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The Book of Eleanor: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine
One of history’s greatest women, celebrated by her contemporaries, descendants, and biographers, now comes to life in this mesmerizing new novel by bestselling author Pamela Kaufman.
In 1137, fifteen-year-old Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine, a wealthy and powerful province in the south of France. Rich and influential in her own right, her tumultuous marriages thrust Eleanor into the political and cultural spotlight, where she would remain for more than half a century.
Still in her teens, young Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII of France, a sickly religious fanatic so obsessed with fears of adultery that he kept his beautiful wife under lock and key, even forcing her to go on a long and dangerous crusade with him. But Eleanor was delighted by the freedom of the crusader’s life. Her handsome Aquitanian knights, her deeds on horseback, and her scandalous attire were the talk of Europe; it soon became clear that Louis’s young wife was more than he could handle. A lifelong rebel, Eleanor would defy her husband and the Church, and eventually strong-arm the Pope into annulling her unhappy marriage.
Once free of Louis, Eleanor thought to marry Baron Rancon, her childhood love, but found herself forced into another political marriage, this time with a younger and more dangerous husband—Henry II of England, a ruthless soldier known throughout Europe as “the red star of malice.” In Henry Eleanor found a man whose iron will and political cunning matched her own, but the marriage was a bitter and brutal one, which escalated into open warfare when Eleanor backed their sons in an armed rebellion against Henry. Vowing revenge, he imprisoned her for fifteen years, hoping she would die in obscurity. But Eleanor would not go quietly. In prison, she wrote her memoir; this is Eleanor’s book.
In 1137, fifteen-year-old Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine, a wealthy and powerful province in the south of France. Rich and influential in her own right, her tumultuous marriages thrust Eleanor into the political and cultural spotlight, where she would remain for more than half a century.
Still in her teens, young Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII of France, a sickly religious fanatic so obsessed with fears of adultery that he kept his beautiful wife under lock and key, even forcing her to go on a long and dangerous crusade with him. But Eleanor was delighted by the freedom of the crusader’s life. Her handsome Aquitanian knights, her deeds on horseback, and her scandalous attire were the talk of Europe; it soon became clear that Louis’s young wife was more than he could handle. A lifelong rebel, Eleanor would defy her husband and the Church, and eventually strong-arm the Pope into annulling her unhappy marriage.
Once free of Louis, Eleanor thought to marry Baron Rancon, her childhood love, but found herself forced into another political marriage, this time with a younger and more dangerous husband—Henry II of England, a ruthless soldier known throughout Europe as “the red star of malice.” In Henry Eleanor found a man whose iron will and political cunning matched her own, but the marriage was a bitter and brutal one, which escalated into open warfare when Eleanor backed their sons in an armed rebellion against Henry. Vowing revenge, he imprisoned her for fifteen years, hoping she would die in obscurity. But Eleanor would not go quietly. In prison, she wrote her memoir; this is Eleanor’s book.
544 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2002
41 people are currently reading
1913 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Kaufman
12 books54 followersPamela Kaufman, Ph.D., is the author of the bestselling medieval novels Shield of Three Lions and Banners of Gold. She lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
October 12, 2020
7/10 (3.5/5 estrellas)
Imprescindible para comprender uno de los personajes femeninos más interesantes y más influyentes de la Edad Media Europea.
Heredera de uno de los ducados más importantes del reino de Francia, de facto casi independiente en su época (Siglo XII). Criada entre caballeros y trovadores (su abuelo era un reconocido trovador), se casó con dos Reyes: Luis VII de Francia y Enrique II Plantagenet de Inglaterra. Con la vinculación de su ducado a la corona inglesa contribuyó sobremanera al conflicto entre estos dos reinos que desembocó en la guerra de los 100 años. Madre de dos reyes (Ricardo I corazón de León y Juan I sin Tierra, abuela de otros, entre ellos nuestros Enrique I y Berenguela de Castilla, bisabuela de Fernando III el Santo. Participó en la 2ª cruzada como reina consorte de Francia, su hijo Ricardo fue el "héroe" de la 3ª cruzada.
Se divorció de un Rey (Luís VII), se enfrentó en guerra abierta a otro Rey (Enrique II), para defender los derechos de sus hijos, paso años en prisión y aislada. Su hijastro, Felipe II Augusto de Francia, fue la némesis de sus vástagos angevinos.....¿alguien da más en 67 años de vida?
Imprescindible para los amantes de la Historia.
Imprescindible para comprender uno de los personajes femeninos más interesantes y más influyentes de la Edad Media Europea.
Heredera de uno de los ducados más importantes del reino de Francia, de facto casi independiente en su época (Siglo XII). Criada entre caballeros y trovadores (su abuelo era un reconocido trovador), se casó con dos Reyes: Luis VII de Francia y Enrique II Plantagenet de Inglaterra. Con la vinculación de su ducado a la corona inglesa contribuyó sobremanera al conflicto entre estos dos reinos que desembocó en la guerra de los 100 años. Madre de dos reyes (Ricardo I corazón de León y Juan I sin Tierra, abuela de otros, entre ellos nuestros Enrique I y Berenguela de Castilla, bisabuela de Fernando III el Santo. Participó en la 2ª cruzada como reina consorte de Francia, su hijo Ricardo fue el "héroe" de la 3ª cruzada.
Se divorció de un Rey (Luís VII), se enfrentó en guerra abierta a otro Rey (Enrique II), para defender los derechos de sus hijos, paso años en prisión y aislada. Su hijastro, Felipe II Augusto de Francia, fue la némesis de sus vástagos angevinos.....¿alguien da más en 67 años de vida?
Imprescindible para los amantes de la Historia.
December 7, 2007
I have very mixed feelings about this book. There were parts I absolutely loved, and parts where I cringed at the corniness of the writing. It definitely felt like I was reading a second rate Philippa Gregory, I loved learning about Eleanor and a period of royal history I didn't know much about, but Kaufman's style is not as fluid as I would've liked. I was also disappointed to read at the end how much the historical details were twisted to suit the story, obviously I expect historical fiction to be fiction but the distortion of the truth went a little too far. Overall it was an enjoyable read, but not brilliant.
January 29, 2011
I don’t think I demand too much when I read a book, but as an avid reader of historical fiction, my one request is that this fictitious history be at least as accurate as the current evidence allows. Therefore it dumbfounds me to discover that The Book of Eleanor is currently climbing the bestseller lists in Los Angeles. Whilst the book is set in the right century (the twelfth) and the main character soon starts relaying to the reader about the Black Plague that has been taking many lives throughout England, there is one glaring inaccuracy here: the Black Plague did not take place for another two hundred years, in 1347.
While plague was quite a common occurrence throughout the Middle Ages, and there was what is known as the Justinian Plague during the sixth to eighth centuries where half the population of Europe was wiped out, the Black Death would nevertheless take place until the fourteenth century. As a matter of fact, it was never actually referred to as the Black Death by its contemporaries, but this was a name for the bubonic plague later on. This crucial failing at history fact sets the tone for the rest of the novel; so if you can get by with being lied to about history, you might just enjoy the book.
Originally published in July/August 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
While plague was quite a common occurrence throughout the Middle Ages, and there was what is known as the Justinian Plague during the sixth to eighth centuries where half the population of Europe was wiped out, the Black Death would nevertheless take place until the fourteenth century. As a matter of fact, it was never actually referred to as the Black Death by its contemporaries, but this was a name for the bubonic plague later on. This crucial failing at history fact sets the tone for the rest of the novel; so if you can get by with being lied to about history, you might just enjoy the book.
Originally published in July/August 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
November 18, 2012
I recently started caretaking at a house with a huge library. This book was among the rest and I picked it up out of an interest in Eleanor, and strong women in general. The book was disappointing, and historically inaccurate in ways that made Eleanor a much weaker and less inspiring character than she was in real life. Although there were many instances, the major standout was the portrayal in the book of Eleanor's marriage to Henry II of England after the annulment of her marriage to Louis of France. In the book, she is depicted as annulling the marriage in order to run off with a guy she's in love with, with Henry subsequently kidnapping her and forcing her into marriage. In reality, she probably instigated the marriage to Henry, an astute political move for both parties. There are a lot of other instances of Eleanor's motivations being portrayed as a desire for domestic happiness rather than the workings of the powerful political mind of a woman who was ruler of her own Dukedom as well as Queen of France and England.
I don't know why women writers continue to undermine strong female historical characters by attributing all of those characters' actions to romance, but it's really exasperating.
I don't know why women writers continue to undermine strong female historical characters by attributing all of those characters' actions to romance, but it's really exasperating.
August 11, 2015
I did not pick up this book in hopes of reading a precisely chronicled recording of facts; I picked it up because I wanted to read an intelligently written book with a good story and some adventure. I got exactly what I wanted. I was swept into the story time and again, and I wanted to stay there. The author makes you almost smell everything from the flowers in the gardens to the rot of the corpses during battle, and everything in between. Detailed but not in that run-on style that many authors do when describing place or person.
I will mention that I have read most all of the reviews here, and I can say that anybody who has given this book one to three stars knows very little about good literature, or about what it must have taken for the author to spend fifteen years researching, compiling, and blending fact with fiction in order to create a uniquely creative account of an otherwise exhaustively retold story. Other reviews disputing the facts are overlooking that it is a novel. In the same manner that the characters Rose & Jack in Titanic do not change the fact that Titanic sank, so is it that this story has been creatively altered - and beautifully so - in order that the reader may enjoy another version of a true story. As for precise chronicling, here in the year 2015, I don’t care if Rancon actually existed, or if Joy actually cheated on her husband(s) or not. This isn’t the news; it’s a novel, and its oversights are not going to make a difference in the current state of affairs. It’s a book, written to entertain, and it does that beautifully...that is, if you’re intelligent enough to be entertained by concepts beyond your smartphone.
Author Pamela Kaufman has done a better than good job recreating historical characters and facts while maintaining specific and important details, but she played with fiction, too, in just the right amounts. What’s more is, it’s a page-turner. At three in the morning, I want to continue reading. Okay, so nothing is perfect. There are a few typos (which I spot in every single book I read) which are not the fault of the author; typos are the publisher’s job. Also, some of the language doesn’t really meld, given the era and the vocabulary at the time, but it still doesn’t interrupt the experience. So good is it that I’ll be reading it again, and I recommend it to anybody who enjoys the genre.
I will mention that I have read most all of the reviews here, and I can say that anybody who has given this book one to three stars knows very little about good literature, or about what it must have taken for the author to spend fifteen years researching, compiling, and blending fact with fiction in order to create a uniquely creative account of an otherwise exhaustively retold story. Other reviews disputing the facts are overlooking that it is a novel. In the same manner that the characters Rose & Jack in Titanic do not change the fact that Titanic sank, so is it that this story has been creatively altered - and beautifully so - in order that the reader may enjoy another version of a true story. As for precise chronicling, here in the year 2015, I don’t care if Rancon actually existed, or if Joy actually cheated on her husband(s) or not. This isn’t the news; it’s a novel, and its oversights are not going to make a difference in the current state of affairs. It’s a book, written to entertain, and it does that beautifully...that is, if you’re intelligent enough to be entertained by concepts beyond your smartphone.
Author Pamela Kaufman has done a better than good job recreating historical characters and facts while maintaining specific and important details, but she played with fiction, too, in just the right amounts. What’s more is, it’s a page-turner. At three in the morning, I want to continue reading. Okay, so nothing is perfect. There are a few typos (which I spot in every single book I read) which are not the fault of the author; typos are the publisher’s job. Also, some of the language doesn’t really meld, given the era and the vocabulary at the time, but it still doesn’t interrupt the experience. So good is it that I’ll be reading it again, and I recommend it to anybody who enjoys the genre.
June 12, 2017
I tried, I really tried. For days and days I kept going back to it but I was SOOO bored I only managed to get half way through page 101 and I've had enough. In the past couple of years I have read at least 40 historical fiction novels, so obviously it's a favourite genre of mine, but this book...ugh. Pass on this one.
March 29, 2009
This one was hard to rate. I'd give 4 stars for readability--it was hard to put down, richly detailed, riveting...the author spent 15 years researching the subject, and the attention to detail with all of the various political aspects was dizzying. However, my insult at some of the changes she made would knock this down to a two--I have decided that I need to read an actual biography now to sort out fact from fiction. Points also deducted for the drippy romance overlaid on the already fascinating story. Wasn't she interesting enough? Sure, I understand needing something to move along the plot: it is a novel, and I get that. But it was really pretty purple at times. Plus there were a few details that I thought were stupid--was I really supposed to believe that after seven children and at age 45, her stomach was firm and flat and her face unlined? Yeah sure.
