European Royalty discussion

Please discuss Part I: Blois, France, August 1556 to Part IV: Rome, September 1530 - October 1533 here.

I am enjoying The Devil's Queen. I do wish that the author had included a family tree, but that is what Google is for.

I had a hard time getting through the first chapter because of all the names mentioned. When she was talking about the paintings in the chapel, I had to read it through a couple times.

I've been a part of European Royalty for years, but this is my first read-a-long. Life has finally opened up for me and I enjoyed reading the entire Part 1 in one afternoon!

I look forward to reading everyones thoughts about the Devil's Queen.

BTW, you guys probably feel like you've exhausted every European Royalty, but I've just begun. If anyone wants to Buddy Read Wolf Hall, send me a message!

This is my first group read, too! I'm very excited about it. I just finished The Devil's Queen yesterday, and like you, Cindy, could have benefited from a family tree. I'm fairly well versed in the French family trees, but not so much in the Italian lines.

I have read a couple books reading place in the court of Henri II, and I have to say I was happy to see that this book tried to make a sympathetic portrayal of Catherine, even if we don't always sympathize with her every action.

Most books really glorify Diane de Poitiers while making Catherine out to be a rightfully suffering wife because she wasn't as pretty as Diane or other court ladies, and she was certainly smarter than the average court lady (but that was a bad thing for the time! Lol). It really seems like the author admires Catherine de Medici. I think that's pretty cool!

I hopefully will be able to start this book soon (I have it in paperback - just have an easier time with the Kindle right now).

Thanks for the great comments so far!