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Stuart Saga #9
The Queen's Favourites
A private battle rages at court for the affections of a childless queen, who must soon name her successor—and thus determine the future of the British Empire. It is the beginning of the eighteenth century and William of Orange is dying. Soon Anne is crowned queen, but to court insiders, the name of the imminent sovereign is Sarah Churchill. Beautiful, outspoken Sarah has bewitched Anne and believes she is invincible—until she installs her poor cousin Abigail Hill into court as royal chambermaid. Plain Abigail seems the least likely challenger to Sarah’s place in her highness’s affections, but challenge it she does, in stealthy yet formidable ways. While Anne engages in her private tug-of-war, the nation is obsessed with another, more public succession. Anne is sickly and childless, the last of the Stuart line. This final novel of the Stuarts from Jean Plaidy weaves larger-than-life characters through a dark maze of intrigue, love, and destruction, with nothing less than the future of the British Empire at stake.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1966
174 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
Jean Plaidy
187 books1,587 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 15, 2017
this book got a better read as I got further into the plot. I have never disliked one of Jean plaidy's character's more than Sarah , lady Marlborough. I really liked the friendship between Queen Anne and Abigail Hill.
August 24, 2019
I've always enjoyed her books but couldn't get past the 2nd chapter on this one. It didn't engage me.
March 1, 2019
Love Jean Plaidy and this is an excellent book of Queen Anne's relationship with Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill. After seeing the film "The Favourite", I wanted to read more of this. Although this book probably follows more the truthful story. Poor Anne is a sad person having lost 17 children and being in poor health, also she is bullied by the Duchess of Marlborough. She is having to run the country after her husbands sad death with her politicians who are having major disagreements with each other. Without a successor also, she has to consider who will rule after her death . She stands up to Sarah in the end and shows what a strong queen she is. Queen Anne is the last of the Stuart's and has been overlooked by future generations. The film I am sure, has left people wanted to find out more about this little known Queen.
January 11, 2019
Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, and Abigail Hill -as seen in the movie "The Favorite." A fun historical novel, and my first Plaidy. I will definitely look for more (and hope it is alright that I am not reading the series in order.)
July 9, 2009
This novel is one of the Stuart saga noves, and concerns the reign of Queen Anne. Sister to the dead Mary II and Sister in law to William of Orange, Anne becomes Queen after his death. This novel wonderfully recreates the court of Queen Anne, and the gross ambitions of many who surrounded her. Ever since she had been a young girl, everywhere Anne went, there was also Sarah Churchill. Sarah Churchill (yes those Churchills) was scheming, bad tempered and very high handed. She often spoke to the Queen in way which seems hardly credible. Her loathing for the Queen she allowed almost everyone else to see, and yet she pretended great friendship to Anne, in order to further her own ambitions and those of her family. Sarah however (whom I first met in the novel The Haunted Sisters) hadn't reckoned on Abagail Hill however. Abagail Hill, is brought into court intially by Sarah Churchill as a servantto the Queen, a chambourmaid of sorts, her duties are quite menial, and yet she becomes a favourite of Anne's. Abagail has ambitions of her own, but none of Sarah's nastier ways. This is great escapism, a really good historical novel, that is fascinating for anyone intrested in the first Churchill family, and how Blenhim came to be built.
September 19, 2011
Phew - read through all 3 of these about the Stuart sisters, Sarah Churchill & Abigail Hill-Marsham. I was so relieved that there was another character besides Sarah Churchill that I liked this a lot more than the other 2 -- in spite of the fact that it still gets 3-stars and not 4. I probably should have waited and rated them collectively as they really are a trilogy.... As much as I disliked Sarah Churchill she had this Scarlett O'Hara quality about her ("I shan't go hungry ever again.") that was a bit understandable, though a bit misguided as well. Jean Plaidy does such nice work with historical fiction that there's little to find fault with. There's about a perfect blend of dialogue to narrative and the history is very good. I really didn't know much about this transition from Stuart to William & Mary to the Hanovers and this cleared up quite a lot. That said, I just didn't like any of these people -- except perhaps for Lord Marlborough but even he had his moments.
