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As Mulheres do Rei
Quando Carlos VI, o rei louco de França, tentou matar o seu filho bastardo, concebido pela promíscua rainha Isabel fora do matrimónio, não podia imaginar que o rapazinho estava destinado a suceder-lhe no trono com a ajuda de Joana d'Arc, a Donzela de Orleães. Era uma época em que os astrólogos, alquimistas e satanistas controlavam a corte; uma seita herdeira dos massacrados Templários treinava uma jovem virgem para a tornar guerreira. E o Vitorioso rei Carlos VII ficaria marcado para sempre pelas mulheres da sua vida: a mãe licenciosa, a sua leal protectora, a sua resignada esposa, as suas muitas amantes e Joana d'Arc.
484 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 30, 2016
Don't let the cover fool you, this is a serious work of historical fiction that tells the story of King Charles VII of France from beginning to end and the 4 women that made his reign a success.
Charles had a rough childhood due to his abusive mother Queen Isabeau the wife of the insane King Charles the VI. Isabeau and the mad King disinherit Charles, their last surviving son, and acknowledge King Henry V of England as the heir to the kingdom after his marriage to their youngest daughter Catherine.
Charles VII still has a few supporters, the main one being Yolande of Aragon whose daughter Marie married Charles while still quite young. Yolande takes the reins and rules in the immature Charles's stead and singlehandedly keeps Charles hopes alive. Charles's fortunes continue to hopelessly flounder but Yolande expertly manages to keep his hopes alive to one day rule France.
Two other women greatly influenced Charles's life. Joan of Arc manages to defeat the English at Orleans and crowns Charles King of France at Reims. In his later years he falls madly in love with Agnes Sorel reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the world who inspires Charles to achieve military glory.
Without the women in his life it is doubtful that Charles would have been able to finally defeat the English and regain all his lands lost to Henry V.
I loved that the author brought a lot of interesting characters to life who are only glossed over in many HF books of his reign. The Bastard of Orleans receives a very in depth coverage which I found fascinating as well as the horrendous Gilles de Rais and de Giac both reputed Satanist. The self serving Georges de la Tremoille is brought to life as well.
Anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating era should enjoy this 5 star book.
Charles had a rough childhood due to his abusive mother Queen Isabeau the wife of the insane King Charles the VI. Isabeau and the mad King disinherit Charles, their last surviving son, and acknowledge King Henry V of England as the heir to the kingdom after his marriage to their youngest daughter Catherine.
Charles VII still has a few supporters, the main one being Yolande of Aragon whose daughter Marie married Charles while still quite young. Yolande takes the reins and rules in the immature Charles's stead and singlehandedly keeps Charles hopes alive. Charles's fortunes continue to hopelessly flounder but Yolande expertly manages to keep his hopes alive to one day rule France.
Two other women greatly influenced Charles's life. Joan of Arc manages to defeat the English at Orleans and crowns Charles King of France at Reims. In his later years he falls madly in love with Agnes Sorel reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the world who inspires Charles to achieve military glory.
Without the women in his life it is doubtful that Charles would have been able to finally defeat the English and regain all his lands lost to Henry V.
I loved that the author brought a lot of interesting characters to life who are only glossed over in many HF books of his reign. The Bastard of Orleans receives a very in depth coverage which I found fascinating as well as the horrendous Gilles de Rais and de Giac both reputed Satanist. The self serving Georges de la Tremoille is brought to life as well.
Anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating era should enjoy this 5 star book.
March 24, 2024
Born late in an ill-favored ruling family, it seems impossible that Charles VII would be the ruler to finally succeed in ending the Hundred Years' War - and he certainly couldn't have done it without the extraordinary women who surrounded him.
This is a meandering sort of book, charting the rise to power of Charles VII and his ousting of the English. The best section of the book is that dealing with "Jehanne Darc" as the author calls her - she's presented as a complex, passionate enigma even to herself. There was plenty to admire or despise about all the titular women, who often eclipse even Charles.
But the last section, centered around Agnès Sorel, became rather dull, and by the end I was still not sure how much I liked Charles who certainly took a lot from those around him without giving a lot in return. The author also definitely drew heavily upon some ideas which aren't really supported by known historical fact, and which in the case of the Priory of Sion had definitely been proven a hoax around the time of the book's publication.
