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Queens of England #1
Myself, My Enemy
Despite the dangers of practicing her faith in the staunchly Protestant England, pretty Queen Henrietta Maria refuses to cast aside her Catholicism, so she finds little favour among the people. She is impetuous and loving, fond of fashionable clothes and gossip, and Charles, a family man of principle and integrity, is entirely devoted to her.
But their happy if controversial marriage is soon under threat when Henrietta is renounced as a puppet of Rome and charged with leading Protestant England back to Rome.
Soon her enemies swarm and the spies in her household prove too much. Only her loyalty and love for Charles can hope to keep him from the road to regicide.
But their happy if controversial marriage is soon under threat when Henrietta is renounced as a puppet of Rome and charged with leading Protestant England back to Rome.
Soon her enemies swarm and the spies in her household prove too much. Only her loyalty and love for Charles can hope to keep him from the road to regicide.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
140 people are currently reading
3495 people want to read
About the author
Jean Plaidy
187 books1,588 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 3, 2009
2.5/5 stars. This novel is written from the point of view of Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I of England. The back of the book described Henrietta as "adorable", but to me she was anything but that. She was obnoxious, irritating, narrow-minded and shallow (at least as portrayed in this novel). She was RIGHT, and anyone who disagreed with her was WRONG, and she never outgrew that way of thinking. I nudged the book from 2 to 2.5 stars because some parts towards the end were actually interesting (pretty much after Charles died - it took awhile to get there), but besides that it was rather dull. I'm not a big fan of 1st person POV novels (including Plaidy's), and having to be stuck inside Henrietta's head for the duration of this book was dreadful.
June 23, 2019
This was ok.
The POC are described in racist and xenophobic ways. Probably period appropriate but off putting.
I loathe the audiobook narrators.
The POC are described in racist and xenophobic ways. Probably period appropriate but off putting.
I loathe the audiobook narrators.
April 19, 2014
Before reading this book, what I knew of Henrietta Maria, besides being the wife of Charles I of England, was that she was also the woman who gave her name to the Colony of "Maryland". This is her story. She was the daughter of King Henri IV of France, widely acknowledged to be one of France's most popular and enlightened rulers who was killed by a madman when Henrietta Maria was a baby. She grew up under the sway of a domineering, distant mother set on marrying her children to influential royals in France and across Europe as a way of advancing and securing certain financial and political alliances. So, it was that Henrietta Maria, a fervent Catholic, was married to Charles I of Protestant England.
What I found especially interesting from reading this book was how Henrietta Maria's religiosity caused a lot of friction and problems in her personal life and made her an unpopular figure in England. It has to be borne in mind that England, scarcely a hundred years removed from the upheavals of the Reformation, was regarded as a pariah nation, despite her growing power as a mercantile nation. Henrietta Maria arrived in England with her own retinue with the determination to subtly bring England back to the "true faith." As part of her marriage contact, she was permitted to bring up her children as Catholic til they were thirteen years of age. Her husband, Charles I, seemed to be a well-meaning sort, though rather indecisive and often at odds with Parliament over how the country should be ruled. Charles, who believed firmly in the Divine Right of Kings, looked upon Parliament as an inconvenience best avoided if possible. So, for 11 years, he ruled without it. But Charles had to call them back when he was in need of money, for only Parliament was empowered to give him money. In the meantime, there was also the rise of a Puritan movement in England as exemplified by Members of Parliament like John Pym and Oliver Cromwell. There was growing dissatisfaction with Charles' rule. So when peaceful means to resolve issues between Charles I and Parliament fell through, civil war ensued, with dire consequences for Charles, Henrietta Maria, and their children. (More than a decade would pass before the monarchy in England would be restored in the person of Henrietta Maria's eldest son, Charles II.)
Henrietta Maria struck me as a rather difficult person, spoiled, intolerant in religious matters, yet possessed of a certain inner strength that helped her to weather many crises in her life. I'm glad I read this book.
What I found especially interesting from reading this book was how Henrietta Maria's religiosity caused a lot of friction and problems in her personal life and made her an unpopular figure in England. It has to be borne in mind that England, scarcely a hundred years removed from the upheavals of the Reformation, was regarded as a pariah nation, despite her growing power as a mercantile nation. Henrietta Maria arrived in England with her own retinue with the determination to subtly bring England back to the "true faith." As part of her marriage contact, she was permitted to bring up her children as Catholic til they were thirteen years of age. Her husband, Charles I, seemed to be a well-meaning sort, though rather indecisive and often at odds with Parliament over how the country should be ruled. Charles, who believed firmly in the Divine Right of Kings, looked upon Parliament as an inconvenience best avoided if possible. So, for 11 years, he ruled without it. But Charles had to call them back when he was in need of money, for only Parliament was empowered to give him money. In the meantime, there was also the rise of a Puritan movement in England as exemplified by Members of Parliament like John Pym and Oliver Cromwell. There was growing dissatisfaction with Charles' rule. So when peaceful means to resolve issues between Charles I and Parliament fell through, civil war ensued, with dire consequences for Charles, Henrietta Maria, and their children. (More than a decade would pass before the monarchy in England would be restored in the person of Henrietta Maria's eldest son, Charles II.)
Henrietta Maria struck me as a rather difficult person, spoiled, intolerant in religious matters, yet possessed of a certain inner strength that helped her to weather many crises in her life. I'm glad I read this book.
June 12, 2021
This was a story with too many characters and political intrigues. The main character was not very likable, hence the title. I skipped the last bit of the book, which is unusual for me.
June 1, 2014
Jean Plaidy managed to turn an exciting period in English history into tedium and boredom. It did not help that the story is told from the perspective of a woman who is not terribly likable. Henrietta Maria is the daughter of Henry IV of France and Marie de Medici, and the wife of Charles I of England. She is stubborn, willful, impetuous, foolish and rather stupid. And she is determined to turn England into a Catholic country, which hastens the downfall of Charles I. When the Queen retreats to France to sanctuary and Charles is deposed and executed, she manages to alienate all but one of her children. Even when the Restoration arrives with her son Charles II on the throne, Henrietta still makes trouble for all around her.
I adore historical fiction, but this was a laborious read. I have read several of Jean Plaidy's books in the past. But I am not sure I will read more of them in the future.
I adore historical fiction, but this was a laborious read. I have read several of Jean Plaidy's books in the past. But I am not sure I will read more of them in the future.
May 29, 2022
Myself, My Enemy is the first book in Jean Plaidy's Queens of England series. The focus of which is from the point of view of Henrietta Maria, a French princess who married the infamous Charles Stuart of England. She was a frivolous in her youth, growing up in the French Court where she, being the youngest, was looked as an afterthought by both her mother and ministers when compared to her older siblings. Upon her English marriage, it was clear the two had a very uneasy early coupling as both clashed in cultures. Ultimately, Charles proved to be a loving husband and allowed Henrietta to have her way on most things. Despite the religious tension going on in the country, she looked over most of it, despite advice from her friends until the Civil War broke out. While she tried her best to support Charles' royalist cause, it was in vain. The aftermath not only costed her husband's head, but her crown and family. The once big family of eight, dwindled to five, then to just four by the Restoration of the monarchy. All of which, Henrietta took matters into her own hands, believing everything she was doing, from pushing her Catholicism to storming about trivial matter, she saw no errors in her ways until near the end of her life. And only then does she realize that perhaps the greatest threat to her was herself, hence the title.
Jean Plaidy is known to use most of the factual information available for the figures she portray to the fullest extent. So much, that I can almost say this could be an autobiography to an extent because a lot of the events that happened in here were very close to what one could find in other biographies and online sources nowadays. And being that the timeline spanned from the 1610s to 1669, there is a lot she covered in here from Henrietta's experience: the English marriage, the English Civil War, the Fronde and the beginnings of the Restoration in England. With so much happening, there are bound to be a vast array of characters and details! Plaidy really is going for an all-around 17th century atmosphere in this book! History lovers may like her books, it could also be its greatest fault in the story. At times, I felt overburdened by the vast of information that is relayed, the writing occasionally can feel flat at times, especially when it is during dramatic events of the story or conflict between the characters. Which explains why I put this at 3 stars. Others complained that the Queen is portrayed as very unlikeable, but that might be true, I find it close to her actual personality that it drove the story at times as well.
I have read only read one other book in this series by Plaidy, but I see much of the same characteristics in this first installment here. I am all for authors who can create good historical fiction without the need to exaggerate or twist real history in the process. Plaidy succeeds in this, bringing the tone of 17th century England to life, flaws and all. Finishing this, made me wonder how different things would have played for Henrietta had she been less headstrong and more lenient towards the political causes that could've spared her much heartbreak. Or if religious influence weren't as strong as it was back then. Regardless, though it was very heavy on the historical information to the point of near excess, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience and look forward to reading her other books in the series.
