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A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
Eleanor of Aquitaine is in Heaven, waiting to learn whether or not her second husband, King Henry II of England, will be able to join her. Henry had died even before Eleanor, but he still had not won admission into Heaven. Waiting with Eleanor are Henry's mother, Matilda-Empress, and William the Marshal. A chance encounter with Abbot Suger, an old friend of Eleanor's from the time of her first marriage, starts the four of them remembering times past. Each person in turn tells a part of Eleanor's life, vividly illustrating the excitement of living in twelfth-century England and France, and especially the excitement of being Eleanor. Wife of two kings, mother of two others, Richard the Lion Heart and John, she set the tone of court life for her times, sponsored poets and musicians, established the legend of King Arthur as a romantic feature of English literature, set the Rules of Courtly Love, and helped rule a kingdom that spanned from Scotland to the Pyrenees. And she did all this in a time when a king could keep his queen a prisoner -- and did! This book is a novel, fiction, fantasy even. But everything in it about Eleanor and her family and her times is true.
201 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
89 people are currently reading
2924 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Konigsburg
61 books1,504 followersElaine Lobl Konigsburg was an American writer and illustrator of children's books and young adult fiction. She is one of six writers to win two Newbery Medals, the venerable American Library Association award for the year's "most distinguished contribution to American children's literature."
Konigsburg submitted her first two manuscripts to editor Jean E. Karl at Atheneum Publishers in 1966, and both were published in 1967: Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the 1968 Newbery Medal, and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was listed as a runner-up in the same year, making Konigsburg the only author to win the Newbery Medal and have another book listed as runner-up in the same year. She won again for The View from Saturday in 1997, 29 years later, the longest span between two Newberys awarded to one author.
For her contribution as a children's writer Konigsburg was U.S. nominee in 2006 for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition available to creators of children's books.
Konigsburg submitted her first two manuscripts to editor Jean E. Karl at Atheneum Publishers in 1966, and both were published in 1967: Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the 1968 Newbery Medal, and Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was listed as a runner-up in the same year, making Konigsburg the only author to win the Newbery Medal and have another book listed as runner-up in the same year. She won again for The View from Saturday in 1997, 29 years later, the longest span between two Newberys awarded to one author.
For her contribution as a children's writer Konigsburg was U.S. nominee in 2006 for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international recognition available to creators of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews
June 6, 2020
I admit to not knowing much about the 1100's in history besides Robin Hood. I did recognize the name Eleanor of Aquitaine and of course her song Richard the Lion Hart who is in Robin Hood.
I don't know how I feel about the story set up, but I enjoy the story told. E. L. sets this up as all these people are in heaven and they are telling their stories of what happened on Earth. E.L. discusses purgatory and hell. It's a bit odd to bring in that, but it works. There are 4 parts told from 4 different people.
We learn about Eleanor, and it's her story, when she is getting married and who she is. She marries several people in her life and she was very much into politics and came up with so many things the middle ages are known for. She came up with the Chivalrous knights and manners and courtly love. She also raised sons that shaped the monarchy in England. This was the time period that England owned land in what is now France and they fight over later in the War of the Roses.
Eleanor is a wonderful character, spirited and strong. She is a leader in a time women weren't much more than property. She was amazing.
I think E. L. did a great job with this story and it was fun to read. I did have to get used to the heaven thing. It was a bit off-putting at first and it took me a while to get past. This little book took me more than a month to read. It's interesting and not a very used device so I am okay with it now.
This is a great little book about a period of history we hear very little about for middle grade audiences and up. I wish I had read this in 5th grade and learned. It's a much better way to learn history than dry facts in a text book about dates. This was a story and it sticks with you more, at least it does me.
When you see that these were scheming, regular, flawed people, it's so much more interesting. It's a real story and we can see how people fit into the times.
I love E. L. She is an amazing author. I have her complete works and I will read them all.
I don't know how I feel about the story set up, but I enjoy the story told. E. L. sets this up as all these people are in heaven and they are telling their stories of what happened on Earth. E.L. discusses purgatory and hell. It's a bit odd to bring in that, but it works. There are 4 parts told from 4 different people.