But! The fact remains that I couldn't put it down, annoyed or not, and it has also inspired me to learn more about female royalty. So it gets three stars.
But! The fact remains that I couldn't put it down, annoyed or not, and it has also inspired me to learn more about female royalty. So it gets three stars.
March 1, 2013
Reading this, you realize how terrible it must have been for women in the Dark Ages. The book starts with the death of Eleanor's father, the Duke of Aquitaine. Aquitaine is unique in that it actually recognizes women as rightful heirs. Her childhood ends swiftly as they hurry to marry her so she won't be raped for her title and inheritance but she never forgets her first love . She withstands a miserable first marriage to the King of France, and an even more miserable marriage to Henry II of England when he grows tired of her. Through all of this, you realize the intelligence of this woman and sympathize she could do nothing to refute or prevent the abuse and expoitation she suffers from her husbands and by the Church other than being clever. Kauffman does a great job in delineating Eleanor as a cunning, intelligent woman who accepts her role but uses her charms to achieve what she wants.
August 26, 2014
It is my sincerest doubt that this woman has ever read a history book & perhaps not even a book. Her prose can only be likened to the worst type of romance novel, where the reader has an IQ of the average cake. I have never left such a damning review but this woman has no poetry in her soul and very possibly not a thought in her head. I will not begin to list the historical inaccuracies, the twee dialogue & wooden characters except to steal a quote, 'there was no beginning to her talent', the only way I can end my review is to say if you wish to read this tripe, firstly book your lobotomy or at least accept that historic appreciation is something you will never have
August 28, 2010
Don't waste your time on this book. It was crass and lewd. Kaufman said she spent 15 years writing and researching this book. That makes it all the more disappointing. She fictionalized almost every aspect of this story. Even some of the main facts.
ie: Richard of Antioch was not killed by Louis. Also, Henry and Eleanor were married 8 weeks after her annulment to Louis.
My recommendation: Read the Wikipedia article Eleanor of Aquitaine
ie: Richard of Antioch was not killed by Louis. Also, Henry and Eleanor were married 8 weeks after her annulment to Louis.
My recommendation: Read the Wikipedia article Eleanor of Aquitaine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2021
La verdad no se me hizo muy amena la lectura, aunque pasan un monton de cosas. Leonor tiene que aguantar muchas cosas horribles, realmente la admiro. Creo que a la novela le falto un plot o un climax mas fuerte.
August 6, 2024
Excelente relato de la vida de una de las reinas más importantes e influyentes de la historia
September 22, 2024
I’m giving this book 5 stars because of the extensive research by the author - 15 years! The politics of England and France in the 1100’s was very convoluted to me but I found it fascinating. Queen Eleanor was an amazingly strong woman, way ahead of her time. I did enjoy the read although it was long and took me awhile to finish.
March 3, 2013
First sentence: "We departed London on the Winchester Royal Road riding ten abreast, a royal guard in smart scarlet, helmets and swords glittering in the low winter sun, and my spirits suddenly burst with happiness."
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a fascinating woman. She became Duchess of Aquitaine at 15, when most women were not allowed to hold positions of power in their own right. She became Queen of France and Queen of England, a great feat. She went to the Crusades with her husband. She bore 10 children and saw two of them become Kings of England. But who was Eleanor really? What made her tick? Pamela Kaufman attempts to answer those questions in this novelization of Eleanor's life.
Eleanor of Aquitaine had a fascinating life and this book does a good job of telling that story. The settings are vivid and real. The characters are interesting and well described as well. It is easy to get lost in the middle ages reading this book. I had never read anything about Eleanor before and found her a very fascinating woman. The book is paced well. It covers over 50 years, but it does not seem to drag. Every scene has a purpose and when the book jumps around in time, it is clearly stated what year you are in currently to help keep up with what is going on. Even though many of the characters share the same first name, it is usually very easy to keep them all straight. It was very interesting, epic read.
However there was one big thing I did not like about the book and that was the romance between Richard of Rancon and Eleanor. It seems like the author was trying to show that everything Eleanor achieved in her lifetime was for her lover. I won't say more, but it just really annoyed me. It seems like the author was trying to take this strong and ambitious woman and change her into this love-sick puppy dog. Plus a lot of their conversations just did not seem to make a lot of sense.
