was eager to get back to it each time I had somewhere to drive. Philippa Gregory does a good job of merging the entertainment factor with historical details. The narrator, Elizabeth Woodville, was the wife of Edward IV and the mother of the two heirs (young boys) who went missing in the Tower of London in the 15th century. (If you ever go to the Tower, you can actually visit the room where they spent their last night). This book takes place during, and fictionalizes, the infamous War of the Roses in England and is full of lust, war, deceit, magic, and ambition. (Side note: Elizabeth Woodville was also the grandmother of Henry VIII, who is not featured in this book, but his mother, and Elizabeth’s daugher- Elizabeth of York – plays a role).
I recommend this as an audiobook with the mention that the narrator uses somewhat of a formal voice, which tends to make the characters sound quite old even though they are actually young throughout most of the story. That’s easily overlooked by the fact that the plot is engaging and fluid.
Books like this (and TV shows like the Tudors) both intrigue me and make me incredibly grateful that our world doesn’t function in the same way it used to. So much killing on a whim, and extraordinary power in very few hands with no repercussions. Terrifying! It was almost as if no one was safe. (I think I can honestly say I would have rather been a commoner, because they seemed ten times safer than nobility – with all their jealousy and scheming).
Other Books in this Series:
Book #2: The Red Queen (published 2010)
Book #3: The Lady of the Rivers (expected publication in October 2011)
Other Books by this Author:
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Boleyn Inheritance
The Queen’s Fool
The Constant Princess
…and more.
Have you read any Philippa Gregory (or this book, in particular)? Share your favorite below!
I LOVE The Queen Gregory, as you know – so pleased you enjoyed this! You are right – perfect summer read – sheer entertainment, though how much of it is actually accurate is probably up for dispute
Yes, I thought of you when checking this one out. I figured if you like her, she must be good. And yes, I agree… the accuracy is probably not, well… accurate.
I have never read Philippa Gregory, but this new series sounds like a good place to start!
If you want juicy, quick reads – she’s a pretty good place to start!
I have tried and tried to like Gregory’s books because I love historical fiction but man I can not get into them! Everyone else sure seems to love them though!
I have authors like that too (that tons of people love but I don’t). There are so many authors out there that are great, why bother with the ones you really don’t care for. Who are some of your favorite historical fiction authors?
I’ve read all of PG’s books… this one and The Constant Princess were my least favorites of hers.:(
Good to know… that means I will probably really like the other ones if they are even better than this! I borrowed The Red Queen from the library today – so that’s my next Gregory book.
I read the The Other Boleyn Girl and really liked it but at the same time I wanted to know more about the Tudors without having to wonder what was fiction and what wasn’t. By chance I happened upon “Elizabeth and Mary” by Jane Dunn while perusing a bookstore while on vacation in the UK. Excellent book! It’s based on the letters between Elizabeth Tudor and Mary Queen of Scots. I highly recommend it. You learn so much about both queens, the history and the times they were living in, and still have a lot of juicy castle intrigue, etc..to keep it entertaining.
Ooooh, I’m going to GR right now to add it to my list. Thanks!