Jean Plaidy is known to use most of the factual information available for the figures she portray to the fullest extent. So much, that I can almost say this could be an autobiography to an extent because a lot of the events that happened in here were very close to what one could find in other biographies and online sources nowadays. And being that the timeline spanned from the 1610s to 1669, there is a lot she covered in here from Henrietta's experience: the English marriage, the English Civil War, the Fronde and the beginnings of the Restoration in England. With so much happening, there are bound to be a vast array of characters and details! Plaidy really is going for an all-around 17th century atmosphere in this book! History lovers may like her books, it could also be its greatest fault in the story. At times, I felt overburdened by the vast of information that is relayed, the writing occasionally can feel flat at times, especially when it is during dramatic events of the story or conflict between the characters. Which explains why I put this at 3 stars. Others complained that the Queen is portrayed as very unlikeable, but that might be true, I find it close to her actual personality that it drove the story at times as well.
I have read only read one other book in this series by Plaidy, but I see much of the same characteristics in this first installment here. I am all for authors who can create good historical fiction without the need to exaggerate or twist real history in the process. Plaidy succeeds in this, bringing the tone of 17th century England to life, flaws and all. Finishing this, made me wonder how different things would have played for Henrietta had she been less headstrong and more lenient towards the political causes that could've spared her much heartbreak. Or if religious influence weren't as strong as it was back then. Regardless, though it was very heavy on the historical information to the point of near excess, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience and look forward to reading her other books in the series.
October 20, 2020
How does one comment about a novel featuring a character whose personality is grating? Just begin. Queen Henriette, known as Queen Henrietta by the English, is most unlikable. Spoiled but beautiful, she grew up the center of attention and deeply religious. When she is betrothed to Charles I of England, she is determined to convert not only the king but the people of England to what she called "the true faith," the Catholic Church. She has no compassion nor tolerance for those of other religious beliefs. Henriette was so determined to convert others that she refused to be crowned because the ceremony contained Protestant phrases she could not tolerate. Her actions alienated the people again and again.
While she grew to love Charles deeply and birthed many children, the two were fated to lose their thrones and Charles, his head. She escaped that fate when she retuned to her childhood country, France. Charles was a good man but a poor king. He found it difficult to understand and deal with people. Those he chose as advisers were intensely disliked by the people. He was a good father and loved the queen, he was no politician and the advice he took led him to his demise.
It was ten years before England became disenchanted with Puritan rule and asked Charles II to take the throne. Fortunately, he was a quite different man than his father. He was more tolerant, listened to the people and chose his advisers wtih this in mind.
This is the first of Plaidy's series about the queens and it was well written. While I did not like the key character as portrayed by her, I enjoyed the read. There is so much more to a reading a novel than liking a character. It's a good read.
While she grew to love Charles deeply and birthed many children, the two were fated to lose their thrones and Charles, his head. She escaped that fate when she retuned to her childhood country, France. Charles was a good man but a poor king. He found it difficult to understand and deal with people. Those he chose as advisers were intensely disliked by the people. He was a good father and loved the queen, he was no politician and the advice he took led him to his demise.
It was ten years before England became disenchanted with Puritan rule and asked Charles II to take the throne. Fortunately, he was a quite different man than his father. He was more tolerant, listened to the people and chose his advisers wtih this in mind.
This is the first of Plaidy's series about the queens and it was well written. While I did not like the key character as portrayed by her, I enjoyed the read. There is so much more to a reading a novel than liking a character. It's a good read.
September 9, 2016
It was a struggle to get through this book and I kept the myth alive that it would get better. Unfortunately it did not.
There were contradictions throughout the story which were annoying as was the repetition and flat characters.
Henrietta is a Catholic queen in Protestant England married to Charles I; Plaidy has her mention her faith about a million times. I get it, you are Catholic and want to convert your husband (and everyone else). That is fine, but I didn't need to be reminded endlessly. Subtlety and allowing the reader to develop conclusions makes it much more enjoyable.
At the beginning of the novel, we meet Henrietta who remembered and knew too much for a six year old. Her thinking was really advanced which seemed odd to me. But I could forgive that as long as the story flowed well, but it really didn't. The one good thing was that she was fairly tame as a child, and therefore a little more likeable.
Henrietta also enjoys being obstinate. Another piece about Henrietta we are reminded of again and again. She can't help but be disagreeable and inflexible, but she is a queen and is entitled, blah, blah, blah. I wanted to slap her quite a few times. She is very dramatic; she sees how her behavior is forecasting doom and gloom for them all, but yet she continues onward, a little more restraint would have conveyed the story better.
