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During the Wars of the Roses, when the Yorkists needed a scapegoat they usually looked no further than the Queen of England – Margaret of Anjou. Married to Henry VI, history has not been nice to Margaret and she has largely been depicted as an evil, grasping woman who was a traitor and an adulteress to boot. She doesn’t fare any better by novelists who take her reputation and run with it and Margaret is one of those people you generally love to hate.
In her latest book, The Queen of Last Hopes, Susan Higginbotham brings a little balance to Margaret’s story using multiple, first person narratives. A rather poor relative of the French King Charles VII, it is hoped her marriage to England Yorks Yorks
As with Higginbotham’s previous books which provide a more balanced treatment of other rather unpopular/disliked historical figures, Margaret is released from the caricature that has defined her and emerges a little more human. Unfortunately I think the author made the same mistake that many “Yorkist” authors fall into when writing about Richard III – making her too good to be believable. It seemed that in order to redeem Margaret she couldn’t be allowed to show much emotion or passion about anything. Even when a huge historical liberty is taken in giving Margaret a lover (which is duly explained in the “Author’s Note”) I didn’t get the sense of any real emotion or connection. Margaret tells her story rather matter of factly and I found her to be somewhat cold and indifferent and while I didn’t dislike her, I didn’t warm up to her either.
One of the author’s strengths is her attention to historical research. The constant changing fortunes of both sides and a wide cast of characters (who are often known by multiple titles) can be confusing and sometimes mind-numbing in its detail. The story is told chronologically which helps, as does a list of characters at the beginning. As good as the history is, I often felt as though the historical story was getting in the way of Margaret’s story. This may have been largely due to the first person narration. Even though there are a few other narrators besides Margaret, her POV is the primary one and since she wasn’t always present at the events that take place, the result is Margaret doing a lot of telling rather than seeing the events unfold as they happened. And as Margaret takes on the role of “historian”, her own story tends to get lost.
Like Elizabeth Chadwick, Higginbotham has a knack for writing charming, rough-around-the-edges kind of guys that you just can't help fall for (at least a little!). My favorite parts of the book were those that were told by Henry (Hal) Beaufort and Edward of Lancaster (Margaret’s son). I liked seeing Edward as a boy and as a young man concerned for his parents and who was willing to fight for them and himself. His relationship with his wife, Anne Neville, is rather sweet despite its rocky start and he is far from the cruel, monstrous little shit that he is usually portrayed (although Anne is somewhat of a annoying brat at first).
Overall I had mixed feelings about this book. Higginbotham is a very talented writer and I’m a big fan of her work and even though this is not my favorite, I’m looking forward to her next book and her take on the Tudors.
Why don't you just go jump in a lake: “I lost any love the people might have had when Normandy Thames .” Margaret to her cousin Louis XI as they discuss terms for France
In case the FTC asks: I received an ARC from the publisher for review.
You've written a very well thought out review, Daphne. In fact, you've encapsulated much of what I felt about this novel....
I love Susan's work, this one was a tad "off" for me and I suspect it was due to never quite warming up to Margaret. Even so, her work is far and above most other HF on the market today.
January 5, 2011 1:21 PM
Excellent review Daphne, and like Michele you've echoed my feelings as well (and much better). Not her best, but I'm still looking forward to more.
Hal was definitely my favorite.
January 5, 2011 2:46 PM
Good review! I've been waiting for this novel, having so enjoyed "The Traitor's Wife". Now it seems I'll wait just a bit more for it to come to my library...or a yard sale provides a lucky find.
Must tell you...I so enjoy your site. "Hys"terial fiction is my favorite and knowing what is upcoming/re-released is excellent for my reading soul :)
January 6, 2011 3:54 AM