The norm for historical fiction usually involves a real event seen through the eyes of completely fictional characters. However the works of Phillipa Gregory follow the historical characters themselves, reading more like a enhanced and intriguing biography. She carefully researches each book, often visiting the places where the action actually took place.
In The Red Queen, Gregory recounts the rise of the Tudor family to the throne of England. Margaret Beaufort, born into the Lancaster clan, believes herself chosen by God to do great things. As a child, she fantasizes herself an equal of Joan of Arc, selected to lead an army for Christ. However at the age of twelve she is forced into a marriage to Edmund Tudor, and within a year produces a male heir, hoped by many to be in line for the crown. Although Margaret is not allowed to raise her son Henry, she becomes fananically ambitious for his royal future.
The glaring theme of this novel is the deception, violence and shrewd bargaining of the parties hoping to put their chosen on the throne of England. The rivalry between the houses of Lancaster and York becomes bloody and tragic. As the heirs to the throne slowly die off, Margaret's son moves into a situation where the crown becomes a genuine possibility.
An bit of irony evolves, as Margaret berates the brutal actions of the Yorks, while justifying her own equally cruel activities with the knowledge that she is chosen by God to do his will.
Also an interesting sidenote is the plight of women in the 15th century. Margaret passionately resents the fact that females are considered property with no rights, with all decisions concerning their lives made by others. She realizes if her son becomes king, she will then be in a position of power and influence.
Phillip Gregory is a brilliant author, making history fascinating and exciting. The Red Queen should definitely be on your must read list, along with all her previous works. On a scale of 1 to 10 I rate this one a 9, and possibly some of her earlier books would rate even higher.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Overton Window by Glenn Beck
How providential that I finished the latest novel by Glenn Beck just as he becomes embroiled in controversy by scheduling a Restoring Honor rally on the same day as a gathering of those honoring the 47th anniversary of Martin Luthor King's I Have a Dream Speech. But controversy is nothing new to the conservative TV and Radio show host. His views on the powers that influence and control our country incite high emotion from his followers and critics alike.
Beck's latest best-selling work, The Overton Window, not only gives us a good thriller, it compels readers to think about our world in a disturbing way.
Noah Gardiner, bright and well educated, is the son of a immensely successful public relations magnate. Noah has only known an existence of wealth and privilege, and he finds difficulty in taking life seriously.
Noah's attention is caught by a female employee of his firm tacking a flyer to the company bulletin board. His attempt to engage her in conversation doesn't meet with much success, so he agrees to attend the meeting she is advertizing. What he hears at a gathering of a group of determined patriots called Founders Keepers causes him to question the views he has always held about who controls our country, and how their influence actually affects the masses. He becomes involved with a group that hopes to avert a terrorist attack that could change the world forever.
As one makes their way into the heart of this novel, the story-line suddenly becomes secondary to the revelations that begin to pound on the mind concerning how the public is influenced and mentally lead to certain viewpoints. The term "Overton Window" is an actual phenomenon that slowly influences society into accepting a formerly unacceptable concept. Beck uses real events and people to demonstrate how this influence occurs.
This book is mind-boggling and alarming. The content is complex and not always easily assimilated. As you make your way to the conclusion, you may be more concerned about what is happening to society than how the book's characters end up. Rather than have a reviewer give an opinion on this novel, everyone should read it and come to their own determinations. Beck states in his introduction that this book will make you 'think', and with that I would agree.
Beck's latest best-selling work, The Overton Window, not only gives us a good thriller, it compels readers to think about our world in a disturbing way.
Noah Gardiner, bright and well educated, is the son of a immensely successful public relations magnate. Noah has only known an existence of wealth and privilege, and he finds difficulty in taking life seriously.
Noah's attention is caught by a female employee of his firm tacking a flyer to the company bulletin board. His attempt to engage her in conversation doesn't meet with much success, so he agrees to attend the meeting she is advertizing. What he hears at a gathering of a group of determined patriots called Founders Keepers causes him to question the views he has always held about who controls our country, and how their influence actually affects the masses. He becomes involved with a group that hopes to avert a terrorist attack that could change the world forever.
As one makes their way into the heart of this novel, the story-line suddenly becomes secondary to the revelations that begin to pound on the mind concerning how the public is influenced and mentally lead to certain viewpoints. The term "Overton Window" is an actual phenomenon that slowly influences society into accepting a formerly unacceptable concept. Beck uses real events and people to demonstrate how this influence occurs.
This book is mind-boggling and alarming. The content is complex and not always easily assimilated. As you make your way to the conclusion, you may be more concerned about what is happening to society than how the book's characters end up. Rather than have a reviewer give an opinion on this novel, everyone should read it and come to their own determinations. Beck states in his introduction that this book will make you 'think', and with that I would agree.
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