Royal Road to Fotheringay: (Mary Stuart)
Contents:
To view it, click here. A very good book until the circumstances surrounding Queen Mary's third marriage. Realistic narration with all the human strengths and weaknesses of an extraordinary person in extraordinary circumstances. That is, until she is raped by one of her most important supporters, Lord Bothwell. I try not to impose modern and personal morality on historical people and circumstances, and I acknowledge that no matter the period, human relations are complicated, but I just could not fathom or follow Mary's A very good book until the circumstances surrounding Queen Mary's third marriage.
I try not to impose modern and personal morality on historical people and circumstances, and I acknowledge that no matter the period, human relations are complicated, but I just could not fathom or follow Mary's feelings and actions after this point. According to the author, Bothwell commits an unplanned rape of Mary, who is initially outraged and mortified but eventually comes around to his idea that it was basically just what she needed and she becomes his devoted lover. They later stage her abduction and rape because they think it will create acceptance for them to be married.
Given that as in almost all historical fiction, this is the author's supposition of the motivation behind known events, it is the first time in many books I couldn't find any empathy, sympathy, or logic for Plaidy's version of events. Bothwell's violence and violation of Mary is too much to excuse to the point of her willingly marrying and becoming devoted to him. I can see a case for the version of events that has them staging her abduction and so on, but only if the relationship began willingly, not with his humiliation and injury of a very proud, in-control queen.
It's an even more unfortunate choice of events because all of the story leading up to it is so realistically and well imagined and written. For all my reading about female rulers, I knew very little about Mary, Queen of Scots.
Plaidy certainly takes some liberties in telling this tale but there is SO much going on here that this was a fun read. There are so many huge characters here — an child queen, the actual Queen and Mistress-Queen of France playing power games hint: If these two had been able to align their purposes, there would have been no end to what would have been achieved. But no — Elizabeth seems to spend most of her time laughing at what an idiot Mary keeps being.
The haunting story of the beautiful—and tragic—Mary, Queen of Scots, as only legendary novelist Jean Plaidy could write it. Mary Stuart became Queen of. The haunting story of the beautiful—and tragic—Mary, Queen of Scots, as only legendary novelist Jean Plaidy could write it Mary Stuart.
Oh, and lest we forget — a charming not firebrand preacher that has zero sense of self preservation and keeps wandering around calling both Queens whores of Babylon and preaching how everyone was going to hell because of this monstrous regiment of women ruling the Isles. Hot historical mess but the sort that is great fun to read. Jan 22, Clint rated it liked it. Jean Plaidy reveals her steadfast grasp of historical storytelling in this engaging account of the first half of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots.
It's a short, eventful read with a large cast of sinister characters who'll do anything in their power to manipulate the queen for their own ends. As I know next to nothing about Mary's story, I used this as a kind of educational novel to help teach me about her.
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I wanted to read this book because of Cw's Reign , in which I love this show. It works a t Jean Plaidy reveals her steadfast grasp of historical storytelling in this engaging account of the first half of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. It works a treat in this respect, providing historical details and a real air of authenticity along with plenty of entertainment along the way. It shows not all history book are a bore. Plaidy is particularly good at creating larger than life characters, from Mary's ultra-sleazy uncle, a Cardinal, to the swaggering Borderer, Bothwell.
Such characters are hugely enjoyable to read about, and Plaidy's writing style makes them all the better. She has a way of writing that feels courtly and understated - it may be a product of the era in which she was working - so that even the most outrageous scandal takes place almost matter-of-factly. It was overall a great book. Jul 22, Mirah W rated it really liked it. While I knew about the tragic end of Mary, Queen of Scots I did not really know much about her early life. This book really does highlight the differences between her and England's Elizabeth, but I think at the same time it points out how they are similar After a while it all gets rather fr While I knew about the tragic end of Mary, Queen of Scots I did not really know much about her early life.
After a while it all gets rather frustrating. Why even have royalty if everyone is going to manipulate them and do what they want anyway I thought the book was well-written but the end was very glossed over. But, I suppose the next book will detail what happens while Mary is held prisoner. May 30, Carla rated it liked it Shelves: I'm glad I knew going into this that this was the first part of the series, or else I would have been confused as to why so much focus was placed on Mary's early years in the first half while the reader gets a condensed version of her adult life in the second half.
I'm hoping that her time in captivity is explained in more detail in the next book.
You know, there just isn't a way to make Mary's story palatable. The men around her were dogs, she was too naive to know what was best for her, and th I'm glad I knew going into this that this was the first part of the series, or else I would have been confused as to why so much focus was placed on Mary's early years in the first half while the reader gets a condensed version of her adult life in the second half.
The men around her were dogs, she was too naive to know what was best for her, and the ending is just nasty. Still, it's an important chapter in European history, and Jean Plaidy tells the tale well. I'm looking forward to reading the next book of the Stuart saga.
Jan 03, Linda rated it it was ok. Mary's character didn't come alive, the suppporting characters were too one-dimesional and the narrator's tone annoyed me. However, I did learn some interesting facts about Mary's life. Mar 06, Ratforce added it Shelves: Started off good when she's in France , but got pretty slow in the middle once she came back to Scotland. It picked up towards the end, so I'm hoping the next book is better.
Mar 29, Jessica rated it did not like it Shelves: It just did not hold my attention. Too much dithering around by all characters. I love Mary Stuart and her as a actual historical figure intrigues me so, but this fiction was a sad disapointment. May 10, Angela Joyce rated it really liked it Shelves: Was there ever a queen so different from Elizabeth I?
Mary's naivete is almost embarrassing, and yet you can't help cheering her on Ever since I was a child I had this morbid fascination with this time period. In particular, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. She was my introduction to the world of Renaissance intrigue, passion and politics. I couldn't exactly say that I related to her - but her story affected me profoundly, to the point that today she is still my favourite history lesson.
Jean Plaidy has become a recent love of mine. I've read few of her books; I started with The Lady in the Tower with Anne Boleyn as the main char Ever since I was a child I had this morbid fascination with this time period. After reading Philippa Gregory's attempt at capturing the Boleyn charm, I definitely found it lacking in comparison to Plaidy's - her interpretation of Anne was weak and somewhat two-dimensional, even outdated. But Plaidy's take on her, portraying her more sympathetically, was far more believable, and it quite honestly made me cry.
So I knew I had to look it up and see if she had written anything on Mary Stuart. The novel itself covers the major events in her early life; from her journey to France and indulging in the rich lifestyle of the sophisticated French courts, marrying the sickly Dauphin and becoming Queen, only to have him die - to returning to Scotland, marrying the awful Darnley, having her son, the intrigue with Bothwell and the Darnley murder plot, to finally being captured and imprisoned by the Scottish nobility.
I was impressed by the novel, and I am deeply surprised that there are so many negative reviews of this book; it is an excellent retelling of the early life of the Queen of Scots, and is quite clearly based on the author's interpretation of the facts, shown through the research done on the subject matter. I am inclined to think Mary was a good woman, if a weak and ineffectual leader, dominated by men who would later cause her downfall.
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I appreciated the fact that Plaidy didn't attempt to vilify either the Protestants or the Catholics too much in my eyes, anyway. I hands-down loved this novel, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. I know I'll have to read Margaret George's version, but, even if it's just for a while, this book will remain close to my heart as a fond remembrance of my early childhood discoveries. As I know next to nothing about Mary's story, I used this as a kind of educational novel to help teach me about her and, I confess, that's the reason I've picked up so many Plaidy novels over the years.
It Jean Plaidy reveals her steadfast grasp of historical storytelling in this engaging account of the first half of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Bearing in mind that this story was written 60 or so years ago, there are some elements that may be off-putting to modern readers, particularly a rape situation that turns into a love affair. Dec 23, Ashlee Nelson rated it really liked it. Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scotland, has had many difficulties throughout her royal life.
After being sent to France and wedded to the French prince Mary's life seems to be wonderful. Unfortunately after her young husband dies Mary realizes that she cannot trust those she did before. No man, other than her young dead king, can Mary trust. Yet, she constantly puts her trust in the wrong men and falls in love too quickly.
Her life ends at the block in Fotheringhay Castle. I really enjoyed this book Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scotland, has had many difficulties throughout her royal life. I really enjoyed this book! It was another wonderful historical novel by Jean Plaidy. I truly love how Plaidy makes the reader feel conflicted about almost every character including Mary Stuart.
It is a good book and a book I had problems putting down.
She sent six year old Mary to France, instead, where she became engaged to the young Dauphin. In trying to explain her actions and release her from a lot of the blame that has been cast on her for centuries the author unfortunately makes her personality a bit bland and naive. The second half is spent in a castle locked away to ensure Elizabeth's reign. It was overall a great book. If anything, it cemented my general contempt for the latter When he died mysteriously, suspicion fell on Mary.
Apr 04, Tanzanite rated it really liked it. Although many of Plaidy's books can be on the dry side, I really liked this one. It is pretty straightforward and Plaidy doesn't seem to try and portray Mary too sympathetically.
The Royal Road to Fotheringhay
A pawn in various power struggles from the time she is an infant, Mary makes decisions based on emotion without stopping to consider the consequences. But seeing as how she was really given very little guidance on how to rule people just told her what to do maybe it shouldn't come as a surprise. The first in a two-vol Although many of Plaidy's books can be on the dry side, I really liked this one. The first in a two-volume series, Royal Road to Fotheringay covers Mary's years at the French court and her two subsequent marriages after she returns to Scotland.
May 03, Jo rated it really liked it. So I am obsessed with the TV show Reign. I know, I know - it's not historically accurate with either plot, costume or characters. I loved Jean Plaidy growing up so I thought I would give her version a try. It was full of good historical fact and nicely written. Although when dealing with accuracy, it tends to be a little dry. Mary, Queen of Scots, life was anything but dry.
Royal Road to Fotheringhay by Jean Plaidy | donnsboatshop.com
I enjoyed reading about the first half of her life to me the good half. The second half is spent in a castle locked away to ensure Elizabeth's reign. Which, if you think about it, is pretty funny considering the throne reverted to Mary's son when Elizabeth died. Jun 04, Laurie rated it liked it. This one was written way before I enjoy Plaidy enough to try to read all of her re-released historical royalty series, but perhaps I'm a bit of a masochist.
Aug 15, Melissa rated it liked it Shelves: I'm not a fan of the slave like love Queen Mary felt for Bothwell in this version. I do believe she loved him enough to risk crown and country, but, I'm also a firm believer that not all those casket letters were genuine. All in all, not the most exciting telling of the tragic Queen of Scots, but fairly good. Este libro fue el largo conducto hacia el inevitablemente triste final. Plaidy's books always look so daunting for their length but they usually end up being quick reads as was the case for the Royal Road to Fotheringay.
All of her characters though do end up reading very much the same and it is only the circumstances of history which set them apart. Sep 02, Zara rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Aug 08, Crystal rated it did not like it. Nov 23, Pages Buy. Mar 31, Pages Buy. Nov 23, Pages. Mar 31, Pages. The haunting story of the beautiful—and tragic—Mary, Queen of Scots, as only legendary novelist Jean Plaidy could write it Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland at the tender age of six days old. So Mary was sent away from the land of her birth and raised in the sophisticated and glittering court of France.
Unusually tall and slim, a writer of music and poetry, Mary was celebrated throughout Europe for her beauty and intellect. Her husband, always sickly, died after only two years on the throne, and there was no place for Mary in the court of the new king. At the age of twenty, she returned to Scotland, a place she barely knew.
Once home, the Queen of Scots discovered she was a stranger in her own country. She spoke only French and was a devout Catholic in a land of stern Presbyterians. Her nation was controlled by a quarrelsome group of lords, including her illegitimate half brother, the Earl of Moray, and by John Knox, a fire-and-brimstone Calvinist preacher, who denounced the young queen as a Papist and a whore.
Mary eventually remarried, hoping to find a loving ally in the Scottish Lord Darnley. But Darnley proved violent and untrustworthy. When he died mysteriously, suspicion fell on Mary. When her nobles rose against her, the disgraced Queen of Scots fled to England, hoping to be taken in by her cousin Elizabeth I.