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wildwolverine's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Jean Plaidy creates a captivating portrait of a powerful and complex woman with simple and stirring language. While I don't always agree or like what Mary does or decides, I understand her. Plaidy does a good job of delving into her mind and drawing forth a woman with her own distinct fears and desires. That is all I ask when I read a book.
The most captivating thing about this novel is reading how Mary grows out of worshipping her father. It truly is a coming of age novel. One wonders, if Mary had been raised in modern times, if she would have grown more into herself, as she seemed to be doing by the end of the novel. As it were, her life is pretty sad. Imagine spending your whole life at the mercy of some ambitious men who can't read a room to save their lives. They don't respect you, and you're never good enough. In many ways, Mary was a victim of her circumstances, and Plaidy did a marvelous job capturing that.
This book is easy to read and is a great introduction to the English Restoration. I learned so much and enjoyed it too. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers!
The most captivating thing about this novel is reading how Mary grows out of worshipping her father. It truly is a coming of age novel. One wonders, if Mary had been raised in modern times, if she would have grown more into herself, as she seemed to be doing by the end of the novel. As it were, her life is pretty sad. Imagine spending your whole life at the mercy of some ambitious men who can't read a room to save their lives. They don't respect you, and you're never good enough. In many ways, Mary was a victim of her circumstances, and Plaidy did a marvelous job capturing that.
This book is easy to read and is a great introduction to the English Restoration. I learned so much and enjoyed it too. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers!
psitssarahhhh's review against another edition
1.0
I reviewed this book when I initially read it a few years ago. Below is my original review!
So based on the summery, I thought that this would be a passionate, fast paced read that would tug my heartstrings a little bit.
Not so. I didn’t like the book, and for a few reasons. One, the narration seemed to be repetitive and just… slow. I’m sure the book was pretty historically accurate, however, I guess I have come to expect a bit more drama in books like this.
Second, I hate whiny women as a narrator. That sounds terrible. But I do. I will always lean towards a strong, independent woman narrator. And if she can’t be independent, at least a free THINKER. So when the character went on another rant about how lonely she was, or how content she was when she was reading her books or about the choice she had to make… eh… I just couldn’t be bothered. I wouldn’t pass this book on.
So based on the summery, I thought that this would be a passionate, fast paced read that would tug my heartstrings a little bit.
Not so. I didn’t like the book, and for a few reasons. One, the narration seemed to be repetitive and just… slow. I’m sure the book was pretty historically accurate, however, I guess I have come to expect a bit more drama in books like this.
Second, I hate whiny women as a narrator. That sounds terrible. But I do. I will always lean towards a strong, independent woman narrator. And if she can’t be independent, at least a free THINKER. So when the character went on another rant about how lonely she was, or how content she was when she was reading her books or about the choice she had to make… eh… I just couldn’t be bothered. I wouldn’t pass this book on.
crookedbookstagram's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed William's Wife by Jean Plaidy, also published under The Queen's Devotion. This is the 10th book in the Queens of England series and the first Plaidy book I've read and I'm so glad that, for me, she lived up to the hype. Queen Mary, however, was a little annoying. She didn't seem to have the ability to stand up to William when it was her that was the rightful ruler. She had a few moments when I thought she was coming into her own but... well, that's all I'll say so I don't give out any 'spoilers' but for me, the characters were okay while the writing was great. It was not only the first Plaidy book I've read but also the first about William and Mary. I'm excited to read more about them.
jennifertudor's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed William's Wife by Jean Plaidy, also published under The Queen's Devotion. This is the 10th book in the Queens of England series and the first Plaidy book I've read and I'm so glad that, for me, she lived up to the hype. Queen Mary, however, was a little annoying. She didn't seem to have the ability to stand up to William when it was her that was the rightful ruler. She had a few moments when I thought she was coming into her own but... well, that's all I'll say so I don't give out any 'spoilers' but for me, the characters were okay while the writing was great. It was not only the first Plaidy book I've read but also the first about William and Mary. I'm excited to read more about them.
readerbug2's review
4.0
Once again, Jean Plaidy creates a captivating portrait of a powerful and complex woman with simple and stirring language. While I don't always agree or like what Mary does or decides, I understand her. Plaidy does a good job of delving into her mind and drawing forth a woman with her own distinct fears and desires. That is all I ask when I read a book.
The most captivating thing about this novel is reading how Mary grows out of worshipping her father. It truly is a coming of age novel. One wonders, if Mary had been raised in modern times, if she would have grown more into herself, as she seemed to be doing by the end of the novel. As it were, her life is pretty sad. Imagine spending your whole life at the mercy of some ambitious men who can't read a room to save their lives. They don't respect you, and you're never good enough. In many ways, Mary was a victim of her circumstances, and Plaidy did a marvelous job capturing that.
This book is easy to read and is a great introduction to the English Restoration. I learned so much and enjoyed it too. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers!
The most captivating thing about this novel is reading how Mary grows out of worshipping her father. It truly is a coming of age novel. One wonders, if Mary had been raised in modern times, if she would have grown more into herself, as she seemed to be doing by the end of the novel. As it were, her life is pretty sad. Imagine spending your whole life at the mercy of some ambitious men who can't read a room to save their lives. They don't respect you, and you're never good enough. In many ways, Mary was a victim of her circumstances, and Plaidy did a marvelous job capturing that.
This book is easy to read and is a great introduction to the English Restoration. I learned so much and enjoyed it too. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers!
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