August 17, 2012
The Queen's Favorites is one of my all time favorite Jean Plaidy novels.
The favorites in question are Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Malborough, and Abigail Hill, her "poor relation" cousin. Both are high in the regard of Queen Anne.
Jean Plaidy was one of the best story tellers in the historical fiction genre. It says much of her abilities that this book, which is in a time period I have no interest in at all, is one of my favorites, not just of Jean Plaidy, but one of my all time favorite books.
Ms Plaidy handled skillfully and with great delicacy the underlying, probably lesbian nature of the relationships.
I can't recommend the book highly enough to anyone interested in the closing days of the Stuart dynasty, and to anyone who enjoys a colorful historical novel.
The favorites in question are Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Malborough, and Abigail Hill, her "poor relation" cousin. Both are high in the regard of Queen Anne.
Jean Plaidy was one of the best story tellers in the historical fiction genre. It says much of her abilities that this book, which is in a time period I have no interest in at all, is one of my favorites, not just of Jean Plaidy, but one of my all time favorite books.
Ms Plaidy handled skillfully and with great delicacy the underlying, probably lesbian nature of the relationships.
I can't recommend the book highly enough to anyone interested in the closing days of the Stuart dynasty, and to anyone who enjoys a colorful historical novel.
January 2, 2023
‘The Queen’s Favourites’, aka ‘Courting her Highness’, is for me the best in Jean Plaidy’s Stuart Saga, though nowhere near as good as it could’ve been. The way it started, I thought I’d picked another Plaidy dud, but in between a poor opening and an even poorer ending is some quality drama and intrigue.
This is the story of three women: Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, and Abigail Hill. Sarah and Abigail are related, but their characters couldn’t be more different, with each being fascinating in their own way. My sympathies were with Abigail throughout.
Opening the story by looking back on events from Sarah's perspective makes for a passive read. It’s hard to get into books that start this way, and I imagine some readers will give up.
The overuse of the past perfect ‘had’ results in reporting on a scene, rather than taking the reader through the action as it unfolds:
'When he had left them they had had to listen to accounts—heard many times before—of his wit and wisdom.'
Once we meet Abagail, the story becomes more interesting. Unlike the loud and arrogant Sarah, Abagail – the poor relation – is meek and obedient, yet not without wit or ambition.
Abagail's arrival at Sarah’s house could've been 'shown' to great effect. Sadly, it’s ‘told’ to poor effect:
'Her reception was much as she had expected it would be. Who was the new arrival? the servants asked. She was a member of the family but that most despised of connections—a poor relation. Her clothes—those which were not recognized as Lady Elizabeth’s cast-offs—were shabby and much patched and darned. A very poor relation! She was to be put to useful service in the nursery. This was the command of Lady Marlborough, and those in authority would see that it would be carried out in the most humiliating way.'
The above could’ve been dramatized and shown the reader how Abagail felt under the servants scrutiny, and so on.
Again, Abigail meeting Sarah's children could made for great drama, but instead we have static descriptions:
'They were all good looking, having inherited the beautiful hair which was their mother’s greatest claim to beauty. It seemed too that some of them had not missed her arrogance either. Henrietta, the eldest, certainly possessed it; and in spite of her youth the same quality was apparent in nine-year-old Mary. Anne was different; she had a gentler nature; she was calm, and although a little aloof from Abigail, she made no attempt to browbeat her. Anne, although a year younger than Henrietta, seemed more mature than her sister. There was a gap of three years between Anne and eleven-year-old Elizabeth, and although the younger sister admired the elder and tried to follow her example now and then the temper would refuse to be restrained. Ten-year-old John was more like Anne. Being the only boy, he was adored by the family, and the servants said he took after his father rather than his mother.'
Later, more opportunities for engaging with Abigail’s new life are lost to passive reporting:
'She took lessons with the girls; the governess looked down on her and even commented in her hearing that she had not bargained for teaching the likes of her.'
