Philippa Gregory‘s “The other queen” has everything I would want from a historical fiction: a tragic hero, who is an important historical figure, love and action and most importantly it describes an era in an infotaining way. “Infotaining” refers to informational and entertaining at the same time in the best educational tradition. It shows that Gregory is an expert of the ear she describes. I could also sense that this was not the first book she wrote about 16th century British royal families.
The book is about Mary Queen of Scots, more specifically about her years in and out of captivity. The best part of the narrtive was the constant switching of point of view of the narratives. The chapters are 1 to five pages and always written as the monologue or letter one of the characters. As they each have different perspectives, agendas, personalities it makes the book quite an exciting read. This dynamic technique complements well the tumultuous times and events the book covers. I truly feel that I gained insight into this controversial figure’s lives. You can not avoid to develop your sympathies (and often despise) to some of the characters, despite that the major ones do come through as complex people with conflicting ideas and drives.
Thank you Ms.Gregory. Also for making a chapter and an audio sample available on yoru website along with further info about your research.