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Catherine de Medici #2
The Italian Woman
When Catherine de' Medici was forced to marry Henry of Orleans, her's was not the only heart broken. Jeanne of Navarre once dreamed of marrying this same prince, but like Catherine, she must bend to the will of King Francis's political needs. And so both Catherine and Jeanne's lives are set on unwanted paths, destined to cross in affairs of state, love and faith, driving them to become deadly political rivals. Years later, Jeanne is happily married to the dashing but politically inept Antoine de Bourbon, whilst the widowed Catherine continues to be loved by few and feared by many - including her children. But she is now the powerful mother of kings, who will do anything to see her beloved second son, Henry, rule France. As civil war ravages the country and Jeanne fights for the Huguenot cause, Catherine advances along her unholy road, making enemies at every turn...
385 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1952
136 people are currently reading
1522 people want to read
About the author
Jean Plaidy
186 books1,590 followersEleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 6, 2016
The Italian Woman explores the middle stages of Catherine Medici's middle stages of her royal career as the powerful mother of kings. Much is based on contemporary hearsay and not modern historical reports.
Great events such as the St. Bartholomew Massacre are merely glossed over. There is no deep character development. Even Medici doesn't come across as the ruthless villainess her reputation states. As this the second book in a trilogy I'll read the third to finish the series.
Great events such as the St. Bartholomew Massacre are merely glossed over. There is no deep character development. Even Medici doesn't come across as the ruthless villainess her reputation states. As this the second book in a trilogy I'll read the third to finish the series.
June 13, 2020
This is the middle book of a three novel series on Catherine DeMedici by Jean Plaidy,
The stage is set with the back story of Catherine’s niece by marriage, Jeanne d’Albret. You learn that from the age of 2 she was kept in Paris (away from her mother whom she yearned for) so that her uncle, King Francis I, could eventually use her for a marriage to advance his foreign policy goals. At age 12, the marriage was to the Duke of Cleeves; Plaidy fashions a rescue. Later, Plaidy has Catherine DeMedici (wife of Francis I) assist Jeanne in marrying the man she loves. After this, the book centers on Catherine and her relationship with Jeanne among others.
Plaidy demonstrates the means most likely used by the Guise family to manipulate Francis II through his beautiful wife Mary (Queen of Scots and France). You see how Catherine cannot wait for the death of Francis II, her oldest son, so she can be rid of Mary and blunt the Guise family’s power.
Catherine’s embrace of some Protestants is attributed to 1) her being new to power 2) an attempt to balance the power of the Guise family and 3) the attractiveness of Protestant, Louis, the Prince of Conde.
You see Catherine beat her daughter, contemplate poisonings and kidnap and entrap. The book ends with the death of Jeanne. This comes at a time when Catherine has had it with her second son King Charles IX and is ready to end his life so that she can rule through son #3, Henry. Catherine’s daughter and Jeanne’s son are to marry which sets the stage for a future (maybe) Protestant King – and the beginning of the Bourbon dynasty,
The book is an interesting read. Parts are wordy. The story enables you to better understand the power dynamics of this time of history.
The stage is set with the back story of Catherine’s niece by marriage, Jeanne d’Albret. You learn that from the age of 2 she was kept in Paris (away from her mother whom she yearned for) so that her uncle, King Francis I, could eventually use her for a marriage to advance his foreign policy goals. At age 12, the marriage was to the Duke of Cleeves; Plaidy fashions a rescue. Later, Plaidy has Catherine DeMedici (wife of Francis I) assist Jeanne in marrying the man she loves. After this, the book centers on Catherine and her relationship with Jeanne among others.
Plaidy demonstrates the means most likely used by the Guise family to manipulate Francis II through his beautiful wife Mary (Queen of Scots and France). You see how Catherine cannot wait for the death of Francis II, her oldest son, so she can be rid of Mary and blunt the Guise family’s power.
Catherine’s embrace of some Protestants is attributed to 1) her being new to power 2) an attempt to balance the power of the Guise family and 3) the attractiveness of Protestant, Louis, the Prince of Conde.
You see Catherine beat her daughter, contemplate poisonings and kidnap and entrap. The book ends with the death of Jeanne. This comes at a time when Catherine has had it with her second son King Charles IX and is ready to end his life so that she can rule through son #3, Henry. Catherine’s daughter and Jeanne’s son are to marry which sets the stage for a future (maybe) Protestant King – and the beginning of the Bourbon dynasty,
The book is an interesting read. Parts are wordy. The story enables you to better understand the power dynamics of this time of history.
August 12, 2015
Another excellent reading! Jean Plaidy writes in such an interesting way, that makes you feel like you're seeing the court. On this books, she brings the story about Jeanne D'Albret, the leader Reformist and rival of Catherine. She had a strong personality and didn't hold herself, to act when she wanted something. It was interesting to know more about Henry de Navarre's mother. Sadly, she also paid high for her life, for being on Catherine's path. On this sequel, Catherine de' Medici plots all the time. She wants to rule, but as her son, the King Francis II is weak, sick and manipulated by The Guises and Mary Stuart, Catherines use Charles to achieve what she wants. Charles has a mental disorder, so it was easy to Catherine become a Regent thru him. But Catherine's true intention was to bring Henry, her favorite son, on throne. It's horrible to read her tacts and plots! She didn't care for no one. She brings "tutors" to make Charles, don't get interested in women, she wanted to aggravate his madness and initiate him into the way of perversions, so this way her power on throne wouldn't be insecure. She also threatens Charles, using his mental disorder, to make him do whatever she wants. She brings women to seduce the brothers Bourbon. She ruin their lifes, just to keep her power. Margot was constantly beaten by Catherine and her brothers, specially Charles. And of course, the constant civil and religious war, during her reign, which she did have a great blame on the events. The court during Catherine de' Medici reign was immoral! She was indeed a serpent. I think the first book is more like "the italian woman", but on this second book, is much more like "madame serpent"! Catherine was a monster! It's surprising to known that such woman existed!
January 20, 2020
This was the second in the trilogy about Catherine de Medici. This novel also told the story from Jeanne of Navarre. It gave a very interesting look at this French family and especially Catherine de Medici. I always finish these types of books feeling grateful that I am alive now and not any time in history. Women just have a horrible lot in life. However Catherine was a truly horrible person. This novel was not my favorite. I did enjoy the first book more. I own the third book so I will read that one but I hope it is a little better than this one. Not a bad book just didn't love it.
April 26, 2016
Blah, but her research was good. Very unbalanced narrative as the story begins from Jeanne d'Albret's perspective and swaps midway to Catherine, for no apparent reason, other than that's where all the dirty deeds are happening. But who is the protagonist??
Honestly, the House of Valois was super yuck. They make the Tudors look good. No wonder so many French people chucked it and shipped for England. I would have, too. Plaidy has no interest in rehabilitating Catherine, in fact she probably goes a bit overboard in the other direction. I read this because I wanted to get more of a feel for this time period, and it did help me untangle some of the dynastic snarls and vendettas which had gotten a bit mixed up in my head. Novelists are helpful in this regard because they have to keep making sense of things for their readers - something that historians would do well to mimic.
I also appreciated that she came up with a plausible motive for Catherine wanting Jeanne dead, which historians like to pooh pooh now as Huguenot propaganda.
Not to be read for enjoyment or edification.
Honestly, the House of Valois was super yuck. They make the Tudors look good. No wonder so many French people chucked it and shipped for England. I would have, too. Plaidy has no interest in rehabilitating Catherine, in fact she probably goes a bit overboard in the other direction. I read this because I wanted to get more of a feel for this time period, and it did help me untangle some of the dynastic snarls and vendettas which had gotten a bit mixed up in my head. Novelists are helpful in this regard because they have to keep making sense of things for their readers - something that historians would do well to mimic.
I also appreciated that she came up with a plausible motive for Catherine wanting Jeanne dead, which historians like to pooh pooh now as Huguenot propaganda.
Not to be read for enjoyment or edification.
November 25, 2021
Oh wow this woman gets more evil as this series goes on! A definite progression from the meek queen she was to the poisoning Queen mother lol.
March 15, 2020
Although I appreciated the story this novel told, based on true facts, it simply was not told in a compelling enough way for me.
When a story takes a formidable character from history, such as Catherine de Medici in this case, you know you should be in for an interesting read. In places this novel was fascinating, but overall it was too much like reading non-fiction. It felt a bit clinical and distant in the way biographies I have read on similar topics can do. In fact, it made me think I may want to read a biography on this infamous, but very interesting woman. Maybe that would suit me better.
I enjoy historical fiction and when they are based on actual people from history I don't mind if their story is embellished or dramatized. In fact, I tend to prefer it. This was ok for me and I do not regret reading it, but unfortunately I am unlikely to read more from this author,
When a story takes a formidable character from history, such as Catherine de Medici in this case, you know you should be in for an interesting read. In places this novel was fascinating, but overall it was too much like reading non-fiction. It felt a bit clinical and distant in the way biographies I have read on similar topics can do. In fact, it made me think I may want to read a biography on this infamous, but very interesting woman. Maybe that would suit me better.
