Poetry of Reading: April 2022

Mademoiselle Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

by Natasa Djordjevic - 4:51 PM

At the young age of nine, Anne and her older sister, Mary, are sent to the French court. Court life is filled with various intrigues, and Anne quickly learns to maneuver her way around. The sexually promiscuous atmosphere of the French court soon overtakes Mary, but Anne is determined not to have the same fate. Torn between her friendships in the French court of Francois I and her father’s insistence that she spies on the French, Anne must learn to walk a careful path, or all will be lost.

Her fascinating prose kept me riveted to the pages of this book long past my bedtime. The descriptive imagery draws the reader into the heart of this tale, but it is Anne herself who makes it so powerful. Told through the eyes of a child, the debauchery of the French court is almost obscene. And yet, Anne continually sees the good in others despite their excesses. She is not naïve, however. Rather, Anne is a powerful female and her ever-growing confidence in herself is empowering and poignant, particularly against a backdrop in which women are so powerless. The comparisons between her fate and Mary’s are startlingly poignant. Anne is not the only powerful female, however, as Marguerite is herself a powerful woman. Even Claude shows great strength of character as she makes the most of a role she has been forced to take by the strictures of the time in which she lives.

Robin Maxwell infuses a passion and beauty into Mademoiselle Boleyn that makes this an unforgettable tale of both heroism and the corruption of power.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:44 AM

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Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex

by Natasa Djordjevic - 9:10 AM

Set in Renaissance Italy, Leonardo’s Swans is an epic tale of sibling rivalry, ambition, politics, art, and love. Isabella d’Este is the primary point of view character. She is incredibly talented, beautiful, and shrewd. She is pleased with her betrothed until she realizes that the betrothed of her younger sister, Beatrice, is not only a better match for her in intellect and passions, but is also the patron of the genius Leonardo da Vinci. Isabella’s obsession with art makes her consumed with the desire for a sitting with Leonardo so that his hands might immortalize her. In a tale that spans decades, Isabella plots and connives to control her fate and to make Italy a mecca for culture and wealth. Isabella is a beguiling and fascinating protagonist. Despite her schemes, I couldn’t help but enjoy her. Essex does a masterful job of showing the maturation of flawed characters, and the changing fates of the sisters play like an intricate chess game. Essex’s research and attention to historical detail are impressive but never oppressive. Leonardo’s Swans is historical fiction at its finest. It is the perfect blend of story and history and sent me searching the internet for hours afterward to learn about the characters and the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

by Natasa Djordjevic - 11:22 AM

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Katheryn Howard: The Scandalous Queen by Alison Weir

by Natasa Djordjevic - 9:55 AM

Ms. Weir has such a beautiful way of storytelling, seamlessly blending meticulous historical research with historical fiction. The various locations in the book all jumped off of the page and were described thoroughly and wonderfully, and I could envision them as if I was actually in England in the 1500s. The historical figures she brings to life as her characters all felt so real, and vivid, and their interactions with one another were so authentic. She made me believe I was in the Tudor Court with them all. I feel like I got to know and understand Katheryn Howard much better from reading this book. We see Katheryn first as a young child, watch her growing up, and see how she was often used as a pawn by those around her wanting to advance their power and positions. She rarely had a choice but to do certain things. We see Katheryn make some of her own decisions out of naivety, some out of passion, and some out of just wanting to feel loved and accepted. What a sad and tragic story.

Katheryn Howard was never my favorite of Henry VIII’s wives. I had never found her very interesting and chose to not look deeper. Alison Weir’s novel changed my perspective on this young queen. She was given humanity and became relatable in a way that other books had not portrayed her.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:50 AM

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March Book Wrap Up

by Natasa Djordjevic - 5:13 AM

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (✬✬✬✬)

The story is about bullying and empathy and how one state can become the other. It is sad but encouraging because it has a very optimistic outlook. It is a lesson for young and old.

The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns (✬✬✬✬)

It’s well-written and meticulously researched. Much of it centers on post-War Japan and its traditions and customs, even as the world was changing. So much of the cultural backdrop the author incorporates is interesting, especially from a 21st-century perspective.

Mistress of the Court by Laura Purcell (✬✬✬✬)

This is a delightful fast-moving story that will keep the reader turning pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the flow of the story, and the setting and I look forward to more books from Laura Purcell.

The Hidden Oasis by Paul Sussman (✬✬)

Although the writing was very descriptive, it was not powerful enough to make me feel like I was there. The plot was very weak, and the ending was science fiction, which was contrary to the story.

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (✬✬✬✬)

“A dog’s purpose” by W. Bruce Cameron. If you are a dog lover, you simply must read this book! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you appreciate the dog(s) that you currently have as well as the ones that you have had in the past. The author’s ability to get inside the head of a dog and create such an interesting point of view experience for the reader is amazing.

Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar (✬✬✬)

Exit the Actress is an entertaining book about the life of Nell Gwyn, favorite mistress of Charles II in England. It moves briskly, covering 8 years of her life and introducing many characters from the royal court.

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry (✬✬✬)

Good reading although, as other reviews state, too much suffering, and excessive tragedies, and when you think it is over, the author finds something even worse for his characters.

Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher (✬✬✬✬)

I loved this book. The characters were engaging and the history was well researched. The only criticism I might make is that the ending could have been developed more - after all the wonderful descriptions of the events in the War, the characters seemed to be plopped into place too quickly.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (✬✬✬✬)

I think the book has some interesting things to say, like about how people relate to art or other objects for example, but there’s so much going on around those moments that don’t seem to have any point that it can get a little lost. Donna Tartt's writing style is where most of my rating is coming from. I just prefer stories that are a little shorter and more focused.