Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

Dear Ms. Weir:


Having enjoyed some of your non-fiction books and your two novels, Innocent Traitor and The Lady Elizabeth, I was looking forward to reading your most recent release, The Captive Queen, about the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine. Well, I just finished reading it and I have to say, “Wow!”

What the hell were you thinking?

The wife of two kings and the mother of two more, Eleanor’s life was long and filled with the stuff not even the best of writers could make up. A duchess and ruler in her own right, the events of her life would indicate that she was a woman of intelligence and fortitude with a strength of character seldom seen in women of the time who were constrained by religious and social conventions. But what did you do with all of this wonderful material? You turned Eleanor into a pitiful, whining woman who spends much of her time wondering when she will be getting laid next.

Even though the first section of the book was heavy on Eleanor’s sexual appetite, I could have overlooked this if it had been well written. The sex scenes are often laughable – “emotional orgasms”, Henry gazing on his father’s “manhood” and wondering how they would compare in bed, and an approaching-middle-age Eleanor lusting after every man she comes into contact with – and are more of what I would expect to find in a supermarket bodice ripper. Instead of classy, we get trashy.  Passion between two people can be felt and believed in ways other than clichéd, over-written sex and I didn’t feel much real chemistry between them.

When the honeymoon period is over between Henry and Eleanor, discord quickly builds between them as Henry begins to exert control over Eleanor’s beloved Aquitaine. Eleanor’s response? To cry and wail like a two year old on the playground that Aquitaine is her land and Henry had better stop messing with it. As her husband, Henry was well within his rights – a fact I’m sure Eleanor would have been aware of – and I just can’t imagine her repeatedly resorting to such childish behavior to make a point. What’s worse is that it doesn’t seem to matter what Henry says or does to her, afterwards all she can think about is how much she loves him and how good they are in bed together. Even during her years of captivity, she often wishes she could have him in her bed again. Huh??? I’d be ready to kill the bastard!

Towards the end of the book something weird happens – the writing style seems to change and I found myself enjoying this part more. Was this part written much later than the rest? After the death of their oldest son (Henry the Young King), Henry reaches out to the one person who might understand – his wife. What follows is more maturely written as the pair piece together an uneasy truce built on years of love and respect, although not always trust. The scenes between Henry and Eleanor are poignant and sad and although I had often felt sorry for Eleanor (and somehow I think maybe she would not like people feeling sorry for her), I found myself feeling sorry for Henry too. Unfortunately, the improvement didn’t last as Henry goes off to fight another battle and Eleanor is again a prisoner. Since most of the story is related from Eleanor’s point of view (although third person) this means that much of what happens next is told by various letters to her which dilutes their impact.

I did enjoy seeing Eleanor as a mother. Royal children were largely raised by nurses and attendants and their lives used to further their father’s political interests with mothers having little say or choice in the matter. Despite the recognition by women that “that’s the way it is”, it can not have always been as easy as it is often depicted. Eleanor’s maternal feelings towards her many children (especially her girls) made her seem less selfish.

To be fair, perhaps the problem with writing a book about Eleanor is that Sharon Kay Penman has set the gold standard and rather than try and compete, it is easier to fall back on wild rumors and create somewhat of a caricature. You wouldn’t be the first one to fall into that trap. But really, I expected better.  And I honestly have to wonder how the same person who wrote Innocent Traitor (which I loved) produced this mess.


Like father, like son:  “Those whom God had joined must learn to put up with each other, or live apart, as we have.” Henry’s father talking about his relationship with Matilda.

The reality of being a parent:  “Does any parent ever know happiness in their children? We nurture them, we love them as our second selves, then they go away and leave us….Every time they are hurt, we suffer. If they forget us, we suffer. Is that happiness?.” Eleanor’s uncle Raoul as they discuss her children.

Men will be men:  “[Henry] was past redemption where women were concerned, in thrall to that unruly and mischievous member between his legs that seemed to have an independent life of its own, in defiance of all sense or morality.” Eleanor thinking things through after she finds out about Henry’s involvement with Princess Alys.

Rating: Disappointing/Poor (1.5 stars)

In case the FTC asks: I ordered the UK edition from The Book Depository and then found out I had won an ARC from Library Thing. I read the UK edition. Fortunately, I only paid $10 for it.