I enjoy historical fiction and when they are based on actual people from history I don't mind if their story is embellished or dramatized. In fact, I tend to prefer it. This was ok for me and I do not regret reading it, but unfortunately I am unlikely to read more from this author,
August 29, 2012
The Italian Woman was my first Jean Plaidy and it was Catherine de Medici at her best. Unfortunately I read the middle book of the trilogy first but I can't wait now to read Queen Jezebel. Anything to do with the Medici family fascinates me - an enjoyable Bank Holiday read.
January 30, 2016
This is the second in a trilogy about Catherine d'Medici. Jean Plaidy is a wonderful writer and does her best to stay within history while filling in the emotions and turmoil that makes up the very real lives of historical figures. I didn't read book 1, and this reads fine as a stand alone.
May 25, 2018
Not as good as the first in the series, but still a reasonable look at the life of Catherine de Medici. This takes her from the death of her husband, Henry II, to the death of Jeanne d'Albret, queen of Navarre.
The pace is patchy, and unfortunately the last section of the book is the slowest.
The pace is patchy, and unfortunately the last section of the book is the slowest.
January 4, 2018
i thought this was a fairly good book but it did take me awhile to get into it
December 5, 2017
Being the second in the Medici trilogy the book focuses on the middle of Catherine de Medici's life. However, the first part of the book focuses on the early life of Jeanne d'Albret Queen of Navarre and how her developing relationship with Catherine from rival to enemy is fumed by jealousy and ambition. Fighting for control of the French throne through her sons Catherine finds danger at every corner but finds it easy to manipulate others to her whim. The Queen of Navarre only wants a quiet life with her husband and children but is dragged into court politics with the civil war of religion turning to her as a Protestant leader against the Catholics.
I really enjoyed this book and found it really hard to put it down when I did have the chance to read it. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction and the French Royal family during the mid 16th century.
I really enjoyed this book and found it really hard to put it down when I did have the chance to read it. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical fiction and the French Royal family during the mid 16th century.
January 19, 2020
Este es el tipo de libros por los que nunca he podido dejar de leer a Jean Plaidy - seudónimo de Victoria Holt - y es que definitivamente lo suyo es la novela histórica.
La Italiana nos muestra a una Catalina de Medici madura, resentida con la mano de la vida q le ha tocado y es q ver a su marido pasearse abiertamente con su amante, ser despreciada e ignorada por prácticamente todo un país, debió ser muy difícil y casi...casi, le tuve pena.
Pero Catalina de Medici no fue una mujer para sentir pena, xq aunq sea de la manera equivocada, se desquitó. En lo q se quedó viuda y tuvo un poco de poder apretó a fondo el acelerador y aunq durante su periodo de influencia hubo muchas más luces q sombras - en mi modesta opinión - y nos ha dejado como uno de los ejemplos femeninos menos recomendables, la verdad sea dicha con justicia, la Italiana no deja indiferente a nadie.
La Italiana nos muestra a una Catalina de Medici madura, resentida con la mano de la vida q le ha tocado y es q ver a su marido pasearse abiertamente con su amante, ser despreciada e ignorada por prácticamente todo un país, debió ser muy difícil y casi...casi, le tuve pena.
Pero Catalina de Medici no fue una mujer para sentir pena, xq aunq sea de la manera equivocada, se desquitó. En lo q se quedó viuda y tuvo un poco de poder apretó a fondo el acelerador y aunq durante su periodo de influencia hubo muchas más luces q sombras - en mi modesta opinión - y nos ha dejado como uno de los ejemplos femeninos menos recomendables, la verdad sea dicha con justicia, la Italiana no deja indiferente a nadie.
May 3, 2020
Pop Sugar Challenge 2020 prompt: A book with a three word title
I was first introduced to Jean Plaidy when I bought The Royal Road to Fotheringhay (Stuart Saga, #1), which I loved, and she doesn't fail to disappoint in The Italian Woman, the second book in a trilogy about Catherine de Medici.
Catherine is probably a historical figure that most of us have heard of but don't know much about, and this book deals with the middle period of her life - when her sons were on the throne of France. The novel is actually told from the point of view of Jeanne of Navarre, a distant relation by marriage of Catherine's through her late father in law. Jeanne is of the same generation of Catherine, yet her life is so different to Catherine's - Jeanne has a happy marriage and her children love her. But the machinations of Catherine de Medici touch any one who is remotely connected with the French court, and she will stop at nothing to ensure her children continue to rule France according to her will. Jean Plaidy manages to evoke the decadence and scandal of the French court and lead you through the intrigues and alliances which make it such a dangerous place. It can be a little difficult to keep up with these at times, but overall, an excellent novel and a great way to learn about an important historical period.
