The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory
“Thomas More once told me: lion or king, never show fear or you are a dead man.”
I love historical fiction. It is simply one of my favorite genres. This book is a wonderful example of historical fiction, as it provides an intriguing perspective of the reign of King Henry VIII of England from one who would have known it well: Margaret Pole, the Countess of Salisbury. A daughter of the house of York, as she was the daughter of George, the Duke of Clarence, who was tried and executed for treason by his brother, King Edward IV. Margaret was no stranger to court intrigues and plots. So, it is through her eyes that the reader sees the reign of Henry VIII unfold. The reader should not lose sight of the fact that this is historical fiction. The story is built around the construct of actual history, but is fictional nonetheless, as very little is known about women other than the basics, births, marriages, deaths, or gleanings from correspondence that may have survived. The author capably takes this figure from the annals of history and brings her to life, creating a believable, three-dimensional character that is immersed in her 16th-century life, one that is fraught with peril for her and her family by her ancestry. We see the significant events of the time from Margaret Pole’s point of view, as she lives through them. It is from her perspective that these events are interpreted. I am very partial to Tudor's History, and I found this book gripping, especially as there has been so little written about her. The author creates a very believable construct based on known historical facts and develops the story of Margaret Pole based on what is known about her and her family, creating a fascinating portrait of a woman of royal blood living on the edge. I could not stop turning the pages! Those who enjoy well-written historical fiction will love this book.
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