We learn about Eleanor, and it's her story, when she is getting married and who she is. She marries several people in her life and she was very much into politics and came up with so many things the middle ages are known for. She came up with the Chivalrous knights and manners and courtly love. She also raised sons that shaped the monarchy in England. This was the time period that England owned land in what is now France and they fight over later in the War of the Roses.
Eleanor is a wonderful character, spirited and strong. She is a leader in a time women weren't much more than property. She was amazing.
I think E. L. did a great job with this story and it was fun to read. I did have to get used to the heaven thing. It was a bit off-putting at first and it took me a while to get past. This little book took me more than a month to read. It's interesting and not a very used device so I am okay with it now.
This is a great little book about a period of history we hear very little about for middle grade audiences and up. I wish I had read this in 5th grade and learned. It's a much better way to learn history than dry facts in a text book about dates. This was a story and it sticks with you more, at least it does me.
When you see that these were scheming, regular, flawed people, it's so much more interesting. It's a real story and we can see how people fit into the times.
I love E. L. She is an amazing author. I have her complete works and I will read them all.
February 3, 2011
I read this book, like so many of Konigsburg's, over and over as a kid. I was probably the only fifth grader at my school who not only knew who Eleanor of Aquitaine was, but could rattle off details of her life as easily as talking about an old friend. The wonderful, personal way that this book is written makes it easy to read and remember the details of Eleanor's life, and I am pretty much still waiting for Konigsburg or another author to do the same thing for other historical figures.
December 3, 2017
This is a quick and funny read about the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine as a wife, a mother, and a queen. The story follows her in heaven along with three of her closest contemporaries (Abbot Suger, Empress Matilda and William Marshal) as they await the divine judgement that will allow—or deny—Eleanor’s second husband King Henry II admittance to heaven. Henry is already 800 years dead, but he's still in hell serving penance and in the dark about the comings and goings on of the world (in the story, a soul in hell is knowledge-deprived of all earthly affairs). Eleanor can’t wait for Henry to come Up so she can help him catch up on everything he’s missed while in hell. As the verdict draws near and Eleanor’s patience runs thin, she and her companions decide to pass the time by amusing themselves with memories of her illustrious life on earth.
200 pages is too short for a historical fiction backdrop, but I think E.L. Konigsburg managed to squeeze in most of the relevant minutiae about Queen Eleanor with certain wit and charm. I find this book entertaining and such a breather after getting overtaxed from the more serious and lengthy Plantagenet narratives I’ve read before this.
On the whole, A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is a good read. This book is Eleanor/Plantagenet history in a nutshell.
200 pages is too short for a historical fiction backdrop, but I think E.L. Konigsburg managed to squeeze in most of the relevant minutiae about Queen Eleanor with certain wit and charm. I find this book entertaining and such a breather after getting overtaxed from the more serious and lengthy Plantagenet narratives I’ve read before this.
On the whole, A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is a good read. This book is Eleanor/Plantagenet history in a nutshell.
July 27, 2012
I especially anticipated reading this book for a couple of reasons.
1 - I love other books by this author especially From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Jennifer, Hecate, McBeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth.
2 - The book tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, from whom, I am decended.
I really liked the execution of the unfolding of the story. Eleanor is in heaven with people she knew during her mortal life, they are awaiting the decision of whether or not her husband King Henry II has paid enough penance time in hell and will finally be admitted into heaven.
They begin remanicing and three different people take turns telling the others Eleanor's life story from their perspective. Finally Eleanor herself takes over and gives a brief synopsis of her final years.
Betweeen each narration we find ourselves back in heaven with Eleanor and her group.
I found this to be a very creative approach and helped make the history entertaining.
Though not pointed out in the book, it should be noted that Eleanor and Henry's youngest son John who is mentioned, is the much maligned Prince John of Robin Hood infamy.
1 - I love other books by this author especially From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Jennifer, Hecate, McBeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth.
2 - The book tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, from whom, I am decended.