When we do get some dialogue to convey what the servants think of Abigail, we don’t get any sense of place. Nor do we see the characters:
'“It’s a miracle what she puts up with,” commented the servants. “Never gives a back answer—not even a look.”
“And what would happen to her if she did? I wouldn’t be in her position—connected with gentry though she may be.”
“These poor relations! I’d rather be a servant … good and proper. At least then you know your place.”
“She seems to know hers all right.”
“Her! Oh, she’s got no feelings.”
“I wouldn’t change places with that Abigail Hill … not for all the money in the King’s purse!” was the summing up.'
And ‘was the summing up’ is the problem. As a reader, I don’t want a summing up; I want drama and to be engaged with the characters and story.
Even worse, we later get way too much backstory on the Spencer family, which sounds like a textbook, not a novel:
'But with the passing of Charles and the coming to the throne of James it was necessary to decide where it was necessary to bestow one’s allegiance. Sunderland was an opportunist—so while he pretended to support James he was in league with William of Orange that he might be ready to leap whichever way would bring him most advantage.'
Reported speech is one of Plaidy’s worst traits. For example, this shows us nothing, and fails to engage:
'Abigail asked if he were satisfied with his post, and he replied that he was very well satisfied.' And: 'But before they took leave of each other they had promised they would meet again.'
We also get blatant telling with things like the quotes below, which is a lack of imagination on the author’s part:
‘Anne was obviously pleased with his company.’ And: ‘She looked startled.’
Among all the poor and unimaginative style issues, however, is plenty of intrigue. Sarah installs Abigail as the queen’s chamber maid, sure that Anne will be grateful. Unaware, Sarah has sown the seeds of a friendship between Anne and Abigail that will threaten her (Sarah’s) own high standing.
While Sarah must have everything she wants *now*, Abigail is prepared to play the long game. I enjoyed how the relationship between Abigail and Anne gradually builds, and how through this cracks begin to form between Anne and Sarah.
This three-way relationship/rivalry is the core of the story, and to me it’s fascinating. This period of English history is unknown to me, so everything that happens came as a surprise.
The story should’ve ended with Queen Anne’s death, followed by a couple of brief scenes showing how the death affected Abigail and Sarah.
Instead, what follows is a dry and lengthy summing up of Abigail and Sarah’s respective lives. This info would’ve been fine in an author’s note. I would’ve welcomed it, in fact, but to continue the story on as a report of what happened to Abigail and Sarah is boring. A good author should know when to end a chapter, particularly the last one. If she’d carried on and dramatized events, then fair enough, but to continue in this mundane way is hard to digest.
As mentioned, the bulk of the story is engaging, but the passive opening and the needless summing up at the end spoil what could’ve been a great book.
Despite my criticisms, I do recommend ‘The Queen’s Favourites’ to anyone interested in the period. It’s made me interested in learning more about it, and to read other novels set during Anne’s reign. I hear there’s a film called ‘The Favourite’, so I’ll be checking that out too.
This is the story of three women: Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, and Abigail Hill. Sarah and Abigail are related, but their characters couldn’t be more different, with each being fascinating in their own way. My sympathies were with Abigail throughout.
Opening the story by looking back on events from Sarah's perspective makes for a passive read. It’s hard to get into books that start this way, and I imagine some readers will give up.
The overuse of the past perfect ‘had’ results in reporting on a scene, rather than taking the reader through the action as it unfolds:
'When he had left them they had had to listen to accounts—heard many times before—of his wit and wisdom.'
Once we meet Abagail, the story becomes more interesting. Unlike the loud and arrogant Sarah, Abagail – the poor relation – is meek and obedient, yet not without wit or ambition.
Abagail's arrival at Sarah’s house could've been 'shown' to great effect. Sadly, it’s ‘told’ to poor effect:
'Her reception was much as she had expected it would be. Who was the new arrival? the servants asked. She was a member of the family but that most despised of connections—a poor relation. Her clothes—those which were not recognized as Lady Elizabeth’s cast-offs—were shabby and much patched and darned. A very poor relation! She was to be put to useful service in the nursery. This was the command of Lady Marlborough, and those in authority would see that it would be carried out in the most humiliating way.'