This is a meandering sort of book, charting the rise to power of Charles VII and his ousting of the English. The best section of the book is that dealing with "Jehanne Darc" as the author calls her - she's presented as a complex, passionate enigma even to herself. There was plenty to admire or despise about all the titular women, who often eclipse even Charles.
But the last section, centered around Agnès Sorel, became rather dull, and by the end I was still not sure how much I liked Charles who certainly took a lot from those around him without giving a lot in return. The author also definitely drew heavily upon some ideas which aren't really supported by known historical fact, and which in the case of the Priory of Sion had definitely been proven a hoax around the time of the book's publication.
January 16, 2022
It’s been a long while since I’ve read historical fiction like this. This book took forever…it was so so long and I also had to stop and keep googling all the people and battles.
Very epic and very interesting though, I had no idea all these players were so tied together…my historical fiction reading usually starting with the war of the roses in England…and it was interesting to see all the people in that that got their start around this intrigue.
Very epic and very interesting though, I had no idea all these players were so tied together…my historical fiction reading usually starting with the war of the roses in England…and it was interesting to see all the people in that that got their start around this intrigue.
April 3, 2012
I read this book a few years ago when I was going through my historical romance phase, but have since read it again because I enjoyed it so much. It is a huge book but it is fast paced and rich in detail, and keeps you thoroughly entertained throughout.
I fell in love with the characters who are well-developed and depicted throughout the book and went on to do my own research into their real-life versions once I'd finished.
The emotion that Lake captures is one of the key reasons that I enjoy The King's Women so much, I feel exactly what the characters are feeling and that to me makes the perfect book.
I fell in love with the characters who are well-developed and depicted throughout the book and went on to do my own research into their real-life versions once I'd finished.
The emotion that Lake captures is one of the key reasons that I enjoy The King's Women so much, I feel exactly what the characters are feeling and that to me makes the perfect book.
February 8, 2013
A marvelous tapestry of medieval France with threads of Joan of Arc and the Priory de Sion. The historical characters are some of my favorites: Rene of Anjou, his mother Yolande, Bluebeard.. This has some inaccuracies that have surfaced since its publication but these do not distract from the story.
From the frontispiece: "It was a despicable thing to do to young innocents....but it turned out to be quite glorious."
Just like this book.
From the frontispiece: "It was a despicable thing to do to young innocents....but it turned out to be quite glorious."
Just like this book.
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July 22, 2021The author uses the history of the Priory de Sion to tell the Jean of Arc story. There are wonderful characters in this period of time--Bluebeard, King René of Anjou, his mother Yolande, etc. Lampitt does take liberties with the history and spellings but tells an interesting story nevertheless. Since publication, more has been uncovered that she probably hadn't had access to. Like so many in-depth romances, the prologue and first chapter tend to be info-dumps but then again, she could have expanded on Yolande's relationships. Can't have it both ways, I guess. Good story!
January 20, 2021
This is one of those historical novels that's basically an exercise in softcore porn. That, in itself wouldn't be too bad, except that most of the sex isn't that interesting, and the pairings are so ludicrous, it's hard not to laugh. They include, but aren't limited to, Arthur de Richemont/Yolanda of Aragon and Louis XI of France/Agnès Sorel.
More troublingly, the novel is permeated with a vicious streak of misogyny, with the unfortunate Isabeau of Bavaria as the main target of it. Few of the characters are engaging, as the heroes are a bunch of ineffectual drips and the designated villains (the aforementioned Isabeau plus Pierre de Giac, Jean Sans-Peur, and Gilles de Rais) are so over-the-top that soap opera screenwriters would suggest that maybe they tone it down it a bit.
The author also appears to have bought into the Priory of Sion hoax, which, between that the card-carrying villainy of Giac and Rais, actually manages to make the novel slightly more entertaining than it would be otherwise.
More troublingly, the novel is permeated with a vicious streak of misogyny, with the unfortunate Isabeau of Bavaria as the main target of it. Few of the characters are engaging, as the heroes are a bunch of ineffectual drips and the designated villains (the aforementioned Isabeau plus Pierre de Giac, Jean Sans-Peur, and Gilles de Rais) are so over-the-top that soap opera screenwriters would suggest that maybe they tone it down it a bit.
The author also appears to have bought into the Priory of Sion hoax, which, between that the card-carrying villainy of Giac and Rais, actually manages to make the novel slightly more entertaining than it would be otherwise.
