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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Young Queens looks at the interconnected lives of three European queens - Catherine de Medici who was married the King of France, her daughter Elisabeth de Valois whose marriage made her Queen of Spain, and Mary, Queen of Scots who became Catherine's daughter-in-law and who spent much of her childhood in the French court being raised under Catherine's watch - and through them we get insight into key aspects of sixteenth century European history. Court politics, rivalries and intrigues, the focus on building up allegiances via marriage, and the importance of an heir (preferably male) ar just some of the topics covered through the eyes and letters of these three women. I was especially fascinated by Catherine and the way she worked to maximise the power that was available to her as a woman. A very smart and strategic woman. I felt sorry for the young princesses, sent from home at a young age to a foreign court, leaving them vulnerable and isolated from their own family. The misogyny of the era came through strongly, France's Salic law being a prime example. I listened on audio, which may have been a mistake. While the narration was excellent, the switching back and forward in time plus the repetition of names (Elizabeth I is featured and there are lots of Henrys) means print may have been a better choice. Undoubtedly a well-researched and well-written book, but possibly a bit long and overly detailed for my interest level.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
nesspadfield's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Not usually one for non fiction but I loved the pace and the tone. Didn't feel boring at all.
chaoticmissadventures's review against another edition
3.5
This is good. I do not recommend it on audio - too much jumping timelines, too many Marys and (K) Catherines. It is much easier to understand in physical form.
While I thought it was interesting and well written it was a bit hard to keep track of everything, I fully understand that Nancy Goldstone has ruined me for these sorts of books all Empress books I compare to hers. Good not great.
While I thought it was interesting and well written it was a bit hard to keep track of everything, I fully understand that Nancy Goldstone has ruined me for these sorts of books all Empress books I compare to hers. Good not great.
ejwilf98's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.25
This was interesting, but the fact Redmond Chang focused on three women often forced her to jump backwards and forwards in time, which made some sections of the book feel confusing and/or repetitive. I think that may just be a necessary evil of the genre/I don’t know how she could have avoided it exactly, but still got a bit tiring.
I also felt like it ended quite abruptly (upon Elisabeth’s death, basically before Mary’s imprisonment and the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre) and with a weird shift of focus to Elizabeth Tudor instead of the titular three queens in the epilogue.
I also felt like it ended quite abruptly (upon Elisabeth’s death, basically before Mary’s imprisonment and the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre) and with a weird shift of focus to Elizabeth Tudor instead of the titular three queens in the epilogue.