The above could’ve been dramatized and shown the reader how Abagail felt under the servants scrutiny, and so on.
Again, Abigail meeting Sarah's children could made for great drama, but instead we have static descriptions:
'They were all good looking, having inherited the beautiful hair which was their mother’s greatest claim to beauty. It seemed too that some of them had not missed her arrogance either. Henrietta, the eldest, certainly possessed it; and in spite of her youth the same quality was apparent in nine-year-old Mary. Anne was different; she had a gentler nature; she was calm, and although a little aloof from Abigail, she made no attempt to browbeat her. Anne, although a year younger than Henrietta, seemed more mature than her sister. There was a gap of three years between Anne and eleven-year-old Elizabeth, and although the younger sister admired the elder and tried to follow her example now and then the temper would refuse to be restrained. Ten-year-old John was more like Anne. Being the only boy, he was adored by the family, and the servants said he took after his father rather than his mother.'
Later, more opportunities for engaging with Abigail’s new life are lost to passive reporting:
'She took lessons with the girls; the governess looked down on her and even commented in her hearing that she had not bargained for teaching the likes of her.'
When we do get some dialogue to convey what the servants think of Abigail, we don’t get any sense of place. Nor do we see the characters:
'“It’s a miracle what she puts up with,” commented the servants. “Never gives a back answer—not even a look.”
“And what would happen to her if she did? I wouldn’t be in her position—connected with gentry though she may be.”
“These poor relations! I’d rather be a servant … good and proper. At least then you know your place.”
“She seems to know hers all right.”
“Her! Oh, she’s got no feelings.”
“I wouldn’t change places with that Abigail Hill … not for all the money in the King’s purse!” was the summing up.'
And ‘was the summing up’ is the problem. As a reader, I don’t want a summing up; I want drama and to be engaged with the characters and story.
Even worse, we later get way too much backstory on the Spencer family, which sounds like a textbook, not a novel:
'But with the passing of Charles and the coming to the throne of James it was necessary to decide where it was necessary to bestow one’s allegiance. Sunderland was an opportunist—so while he pretended to support James he was in league with William of Orange that he might be ready to leap whichever way would bring him most advantage.'
Reported speech is one of Plaidy’s worst traits. For example, this shows us nothing, and fails to engage:
'Abigail asked if he were satisfied with his post, and he replied that he was very well satisfied.' And: 'But before they took leave of each other they had promised they would meet again.'
We also get blatant telling with things like the quotes below, which is a lack of imagination on the author’s part:
‘Anne was obviously pleased with his company.’ And: ‘She looked startled.’
Among all the poor and unimaginative style issues, however, is plenty of intrigue. Sarah installs Abigail as the queen’s chamber maid, sure that Anne will be grateful. Unaware, Sarah has sown the seeds of a friendship between Anne and Abigail that will threaten her (Sarah’s) own high standing.
While Sarah must have everything she wants *now*, Abigail is prepared to play the long game. I enjoyed how the relationship between Abigail and Anne gradually builds, and how through this cracks begin to form between Anne and Sarah.
This three-way relationship/rivalry is the core of the story, and to me it’s fascinating. This period of English history is unknown to me, so everything that happens came as a surprise.
The story should’ve ended with Queen Anne’s death, followed by a couple of brief scenes showing how the death affected Abigail and Sarah.
Instead, what follows is a dry and lengthy summing up of Abigail and Sarah’s respective lives. This info would’ve been fine in an author’s note. I would’ve welcomed it, in fact, but to continue the story on as a report of what happened to Abigail and Sarah is boring. A good author should know when to end a chapter, particularly the last one. If she’d carried on and dramatized events, then fair enough, but to continue in this mundane way is hard to digest.
As mentioned, the bulk of the story is engaging, but the passive opening and the needless summing up at the end spoil what could’ve been a great book.
Despite my criticisms, I do recommend ‘The Queen’s Favourites’ to anyone interested in the period. It’s made me interested in learning more about it, and to read other novels set during Anne’s reign. I hear there’s a film called ‘The Favourite’, so I’ll be checking that out too.
December 8, 2023
This book is an interesting read. Plaidy did a lot of research for her books (some details may be wrong as newer information has come to light since she wrote them, but overall they are pretty good on the accuracy front.)
It's an easy way of learning some history!
It's essentially about Sarah Churchill, the wife of the man who would become the Duke of Marlborough - a very successful general who won many battles.
And her poor relative Abigail Hill (eventually Abigail Masham).
Sarah discovers that some of her cousins have fallen into poverty and (probably to protect her own reputation) tries to find them positions/schooling. She sees Abigail as being quiet and malleable and gets her a job as a chambermaid for Queen Anne (after several years of using Abigail pretty much as an unpaid servant for her own children).
Sarah and Anne spend much time together as children and Anne has always looked upto Sarah and admired her vivacity and outspokenness. Anne has given Sarah important roles at court, but Sarah is very ambitious, and also has a very short temper.
Over time, Sarah's influence on Anne wanes, and Abigail's grows.
What I like about this book is that we see a lot of the politics of the period - and written at a level that summarises them nicely, but without drowning you in detail. We get to know the leading politicians who all want influence with the Queen.
We also see the problem of selecting who will take the crown after Anne dies childless - her half brother James is Catholic, but the alternative option is George who is German.
We see the effect of media - in the from of ballads and pamphlets - spreading misinformation, gossip and slander! Nothing new there....
The downside of the book is that it's very evenly paced (admittedly the writer has to follow history as it happened, but I feel there is still more scope for drama) and the characters seeming very one-sided.
Sarah pretty much rants for the entire book (from her surviving letters, this may be true to character), but I'm sure she must have had SOME quieter moments.
However, some small elements really do bring out what it was like to live in this period, in ways that a more 'dramatic' novel might miss. The number of children that women had, and how many of them died young.... Even the rich were not immune to smallpox and other infectious diseases.
I may read some more Plaidy novels, but mostly as a way of getting a historical over-view rather than for the characters.
It's an easy way of learning some history!
It's essentially about Sarah Churchill, the wife of the man who would become the Duke of Marlborough - a very successful general who won many battles.
And her poor relative Abigail Hill (eventually Abigail Masham).
Sarah discovers that some of her cousins have fallen into poverty and (probably to protect her own reputation) tries to find them positions/schooling. She sees Abigail as being quiet and malleable and gets her a job as a chambermaid for Queen Anne (after several years of using Abigail pretty much as an unpaid servant for her own children).
Sarah and Anne spend much time together as children and Anne has always looked upto Sarah and admired her vivacity and outspokenness. Anne has given Sarah important roles at court, but Sarah is very ambitious, and also has a very short temper.
Over time, Sarah's influence on Anne wanes, and Abigail's grows.
What I like about this book is that we see a lot of the politics of the period - and written at a level that summarises them nicely, but without drowning you in detail. We get to know the leading politicians who all want influence with the Queen.
We also see the problem of selecting who will take the crown after Anne dies childless - her half brother James is Catholic, but the alternative option is George who is German.
We see the effect of media - in the from of ballads and pamphlets - spreading misinformation, gossip and slander! Nothing new there....
The downside of the book is that it's very evenly paced (admittedly the writer has to follow history as it happened, but I feel there is still more scope for drama) and the characters seeming very one-sided.
Sarah pretty much rants for the entire book (from her surviving letters, this may be true to character), but I'm sure she must have had SOME quieter moments.
However, some small elements really do bring out what it was like to live in this period, in ways that a more 'dramatic' novel might miss. The number of children that women had, and how many of them died young.... Even the rich were not immune to smallpox and other infectious diseases.
