The Forever Queen
by Helen Hollick - Paperback: 656 pages
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (November 1, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1402240686
- ISBN-13: 978-1402240683
My Rating: 4.5 of 5
Product Description from SourcebooksReview: This is an engaging historical fiction. I know I groused about the size of the book but when I got into it I really did enjoy it.
What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?
Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom—and her crown—are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.
Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery.
The story is a fictionalized account of Queen Emma and opens in 1002 with 13 year old Emma coming to England to marry King Æthelred (age 34). Needless to say Emma is frightened and not really prepared to be a Queen. However, from the very beginning it is clear that she has the courage and fortitude to handle what life is going to present to her.
Emma has to deal with a weak and useless King Æthelred for fourteen years, during which she raises two sons and a daughter. When Æthelred dies the Danish Vikings are on the verge of conquering England. Edmund, King Æthelred's oldest son by his first wife is proclaimed King. Emma is facing many decisions but her attitude and personality is reflected by her proclamation: “This is what it was to be alive, to be at the edge facing survival eye to eye, knowing, knowing, you would win through.”
It is not long before Edmund dies of battle wounds. Emma sends her children into exile and begins the next stage of her life as she steps forward to risk much by proposing to become the wife of the Danish leader, Cnut, in order to preclude more fighting and death -- as well as to retain her position as Queen.
The author does a wonderful job of portraying Emma through 40 years as a woman, a mother, a strategist and most importantly as a Queen who has adopted England as her country with a great fervor and love. There are glimpses of fear, loneliness, friendships, jealousy, grief; views of a cold hearted wife and mother, and views of a warm and loving wife and mother. Underlying all is her regal bearing and determination to remain Queen, first as a wife and later as a mother.
The warring countries, internal politics and jostling for position give a great view of the history. The author creates some detailed characters. There is Emma’s good friend, the honorable Godwine, a merchant’s son who rises to the position of Earl. There is also Æthelred’s first “concubine” wife who is very vicious, bitter and vengeful.
The author also smoothly blends in details of the weather, countryside, and lifestyle of the times. She describes the various settings: scenes from the royal court, including dilapidated royal dwellings, and also views of farmsteads and more common living conditions. I enjoyed how the author presented everyday facts like the description of the water driven mill wheel even though it leads into tragedy.
As I read along I did wonder how true to facts the story was and where the author had obtained the research. At the conclusion the author’s note answered these questions. Anyone who loves historical fiction or medieval fiction should really love this. And don’t be like me...don’t let the size get to you - it is worth the read! I look forward to reading more by this author.
xxx
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.
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