I really liked the execution of the unfolding of the story. Eleanor is in heaven with people she knew during her mortal life, they are awaiting the decision of whether or not her husband King Henry II has paid enough penance time in hell and will finally be admitted into heaven.
They begin remanicing and three different people take turns telling the others Eleanor's life story from their perspective. Finally Eleanor herself takes over and gives a brief synopsis of her final years.
Betweeen each narration we find ourselves back in heaven with Eleanor and her group.
I found this to be a very creative approach and helped make the history entertaining.
Though not pointed out in the book, it should be noted that Eleanor and Henry's youngest son John who is mentioned, is the much maligned Prince John of Robin Hood infamy.
June 19, 2015
Before there was an Elizabeth, a Daenerys or a Cersei, there was Eleanor of Aquitaine. Part vixen, part kick-ass heroine, she was more queen than any of her contemporaries—or (arguably) any queen in history, for that matter.
This book (more YA than full-blown historical fiction) somehow managed to capture the Duchess of Aquitaine's razzle and dazzle in 200 pages. Interesting concept, witty writing.
This book (more YA than full-blown historical fiction) somehow managed to capture the Duchess of Aquitaine's razzle and dazzle in 200 pages. Interesting concept, witty writing.
May 20, 2022
ENGLISH: Eleanor of Aquitaine, her second mother-in-law (Matilda Empress), Abbot Suger and Knight William the Marshal recall at Heaven scenes of Eleanor's life while they were on Earth. A good biographical novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Konigsburg does not mention Purgatory under this name, although the idea is in her book. Calling it a non-perpetual Hell reminds me of C.S. Lewis book The Great Divorce, where a similar situation takes place. But Lewis, in his non-fiction works, called it Purgatory.
ESPAÑOL: Leonor de Aquitania, su segunda suegra (la Emperatriz Matilde), el Abad Suger y el caballero William the Marshal rememoran en el Cielo escenas de la vida de Leonor cuando estaban en la Tierra. Una buena novela biográfica sobre Eleanor of Aquitania.
Konigsburg no menciona el Purgatorio con este nombre, aunque la idea está en su libro. Llamarlo "infierno no perpetuo" me recuerda el libro de C. S. Lewis El gran divorcio: Un sueño, donde hay una situación similar. Pero Lewis, en sus obras de ensayo, sí lo llamó Purgatorio.
Konigsburg does not mention Purgatory under this name, although the idea is in her book. Calling it a non-perpetual Hell reminds me of C.S. Lewis book The Great Divorce, where a similar situation takes place. But Lewis, in his non-fiction works, called it Purgatory.
ESPAÑOL: Leonor de Aquitania, su segunda suegra (la Emperatriz Matilde), el Abad Suger y el caballero William the Marshal rememoran en el Cielo escenas de la vida de Leonor cuando estaban en la Tierra. Una buena novela biográfica sobre Eleanor of Aquitania.
Konigsburg no menciona el Purgatorio con este nombre, aunque la idea está en su libro. Llamarlo "infierno no perpetuo" me recuerda el libro de C. S. Lewis El gran divorcio: Un sueño, donde hay una situación similar. Pero Lewis, en sus obras de ensayo, sí lo llamó Purgatorio.
April 6, 2009
The historical fiction part of this book was good and very well written, but the rest of it (the part that takes place in Heaven) was wierd and not really how I see things, so that put my rating down a bit. This book makes out Heaven to be some boring place that is not to look forward to and is not at all fun, and that is not how Heaven is. This book says that you do not go directly to Heaven either. It says that when you die you don't go to Heaven unless you are good enough, and even if you are good enough, you don't go to Heaven until you have made up for all of the bad things that you have done. Instead you go "below" to make up for your sins. This book says that you get to Heaven because of what you've done on earth. That you get to Heaven by what you do, and your works of rightousness, which I do not believe at all. I also believe that Heaven is an awesome, fun, no-sadness, no-regret place. This book makes it out to be bad. I did like the historical fiction parts of it a lot though. E. L. Koingsburg is a very talented author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2023
Mystery box book #26!