I may read some more Plaidy novels, but mostly as a way of getting a historical over-view rather than for the characters.
May 26, 2022
I think I have found a new favorite author of historical fiction. I absolutely loved this book! Jean Plaidy's writing is clear, clever, and so very interesting. This novel was #9 in a series, but it is the first book I've written by her. I am assuming the #s are chronological. This particular book focuses on the reign of Queen Anne in the very early 1700s who was of the Stuart lineage. Plaidy gets into the inner workings of court and all of the drama and intrigue that was present. So many people fighting for pure, raw power. There were lots of historical figures in the novel which I found very interesting. Some of those figures were authors and playwrights while others were simply prominent men and women during that time period. The author cleverly weaves her theme throughout the book which I took to be "the pen is mightier than the sword!" Queen Anne was a good queen who loved her people. This was the first book I've read that featured her reign. Sarah Spencer and Abigail Hill play major roles the book as Queen Anne's chambermaids.
April 9, 2019
Sarah Churchill is best friend to Queen Anne Stuart. Sarah is a very strong personality and generally tells Anne what she wants and how she thinks. Sarah is also not always quiet about how she feels. When she finds out her cousin's family has fallen on hard times, she brings the daughter Abigail Hill first into her own home and then into the Queen's bedchamber to take on some of the duties she doesn't want to do. Abigail is quiet and calm and over time replaces Sarah and controls access to the queen.
This book deals with the conflict between Sarah and Abigail and the life of Queen Anne. Very interesting story on the life of Anne.
This book deals with the conflict between Sarah and Abigail and the life of Queen Anne. Very interesting story on the life of Anne.
May 9, 2019
This is an excellent historical fiction about Queen Anne by my favorite historical fiction author. The Duchess of Marborough, Sarah Churchill, was very influential with Queen Anne. She built Blenheim's Palace for them, which I have seen and it is beautiful. This is the family of Sir William Churchill. There are over 100 books by Jean Plaidy beginning with William the Conquerer and ending after Queen Victoria, which I have read and am now re-reading. They are wonderful.
June 14, 2020
Most of these Plaidy books start somewhat slowly. There are always lots of characters, because there were lots of characters. Thankfully In this novel, there were fewer characters with the same name. Once she gets all the characters introduced, the novel picks up the pace. Plaidy is very good about reminding the reader who a character is, if it’s been a while since they were part of the story. With so many characters to keep up with, I really appreciate that.
July 27, 2022
The last in the series and I think my favourite.
Full of Court intrigue and jealousy and rivalry. Sarah, who became the Duchess of Marlborough, was a force to be reckoned with. However, like most bullies she overplayed her hand and was usurped by her poor relation whom she had place near the Queen to serve her, Sarah. The Stewart’s reign came to an end with Anne and so her favourites fell in to relative obscurity as the time of the Hanovers began.
Full of Court intrigue and jealousy and rivalry. Sarah, who became the Duchess of Marlborough, was a force to be reckoned with. However, like most bullies she overplayed her hand and was usurped by her poor relation whom she had place near the Queen to serve her, Sarah. The Stewart’s reign came to an end with Anne and so her favourites fell in to relative obscurity as the time of the Hanovers began.
September 6, 2018
I don't want to spoil this but this is one of the best books I have read all year. Definitely my favorite of the season and one of my favorite Jean Plaidy books by far. It deems itself to be about Queen Anne the last of the Stuart rulers but it really is about one of her chamber ladies - Abagail Hill Masham. Truly a must must read!
April 1, 2019
A somewhat more rounded version of the story in "The Favourite." Not my favorite movie, but it seems the portrayal of all three unpleasant main characters was close to the historical reality. Not a nice period, and a wretched court.
June 11, 2023
Excellent
Well written as you would expect from a 1960 publication, not grammatical errors and good clear narration. Any history student should read rejuvenating account of power struggles which might appear today all to familiar
Well written as you would expect from a 1960 publication, not grammatical errors and good clear narration. Any history student should read rejuvenating account of power struggles which might appear today all to familiar
December 17, 2019
Enjoyable read for the writing and learning about Queen Anne and her favorites.