Other than that, the book was historically accurate and a good introduction to Eleanor. I would recommend it to people who like a little romance with their royal history. If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory, you will probably like this book. However, if you like royal history with strong women who do not need a man to excuse their actions this one is probably not for you.
Alphabet Challenge: B
Paranormal Scavenger Hunt: Witch
Royal Era Challenge: AD 1100-AD 1450
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a fascinating woman. She became Duchess of Aquitaine at 15, when most women were not allowed to hold positions of power in their own right. She became Queen of France and Queen of England, a great feat. She went to the Crusades with her husband. She bore 10 children and saw two of them become Kings of England. But who was Eleanor really? What made her tick? Pamela Kaufman attempts to answer those questions in this novelization of Eleanor's life.
Eleanor of Aquitaine had a fascinating life and this book does a good job of telling that story. The settings are vivid and real. The characters are interesting and well described as well. It is easy to get lost in the middle ages reading this book. I had never read anything about Eleanor before and found her a very fascinating woman. The book is paced well. It covers over 50 years, but it does not seem to drag. Every scene has a purpose and when the book jumps around in time, it is clearly stated what year you are in currently to help keep up with what is going on. Even though many of the characters share the same first name, it is usually very easy to keep them all straight. It was very interesting, epic read.
However there was one big thing I did not like about the book and that was the romance between Richard of Rancon and Eleanor. It seems like the author was trying to show that everything Eleanor achieved in her lifetime was for her lover. I won't say more, but it just really annoyed me. It seems like the author was trying to take this strong and ambitious woman and change her into this love-sick puppy dog. Plus a lot of their conversations just did not seem to make a lot of sense.
Other than that, the book was historically accurate and a good introduction to Eleanor. I would recommend it to people who like a little romance with their royal history. If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory, you will probably like this book. However, if you like royal history with strong women who do not need a man to excuse their actions this one is probably not for you.
Alphabet Challenge: B
Paranormal Scavenger Hunt: Witch
Royal Era Challenge: AD 1100-AD 1450
June 9, 2010
Straight historical fiction, except for a few rather insignificant appearances by the ghost of the title character's grandfather....
However, in this case, the emphasis is on 'fiction,' not 'historical,' even though the author is an academician.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a strong, scheming, politically brilliant woman of the Middle Ages, but the author makes her character's motivation behind everything she does related to an abiding childhood love. Unfortunately, this love affair is total fiction - admittedly a product of the author's imagination. This makes for a more tied-together, emotionally fulfilling plot for a novel - but it means that the actual historical motivations behind the events of Eleanor's life - a marriage to the King of France, a successful appeal to the Pope to annul that marriage, a marriage (at her request, unlike the events in the book [a kidnapping and rape]) to the King of England, and then a rebellion, involving their sons, against that king - the possible ACTUAL scenarios and motivations are not explored, because of this fictional love affair.
I found this a little disappointing, but then again, historical fiction is probably never accurate, even when it strives to be, so it's really best to take it all as fantasy!
However, in this case, the emphasis is on 'fiction,' not 'historical,' even though the author is an academician.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a strong, scheming, politically brilliant woman of the Middle Ages, but the author makes her character's motivation behind everything she does related to an abiding childhood love. Unfortunately, this love affair is total fiction - admittedly a product of the author's imagination. This makes for a more tied-together, emotionally fulfilling plot for a novel - but it means that the actual historical motivations behind the events of Eleanor's life - a marriage to the King of France, a successful appeal to the Pope to annul that marriage, a marriage (at her request, unlike the events in the book [a kidnapping and rape]) to the King of England, and then a rebellion, involving their sons, against that king - the possible ACTUAL scenarios and motivations are not explored, because of this fictional love affair.
I found this a little disappointing, but then again, historical fiction is probably never accurate, even when it strives to be, so it's really best to take it all as fantasy!
April 2, 2015
Many people think we live in dangerous times, but history shows this is actually the safest time period in which to live that the human race has known. Eleanor of Aquitaine, the subject of this book, was smart and beautiful. She was married to two kings and had many children. However, her husbands were engaged in almost constant warfare (although often taking the winter off). It may seem as if we're engaged in constant warfare today, but the difference is that it doesn't affect most of us personally (except for taxes to pay for the wars). Eleanor ruled the province of Aquitaine and helped her husbands rule England and France. She worked to gain power for her children, often plotting against her husbands. One of her husbands, Henry II of England, kept her imprisoned for many years because she was a threat to him (in spite of the fact that he claimed to love her), but she outlived him and Louis VII of France, her other husband. She helped place one of her sons, Richard the Lion-Heart, on the throne of England. When he died another son, John, succeeded him. John was unpopular and was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215.
April 27, 2010
Okay...I'd probably give this one 3 1/2 stars if I could. I loved learning about the position of women in those times. It was interesting to see that even very intelligent, educated, and ambitious women were very much at the mercy of men. They were pretty much traded around like cattle. I was also intrigued by the entire royal class system. The arranged marriages even in infancy to ensure their royal positions fascinated me.
Enough said, the history was interesting, but I was bothered that one of the main storylines, her affair with Rancon was complete fiction. The lyrics to many of the poems and songs were extremely crude (just kind of avoided them). Maybe they were like that in the time, but the language is totally inappropriate today. I also found the many different people and their positions got quite confusing at times.
I will definitely read more about Eleanor of Aquitaine, but I don't know that I will read more by this author.
Enough said, the history was interesting, but I was bothered that one of the main storylines, her affair with Rancon was complete fiction. The lyrics to many of the poems and songs were extremely crude (just kind of avoided them). Maybe they were like that in the time, but the language is totally inappropriate today. I also found the many different people and their positions got quite confusing at times.
I will definitely read more about Eleanor of Aquitaine, but I don't know that I will read more by this author.
August 7, 2011
Ya había leído la historia de esta reina magnífica en la serie de Jean Plaidy "Los reyes Plantagenet", y puedo decir que lo que sucedió aquí fue muy curioso: acabé por detestar a un escritor ¡leyendo a otro! ¡Ésta sí es una novela histórica! La señora Plaidy se ha hecho millonaria vendiendo sus series históricas, pero después de leer libros como el de Kaufman da incluso coraje que Plaidy se considere "escritora". Kaufman logra contarnos una historia que atrapa desde la primera página, un relato en el que no se sabe dónde acaba lo estrictamente histórico y dónde comienza la ficción (el romance de Leonor con Rancon, por ejemplo), y aunque al final la autora aclara qué es estrictamente inventado, la historia es una verdadera delicia. Personajes muy bien dibujados, consistentes, trágicos algunos, románticos todos, y la prosa sencilla, sin florituras innecesarias pero muy, muy disfrutable. Por supuesto, sin ningún rigor histórico, pero completamente recomendable.
July 3, 2019
From this book I learned a lot about this historical figure who has long captured my imagination. She was apparently much disliked in her time (ruthless, cold and calculating); she was also apparently much loved in her time (beautiful, benevolent and powerful). Kaufman's research is thorough. What doesn't become clear is how Eleanor could be such a polarizing figure. The Book of Eleanor gives the reader an in-depth understanding of what challenges a woman had to surmount before she could achieve fame and fortune -- and love -- in her time. In many ways women are still facing the same challenges today. Their husbands no longer jail them physically for years, of course, but similar restrictions are still common enough today.
May 7, 2015
Disappointing in a number of ways. Eleanor as a limpid, dumb, lover instead a ruthless and intelligent force--the story mentions her governance, but we're never shown it. Instead we get her motivation, her lover, whom we are supposed to believe cohabited with her and fathered three of her children without anyone noticing. Give me a break. I've read another Kaufman novel, Banner of Three Lions, and that at least was entertaining. This isn't.
January 28, 2008
Great Historical Fiction Book. I love this genre. Follow it up by watching "A Lion in Winter".
September 16, 2019
Que historia la de esta reina!
Y escrito en primera persona, me encantó el libro.
Y escrito en primera persona, me encantó el libro.
October 19, 2019
Ghastly. Eleanor deserves better than this ham-fisted account of her life.
September 14, 2024
An okay tale of the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine that is somewhat based in fact. The prose could have been better, but the author gives real animus to all of these confusing historical characters whose rational for their shenanigans are lost to history. There are some things that make this story captivating and unique:
- Makes Louis both frustrated and frustrating, and demonstrates the power of the religious men in both Louis and Eleanor's lives during their marriage.