I'm not sure how historically accurate this book is, or even how narratively interesting/successful (why is the end so rushed compared to the beginning?) but it's delightfully weird. Bring back more weird YA/MG like this! Who else besides like M.T. Anderson is doing weird shit like this these days?
I'm not sure how historically accurate this book is, or even how narratively interesting/successful (why is the end so rushed compared to the beginning?) but it's delightfully weird. Bring back more weird YA/MG like this! Who else besides like M.T. Anderson is doing weird shit like this these days?
July 12, 2025
essentially a kid-level wikipedia page with a decorative framing device but not bad. very funny to have the framing device be "she's waiting longingly for henry in heaven" when he kept her in jail for like 20 years while she tried to murder him through their sons. will be reading much more on that on the adult-level wikipedia page and maybe elsewere.
February 16, 2011
I'm sure there are some who didn't like this book, but I thought it was pretty well done especially since it was written in the late 1970s. The book is about Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is one of my favorite historical women in history. I especially liked how the tale was narrated from heaven by contemporaries of Eleanor, and how she has been in heaven for 500 more years than her husband Henry, who is about to find out if he can come up to heaven. I thought it was amusing that both Eleanor, the Abbot and the Empress had to spend a little time in hell before making it up to heaven. The first narrator was Abbot Suger, who helped design the first Gothic Cathedral (St. Denis) and the first use of stained glass in a church, and talked about her first marriage to King Louis VII. The title alludes to Eleanor's love of luxury, in a statement made by Abbot Bernard of Clairvaux. The second narrator is Empress Matilda/Maud, daughter of Henry I and mother of Henry II, who discusses Eleanor's eventual marriage and life with her son Henry. The third narrator is William the Marshall, a knight who served Eleanor's family and tells of the time between Matilda's and Henry's death. The final narrator is Eleanor herself and discusses her son's Richard and John's rule until her death in 1204.
July 4, 2014
I chose to read this book because I have enjoyed all the books I have currently read by EL Konigsburg. This was was SO different; especially since I had no idea what it was about before starting it. It is actually historical fiction/fantasy...it is about Queen Eleanor and King Henry II back in the twelfth century. Konigsburg states in the front fold of the book that all facts and events about Eleanor in the book are true, which makes it a very interesting book. I definitely want to read more about her now. The book is written from the point of view of Eleanor, her mother in law, and a former Marshal who have all died and are telling their stories from heaven.
I would recommend this book especially to someone who loves to read about OLD royalty. It is written as a book for youth, but I would think a youth reader would need a bit of a history lesson BEFORE reading this book (actually, adults, too), and would definitely need to keep a list of the characters while reading. I had to continuously look back into the book to figure out who certain characters were. I knew nothing about Eleanor before reading this, but am now intrigued to read more about her.
I would recommend this book especially to someone who loves to read about OLD royalty. It is written as a book for youth, but I would think a youth reader would need a bit of a history lesson BEFORE reading this book (actually, adults, too), and would definitely need to keep a list of the characters while reading. I had to continuously look back into the book to figure out who certain characters were. I knew nothing about Eleanor before reading this, but am now intrigued to read more about her.
January 13, 2016
Made me giggle. A lot of 'telling' in this one, but it works—takes some cues from Chaucer, perhaps? Anyway, Eleanor of Aquitaine has been dragging around in Heaven for quite some time, and she is just a wee bit bored and quite tetchy, and it pleases me greatly. Interesting choice of who gets to tell the tale: in addition to Eleanor (who gets the last words, as befits a queen), Abbot Suger (who is very proud of his own humility) tells a part, and Empress Matilda, and William the Marshall—unusual choices, in some ways.
Lots of history with a healthy dose of snark, basically. My only real complaint is that Eleanor's section—about her last fifteen years of life, after Henry II died—is rather rushed through; I'd have been interested to read more about that. Still, this is one of my favourite pieces of fiction about her to date.
Lots of history with a healthy dose of snark, basically. My only real complaint is that Eleanor's section—about her last fifteen years of life, after Henry II died—is rather rushed through; I'd have been interested to read more about that. Still, this is one of my favourite pieces of fiction about her to date.