March 16, 2018
Way too slow, and how many times can you call a queen fat? Innumerable, I suppose.
January 11, 2024
I loved it, as a fan of historical fiction this is a 10/10 for me
December 8, 2011
This book was a surprise - well researched,& for the most part well written,although I did have to skim through some stomach-turning ('bodice-ripper') romance paragraphs. Fortunately, there weren't as many as I'd feared there would be when I saw that the version I'd received (thru PBS) was not the one I had requested,but an older edition (with the predictable romance novel cover. I could not bring myself to put that one on my "bookshelves" here.) It makes me wonder how many other books I might've overlooked because they were marketed as historical romances.I liked that the author did not invent characters to populate the novel with & when she did draw conclusions they were plausable. She stuck to the facts as much as possible,& I really like that,because I think that history is entertaining enough. The aspect of historical fiction that appeals to me most is that the author can give us thier interpretation of what they think thier subjects felt or said under the circumstances & events that they lived through. If I wanted to read about fictitious characters & invented situations,I'd read more science fiction,fantasy & plain old fiction.
August 17, 2015
I could not. I simply could not. This is Dynasty in 15th century France, with the majority of the interactions thus far (10% in) ending in sex, talking about sex or leading up to sex. Thus far the titular king has appeared very little (I surmise because he is still too young for sex) and I shudder to think how Joan of Arc will find time to rally the troops and save France between her (I anticipate) orgies. Amazon has repeatedly recommended this author due to my love of historical fiction, but this isn't my type of historical fiction. Disappointed as it's a fascinating period in history and, yes, while dramatic, I need some substance between the bosom heaving.
May 21, 2015
Excellent novel about the life of France's King Charles VII, and the women who influenced his life. These were his mother-in-law, Yolande of Anjou, Joan of Arc and Agnes Sorel, his last mistress. The author captures the tapestry and times of medieval France and the struggles it had with England (known as the Hundred Years War) brilliantly. She has researched her characters and times extremely well. It held my attention from start to finish. Great book and I can recommend it to anyone who loves reading well researched historical fiction.
December 16, 2011
Halfway through this book I realised that I had read it before - but confused because the author wasn't someone I recognised. After a bit of research, I discovered that this author had published this book originally in 1992 under the name Dinah Lampitt. I remember being very keen on her books in the 90's and that's when I had originally read The King's Women.
It follows the fortunes of the French King Charles VII, and the women who share his life, including the Maid of Orleans, Jeanne D'Arc
It follows the fortunes of the French King Charles VII, and the women who share his life, including the Maid of Orleans, Jeanne D'Arc
July 25, 2016
Started this on Kindle on 30th June 2016 Interesting to view the French side of things before the war against Henry V of England who invaded 1414 and the diverse state of France at the time. The king of the title becomes Charles VII of France fulfilling a prophesy that he will drive the English back out of France. Intriguing description of origins and life of Jehanne - Joan of Arc - involving Priory of Sion & Knights Templar.
April 26, 2016
Interesting History
The book is certainly engaging, even provocative and the interwoven threads of the story hold your attention. I would certainly consider other books by this author.
The book is certainly engaging, even provocative and the interwoven threads of the story hold your attention. I would certainly consider other books by this author.
June 16, 2016
great book it is based on fact but is is fiction, there are several different story lines and they all merge together wonderfully,
September 14, 2012
My first historical novel and my first "big book". Filled with love, adventure, bethrayal and excitment around the life of Charles VII of France.
May 17, 2015
Okay. Not as good as the book she wrote on the Seymour family, "Pour the Dark Wine". But that is probably just personal preference as I don't know a huge amount about France at this time period.
January 8, 2016
Es una "novela histórcia" en la cual la autora se toma unas cuantas "licencias poéticas". Es decir, acomoda eventos históricos, o directamente los inventa, con tal de hace fluir la historia.
February 6, 2016
A good plot but too long and too many characters. 15th century France from an interesting angle - the women in Charles VII's life, including Joan d'Arc. An easy read and at times, gripping.
April 2, 2017
I'm afraid I couldn't finish it. Isabeau was a caricature and Yolande was too good to be true. I did not find her romance with Richmont believable. Both women were too two-dimensional.
April 10, 2017
Storyline jumped around a lot. Well researched, but wouldn't read again.
April 25, 2017
It is boring, not much of a plot....not worth the time it took to read it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews