Scan barcode
daniealexa_c_s's review against another edition
3.0
Si bien el repentino amor incomprendido de Catalina por Enrique fue muy decepcionante, el resto del libro se desarrolló bien. Seguiré leyendo la saga por interés histórico
readerjenn's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kellygoesgeocaching's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book a little agonising because you never quite feel the triumph of the protagonist and you spend most of it wringing your hands along with her. Otherwise, the character development was good, the storyline was interesting and I enjoyed catching up with the Medici family a few generations past the ones I'd studied at school.
amylikestoread's review against another edition
3.0
I found this one a little slow although I did enjoy it overall. This one stayed mostly to the perspective of Catherine de Medici which helped the immersion more than having multiple povs. I did find Catherine irritating at times with her obsession over Henry. I plan to read the next two books in the trilogy eventually.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
3 (hundred) repetitive declarations of love and jealousy
gittav's review against another edition
2.0
Very quick read with uncomplicated language and plot. Entertaining for it's romantic history fiction qualities but not meant to be a serious narrative that stays close to fact. This book lacks its exploration of the relationship Catherine de' Medici had with her husband by focussing solely on the "woe is me" romantic aspect and never addresses the political or social aspects of her marriage.
The internal dialogue of Catherine's throughout the book is indulgent, downright pathetic and based on sheer speculation. Decent enough to read in between Christmas dinners, cooking and other engagements as it was neither thought-provoking nor educational.
So much more could've been done with the complexity of the historic events of the king having a mistress for the entire duration of his marriage. Perhaps it's due to the period this was written in - 1950s - but so much more could've been explored. The passivity of Catherine de' Medici made for the ease of reading this. Not much happens, not much is said. Shame as the dynamic could've made for such a more vibrant piece of historic fiction.
Will not be recommending this to anyone. 2 stars as it at least stayed within the realm of factual events, appropriate language and mannerisms.
Feel free to recommend if someone knows of a good piece of fiction/non-fiction regarding this unusual marriage.
The internal dialogue of Catherine's throughout the book is indulgent, downright pathetic and based on sheer speculation. Decent enough to read in between Christmas dinners, cooking and other engagements as it was neither thought-provoking nor educational.
So much more could've been done with the complexity of the historic events of the king having a mistress for the entire duration of his marriage. Perhaps it's due to the period this was written in - 1950s - but so much more could've been explored. The passivity of Catherine de' Medici made for the ease of reading this. Not much happens, not much is said. Shame as the dynamic could've made for such a more vibrant piece of historic fiction.
Will not be recommending this to anyone. 2 stars as it at least stayed within the realm of factual events, appropriate language and mannerisms.
Feel free to recommend if someone knows of a good piece of fiction/non-fiction regarding this unusual marriage.
sabregirl's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars. This was...I'm not sure. I guess the book was good? It was almost at times a weird stream of consciousness where the paragraph would change suddenly to someone else and then switch back. Catherine would be annoying sometimes and unbearable. I want to read the other books to see if they get better but I'm not in a rush.
cher_n_books's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - It was good.
Good enough that I plan to continue the trilogy.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: If you do not try very hard to please people, often you can please them more.
First Sentences: At Amboise the French court was en fete.
Good enough that I plan to continue the trilogy.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: If you do not try very hard to please people, often you can please them more.
First Sentences: At Amboise the French court was en fete.
lucysmith13's review against another edition
4.0
The first in the Catherine de Medici series by Jean Plaidy, Madame Serpent introduces us to the infamous Queen of France, and charts her journey from the daughter of the influential Medicis of Florence to mother of the Kings of France.
Catherine de Medici is both well known and unknown - heard of by many but her life understood less so - and Plaidy's novel gives us an insight into what she went through, and may offer explanations as to why she was so ruthless in her later years. Plaidy is able to present the stages in Catherine's life in a fascinating and engaging way, contrasting her early years in Italy with the atmosphere of the French court and the pain of marriage to an uninterested husband. Told from multiple points of view (mainly Catherine and Henry), at times you do actually feel sorry for Catherine, as she deals with multiple trials and slights. Yet gradually over time, the changes in her personality and attitudes become evident, as she transforms into a formidable political power. Excellent writing from Plaidy and a brilliant insight into one of the most famous women in history.
Catherine de Medici is both well known and unknown - heard of by many but her life understood less so - and Plaidy's novel gives us an insight into what she went through, and may offer explanations as to why she was so ruthless in her later years. Plaidy is able to present the stages in Catherine's life in a fascinating and engaging way, contrasting her early years in Italy with the atmosphere of the French court and the pain of marriage to an uninterested husband. Told from multiple points of view (mainly Catherine and Henry), at times you do actually feel sorry for Catherine, as she deals with multiple trials and slights. Yet gradually over time, the changes in her personality and attitudes become evident, as she transforms into a formidable political power. Excellent writing from Plaidy and a brilliant insight into one of the most famous women in history.
cuavia's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5