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Song for a Lute
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
170 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
48 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Vance
74 books7 followersAka Sarah K. Wright (Tales From Grimm), Anne Kramer.
" Marguerite Vance was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Miss Martin's School there, from the primary grades to graduation from the collegiate department.
Following graduation she spent three years in Paris. Returning home she married and lived for twenty-one years in Cleveland. After her husband's death in 1931 Mrs. Vance had charge of the book department in the Eastman Bolton Gallery, then for two years was with the Eigbee book department, both in Cleveland.
In 1933 she (moved) to New York to take charge of the children's book department in Dutton's Book Store on Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street. That year her first book, A Star for Hansi, was published by Harper.
In 1940 she joined the staff of E.P. Dutton & Company as editor of children's books. Of her own published books, the most recent carry the Dutton imprint. They are: Boy on the Road: A Christmas Story; While Shepherds Watched; Martha, Daughter of Virginia; Patsy Jefferson of Monticello; The Lees Of Arlington; Marie Antoinette, Daughter of an Empress; Lady Jane Grey, Reluctant Queen; The Jacksons of Tennessee; On Wings of Fire; Windows for Rosemary and The Empress Josephine: from Martinique to Malmaison
(September 1956)."
- This biography is not dated but was requested on October 11th 1960 in correspondence between Vance, E.P. Dutton and Maine State Library's Maine Author Collection so is presumed accurate at least up until that point. The full correspondence can be read here
" Marguerite Vance was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Miss Martin's School there, from the primary grades to graduation from the collegiate department.
Following graduation she spent three years in Paris. Returning home she married and lived for twenty-one years in Cleveland. After her husband's death in 1931 Mrs. Vance had charge of the book department in the Eastman Bolton Gallery, then for two years was with the Eigbee book department, both in Cleveland.
In 1933 she (moved) to New York to take charge of the children's book department in Dutton's Book Store on Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street. That year her first book, A Star for Hansi, was published by Harper.
In 1940 she joined the staff of E.P. Dutton & Company as editor of children's books. Of her own published books, the most recent carry the Dutton imprint. They are: Boy on the Road: A Christmas Story; While Shepherds Watched; Martha, Daughter of Virginia; Patsy Jefferson of Monticello; The Lees Of Arlington; Marie Antoinette, Daughter of an Empress; Lady Jane Grey, Reluctant Queen; The Jacksons of Tennessee; On Wings of Fire; Windows for Rosemary and The Empress Josephine: from Martinique to Malmaison
(September 1956)."
- This biography is not dated but was requested on October 11th 1960 in correspondence between Vance, E.P. Dutton and Maine State Library's Maine Author Collection so is presumed accurate at least up until that point. The full correspondence can be read here
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 5, 2021
The life of Anne Neville and her relationship with Richard III is written as a romance in this novel for children. For the most part, Anne’s world is drawn in black and white, but not entirely: there are surprising nuances and insights. For instance, her first husband, the Prince of Wales, talks of “heading” all his enemies. Then, in a tender scene when they are sailing to England, he vows to honor her as his beloved spouse when he is victorious because he has seen gentleness and kindness in her. Although she loves her father, the Earl of Warwick, Anne has the insight to see what her father cannot—that his star pupil King Edward, had outgrown the need for his support. (And why would he think “Crybaby” George of Clarence should be king instead?). Louis of France sees Warwick as a stupid man whom he is going to punish—but ever so gently.
The book presents the relevant history in a clear and succinct manner for youngsters. There are some head scratchers, however: George and sister Margaret want him to marry Margaret’s biological daughter, Mary. Where did that come from? Mary was Margaret’s step daughter. On the whole, the novel is a nice introduction for children to Richard and Anne.
The book presents the relevant history in a clear and succinct manner for youngsters. There are some head scratchers, however: George and sister Margaret want him to marry Margaret’s biological daughter, Mary. Where did that come from? Mary was Margaret’s step daughter. On the whole, the novel is a nice introduction for children to Richard and Anne.
November 16, 2022
A nice children book. I appreciated particularly some well made scenes, like the dialogue between Richard and his son Edward (and the illustration depicting Edward on his father's kness with Anne embracing them alone is worth the whole book), or Anne's escape from the tavern where she's held by George. I also liked Edward of Lancaster's rounded charachterization. Some things I found odd though, such as some parts in which the author couldn't make up her mind as to which explanation to choose, and simply stated "we don't know how it went". But this is not an history book, this is a novel, and the author should have chosen her path to follow, shouald have filled the gaps left by history. Also my impression is that it was more and more rushed as the ending drew near; for example the time between the Buckingham's rebellion and the Battle of Bosworth is covered in just four pages. Overall, this is a nice, delicate retelling of Richard and Anne's story, clearly made for children.
April 13, 2023
Song for a Lute
By Marguerite Vance
Reviewed January 11, 2023
Song for a Lute, originally published in 1958, is the story of Anne Neville and Richard of Gloucester, told primarily from Anne’s point of view and with a younger audience in mind.
The story starts with Anne’s childhood. Edward IV is now king and has sent his youngest brother, 10-year-old Richard, to live as a member of the Neville household where he will learn knightly duties from the Earl of Warwick.