I was excited to learn more about Henrietta but was so disappointed in this storyline. I will definitey look for other opportunities to catch up on this queen's history.
Myself, My Enemy is the perfect title. Because it was all about Henrietta.
There were contradictions throughout the story which were annoying as was the repetition and flat characters.
Henrietta is a Catholic queen in Protestant England married to Charles I; Plaidy has her mention her faith about a million times. I get it, you are Catholic and want to convert your husband (and everyone else). That is fine, but I didn't need to be reminded endlessly. Subtlety and allowing the reader to develop conclusions makes it much more enjoyable.
At the beginning of the novel, we meet Henrietta who remembered and knew too much for a six year old. Her thinking was really advanced which seemed odd to me. But I could forgive that as long as the story flowed well, but it really didn't. The one good thing was that she was fairly tame as a child, and therefore a little more likeable.
Henrietta also enjoys being obstinate. Another piece about Henrietta we are reminded of again and again. She can't help but be disagreeable and inflexible, but she is a queen and is entitled, blah, blah, blah. I wanted to slap her quite a few times. She is very dramatic; she sees how her behavior is forecasting doom and gloom for them all, but yet she continues onward, a little more restraint would have conveyed the story better.
I was excited to learn more about Henrietta but was so disappointed in this storyline. I will definitey look for other opportunities to catch up on this queen's history.
Myself, My Enemy is the perfect title. Because it was all about Henrietta.
July 21, 2011
This isn't the best book I've ever read but it's a his fic classic. I wish I had read all the classics first, to get a better base in the genre before I started reading his fic all willy nilly. Now I've been reading his fic for years and still haven't read the novels that started it all!
I don't find the main character, Henrietta Maria, to be particularly likeable but she wasn't a particularly likeable person in real life, so I was ok with it. I empathized much more with her than I thought I would. I think Plaidy did a wonderful job embodying the real Henrietta Maria in a fictional character.
It's her life story so there are multiple lulls and peaks, much like there are in life. I listened to the audio book and quite enjoyed it. I don't know if I would have liked it as much if I had read it in the traditional sense, mostly because would have been bored by some of the lulls.
I plan on reading the rest of the queens of England series.
I don't find the main character, Henrietta Maria, to be particularly likeable but she wasn't a particularly likeable person in real life, so I was ok with it. I empathized much more with her than I thought I would. I think Plaidy did a wonderful job embodying the real Henrietta Maria in a fictional character.
It's her life story so there are multiple lulls and peaks, much like there are in life. I listened to the audio book and quite enjoyed it. I don't know if I would have liked it as much if I had read it in the traditional sense, mostly because would have been bored by some of the lulls.
I plan on reading the rest of the queens of England series.
July 17, 2012
Read this in a whirlwind, a well written account of a rigid, unbending Catholic queen in a Protestant land. Reckless, impetuous,"spoiled" Henrietta Maria is ever contentious and eager to convert King Charles I and by extension, his country. However the irrepressible rush of history is against her most dear wishes. This clash can have no good outcome, and ultimately takes the King's life.
Henrietta Maria is, against the odds, sympathetically portrayed, but her rigidity as regards the True Faith in a time of religious upheaval made me want to rail at her and decry the disastrous effects of her position.
I am a Plaidy junkie, and am happy to be introduced to the worlds of her heroines with hopes to delve into the history of the eras displayed. She is direct and uncomplicated to read, but still her works satisfy. I would recommend this book as an introduction to the tensions that produced the English Civil War in a fictive, easily absorbed read.
Henrietta Maria is, against the odds, sympathetically portrayed, but her rigidity as regards the True Faith in a time of religious upheaval made me want to rail at her and decry the disastrous effects of her position.
I am a Plaidy junkie, and am happy to be introduced to the worlds of her heroines with hopes to delve into the history of the eras displayed. She is direct and uncomplicated to read, but still her works satisfy. I would recommend this book as an introduction to the tensions that produced the English Civil War in a fictive, easily absorbed read.
April 17, 2010
I decided to try and switch things up a bit and read more about another royal family I’m interested in – the Stuarts. A book like this always makes me wish I could have known the characters during their actual life times; to have conversations with them and try to understand what is going on in their heads. I spent much of this book being both fascinated and frustrated by Henrietta at the same time. I cannot remember the last time I wished I could just take a main characters face in both my hands and ask them to at least try to think about something other than themselves.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=1202
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=1202
December 24, 2013
I had to knock off a star off my rating because the lead character was one of the most irritating heroines I have come across in a long time. She was so inconsiderate of anyone else, so rude and trouble-making that frankly it was a chore reading this book which was a great shame as I love this time period and am very interested in it.
