A review by lucysmith13
The Italian Woman by Jean Plaidy
4.0
Pop Sugar Challenge 2020 prompt: A book with a three word title
I was first introduced to Jean Plaidy when I bought [b:The Royal Road to Fotheringhay (Stuart Saga, #1)|1327490|The Royal Road to Fotheringhay (Stuart Saga, #1) (Mary Stuart, #1)|Jean Plaidy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356131470l/1327490._SY75_.jpg|647701], which I loved, and she doesn't fail to disappoint in The Italian Woman, the second book in a trilogy about Catherine de Medici.
Catherine is probably a historical figure that most of us have heard of but don't know much about, and this book deals with the middle period of her life - when her sons were on the throne of France. The novel is actually told from the point of view of Jeanne of Navarre, a distant relation by marriage of Catherine's through her late father in law. Jeanne is of the same generation of Catherine, yet her life is so different to Catherine's - Jeanne has a happy marriage and her children love her. But the machinations of Catherine de Medici touch any one who is remotely connected with the French court, and she will stop at nothing to ensure her children continue to rule France according to her will. Jean Plaidy manages to evoke the decadence and scandal of the French court and lead you through the intrigues and alliances which make it such a dangerous place. It can be a little difficult to keep up with these at times, but overall, an excellent novel and a great way to learn about an important historical period.
I was first introduced to Jean Plaidy when I bought [b:The Royal Road to Fotheringhay (Stuart Saga, #1)|1327490|The Royal Road to Fotheringhay (Stuart Saga, #1) (Mary Stuart, #1)|Jean Plaidy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356131470l/1327490._SY75_.jpg|647701], which I loved, and she doesn't fail to disappoint in The Italian Woman, the second book in a trilogy about Catherine de Medici.
Catherine is probably a historical figure that most of us have heard of but don't know much about, and this book deals with the middle period of her life - when her sons were on the throne of France. The novel is actually told from the point of view of Jeanne of Navarre, a distant relation by marriage of Catherine's through her late father in law. Jeanne is of the same generation of Catherine, yet her life is so different to Catherine's - Jeanne has a happy marriage and her children love her. But the machinations of Catherine de Medici touch any one who is remotely connected with the French court, and she will stop at nothing to ensure her children continue to rule France according to her will. Jean Plaidy manages to evoke the decadence and scandal of the French court and lead you through the intrigues and alliances which make it such a dangerous place. It can be a little difficult to keep up with these at times, but overall, an excellent novel and a great way to learn about an important historical period.