From there we witness the earl’s slow estrangement from the king, and its impact on the lives of his daughters, Anne and Isabel. Isabel has long had a secret yearning for the king but is married instead to the king’s other brother George, who is a less-than-loving husband, a habitual drinker with a reputation as a crybaby.
In its quiet, simple way, the rest of the story follows the general history of these people as we know it. When her father rebels against King Edward, Warwick and his family take flight to France where he makes a pact with the Lancastrians and marries his youngest daughter to the Prince of Wales, also named Edward. In a nice change from what I read all too often these days, Edward of Lancaster is not portrayed as some rude, lewd, and obnoxious bully, and in one of their last meetings, he is quite tender towards his young wife.
Anne, now attached to Queen Margaret as her forces return to England to reclaim the throne in the name of Henry VI, experiences the deaths of her husband and her father at the battles of Tewkesbury and Barnet, and a change in fortune in how she is viewed by other Yorkists, who look upon her as Lancastrian and therefore with suspicion.
The rest of the story follows Anne through the difficult times in the custody of her brother-in-law George, her “rescue” by Richard, their marriage, their happy days at Middleham, and the birth of their son. But of course, the story has a sad ending with the loss of their son, Anne’s death, and Richard’s death at the Battle of Bosworth.
The story is simply told. There’s not a lot of depth, but this might have been deliberately done because of its target audience. Most of the time the story is told through the activities of the characters, but there are other times when the author engages in lengthy exposition. A phrase often heard these days is that writers should show, not tell, but for some reason, the author makes the telling work just fine in this instance. Then again, I’m not a big proponent of writing in a certain style just because it’s what’s in vogue these days.
All in all, a sweet, romantic version of Richard and Anne’s story that even an adult would enjoy.
By Marguerite Vance
Reviewed January 11, 2023
Song for a Lute, originally published in 1958, is the story of Anne Neville and Richard of Gloucester, told primarily from Anne’s point of view and with a younger audience in mind.
The story starts with Anne’s childhood. Edward IV is now king and has sent his youngest brother, 10-year-old Richard, to live as a member of the Neville household where he will learn knightly duties from the Earl of Warwick.
From there we witness the earl’s slow estrangement from the king, and its impact on the lives of his daughters, Anne and Isabel. Isabel has long had a secret yearning for the king but is married instead to the king’s other brother George, who is a less-than-loving husband, a habitual drinker with a reputation as a crybaby.
In its quiet, simple way, the rest of the story follows the general history of these people as we know it. When her father rebels against King Edward, Warwick and his family take flight to France where he makes a pact with the Lancastrians and marries his youngest daughter to the Prince of Wales, also named Edward. In a nice change from what I read all too often these days, Edward of Lancaster is not portrayed as some rude, lewd, and obnoxious bully, and in one of their last meetings, he is quite tender towards his young wife.
Anne, now attached to Queen Margaret as her forces return to England to reclaim the throne in the name of Henry VI, experiences the deaths of her husband and her father at the battles of Tewkesbury and Barnet, and a change in fortune in how she is viewed by other Yorkists, who look upon her as Lancastrian and therefore with suspicion.
The rest of the story follows Anne through the difficult times in the custody of her brother-in-law George, her “rescue” by Richard, their marriage, their happy days at Middleham, and the birth of their son. But of course, the story has a sad ending with the loss of their son, Anne’s death, and Richard’s death at the Battle of Bosworth.
The story is simply told. There’s not a lot of depth, but this might have been deliberately done because of its target audience. Most of the time the story is told through the activities of the characters, but there are other times when the author engages in lengthy exposition. A phrase often heard these days is that writers should show, not tell, but for some reason, the author makes the telling work just fine in this instance. Then again, I’m not a big proponent of writing in a certain style just because it’s what’s in vogue these days.
All in all, a sweet, romantic version of Richard and Anne’s story that even an adult would enjoy.
February 17, 2011
I loved Marguerite Vance's biographies of famous women so much when I was growing up that when I DID grow up, I collected them all--even the ones I didn't read. So after reading O'Brien's book about Anne Neville and Richard III, I pulled this one off the shelf to see how Vance treated the story. Vance researched all of her books well--each one contains an "acknowledgment" page listing her sources. I found it interesting that one of her sources for Song for a Lute was Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time, which is fiction, but was the first work to revisit the Princes in the Tower tragedy and use historical evidence to absolve Richard III. Vance also views Richard in a favorable light--in fact, her depiction of Richard is well-rounded, but I found her descriptions of Anne somewhat weak, which is due to the lack of available material on Anne Neville. Vance did write "creative non-fiction" by inventing dialogue and even though her dialogue is fictional, I love it as it always sounds authentic (more so than most historical fiction writers today). I wish that Nedda Walker could have illustrated this book. Her pictures for Vance's books on Elizabeth Tudor, Martha Washington, Lady Jane Grey, et al are beautiful and appealing. J. Luis Pellicer's illustrations for this book are historically accurate, but lack the emotion of Walker's art. 5 stars for Vance's ability to explain to a younger reader the political intricacies of royal successions and plots.
June 28, 2008
Children's book about Richard III, very sympathetic. Excellent historical fiction. Now if I could just get my hands on a copy without going bankrupt.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews