Daughter of York

too much 'fiction'

Historical fiction is just that - but I felt this was way too heavy on the fiction and not enough historical events woven into the fiction - the historical events were mentioned in passing, but not given much credence. I wish the author would have chosen another character other than Fortunata - it appeared she was there for 'comic' relief. I understood the reasoning for the character, but didn't like the choice. I'm just a layperson, but I felt this novel had much more potential.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Brilliant storytelling

In 1461 fifteen year old Margaret mourns the death of her father who died in combat when the House of Lancaster¿s forces ambushed his House of York. Also dead is her older brother Edmund. Her oldest brother Edward is now the claimant to the throne instead of the insane king Henry and his French wife Queen Margaret. Not long afterward, word reaches Margaret that Edward won a major victory claiming God on his side.------------ Margaret tells her two younger brothers (George and Richard) the good news. Edward introduces Margaret to former Lancaster supporter, Anthony Woodville. She is attracted to him, but hides her feelings as he is married. Not long afterward Edward is crowned King when Henry, Margaret and their son flee to Scotland. Over the next two decades Margaret does her royal duty sacrificing much of her happiness as does Richard training to one day be a king but remaining steadfast to his older brother whereas George envies his regal sibling-------------- This is a sweeping saga that brings alive the latter half of the fifteenth century through an ensemble support cast including the major historical figures of the era that were on the European stage. Meg is a strong loyal person with ethics, but it is the historical tidbits that are fascinating and make the two plus decades come to life. Although at times the story line slows down in order to account for the major events between 1461 and 1480, historical fans will appreciate the deep look at England through mostly the eyes of THE DAUGHTER OF YORK.----------------- Harriet Klausner

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Wow! Great! Love this book! Love this author!

Wow! What a great book! I just love this author. I know she has a new book coming out next year and I can not wait! This is a must read. I could not put this book down. It sucked me in and I had it finished in a matter of days. It was so good I had to read A Rose For The Crown after this. If you love historical fiction you will love this book and this author. One of the best!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

History is full of characters with little or no information on t

History is full of characters with little or no information on their personal and professional lives. This includes many in the royal families of Europe. For an historian, this can be very frustrating. For a fiction writer, it can be viewed as a canvas that has just a few brush strokes on it. This proves to be the case in Anne Easter Smith's book, Daughter of York.

Smith's book creates a world of Margaret of Burgundy that few know anything about. Historians know she was Edward IV's sister as well as Richard III's. She was given in marriage to Charles of Burgundy. It is known that she died childless and a widow. Very little else in known which gives Smith a very large canvas to work with.

Daughter of York is a moving tale of unobtainable love, duty, and honor. I found myself crying during many of the emotional scenes I encountered. The book draws on many historical figures such as the York family, the Burgundy family members, and William Caxton who was favored by Margaret in his printing endeavors. Smith uses the historical figures in Margaret's life that scholars know about while bringing in many interesting fictional ones that help shape the character of the princess/duchess.

The pros of the book are numerous. Located in the front of the book is a list of characters with the fictional ones noted as well as a family tree of the Plantagenet family which includes both the Lancastrians and the Yorks. I used the family tree quite often as I read to verify my connections of family members and to help get my mind around the historical aspects I was familiar with. There is also included a glossary of terms and a section of discussion questions that work great with book clubs.

What are the cons? The 557 page book ends with a cliffhanger. Well, maybe not a cliffhanger, but it leaves you with many things left undone. The author does apologize for this in her note after the last chapter is read.

Who will like this book? Anyone who likes history, fiction, romance, adventure, and a little mystery. Who will not be too partial to this book? Anyone who expects fiction books to be historically accurate in every detail. Smith keeps with the history that is known, but there is too much of Margaret of Burgundy's life that historians can feel confident about.

A great book that will keep you reading and actually get you wondering more of the history behind the story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Disappointing Historical Fiction

Daughter of York showed promise. The book's summary made me excited to read it. In the beginning it seemed like a well-written, intereseting novel (helped along by Anne Easter Smith's saying in the acknowledgments that the fabulous historian Ann Wroe gave it her stamp of approval). However, after the beginning it started to lag in pace and interest. I tried to hold on. But like a sinking ship, York sank, going from mediocre to boring.

The book starts out with Margaret of York becoming a princess. When her unmarried brother, Edward, claims the crown she becomes the first lady at court. As the sister to the English king, Margeret is a powerful chip in the royal marriage game and there are several powerful European rulers vying for her hand. Edward chooses Charles, Duke of Burgundy, for Margaret to marry but her heart already belongs to the married noble, Anthony Woodville.

There is no historical evidence that Anthony and Margaret had an affair or were even friends. Smith admits this in her author's note. The fabrication of this main story thread took away a substantial amount of the story's authenticity. It seemed like Smith invented a romance were there was none, perhaps because she thought it would make Margaret's life more interesting to the reader. Also, as soon as Margaret arrived at Burgundy, the book got tedious. Burgundian history, which is fascinating, was barely touched upon and the politics in that land at the time were barely skimmed over. Margaret, who was an intelligent and skilled stateswoman, would often rule in Charles' absence. Instead of focusing on Margaret's adept ruling abilities, which were well known, the novel focused on her friendship with a dwarf named Fortunata and her sex life.

Fortunata is a made up character. Margaret never had a jester type figure present at her court with this name. While I understand the need to have Margaret have a female confidante in the story, the fact that the two relationships that Smith focused on were fictional bothered me. I like to have more history in my historical fiction. The focus on Margaret's sex life also detracted from my interest in the story. We could have been spared a few descriptions of Margaret's agonizing nights with Charles. The author depicted Margaret's whole life-and all her thoughts-as being consumed by an illicit affair with Anthony. Margaret of York was an astute, highly religious woman living in the 14th century. Her life was consumed by her faith and aiding her family's rule of England, not with imaginary romances. This is part of a trend in works of historical fiction: to sexualize female characters to the exclusion of anything else of interest about them. Strong, interesting women like Margaret are reduced to the sum of their sex lives. If Daughter of York had focused more on the history of Margaret's accomplishments it could have been a good read.

If you're looking for really great dialogue in a novel about the Yorks try Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour, also set during the War of the Roses. If you want to learn more about Margaret of York later in life, try the history The Perfect Prince by Ann Wroe.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Book!!!

This is a wonderfully written, intelligent, witty, amazing book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down, thereby finishing it in four days. I have also read A Rose for the Crown, which is also brilliant. I am anxiously awaiting the new book that is coming out in the fall. This is one of the best contemporary authors for historical fiction by far! Her books are well researched and historically accurate, yet the reader can easily get to know and fall in love with the characters. The characters are also incredibly believable. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great story!!

Loved this story as much as A Rose for the Crown. Was a tad dissapointed with the ending, but it was stil a great read and would reccommend it. Fell in love with this author's work and highly anticipate any new books by her.

Okay book

This was a good book. It wasn't as good as some of the other books by this author. Still a worthwhile read.

Amazing

This writer sure knows how to write a incredible historical drama! Start with Queen By Right if you are interested!

European History Comes to Life

As a lover of this era, I found many things to recommend this book. Edward of York marries his sister off--of course--as a political pawn. Then, he marries for love. As it happens, sister is far stronger than he and helps maintain peace and prosperity for her adopted homeland. Lots of family and political intrigue. Well worth the Time.

I loved it!!!

Anne Easter Smith is an excellent writer. I will continue to look for her books.

Good Story

I enjoyed this book very much. It is well written and provides interesting information about that period in England's history.

Starts slow

This book starts slowly. The writer's style is not developed, it seems as if a teenager wrote this. The second half is more beleivable and has more detail that seems based on more than imagination.

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