- Suggests Eleanor did not want to go on Crusade but also shows how she may have interacted with all the players for the duration of that journey
- Puts Eleanor at odds with Henry from the outset of their relationship
- Reasonably convincing portrayal of how Thomas Beckett goes from extravagance to self deprivation as that change relates to power (but never really gets to the heart of why Henry is so fond of him)
- Gives Eleanor some credit for one of the versions of the Arthurian tales
- Casts Eleanor as a loving and devoted mother
- Does a nice job of giving examples of how cultures were different across regions of France and into England
- Has an interesting take on what Eleanor might have been doing in the years in Aquitaine where the written record is mostly empty
- Posits an interesting reason as to why Richard was a favored child
- Gives Eleanor her chivalric love story, but also manages a happy-ish ending
- Makes Louis both frustrated and frustrating, and demonstrates the power of the religious men in both Louis and Eleanor's lives during their marriage.
- Suggests Eleanor did not want to go on Crusade but also shows how she may have interacted with all the players for the duration of that journey
- Puts Eleanor at odds with Henry from the outset of their relationship
- Reasonably convincing portrayal of how Thomas Beckett goes from extravagance to self deprivation as that change relates to power (but never really gets to the heart of why Henry is so fond of him)
- Gives Eleanor some credit for one of the versions of the Arthurian tales
- Casts Eleanor as a loving and devoted mother
- Does a nice job of giving examples of how cultures were different across regions of France and into England
- Has an interesting take on what Eleanor might have been doing in the years in Aquitaine where the written record is mostly empty
- Posits an interesting reason as to why Richard was a favored child
- Gives Eleanor her chivalric love story, but also manages a happy-ish ending
February 14, 2022
Para quienes nos gusta la novela histórica es un buen libro, detallado y entretenido que nos cuenta la historia de una mujer q podría haber sido conocida simplemente como la madre de dos personajes históricos – Ricardo Corazón de León y Juan sin Tierra – y sin embargo, Leonor de Aquitania tiene su propio peso en la historia, al haber sido una de las mujeres más poderosas en un tiempo en que las féminas no pasaban de ser monedas de cambio, objetos decorativos y/o yeguas de cría o de labranza, todo dependiendo del estrato social en q les tocara nacer.
Leonor, Duquesa de Aquitania, mujer sumamente inteligente y adelantada a su época, no pudo escapar de su destino y se casó obligada con dos reyes - Luis VII de Francia y Enrique II de Inglaterra – pero justamente esos matrimonios la pusieron en el lugar indicado para ejercer el poder como pocas mujeres a través de la historia lo han ejercido, en beneficios de sus hijos, su pueblo y muchas veces del suyo propio, planeó, conspiró, intrigó como ninguna.
Muchas veces se la ha presentado como una mujer cruel e interesada, pero este libro en particular la presenta bajo una luz bastante benévola y dulcifica muchos de los actos que las crónicas plantean de forma muy poco halagüeña para ella. La narrativa sin embargo es muy buena, y aunq es un libro muy extenso, se lee bien y no aburre.
Leonor, Duquesa de Aquitania, mujer sumamente inteligente y adelantada a su época, no pudo escapar de su destino y se casó obligada con dos reyes - Luis VII de Francia y Enrique II de Inglaterra – pero justamente esos matrimonios la pusieron en el lugar indicado para ejercer el poder como pocas mujeres a través de la historia lo han ejercido, en beneficios de sus hijos, su pueblo y muchas veces del suyo propio, planeó, conspiró, intrigó como ninguna.
Muchas veces se la ha presentado como una mujer cruel e interesada, pero este libro en particular la presenta bajo una luz bastante benévola y dulcifica muchos de los actos que las crónicas plantean de forma muy poco halagüeña para ella. La narrativa sin embargo es muy buena, y aunq es un libro muy extenso, se lee bien y no aburre.
April 19, 2020
Una excelente novela histórica sobre un personaje un tanto olvidado, conocida como la madre de Ricardo corazón de león pero olvidada como reina y mujer.
Me pareció bastante curioso que su vida se dividió en 4 periodos de 15 años, de los cuales el primero y el final fueron de relativa felicidad o tranquilidad para ella.
A pesar de que una gran parte de la historia surge de la capacidad de la autora para imaginar y rellenar huecos en la información real existente, me entristeció un poco leer al final la aclaración de que el personaje del amor platónico de Leonor hubiera sido completamente ficticio, me parecía que una vida así de complicada y fuera de tu control podría encontrar un poco de recompensa en la compañía de un amor prohibido, inalcanzable pero presente y constante.
La vida no es justa jajaja
Me pareció bastante curioso que su vida se dividió en 4 periodos de 15 años, de los cuales el primero y el final fueron de relativa felicidad o tranquilidad para ella.
A pesar de que una gran parte de la historia surge de la capacidad de la autora para imaginar y rellenar huecos en la información real existente, me entristeció un poco leer al final la aclaración de que el personaje del amor platónico de Leonor hubiera sido completamente ficticio, me parecía que una vida así de complicada y fuera de tu control podría encontrar un poco de recompensa en la compañía de un amor prohibido, inalcanzable pero presente y constante.
La vida no es justa jajaja
December 13, 2023
Es un libro bastante extenso que va lento aunque no aburre, hay momentos en lo que si hay que impulsar un poco la lectura, pasan muchas cosas alrededor de Leonor de Aquitania pero le falto ese plot con más fuerza para que la narrativa fuera aún más interesante. Leer la historia de esta mujer que fue tan influyente en su momento y madre de dos grandes personajes historicos, me parece muy interesante. Como nos presenta la poca elección que hay para las mujeres en esos momentos, en los cuales no había margen para que una mujer tuviera poder de desición y eso si lo plantean muy bien en esta historia, pero a pesar de ese poco margen de acción y desición Leonor supo como moverse para actuar en favor de su pueblo y de ella misma y sus intereses para sus hijos y los supo llevar por caminos que aunque peligrosos lo llevaria a mejores posiciones y de poder.
Me parece que para un amante de los libros de historico/ficción es un libro que les gustaria mucho y lo disfrutarían, solo tener en cuenta que es un libro lento.
Me parece que para un amante de los libros de historico/ficción es un libro que les gustaria mucho y lo disfrutarían, solo tener en cuenta que es un libro lento.
July 2, 2020
I read historical fiction to immerse myself in another time. I do not read them for feminist dogma nor lessons on the Catholic Church's misogyny. I aspect the characters values and views of the world to be different then mine but not to have the author's modern views shoved down my throat.
When I first started reading, I stopped to reread the back because it didn't seem to be a book about anything I knew about Eleanor of Aquitaine. I found myself skipping sections because, 'oh no, another author rant.' About a 100 pages in, wondering when it was going to be interesting and realizing I hadn't read half the pages because of skipping, I quit because I was just plain bored with the book.
DNF
When I first started reading, I stopped to reread the back because it didn't seem to be a book about anything I knew about Eleanor of Aquitaine. I found myself skipping sections because, 'oh no, another author rant.' About a 100 pages in, wondering when it was going to be interesting and realizing I hadn't read half the pages because of skipping, I quit because I was just plain bored with the book.
DNF
April 4, 2020
I've read this book several times, and I never tire of it. As a lifelong student of history, this novel weaves history and fiction together seamlessly to create a vivid picture of Eleanor and her times. What an amazing woman she was. The contribution of women in history is often downplayed, but without Eleanor of Aquitaine, ideals of love, and many common laws relating to commerce and including the magna carta, might never have come about. I lack the words to accurately describe her, so I recommend this book to enlighten and enliven you to her person, her importance, and hope you seek historical sources to learn the depth and breadth of her contribution to the world.
July 8, 2025
DNF. I wanted to love this book, both because it was given to me by my partner and because it’s about one of my favorite historical figures. But it was so badly written. Eleanor (as written by Kaufman) behaves and speaks like a scenery-chewing soap opera actor, instead of a shrewd and dignified queen. The other characters are extremely one dimensional. I also have no idea why Eleanor was called “Joy” by her friends and loved ones— it’s never explained in the novel and it doesn’t have any historical basis, as far as I could find.
If you’re looking for Eleanor of Aquitaine historical fiction, try Elizabeth Chadwick’s trilogy.
If you’re looking for Eleanor of Aquitaine historical fiction, try Elizabeth Chadwick’s trilogy.
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