This one covers her childhood as the rich heiress to the Duke of Aquitaine, his early death which prompts Eleanor’s marriage at 13 to the man who soon becomes King of France, the disintegration of that marriage, going on Crusade, and eventually meeting Henry, Duke of Normandy who soon becomes husband #2 and King of England. This is the first of a trilogy Chadwick is writing about Eleanor of Aquitaine. It’s how Chadwick helps me get lost in the history and feel as though I am getting to know these fascinating historical figures. And of course, that is where both of them wind up buried. Their dialog is ordinary, but it’s the kind of conversation a husband and wife might have. For example, she writes about a conversation between Eleanor and her second husband, Henry II of England as they walk about the grounds of Fontevrault Abbey, admiring how peaceful the setting is and how it would be a good place to be buried. So much so that the historical events become secondary to the narrative. What sets Chadwick apart from other historical novelists is her imagination and ability to make her characters so believable, even contemporary. And this is one of the best I’ve come across. I am frankly a little embarrassed to admit how many historical novels I’ve read about Eleanor of Aquitaine.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |