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halkid2's review
3.0
Three and a half stars is probably more accurate. This first in a three-novel series by Rozsa Gaston about Anne of Brittany (1477-1514) gets my resounding "OK". While I succeeded in my goal of learning more about this Duchess of Brittany and twice Queen of France -- I can't say it was as engrossing as I'd hoped.
Anne herself is an interesting character, becoming ruler of Brittany at the age of 11. Engaged at the time to Maximilian I (the Holy Roman Emperor) who provides absolutely NO aid in Anne's struggle for power and control against King Charles VIII of France -- Anne opts to solve her own problems by abandoning Maximilian and marrying Charles instead at 14 - becoming BOTH Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France. And teaching Max a good lesson.
According to Gaston, Anne and Charles' story becomes one based on true love story and mutual respect, despite many losses the two suffer together. This novel ends with the premature death of Charles (at the age of 27), setting the stage for the second novel in the series, ANNE AND LOUIS: PASSION AND POLITICS IN EARLY RENAISSANCE FRANCE. That Louis is King Louis XII of France, who succeeds Charles.
The portrait of Anne that Gaston creates is of a self-confident, highly-educated, and competent leader - with many more gifts than her older, but weaker husband. It's Anne who provides the guidance Charles needs to come into his own. That certainly made them an interesting pair - with an unusual power dynamic for Medieval Europe.
What appeals to me about historical fiction is getting to know the people who made history. So for me, the most interesting parts of this novel were those that centered on the relationships Anne had. First, with members of her family, and later, with Charles. The least appealing parts were those having to do with Charles's campaign to regain the throne of Naples and his serial infidelity.
I do plan to read the next two novels in the series - so I will know more about how the rest of Anne's life plays out. And I'm hoping they hold my interest more consistently than this one.
Anne herself is an interesting character, becoming ruler of Brittany at the age of 11. Engaged at the time to Maximilian I (the Holy Roman Emperor) who provides absolutely NO aid in Anne's struggle for power and control against King Charles VIII of France -- Anne opts to solve her own problems by abandoning Maximilian and marrying Charles instead at 14 - becoming BOTH Duchess of Brittany and Queen of France. And teaching Max a good lesson.
According to Gaston, Anne and Charles' story becomes one based on true love story and mutual respect, despite many losses the two suffer together. This novel ends with the premature death of Charles (at the age of 27), setting the stage for the second novel in the series, ANNE AND LOUIS: PASSION AND POLITICS IN EARLY RENAISSANCE FRANCE. That Louis is King Louis XII of France, who succeeds Charles.
The portrait of Anne that Gaston creates is of a self-confident, highly-educated, and competent leader - with many more gifts than her older, but weaker husband. It's Anne who provides the guidance Charles needs to come into his own. That certainly made them an interesting pair - with an unusual power dynamic for Medieval Europe.
What appeals to me about historical fiction is getting to know the people who made history. So for me, the most interesting parts of this novel were those that centered on the relationships Anne had. First, with members of her family, and later, with Charles. The least appealing parts were those having to do with Charles's campaign to regain the throne of Naples and his serial infidelity.
I do plan to read the next two novels in the series - so I will know more about how the rest of Anne's life plays out. And I'm hoping they hold my interest more consistently than this one.
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