One of the few things that actually was positive was her relationship with Charles who while he seemed weak and way too eager to please her was quite sweet. In her own way she was devoted to him and her family.
One of the few things that actually was positive was her relationship with Charles who while he seemed weak and way too eager to please her was quite sweet. In her own way she was devoted to him and her family.
February 14, 2023
In my personal opinion, I think all royals (particularly royals in bygone eras) are raging narcissists. You have to be to believe it's your god-given right to rule over others. Some royals balance this out with other qualities, such as intelligence or charm, so their narcissism doesn't seem as a flaw so much as necessary to maintain their rule. Enter Henrietta Maria, a royal princess who has all the narcissism of her kind but none of the positive traits to offset this. Conceited, short-sighted, selfish, and unintelligent, Henrietta Maria is not the sole reason why the English monarchy briefly lost its hold or why Charles I lost his head, but she certainly didn't help matters. This is her story.
Born as the baby of the French royal family, Henrietta Maria is able to get away with dodging lessons and instead listening to gossip. From her early years, she is seen as loyal and earnest with her friendships, and this is something she maintains throughout her life. It's probably her only redeeming quality, but it's not something that's given to just anyone. When she first marries Charles I, she is horrified with English culture, and she publicly expresses her distaste. A lot of this is due the difference in religion between her French Catholicism and the English Protestantism, but we'll get to that. Every time Henrietta doesn't get her way, she throws a tantrum like a child. For awhile, Charles I is able to stand up to her, but he needs someone with a stronger will to depend on. So, when his other friends die, he starts to lean on his wife more and more. They quarrel less because he appeases her, though she has learned some restraint in her later years, and you can see where this is going.
The English have a thing with religion. It's their way or the highway, whichever way that is. When Henrietta Maria comes in and tries to convert everyone to Catholicism, she becomes extremely unpopular. However, her religion is so ingrained in her that she cannot conceive of a life without it. She even forgoes being crowned queen, which even her own advisors told her was ridiculous, because the ceremony would be Protestant. Religion is her major sticking point, and she eventually drives everyone away from her because she cannot bend even a little bit.
A lot of other readers have said Henrietta is unlikeable or that she never grows, but how many real people do we know who are like this? How many of us cling to our beliefs, especially as we get older? I'm not defending Henrietta for being a bigot or toxic. I'm merely saying she's still interesting to read about, and she does have some positive traits. As I mentioned earlier, she's affectionate and loyal. She has quite the backbone, and she's willing to undergo harsh treatment and circumstances for her goal, such as fleeing captivity in the middle of the night and crossing the English Channel multiple times to help her husband. She's not a good person, but neither is she irredeemable. She's who she is, which since she's a real person, is all you can ask for.
The book is a fascinating portrayal of Western Europe at a time of great upheaval. Marie de Medici, Charles II, Louis XIV, Anne of Austria, and many other notable figures make an appearance. Really, it's an interesting portrayal of women in the royal sphere. Not all of them are Elizabeths or Eleanors, but royal women hold a special type of power, and that is on full display here with the many powerful women who Henrietta comes in contact with. It's a really fun and intriguing book, and I recommend it for history lovers who don't mind an anti-heroine.
Born as the baby of the French royal family, Henrietta Maria is able to get away with dodging lessons and instead listening to gossip. From her early years, she is seen as loyal and earnest with her friendships, and this is something she maintains throughout her life. It's probably her only redeeming quality, but it's not something that's given to just anyone. When she first marries Charles I, she is horrified with English culture, and she publicly expresses her distaste. A lot of this is due the difference in religion between her French Catholicism and the English Protestantism, but we'll get to that. Every time Henrietta doesn't get her way, she throws a tantrum like a child. For awhile, Charles I is able to stand up to her, but he needs someone with a stronger will to depend on. So, when his other friends die, he starts to lean on his wife more and more. They quarrel less because he appeases her, though she has learned some restraint in her later years, and you can see where this is going.
The English have a thing with religion. It's their way or the highway, whichever way that is. When Henrietta Maria comes in and tries to convert everyone to Catholicism, she becomes extremely unpopular. However, her religion is so ingrained in her that she cannot conceive of a life without it. She even forgoes being crowned queen, which even her own advisors told her was ridiculous, because the ceremony would be Protestant. Religion is her major sticking point, and she eventually drives everyone away from her because she cannot bend even a little bit.
A lot of other readers have said Henrietta is unlikeable or that she never grows, but how many real people do we know who are like this? How many of us cling to our beliefs, especially as we get older? I'm not defending Henrietta for being a bigot or toxic. I'm merely saying she's still interesting to read about, and she does have some positive traits. As I mentioned earlier, she's affectionate and loyal. She has quite the backbone, and she's willing to undergo harsh treatment and circumstances for her goal, such as fleeing captivity in the middle of the night and crossing the English Channel multiple times to help her husband. She's not a good person, but neither is she irredeemable. She's who she is, which since she's a real person, is all you can ask for.
The book is a fascinating portrayal of Western Europe at a time of great upheaval. Marie de Medici, Charles II, Louis XIV, Anne of Austria, and many other notable figures make an appearance. Really, it's an interesting portrayal of women in the royal sphere. Not all of them are Elizabeths or Eleanors, but royal women hold a special type of power, and that is on full display here with the many powerful women who Henrietta comes in contact with. It's a really fun and intriguing book, and I recommend it for history lovers who don't mind an anti-heroine.
January 8, 2020
Henrietta Marie was the daughter of the king of France and the wife of Charles I of England. She was a Catholic princess in a Protestant country. This book is written from her perspective at the end her life. She always thinks she knows what is best for her family and fights with her husband and children.
Based on this book, the marriage between Henrietta and Charles was good and they loved each other. They have many children, 5 of whom survive to adulthood. Religion is an issue throughout the marriage and beyond the death of Charles. Henrietta wants to bring her family and England to "the true Faith" and save them. Her actions and attitudes was probably part of the issues that eventually led to the civil war and death of Charles.
Interesting book, I really didn't know a lot about this queen.
Based on this book, the marriage between Henrietta and Charles was good and they loved each other. They have many children, 5 of whom survive to adulthood. Religion is an issue throughout the marriage and beyond the death of Charles. Henrietta wants to bring her family and England to "the true Faith" and save them. Her actions and attitudes was probably part of the issues that eventually led to the civil war and death of Charles.
Interesting book, I really didn't know a lot about this queen.
February 25, 2021
Jean Plaidy's MYSELF, MY ENEMY is a historical novel about Queen Henrietta Maria, a French Catholic who marries English King Charles the 1st. It is part history and part love story.
I found myself annoyed, many times, over the controlling nature of the Queen and her constant medaling in the affairs of everyone around her, especially those of her children. Though her life was very tragic in many ways, and I felt sorry for her, I found her somewhat of an unsympathetic character—very caught up in herself.
Her story was interesting, but I confess, I was glad to finish reading it. Controlling people are not my favorite type, and neither are people who are so rigid in their religious beliefs that they cannot seem to see beyond them.
I found myself annoyed, many times, over the controlling nature of the Queen and her constant medaling in the affairs of everyone around her, especially those of her children. Though her life was very tragic in many ways, and I felt sorry for her, I found her somewhat of an unsympathetic character—very caught up in herself.
Her story was interesting, but I confess, I was glad to finish reading it. Controlling people are not my favorite type, and neither are people who are so rigid in their religious beliefs that they cannot seem to see beyond them.
July 31, 2024
J.P. is one of my favorite authors, and I have immense respect for her work. However, 'Loyal in Love' didn't quite resonate with me as much as her other books.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with Henrietta's character and found her personality off-putting. The relationship between Henrietta and Charles felt immature, reminiscent of two teenagers, and their decisions throughout the book were often impulsive and unwise. Despite my reservations, reading 'Loyal in Love' did enrich my knowledge of history, as I wasn't familiar with Henrietta's story before. I am giving this book 3.5 stars, although it will appear as 4 on Goodreads.
Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with Henrietta's character and found her personality off-putting. The relationship between Henrietta and Charles felt immature, reminiscent of two teenagers, and their decisions throughout the book were often impulsive and unwise. Despite my reservations, reading 'Loyal in Love' did enrich my knowledge of history, as I wasn't familiar with Henrietta's story before. I am giving this book 3.5 stars, although it will appear as 4 on Goodreads.
April 9, 2019
Plaidy's take on Queen Henrietta Maria is deeply narcissistic & a Catholic zealot. Her reflections on her life are repetitive at times but I enjoyed this as escapism full of deliciously real historical details & going between this book and inventive historical dramas The Favourite, about Henrietta Maria's descendent Queen Anne, and Versailles, in which HM's daughter Henriette is a major character.
July 13, 2019
Once again, my favorite author, Jean Plaidy didn't disappoint. This was the first book that I read about Henrietta Maria and I found her fascinating. Her love for Charles I was unique in that most royal marriages that are arranged do not develop into true love. Theirs did and their devotion to one another was inspiring. jean's writing style is fluent, with lots of dialogue, which I love. A most enjoyable read.
September 9, 2021
I don't know enough about Queen Henrietta Maria to be able to judge how accurate Plaidy's portrayal of her is - all I can say is that Plaidy's version of her is deeply unlikable, and a deeply unlikable protagonist rarely makes for an enjoyable read. I used to quite like Plaidy's novels, not sure if I've gotten pickier lately or if I've just developed a talent for picking her less entertaining books.
December 23, 2017
Tough read maybe because it was the first novel which came out in this series chronologically ... I felt like the author worked against her character in a sense ? Or maybe it was to represent the duality of the character why she was build up to be so controversial. Either way, do not think the storytelling helped int his particular novel.
September 23, 2019
Plaidy never disappoints.
Can't get enough of Plaidy. Another thoroughly enjoyable read by. Makes history so much more digestible. Looking forward to reading more of her work in future.
Can't get enough of Plaidy. Another thoroughly enjoyable read by. Makes history so much more digestible. Looking forward to reading more of her work in future.
August 8, 2022
I always enjoy a book by Jean Plaidy. There's a reason I've read over 30 books by her!! Now this one I would say was fine but not one of my favorites. I have no idea how accurate it is historically but I enjoyed it nonetheless. No real complaints to make.
Grade: B-
Grade: B-
September 6, 2023
A good read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book because.it was informative. I learned about Charles 1 and th e period in which he lived. I lavender read a book concerning this period and it was a n easy way to introduce me to it so I will now drove more deeply into.this period.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book because.it was informative. I learned about Charles 1 and th e period in which he lived. I lavender read a book concerning this period and it was a n easy way to introduce me to it so I will now drove more deeply into.this period.
March 27, 2024
rediscovering this author
I read some of jean Plaidys books many years ago and it’s been lovely rediscovering her. This is such a good read, history written in a good story. I’m looking forward to my next one.
I read some of jean Plaidys books many years ago and it’s been lovely rediscovering her. This is such a good read, history written in a good story. I’m looking forward to my next one.
June 1, 2017
Interesting look at the pre-post English civil war
July 3, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. It gave many insights into Charles' reign before England became a republic, and the decision he, and his queen, made to cause the revolution. The journey that England, as a nation, from a monarchy to a republic is such a skipped over part of history. People don't know about what happened, or if they do, not all the details. I really enjoyed this book, but it's heavy going (which is why I couldn't give it a 5 out of 5)
April 15, 2024
Reading this book was drudgery. The storytelling was so flat, dry and lifeless. Plaidy is definitely going on my 'do not read' authors list.
March 5, 2017
Overlong and very repetitive, this book suffered from being written in the first person by a protagonist who had few redeeming characteristics. I read it to learn more about Charles I and the Reformation and was instead forced to endure endless whining and justifications for what amounted to spoiled and petulant behavior. We are told many times that Charles and Henriette had a love match, but other than being a loyal wife she had little to recommend her. She was undiplomatic, even cruel, to her children and others who disagreed with her. Her Catholic religion was the most important thing in her life next to her husband, and she refused to see the harm she was doing to the monarchy in England. Henriette finally had a bit of insight at the end of her life, but a third person perspective and a balanced treatment of that period of history would have been more entertaining and informative.
September 27, 2015
Although I’m quite familiar with the history of Charles I, his wife Queen Henriette Marie was little known to me before reading this fiction-based-on-fact account of her life.
She’s connected to numerous famous royal personages from the French Bourbon monarchy and the English/Scottish house of Stuart, with her father being one of – if not *the* – greatest of France’s kings, namely Henry IV, making her sister to Louis XIII and nephew to Louis XIV, while Henriette was of course wife of England’s Charles I, mother of Charles II and James II, and grandmother of Mary II and Queen Anne.
As an individual, I found Henriette hard to sympathise with. As a child she comes across as a spoiled brat. As a young woman she becomes a fanatical Catholic, determined to impose her beliefs on others, making difficulties for her husband the king, who loves her despite her faults. As she grows older Henriette becomes increasingly annoying, interfering in other people’s life, even estranging herself from one of her children through her own bullheadedness.
It’s arguable that Henriette’s influence on Charles I led to his downfall, or at least hastened it. I’ve always been a Royalist sympathiser, having little respect for Cromwell and the absurdly fanatical Puritans, thus I believe what happen to King Charles was unjust in all respects.
As for the book on the whole, I thought it was pretty good, featuring few lulls. Only two criticisms come to mind, one of which being the author not “postmarking” the years when events take place, which at times prove confusing. Many historical authors will start new chapters with the year in the heading, sometimes including the month or even the day, which helps this reader at least fix myself easier into the story.
Jean Plaidy, on the other hand, tends to feature long chapters that start, say, with a character aged seven, but out of the blue she’ll suddenly state something like, “I was ten years old by this time.” This often results in me having to readjust, as I’ve been picturing the character at a certain age, also thinking, for example, that it’s 1637 when it’s been 1640 for the last three pages.
The other criticism I have, which applies to many of this author’s works, is that she has a habit of including prophesies in her stories. This one has far too many. I find this annoying, as it seems highly unlikely that people can predict future events so exactly. Okay, I realise that sometimes these things did happen, but I think it spoils a story just the same. It’s like injecting a touch of the supernatural into a tale that should feel as real to life as possible.
Whenever any author has a character’s future prophesied the reader knows that whatever is predicted will happen. I can’t think of a book where it hasn’t, thus the author isn’t being clever, but is instead spoiling what’s to come, eliminating any suspense. Much of the prophesied events in this tale were known tom me, thus it didn’t give anything away, though it did irritate me. It’s like watching a film for the first time with someone who’s previously seen it and they keep telling what’s going to happen next. Not good.
But apart from these two aspects that I dislike about this author, Jean Plaidy remains one of my favourite writers, as her good points far outweigh the bad. Her research is always thorough, creating a strong plot, while she aptly brings real people from bygone days back to life with superb characterisation.
She’s connected to numerous famous royal personages from the French Bourbon monarchy and the English/Scottish house of Stuart, with her father being one of – if not *the* – greatest of France’s kings, namely Henry IV, making her sister to Louis XIII and nephew to Louis XIV, while Henriette was of course wife of England’s Charles I, mother of Charles II and James II, and grandmother of Mary II and Queen Anne.
As an individual, I found Henriette hard to sympathise with. As a child she comes across as a spoiled brat. As a young woman she becomes a fanatical Catholic, determined to impose her beliefs on others, making difficulties for her husband the king, who loves her despite her faults. As she grows older Henriette becomes increasingly annoying, interfering in other people’s life, even estranging herself from one of her children through her own bullheadedness.
It’s arguable that Henriette’s influence on Charles I led to his downfall, or at least hastened it. I’ve always been a Royalist sympathiser, having little respect for Cromwell and the absurdly fanatical Puritans, thus I believe what happen to King Charles was unjust in all respects.
As for the book on the whole, I thought it was pretty good, featuring few lulls. Only two criticisms come to mind, one of which being the author not “postmarking” the years when events take place, which at times prove confusing. Many historical authors will start new chapters with the year in the heading, sometimes including the month or even the day, which helps this reader at least fix myself easier into the story.
Jean Plaidy, on the other hand, tends to feature long chapters that start, say, with a character aged seven, but out of the blue she’ll suddenly state something like, “I was ten years old by this time.” This often results in me having to readjust, as I’ve been picturing the character at a certain age, also thinking, for example, that it’s 1637 when it’s been 1640 for the last three pages.
The other criticism I have, which applies to many of this author’s works, is that she has a habit of including prophesies in her stories. This one has far too many. I find this annoying, as it seems highly unlikely that people can predict future events so exactly. Okay, I realise that sometimes these things did happen, but I think it spoils a story just the same. It’s like injecting a touch of the supernatural into a tale that should feel as real to life as possible.
Whenever any author has a character’s future prophesied the reader knows that whatever is predicted will happen. I can’t think of a book where it hasn’t, thus the author isn’t being clever, but is instead spoiling what’s to come, eliminating any suspense. Much of the prophesied events in this tale were known tom me, thus it didn’t give anything away, though it did irritate me. It’s like watching a film for the first time with someone who’s previously seen it and they keep telling what’s going to happen next. Not good.
But apart from these two aspects that I dislike about this author, Jean Plaidy remains one of my favourite writers, as her good points far outweigh the bad. Her research is always thorough, creating a strong plot, while she aptly brings real people from bygone days back to life with superb characterisation.
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