August 7, 2007
i wish i liked konigsburg more. i recognize that she is very good, but her books are always really dense and slow. i enjoyed reading about eleanor of aquitaine - and i certainly know more about her than i did before - but i am now reading with my kids in mind and i don't think any of them will enjoy it. i felt similarly about "a view from saturday." too slow for our adhd culture. is it the book? is it us?
July 27, 2007
I LOVED teaching this book to my middle schoolers.
September 5, 2007
I DID become a medieval history (and Plantagenet) "geek" after reading this one. Historical fiction based on fact at its best!
November 6, 2022
While waiting for her husband, Henry II, to join her in Heaven, Eleanor of Aquitane reminisces about some of the events of her remarkable life. She is joined on this walk down memory lane by her mother in law and her priest. This was a pretty quick and enjoyable read for me. I find stories about the life and times of Eleanor of Aquitane fascinating... No, Really... I do. Married to two kings, Louis the vII of France and Henry II of England: Mother of two kings; Richard II and King John I of Magna Carta fame. She lived in the England of the Crusades of Robin Hood and Thomas Becket. What's not to be fascinated by? So I knew I'd find it somewhat interesting. Having said that, I don't see teen American girls, who have no foreknowledge of Eleanor, being excited about curling up with this book. In fact I hope that they don't. If this had been my introduction to this time period I probably wouldnt have explored the subject any farther. it’s a very dry read, and not the best offering from E.L Konigsburg., in my opinion. Nowhere near as great as " The Mixed up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler".... but not the worst book Ive ever read either.
If you are interested in a fabulous historical fiction novel about this subject matter I recommend, "While Christ and His Saints Slept" by Sharon Kay Penman. That is the book that sparked my Eleanor fandom. It is a thick, fascinating and memorable read, one of my favorite books ever. This book was less than 200 pages but felt like much more.
This was a re read
If you are interested in a fabulous historical fiction novel about this subject matter I recommend, "While Christ and His Saints Slept" by Sharon Kay Penman. That is the book that sparked my Eleanor fandom. It is a thick, fascinating and memorable read, one of my favorite books ever. This book was less than 200 pages but felt like much more.
This was a re read
April 7, 2020
This is a short novella told in four parts about the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. I thought it was a really fun, easy read, and honestly helped me remember the lineage of the Plantagenets better than the two or three other historical novels I've read recently have.
While definitely fictionalized, this book does a nice job of illustrating the importance of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Obviously we can't say we know much about her as a person, and I liked that this book gave her (and some of the people around here) distinct personalities. I know it's important to historians not to overreach on interpretations of historical figures, but it made these real people much more accessible and real than pages of dry histories. I thought it also did a reasonably good job of painting a bit of a historical context without getting too into the nitty-gritty of politics of the time.
Though technically a young adult book, it also does a tactful (if PG) job of approaching the role of women at the time, affairs, and the scandal of divorce and separation. I never felt like it was talking down to me or over-explaining anything.
Considering its short length and somewhat esoteric topic, I think this book did a nice job packing an interesting punch. I'd actually recommend maybe starting here before reading other stories about this historical era.
While definitely fictionalized, this book does a nice job of illustrating the importance of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Obviously we can't say we know much about her as a person, and I liked that this book gave her (and some of the people around here) distinct personalities. I know it's important to historians not to overreach on interpretations of historical figures, but it made these real people much more accessible and real than pages of dry histories. I thought it also did a reasonably good job of painting a bit of a historical context without getting too into the nitty-gritty of politics of the time.
Though technically a young adult book, it also does a tactful (if PG) job of approaching the role of women at the time, affairs, and the scandal of divorce and separation. I never felt like it was talking down to me or over-explaining anything.
Considering its short length and somewhat esoteric topic, I think this book did a nice job packing an interesting punch. I'd actually recommend maybe starting here before reading other stories about this historical era.
February 17, 2018
Eleanor of Aquitaine must have been an amazing woman. Konigsburg certainly makes an amazing story of her life. And that goes a long way toward justifying the contrived plot structure.
I recognize a lot of the names and historical mileposts, and I’ve done a fair amount of studying about the Crusades in particular, but this book makes it clear that I still have a lot to learn. Eleanor was intimately involved in the Crusades and the Pantagenet’s royal family rebellions, with connections to Thomas Becket, Richard the Lion Heart, the Magna Carta, the tales of King Arthur, and a bunch of other fun historical footnotes.
I also like the way Konigsburg draws out the personality of her characters. How all these power-driven, materialistic, jealous people can seem so recognizable: Eleanor and Henry II especially. On the other hand, I’m definitely not comfortable labelling this as a biography, as the back cover blurb from the Center for Children’s Books does.
I’m also not keen on the “Let’s meet in Heaven and have a chat” story construct. It seems silly, given the subject matter. Maybe it’s time for me to find the best real biography of Eleanor that’s out there.
I recognize a lot of the names and historical mileposts, and I’ve done a fair amount of studying about the Crusades in particular, but this book makes it clear that I still have a lot to learn. Eleanor was intimately involved in the Crusades and the Pantagenet’s royal family rebellions, with connections to Thomas Becket, Richard the Lion Heart, the Magna Carta, the tales of King Arthur, and a bunch of other fun historical footnotes.
I also like the way Konigsburg draws out the personality of her characters. How all these power-driven, materialistic, jealous people can seem so recognizable: Eleanor and Henry II especially. On the other hand, I’m definitely not comfortable labelling this as a biography, as the back cover blurb from the Center for Children’s Books does.
I’m also not keen on the “Let’s meet in Heaven and have a chat” story construct. It seems silly, given the subject matter. Maybe it’s time for me to find the best real biography of Eleanor that’s out there.
November 26, 2012
I seem to be on a Konigsburg kick. A telling of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. While maybe not the best person, certainly not the worst, and definitely an amazing woman in history. It is told from the perspective some who knew her, with comments from her, as they wait in heaven for her second husband to join them. I had read an "adult" history of her a long time ago and remembered bits and pieces. She was truly a unique woman. Powerful and driven and intelligent. Able to stand up for herself and make things happen in a world where women were nothing more than pawns and property for their fathers and husbands. She gave birth to eleven children, all of whom lived, in the 1500's! She married two kings and at times ran 3 different countries. She instituted laws that moved the countries she was in closer to modern equality and justice. Again, not always perfect, she was bossy and selfish and extravagant, but also interesting and unique and with an eye toward doing good. A lovely retelling.
September 4, 2007
Reading this book prompts me to sport a rhinestone tiara and play Queen for the Day. It's about Elinor of Aquitaine, the ruthless woman who was first Queen of France, then Queen of England. A PROUD TASTE FOR SCARLET AND MINIVER depicts Elinor waiting for her second husband, King Henry II, to be judged for admission to Heaven. If you're the type of woman who hates waiting in line, taking orders, or being called "hon," this book is for you. You'll take great comfort in the story of a woman who road bare-breasted to The Crusades. Yyyyyeah!!!
Fans of this book may also enjoy THE LION IN WINTER, starring the fabulous Katharine Hepburn as Elinor in exile.
Fans of this book may also enjoy THE LION IN WINTER, starring the fabulous Katharine Hepburn as Elinor in exile.
November 22, 2012
A very readable biography of a fascinating historical figure, a woman I've been intrigued by since I first learned about her back in grade school. And the more I know about her, the more impressed I am. The tale of Eleanor's life is told here by three who lived her story too, and are now reminiscing in heaven some eight centuries later. Lots of interesting facts and educated guesses anchor Konigsburg's creative tale, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know. Amazing to think that just one person can have such a huge impact! Teen/YA
December 9, 2018
Reading Konigsburg is always a delight and this has been my favorite of her books to date. A fun look at the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine told from the perspective of Abbot Suger, Queen Matilda, William Marshall, and caped off by Eleanor. It’s a fun narrative that takes place while these four sit about in heaven awaiting the arrival of Henry II. Konigsburg is hilarious, introspective, and bold in her treatment of EoA. I loved it, my little Medievalist heart was enraptured, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
May 7, 2015
A Proud taste for scarlet and miniver was about a girl named Eleanor and three of her life long friends telling their stories about Eleanor's life.
I thought this book was a good and fun book to read. I thought this book was a little confusing at times because the book wen from the present to the past over and over again. But overall this was a good book to read.
I thought this book was a good and fun book to read. I thought this book was a little confusing at times because the book wen from the present to the past over and over again. But overall this was a good book to read.
Read
October 11, 2012Definitely more entertaining and informative than the last book I read on Eleanor. I think I'll have to rank this one of my favourites in historical fiction. Looking forward to reading The Second Mrs Gioconda next.
May 23, 2025
Loved this breezy, quirky overview of Eleanor of Aquitaine's life, ostensibly told in Heaven by those who knew her. I think this would be extremely successful in solidifying the big historical picture for students who had already covered the period once or twice (I would not dream of suggesting this book alone) because it brings things together and presents some of the reasoning behind the decisions and actions. Interesting to have Eleanor as the focus instead of Louis and Henry and Richard and John, who seem to get more of the attention in the history texts. The book is very readable - and memorable, which makes it all the more valuable for educating.
Also recommended for this period is Anne Rockwell's wonderful Glass Stones And Crown, which covers the earlier part of Eleanor's life. I'd love to find more in the vein of these.
I would also mention Caxton's Challenge, which, though covering a later period, ties into Eleanor's promoting of the Arthurian legends (via Thomas Malory).
Also recommended for this period is Anne Rockwell's wonderful Glass Stones And Crown, which covers the earlier part of Eleanor's life. I'd love to find more in the vein of these.
I would also mention Caxton's Challenge, which, though covering a later period, ties into Eleanor's promoting of the Arthurian legends (via Thomas Malory).
November 24, 2017
4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wir warten auf Heinrich II
Eleonore von Aquitanien (1122 - 1204) war mit zwei Königen (Frankreich, England) verheiratet und die Mutter von Richard Löwenherz und König John. (Robin Hood, Sherwood Forrest...)
Die Geschichte Englands und Frankreichs im 12ten Jahrhundert, im Mittelpunkt eine willensstarke und lebenslustige Heldin. Während Eleonore im Himmel auf ihren zweiten Ehemann wartet, wird ihr Leben von Menschen erzählt, die sie auf Erden am besten kannten.
E. L. Konigsburg schreibt Jugendbücher, die durch ihren Humor auch für erwachsene Leser interessant sind.
Sehr gute Unterhaltung über 200 Seiten, flott und witzig geschrieben und ganz nebenbei lernt man einiges an Geschichte.
... „you mean that a common man now sits on the throne of England?“ - „No, Henry. A rather plain house-wife does.“
„And this one,“ Henry said, pointing to the tall man with the beard, „says, that he is an American lawyer and president. What is a president? And what in Heaven‘ s name is an American?“
Eleonore von Aquitanien (1122 - 1204) war mit zwei Königen (Frankreich, England) verheiratet und die Mutter von Richard Löwenherz und König John. (Robin Hood, Sherwood Forrest...)
Die Geschichte Englands und Frankreichs im 12ten Jahrhundert, im Mittelpunkt eine willensstarke und lebenslustige Heldin. Während Eleonore im Himmel auf ihren zweiten Ehemann wartet, wird ihr Leben von Menschen erzählt, die sie auf Erden am besten kannten.
E. L. Konigsburg schreibt Jugendbücher, die durch ihren Humor auch für erwachsene Leser interessant sind.
Sehr gute Unterhaltung über 200 Seiten, flott und witzig geschrieben und ganz nebenbei lernt man einiges an Geschichte.
... „you mean that a common man now sits on the throne of England?“ - „No, Henry. A rather plain house-wife does.“
„And this one,“ Henry said, pointing to the tall man with the beard, „says, that he is an American lawyer and president. What is a president? And what in Heaven‘ s name is an American?“
September 27, 2020
A lovely, clever retelling of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, narrated by her contemporaries in Heaven as they wait with her to find out if her husband, Henry II of England, has served enough time in Hell to be admitted into Heaven. Very cute.
May 20, 2020
This was a very original and intriguing look at a very important historical figure
May 6, 2020
7/10. I've had this little book on my shelf for a while. A few months ago I found Alison Weir's "Eleanor of Aquitaine" in a used book store and snapped it up. I figured that in order to enjoy this little tome I would need to read it before that one, so I'm finally getting to it.
I enjoyed the playful tone that was given to Eleanor and the device of having herself and people she had known tell the tale of her life in heaven while waiting for the arrival of Henry. It should be an interesting prelude to the actual history which I plan to tackle soon.
I enjoyed the playful tone that was given to Eleanor and the device of having herself and people she had known tell the tale of her life in heaven while waiting for the arrival of Henry. It should be an interesting prelude to the actual history which I plan to tackle soon.
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April 2, 2012Captive Queen led me to re-read A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg for the umpteenth time. It still holds up. And the historical detail dovetails perfectly with the scholarly effort of Alison Weir. This book may have been written for older children, but I enjoy it every time. The premise is that several of Eleanor’s contemporaries have moved Up to Heaven and are gathered to find out if Henry is finally going to join them. We have brief scenes in Heaven as each of the characters tells Eleanor’s life story from his or her own viewpoint. In the first Heaven scene, Eleanor is pacing impatiently, waiting for Henry. “Even after more than five hundred years in Heaven, Eleanor of Aquitaine still missed quarreling and dressing up. Eleanor missed strong, sweet smells. Eleanor missed feeling hot and being cold. Eleanor missed Henry. She missed life.”
Abbot Suger tells of Eleanor’s first marriage, to Louis VII of France. It was not a happy marriage. Next, Matilda-Empress, Henry II’s mother tells of the early days of Eleanor and Henry’s marriage. It was tempestuous, to say the least. William Marshal tells the story of the last years of Henry’s reign and the many fights between Eleanor and her sons and Henry. Eleanor finishes with the tale of her life after Henry’s death. She acts as Regent while her son Richard goes to the Holy Lands on crusade. She works hard to establish peace and justice in England. Many of her reforms form the basis of English law. Eleanor sums up her life – “My life was marked by good happenings, bad happenings and sad ones, too. There were times when the bad and sad could have weighed me down. But to drink life from only the good is to taste only half of it. When I died in that year 1204 I smiled, knowing that I had drunk fully of both flavors. I had wasted nothing.”
The last chapter tells of Henry finally coming Up, in the company of Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln. He asks Eleanor several questions about these two. “How can a common man govern [England]? You mean that a common man now sits on the throne of England? ‘No, Henry. A rather plain housewife does.’ ” “What is a president? And what in Heaven’s name is an American?” And then the two are left to catch up on eight hundred years of history.
Abbot Suger tells of Eleanor’s first marriage, to Louis VII of France. It was not a happy marriage. Next, Matilda-Empress, Henry II’s mother tells of the early days of Eleanor and Henry’s marriage. It was tempestuous, to say the least. William Marshal tells the story of the last years of Henry’s reign and the many fights between Eleanor and her sons and Henry. Eleanor finishes with the tale of her life after Henry’s death. She acts as Regent while her son Richard goes to the Holy Lands on crusade. She works hard to establish peace and justice in England. Many of her reforms form the basis of English law. Eleanor sums up her life – “My life was marked by good happenings, bad happenings and sad ones, too. There were times when the bad and sad could have weighed me down. But to drink life from only the good is to taste only half of it. When I died in that year 1204 I smiled, knowing that I had drunk fully of both flavors. I had wasted nothing.”
The last chapter tells of Henry finally coming Up, in the company of Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln. He asks Eleanor several questions about these two. “How can a common man govern [England]? You mean that a common man now sits on the throne of England? ‘No, Henry. A rather plain housewife does.’ ” “What is a president? And what in Heaven’s name is an American?” And then the two are left to catch up on eight hundred years of history.
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