I was first introduced to Jean Plaidy when I bought The Royal Road to Fotheringhay (Stuart Saga, #1), which I loved, and she doesn't fail to disappoint in The Italian Woman, the second book in a trilogy about Catherine de Medici.
Catherine is probably a historical figure that most of us have heard of but don't know much about, and this book deals with the middle period of her life - when her sons were on the throne of France. The novel is actually told from the point of view of Jeanne of Navarre, a distant relation by marriage of Catherine's through her late father in law. Jeanne is of the same generation of Catherine, yet her life is so different to Catherine's - Jeanne has a happy marriage and her children love her. But the machinations of Catherine de Medici touch any one who is remotely connected with the French court, and she will stop at nothing to ensure her children continue to rule France according to her will. Jean Plaidy manages to evoke the decadence and scandal of the French court and lead you through the intrigues and alliances which make it such a dangerous place. It can be a little difficult to keep up with these at times, but overall, an excellent novel and a great way to learn about an important historical period.
October 15, 2018
Honestly I continued reading this book because I felt it my duty to read the whole thing. I will probably never pick up a book by Jean Plaidy again. She takes the evilest, vilest rumors about history's most important people and breathes a weird, sadistic life to them. Reading this book, I felt no attachement to ANY of the characters. It was almost like reading something immature, a weak attempt at bringing these figures to life. Catherine de Medici may not have been innocent but to treat her as a monster, a person capable of only loving ONE of her many children while manipulating and treating the rest as worthless pawns is reprehensible to me. There was far more to this woman than a vile poisoner and she should be treated as such.
August 26, 2019
Diferente al otro.
Aunque me lo he leído en el mismo tiempo que el anterior y uno seguido del otro no me han parecido los mismo libros de una trilogía.
Mientras que en uno se vio la evolucion del personaje de la protagonista este segundo ha parecido que pasa ha un segundo plano que otros personajes son los protagonistas.
Incluso ha costado sentir esa pequeña empatia que tenía en el libro anterior, quiero decir pensar que no es tan mala sino que los otros la trataban mal para que se convertirá así, nada más hay que ver como trataba a su propia hija y lasz palizas que le daba.
Sigue siendo una biografia novelada y aunque es interesante y la recomiendo lo que digo es que no busquéis la edición que he leído ya que está llenas de falta ortografícas.
Aunque me lo he leído en el mismo tiempo que el anterior y uno seguido del otro no me han parecido los mismo libros de una trilogía.
Mientras que en uno se vio la evolucion del personaje de la protagonista este segundo ha parecido que pasa ha un segundo plano que otros personajes son los protagonistas.
Incluso ha costado sentir esa pequeña empatia que tenía en el libro anterior, quiero decir pensar que no es tan mala sino que los otros la trataban mal para que se convertirá así, nada más hay que ver como trataba a su propia hija y lasz palizas que le daba.
Sigue siendo una biografia novelada y aunque es interesante y la recomiendo lo que digo es que no busquéis la edición que he leído ya que está llenas de falta ortografícas.
January 6, 2024
Can a woman get a break!?!?
Catherine is finally able to have some power and be free from humiliation, but now she has to fight in a different way. The Guise family are constantly trying to take her power and basically send her to retirement. And she is like 'hell no' and will not surrender. I love Jeanne, princess and then Queen of Navarre. Now she is a woman who won't resort to behind the scenes plans. Their lives intertwined and faced similar challenges. Jeanne tried to show a younger Catherine friendship after seeing the hell that Diane would cause with Henry but ends up seeing a bit of Catherine's true nature. And then throw in politics and religion is just a powder keg in that time.
Catherine is finally able to have some power and be free from humiliation, but now she has to fight in a different way. The Guise family are constantly trying to take her power and basically send her to retirement. And she is like 'hell no' and will not surrender. I love Jeanne, princess and then Queen of Navarre. Now she is a woman who won't resort to behind the scenes plans. Their lives intertwined and faced similar challenges. Jeanne tried to show a younger Catherine friendship after seeing the hell that Diane would cause with Henry but ends up seeing a bit of Catherine's true nature. And then throw in politics and religion is just a powder keg in that time.
March 22, 2018
This is the second book in the trilogy. Catherine is in her prime, having children and working behind the scenes in support of her husband. Another strong woman is brought into the picture, Jeanne of Navarre. Catherine considers her a rival and they clash in both political and religious fields. As there lives change with the death of the king and the marriage of Jeanne, their fortunes wax and wane. The unrest in the country leads to civil war and Catherine delves deeper into harsh political manipulations/murders to ensure the rights of her dynasty. The young girl that we occasionally pitied in the first book has developed into a strong and dangerous woman.