February 4, 2020
Favorites
Loved the characters, real and otherwise. I kept track of real events and found this boom followed much of those real events . Enjoyable!
Loved the characters, real and otherwise. I kept track of real events and found this boom followed much of those real events . Enjoyable!
September 6, 2020
Good, but a bit slow. Sarah Churchill's domineering ways get old and Queen Anne breaks away. Good perspective of history that I'm not that up on.
August 23, 2022
Rather staid telling of Queen Anne’s reign .
April 12, 2023
Queen Anne
I really enjoyed this book. Fascinating characters and time period. Ms. Plaidy really knows how to bring the characters and time period to life.
I really enjoyed this book. Fascinating characters and time period. Ms. Plaidy really knows how to bring the characters and time period to life.
August 12, 2024
Interesting, historically, but not one of my favourite Jean Plaidy books.
August 24, 2020
The final novel of the Stuart Saga finishes with a bang. The story is split from four main perspectives: Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, Abigail Masham, and Harley. Through these characters, readers get a sense of the tensions at court as favor and political ties shift. This book proves, just as much as its predecessor Royal Sisters that women play an influential role in politics and the world stage, despite what some historians say.
In this book, Sarah Churchill has reached her full bitch evolution. She doesn't give a rat's ass what Queen Anne thinks, and she goes about running the kingdom in her own way. While she's very intense and arrogant, the reader can almost pity her when Plaidy switches to her POV. It's true that her husband is a brilliant military commander, and she is an astute politician. That said, one can't help but read on, knowing she's going to topple at any moment, and with each new infraction, that moment draws closer.
If you've seen the brilliant film The Favourite, then you know that Sarah's arch enemy is Abigail Masham, but this Abigail is very different from the Emma Stone version. There's a lot less sex, but there's still a lot of manipulation. Abigail is a very sympathetic character, not because she's objectively nicer than her arrogant cousin, but because she envies that same cousin. Sarah was lucky enough to be beautiful, brilliant, to have the love of a genius. Abigail doesn't get so lucky, and her position as the queen's right hand woman is very short-lived compared to Sarah's tenure. That said, it's up to the reader to determine who truly won out, in the end. I still can't decide.
One thing I'll add: I think Queen Anne got a bad rep. In every book she appears, she's depicted as vapid, lazy, and oblivious. Plaidy gives the impression that it's a miracle that the country didn't dissolve into chaos the moment this barely educated and conflict adverse woman took the throne. Queen Anne is known as the monarch to have gone to the most Cabinet meetings, by the time of her reign. Not all of that can be attributed to Sarah's or Abigail's influence.
If you love historical fiction, you need to read Jean Plaidy, and you need to read this book. End of story.
In this book, Sarah Churchill has reached her full bitch evolution. She doesn't give a rat's ass what Queen Anne thinks, and she goes about running the kingdom in her own way. While she's very intense and arrogant, the reader can almost pity her when Plaidy switches to her POV. It's true that her husband is a brilliant military commander, and she is an astute politician. That said, one can't help but read on, knowing she's going to topple at any moment, and with each new infraction, that moment draws closer.
If you've seen the brilliant film The Favourite, then you know that Sarah's arch enemy is Abigail Masham, but this Abigail is very different from the Emma Stone version. There's a lot less sex, but there's still a lot of manipulation. Abigail is a very sympathetic character, not because she's objectively nicer than her arrogant cousin, but because she envies that same cousin. Sarah was lucky enough to be beautiful, brilliant, to have the love of a genius. Abigail doesn't get so lucky, and her position as the queen's right hand woman is very short-lived compared to Sarah's tenure. That said, it's up to the reader to determine who truly won out, in the end. I still can't decide.
One thing I'll add: I think Queen Anne got a bad rep. In every book she appears, she's depicted as vapid, lazy, and oblivious. Plaidy gives the impression that it's a miracle that the country didn't dissolve into chaos the moment this barely educated and conflict adverse woman took the throne. Queen Anne is known as the monarch to have gone to the most Cabinet meetings, by the time of her reign. Not all of that can be attributed to Sarah's or Abigail's influence.
If you love historical fiction, you need to read Jean Plaidy, and you need to read this book. End of story.
February 26, 2021
Such a compelling book! I knew close to nothing about Queen Anne (who reigned 1702-1707)! I was amazed at how two women waiting on the Queen could influence her and hence politics in such a big way! Of course, these two women only wanted to further themselves and their family! Such high ambitions! How they competed against each other to be/remain the Queen's favourite!!! One loud (the Duchess Marlborough) the other one more subtle, sly ( Baroness Masham): both so different in character, but so influencial! Thanks to these two women, I will not forget this part of English history!
June 24, 2012
I still remember being in 8th grade, in London, seeing a statue of Queen Anne, and our tour guide saying something like, "You American have no idea about our Good Queen Anne." At the time he was right, since I had never heard of her. And since then everytime I learn something else about her I get a little bit excited because I'm proving that tour guide wrong. I have read books that mention Queen Anne, although that took place before her reign. As far as I can tell this is the first book I've read that takes place and describes the events during her actual reign.
To be honest, this book started out a little slow for me. I've loved ever book of Plaidy's I've read and was afraid this would be the first I wouldn't fall head over hells for. But about half way through I got into it, and Plaidy didn't let me down.
I think what confused me at first is that this book isn't like a lot of her others. There's no big romantic affair, there aren't really wars or political intrigue that Queen Anne is really involved with. Instead the courting in the title refers to the courting done by her friends. In fact this book felt a little like high school, with various female (2 in particular, one on whom is actually Princess Diana great-times-a-bunch-grandmother) fighting over who could be the better friend to the Queen.
I love reading Plaidy's books, but I'm sad to notice that they've stopped republishing her books. I'd love to someday read everything she's written, but to do that I may have to start visiting used book stores. But if you haven't read anything by Plaidy I think you'd enjoy this, but probably more after you read the rest of her Stuart series.
To be honest, this book started out a little slow for me. I've loved ever book of Plaidy's I've read and was afraid this would be the first I wouldn't fall head over hells for. But about half way through I got into it, and Plaidy didn't let me down.
I think what confused me at first is that this book isn't like a lot of her others. There's no big romantic affair, there aren't really wars or political intrigue that Queen Anne is really involved with. Instead the courting in the title refers to the courting done by her friends. In fact this book felt a little like high school, with various female (2 in particular, one on whom is actually Princess Diana great-times-a-bunch-grandmother) fighting over who could be the better friend to the Queen.
I love reading Plaidy's books, but I'm sad to notice that they've stopped republishing her books. I'd love to someday read everything she's written, but to do that I may have to start visiting used book stores. But if you haven't read anything by Plaidy I think you'd enjoy this, but probably more after you read the rest of her Stuart series.
December 28, 2011
Just discoverd Plaidy (pen name) and really intrigued. What I'm loving about well written hist.fiction these days... is how it makes plain "the human condition." How alike we all act, even across centuries and completely different situations/economies/politics. No matter what the world, the longest lived and happiest are those most content (and generally in the country).. tho some do thrive on conflict and ambition. The power shifts are most intriguing, I think, and in this particular book how each character becomes aware (or not) of their ability to use power.
April 1, 2011
A great fictional account of the rise of the "first" Churchills - the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough - including the court intrigues facilitated by Sarah's own first cousin, Abigail Hill, which led to the couple's political fall. An excellent read you would expect from Plaidy.
August 15, 2013
I chose this book because I didn't know that much about this period of English history. It was an interesting read and I learned about Sarah Churchill and Blenheim, her estate, which I have often heard mentioned plus how the monarchy came to be Hanovarian which had always confused me.
September 19, 2010
I liked this book, which when you consider that two of the main characters-- Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill-- are infuriating, is saying something.
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