Two books down, and fifty to go . . . .
This past week's book was The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. I picked it up because it was one book of historical fiction on Katherine of Aragon that I had not read.
First, I will say that I enjoyed the information about Katherine's childhood. I haven't come across what her life was like as a young girl with her parents Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. However, because of the license I felt that Philippa Gregory took with the rest of her life, about which I had read before, I'm not so sure that I should trust this information about her childhood.
I enjoy historical fiction because I like history and I love how imagination can bring to life someone from the past. However, bringing in too much imagination for the sake of a more interesting story is not my cup of my tea. I felt that Gregory's portrayal of a lying, incredibly ambitious woman was at odds with the facts of Katherine's life. I couldn't shake the feeling as I read this book that Gregory wrote an entertaining book with an unusual plot simply because it went against the grain of most books about Katherine and was therefore guaranteed more interest. It was not a satisfying read for me.
The book for Week 3 of 52 Books in 52 Weeks is Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, which was recommended to me by my sister.
Happy Reading!
Week 2
12 years ago
1 comment:
Celly, I hope you enjoy Hind's Feet on High Places. It is based, in part, on Scripture from Habakkuk 3:17-19:
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights."
Love to all and birthday hugs to Will! :-)
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