August 7, 2019
All the torture scenes and messed up ways of relating were horrible to think about and ultimately tedious and repetitive. I guess it was well researched, a historical text on the same topic might have been interesting but as a novel the characters were too unlikeable and uninteresting. As women's history it is too "liberal feminist" ie being so interested in Catherine de Medici having power that you miss the point that there is literally NOTHING liberating about this.
I won't bother with any more of these.
I won't bother with any more of these.
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January 4, 2026Only when I picked this up to start it did I realise it is part two of a trilogy. It reads pretty well as a standalone though; the ending comes rather abruptly.
It’s a good book, more an historical romance than anything else though. If you’re looking for a broader commentary or interpretation of the religious and political upheaval of the time, you’ll need to go elsewhere. Not that is entirely lightweight or fluffy. It’s a character study of a set of powerful and complex people and I enjoyed reading it as much now as I did back when I was a teenager.
It’s a good book, more an historical romance than anything else though. If you’re looking for a broader commentary or interpretation of the religious and political upheaval of the time, you’ll need to go elsewhere. Not that is entirely lightweight or fluffy. It’s a character study of a set of powerful and complex people and I enjoyed reading it as much now as I did back when I was a teenager.
April 1, 2024
Alas. I had enjoyed Jean Plaidy when I was (much) younger and I was curious to see whether her writing “aged” well. The answer was no, there was too much head-hopping….but it took a while to answer that question because it was not the book I expected. The novel opened with Jeanne d’Albret and stayed with her for the first 13% (I checked). This was Jeanne’s story more than Catherine’s - it was more Margot’s story than Catherine’s - and never really went anywhere.
September 2, 2018
Wow. From this point of view, Catherine Dr Medici had good reason to become a cold, strong-minded, ruthless bitch. I'm only surprised that she didn't break out a voodoo doll on Diane de Poitiers. She definitely should have worked harder at being closer to her own children, though. Looking forward to the next two books, but I'm indulging in the First Ladies of America as a break.
August 2, 2019
Hasta ahora una forma de ver la historia bastante precisa en cuanto a “quienes” pero no tanto en el “como”, desafortunadamente, dado que los reportes históricos actuales han desmentido varios aspectos. Por el modo en que ha sido desarrollada la novela en todo caso, tiene la cadencia e intriga que satisface las necesidades del lector, por lo que le doy el buen puntaje.
October 11, 2021
It's Catherine de Medici-there should be excitement, intrigue galore, drama-but this portrayal was just flat. It gave a good synopsis of the history and the people but I just didn't get the idea that Catherine was a truly fearsome ruler. It read like a summary. This was certainly not one of my favorites by Plaidy.
August 3, 2024
Definitely a unique story to tell. I appreciate the author's note that talks about the difference between the historian and novel writer. But Jean seems to really have done her research which is good to hear. Catherine de Medici was one hell of an impressive woman. It's unfortunate we'll never really know how much she was capable of.
March 16, 2017
Fun reading by Jean Plaidy and it balanced out the other Catherine Medici book I read last year (The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner). That book had a lot of compassion for Catherine and turned her adversary, Jeanne of Nevarre, into quite an antagonist that was easy to hate. In this book, I felt just the reverse. Plaidy seems to side with Jeanne and turns Catherine into a cold calculating temptress. It does not surprise me that this book was written in the 70s. Some of our evolving notions about women are missing from this book but I do love that Catherine is not seen as maternal or terribly loving. She likes power and will do terrible things to keep it. There's no denying that part of history. I didn't feel like this was a middle book until the ending which was very unsatisfying. I'm not sure it held my interest quite enough to read the one that goes before or the one that goes after.
March 13, 2018
I gave it 4 stars because although I enjoyed the book I preferred the first one - Madame Serpent better. It was still intriguing but with the in and out of Jeanne of Navarre it seemed to venture off from Catherine. Looking forward to the final of the series Queen Jezebel!
January 2, 2019
Puede ser la traducción (o no) pero la narración no logra asestar un buen enganche para el lector. La historía de fondo por otra parte, aunque ligéramente pasada de fantastica, es un buen aliciente para continuar con los demás títulos de la saga.
February 19, 2022
Desde las primeras páginas lo introduce a uno al tiempo de los reinados, cautivadora historia, como la Reina Catalina de Medecis, fue malvada, con tanto rencor en su corazón que no le importaba nada ni sus propios hijos.
August 10, 2017
A bit repetitive and lacking in good storytelling, but interesting for the history of the times for those of us with an interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews