Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Saint Thomas's Eve by Jean Plaidy.


Author: Jean Plaidy
ISBN: 0-09-949323-3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: arrow books

"
Henry VII once warned his son, the future King of England, not to trust Thomas More; years later that same son made More his confidante and advisor. But the allegiance is dangerously one-sided. A family man, lawyer and writer, More's ambitions are humble, whilst Henry's are endless. As More's career at court rises so too does his religious fervour, much to the concern of his eldest daughter, Meg. Torn between her heretic husband and the secrets her father has confided in her, it is only a matter of time before her More will make the ultimate sacrifice for"

I borrowed this book from my sister after she read it and had really enjoyed it. Being a fan of historical fiction, I was eager to read this, as I hadn't read anything by this author before.
It took me a little while to get into the story, as it didn't seem that much was happening. But once I got to half way through the book, it began to pick up and I found myself enjoying it.

I liked reading about St Thomas More's relationship with his family, and his closeness to his eldest daughter Margaret. How they cherished him, and how Margaret wished for him to be home with them, instead of at Court.
What I liked about this book is, instead of giving you an insight into the world of Court life, you was given an insight into the life of Sir Thomas More.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, it's not my favourite Tudor novel, but I am pleased I read it, and I would read more from this author.


3 comments:

Clare said...

I have this on my TBR list, I really like Jean Plaidy's books, was this your first? I loved her one on Anne Boleyn (The Lady in the Tower) and Katherine Howard (Rose without a thorn).

Margo. said...

It was my first Clare. I want to read her; Katherine The Virgin Widow.

littlemissattitude said...

As you might already know, Jean Plaidy also wrote under other names, including Victoria Holt. Most of what she wrote under that name was romantic fiction (what we called "Gothics" when I was in junior high in the late 60s and early 70s, when I was reading her). Those were a cut above most of the romance novels I've seen. I've been curious as to how I'd like them now, and I've been sort of thinking of going back and reading some of them again.

More to your point about historical fiction, however, as Victoria Holt she wrote "The Queen's Confession", about Marie Antoinette. Good book, as I recall.