Kakaku：799 saved$7.99
Del Rey
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Lost me in the middle, but overall, not a bad read.) 『Although I liked this tale overall, there were pieces of it that bogged the story down for me.
The Dragon Queen is yet another entry into the tales of Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. For those who love their Arthurian legends with Merlin as the big bad- then this book's for you. For those who don't-then Run away!
TDQ centers around Guinevere, the warrior queen of Arthur and in Borchardt's version she is indeed a warrior. Guinevere, has the beauty of previous Arthurian tales, but in TDQ she's not the sweet little misguided star-crossed over of Lancelot that we usually see her portrayed to be. Courageous and bold she has power in her right hand where ferocious fire emanates (grand super power that!), and healing in her left. Moreover, arrows flyout her bow as if an extension of her arm, she communicates with dragons- as well with the dead- displays prophetic abilities, and audaciously defeats asundry of evil beasts that Merlin flings at her.
The story begins with Maeniel, Guinevere's soon to be foster father. Maeniel, otherwise knows as the Gray Watcher, is a shapeshifting man/wolf who has personally felt the destructive powers of Merlin. Deciding that being a wolf was much preferred to living with the humans, he escapes to the wilds and begins a family. It is during his time with the wolves that Guinevere falls into his care, and the Gray Watcher, along with the sorcerer Dugald- who Merlin chased into hiding long ago- take up the charge of raising her. The Gray Watcher's wolf mate nurses Guinevere from the time they find her left on a cliff and later a woman joins them who will teach her the ways of her people- a people she never knew.
As a child, Guinevere helps her village to defeat a marauding group of seafarers- and it is here where we see her potential for greatness begin to come forth. Guinevere grows in stature, wisdom and power and, though still only a young teen through much of the story, she quickly finds herself thrust into peril. Merlin wants her dead, and though the author details many things in TDQ, I never quite got the gist of his motive for seeking to destroy her so passionately. The only thing I can figure is that she must be the one who either precipitates or actually carries out Merlin's eventual destruction.
Many other side characters show up to aid and engage her in battle. There are all kinds of fantasy creatures- including mythological gods- that she meets up with and, eventually, she meets her future in the boy of Arthur.
Arthur is just as strong as she- and closer to her age then what I've seen portrayed before. Set long before Camalot, he's young and only discovering who and what he's eventually going to be. Much of the middle of the book is from his POV, where he meets the Lady of the Lake. I was disappointed however, that at the end of TDQ, he and Guinevere do not meet up again. (I suppose that will come in later installments.)
The jumping around of POV's was rather confusing for me and the author lost me a bit until it began to pick up again toward the end. The book is full of detailed descriptions of the world Borchardt has created and some of it became overwhelming. To me her descriptions dragged the story down and lost me for most of the middle of the book. But, as I said before, by the end I was back with her.
This is definitely sequel bait- the story is far from over. I'm interested to see where the author- who is Anne Rice's sister, btw- will take it.』
(Not quite Guinivere) 『Although Alice Borchardt has written some interesting but not-well-written books such as 'Silver Wolf', 'Night of the Wolf' and 'The Wolf King', I decided to try out the first book in the great Guinivere series. Somehow it was worse than I've expected, and here are the reasons why. Both Guinivere and Arthur and all of the good guys are all too perfect, too good with no flaws whatsoever. Gunivere is sent out on quests, but she doesn't seem to break a sweat and neither is Arthur. The way they are paired up with each other sounds silly and tacky (Exaggerated scene: 'Oh Guinivere, you're so hot! And you're a queen so I think we fit together perfectly!' 'Oh Arthur, I think you're hot and fine as well, LOL!'), even though we have heard this tale since the dawn of time. Borchardt doesn't seem to make it work and that's what brings it down the most.
The pacing is also boggy. While it does grip you and make you want to read, each chapter seems to start with something new, even though two or three chapters are dedicated to one character. You ponder as to wonder how this character went from Point A to Point C with no Point B to clarify.
And of Maeniel, the wolf shapeshifter. Many reviewists seem to wonder about his origins and where he came from and why he's so perfect all the time. Maeniel is actually the star of 'Silver Wolf', 'Night of the Wolf', and 'The Wolf King' so when I read this book, I wasn't confused at all. The only problem is that he seems way too perfect in this series, whereas on the other one, he did have several flaws and was a more lovable character. And though he is somewhat of a werewolf/shapeshifter, he has a way longer lifespan. But in this series, it rather confuses me, especially when Maeniel has a son. Shouldn't his son develop a lot slower than humans, if his aging is as his father? Then again, his mother was a real wolf so I suppose that kind of explains several flaws in that. Also this Maeniel is simply annoying, loosing a lot of what shaped him up in the earlier series.
A lot you will see in her stories is that men are savage clouts while women are innocent and gentle. I kinda got the message in 'Silver Wolf' but to drag it on through a trilogy and yet another trilogy kinda ruins the message. And it gets old after the first four times you hear it and very annoying the 100th.
I don't see where Borchardt was aiming for in this book. Most of the characters are one-dimentional and the quests were never fully explained. Even Merlin, whose new look was interesting, came out rather silly and dumb. It did not feel like you were there in the Medieval times and that's where this book rather fails. Interesting plotlines and concepts keep this book going, but it's only a sub par average read.』
(Incredibly disappointing...) 『I tried so hard to give this book the benefit of the doubt--I read it cover to cover, even though it was at times almost physically painful. I usually avoid arthurian fiction because the topic has been done to death, but I was drawn in by the reviews and the beautiful graphic design of the cover. When it comes down to it, no one has mastered the arthurian legends better than Marion Zimmer Bradley, and I'd recommend any reader try the Mists of Avalon, rather than this grotesque disappointment.
READERS BEWARE! The editorial reviews LIE! I was suckered in by claims of historical accuracy (the San Jose Mercury News claimed that this book was "well grounded in the history, politics, and religions of the time...") There's a certain smattering of genuine history, politics, and accuracy, but this book mostly reads like a childish flight of fancy... Or maybe a series of disconnected vignettes/short stories. I was unconvinced by the strange and apparently unintentional mingling of pagan and christian theology, and I have NEVER heard of a Celtic god names "Dis", much less any Celtic god of 'Hell' which is flatly impossible--Hell is, after all, a purely Christian invention. Even beyond the confusing religious aspects, the main characters are supposed to be children, but hardly ever act like it; they've even been hyper-sexualized in places, too, which is disturbing in the extreme. To make matters worse, the plot rambles in strangely disjointed directions until I could no longer suspend disbelief. (Case in point: Guinevere is hauled back in time by a nameless goddess to fight a dinosaur. That's not what they call it, but that's essentially what the author described. And then, for no explicable reason, that dinosaur turns into a Greek faun.) If you are looking for a well-researched and legitimate alternative interpretation of Guinevere's origins, look elsewhere!
I found this entire book hard to follow--it flitted between characters and situations that seemed only loosely related. The 'magic' was not thought out, in as much as that it had no logical rules or structure. Strange things just happened, and the reader is left wondering why.
Let me just conclude by saying that this unfortunate impulse purchase was the WORST book I've read in years (I don't usually feel compelled to write reviews at all, so it's a testament to the negative power of this book that I actually took the time to do this!) It could have benefitted from a very diligent and strong-willed editor. And I have heard that Anne Rice prides herself on having her books published 'as-written' and with no editing... I wonder if her sister has made the same tragic mistake.
Sadly enough, I bought the Raven Warrior with the Dragon Queen, though I can't imagine ever forcing myself to read it.』
(Good read, but unlovable heroine) 『I picked up this book after I had read the trilogy about Maeniel (beginning with The Silver Wolf). I was happy to know he featured in Guinevere's story as well. I found this book more exciting than I expected. The author must love details, for she uses them in abundance, and then switches abruptly to dialog and plot. This was my only issue with the way the novel was written.
Plotwise, I was sort of confused as to certain parts of the novel that went off on a tangent. Guinevere was sucked back in time at one point to do a favor for a goddess, and it barely contributes to the overall plot in my eyes.
I also did not understand the use of the redundant cliche of love at first sight with Guinevere looking at Arthur. The love for a boy she knew since childhood couldn't hold a flame up to her sudden love for Arthur. I couldn't help but see her as I'm sure Maeniel but see her, as a power-hungry teenage girl. If she had never been told she was destined to marry and king, and Merlin had left well enough alone, she would have lived a normal and comfortable life.
I guess I just cannot grow to love the heroine in this book, but I still enjoyed it.
I would recommend this book to those that can stand an unfinished series. What happened to the author that she couldn't write the last of this so-called trilogy?』
(My review: Dragon Queen by Alice Borchardt) 『This is a non-stop thriller, showing what all readers want: a little romance, a easily understood storyline that is based somewhat on history, and some frightening parts that keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, it was a good book. I read it in 3 days, and I'm 11.』 『Arthur turned and strode toward us. He was magnificent, and I will never forget that, in that moment, I first loved him. And I believe--had I known what the future held for us: all the trouble, torment, battle, and grief of our lives--I still believe that I would have yielded my heart into his keeping as I did then . . .
In a sweeping epic of the imagination, Alice Borchardt enters the wondrous realm of Arthurian legend and makes it her own.The Dragon Queenis the first volume in a trilogy of novels that boldly re-imagines Camelot--and casts Guinevere as a shrewd, strong-willed, magical warrior queen.
Born into a world of terrible strife, where war is constant and weapons are never far from the hands of men or women, Guinevere, daughter of a mighty pagan queen, is a threat to her people and a prize to the dreaded sorcerer Merlin. Sent into hiding, she grows up under the protection of a shapeshifting man-wolf and an ornery Druid. But even on the remote coast of Scotland, where dragons feed and watch over her, she is not safe from the all-seeing High Druid Merlin. He knows the young beauty's destiny, and he will stop at nothing to prevent what has been foretold. For if Guinevere becomes Queen and Arthur, King, they will bring a peace to the land that will leave the power-hungry Merlin a shriveled magician in a weary cloak.
Yet Guinevere possesses power of her own--dazzling power to rival even that of Merlin. Summoned from her home by forces she cannot fathom, she travels from the Underworld to an Otherworld of the Past, at each step calling on ancient powers to aid her way. When young Guinevere proves her mettle to an embarrassed Merlin, even her faithful dragon protectors cannot prevent the evil that the sorcerer rains down. Seeking revenge, Merlin banishes Arthur to a world from which the only escape is death. Now Guinevere must face Merlin's wrath without him--and prove that she is worthy of being Arthur's Queen.
From the glass-roofed Great Hall at Tintigal to the lush garden forts of Wales, Alice Borchardt details the travels of Guinevere in a rich fabric of prose.The Dragon Queenis a novel of great emotional depth, timeless romance, and soul-stirring adventure.
Kakaku：595 saved$5.95
Pelican Publishing Company
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Oh Well) 『I was expecting this book to be extremely interesting and I am so disappointed. I was reading the back of the book which says "the author creates a vivid, haunting atmosphere, which holds the reader in spell..." Whatever...it is slow paced and it's boring. I'm only half-way through with the book and the way it's going now...I don't know if I will finish it. There may be other books out there about Marie Laveau that will leave you spellbound...Please let me know..because this is not it.』
(Wonderful novel about a mysterious woman) 『Tallant's novel does a wonderful job of bringing the mysterious life of Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, into full color. Called a witch by some, and once falsely accused of murder, this story had me under its spell! Inspired by true events, the novel tells how Marie lived through plagues, wars, poverty, bigotry, family tragedy and remained strong through it all. She often helped her numerous children and friends in difficult times with tremendous energy, even into her seventies. Though feared by some, she was also remembered as a generous spirit who saw her talent as a gift from God. She never once used it for evil, but sought to bring peace and good health to her clients. This was an intriguing tale fitting for the mystique of New Orleans.
Chrissy K. McVay author of 'Souls of the North Wind'』
(Blech) 『Marie Laveau was a deeply spiritual woman who, among other things, went out of her way to help and free those enslaved around her. That doesn't stop Mr. Tallant from portraying her as a vain, selfish con-woman. To make matters worse, he doesn't even write his slander well. This is not only a bigoted portrayal of a powerful, faith-driven woman, but it is also a boring read. Avoid this trash.』
(not impressed) 『I was given a First Edition of this book by a friend who knows that I practice Vodou and Rootwork. It is a fascinating story, but sadly the author focuses on "wild orgies" and "blood drinking negros". It was written in the 30s and does indeed reflect the "taste" of this period as well as the prejudice attitude towards Voodoo and Vodou in that time.』
(The Best Book on New Orleans and Laveau) 『This book is absolutely the most interesting and fascinating story I have ever read concerning the subjects of New Orleans History and Marie Laveau. Tallant is the genius of taking the facts that have been gathered on both subjects and combining them into a novel that you cannot and will not put down. It is a page turner from start to finish. I am currently reading the book for the third time, and I am not a big reader. It is THAT GOOD. If you love the call and the mystery of this river city, you will be spell bound! AAA+++』 『Witch? Sorceress? Daughter of Satan? Murderer? Thief? Saint? Which label best fits Marie Laveau? Queen of the Voodoos, she is considered to have been the most important voodooienne ever to have reigned on this continent. Robert Tallant, attempted to make use of all available facts and information in re-creating the life of this famous woman. Marie Laveau, the last and most stories American Sorceress, continues to weave her spell as those who read this fascinating portrait will discover.』
IPhone 3G used's review (So Hard to find! Please help bring them back!!) 『I picked up the first three prolly 15 years ago at a church yard sale for 10cents each- I looked EVERYWHERE for the other 3- my friend recieved the fourth which she gave to me for my b-day one year, and I have been completely out of luck up until now- they are even hard to find on Amazon!! the first two books in the series are back by popular demand now available by dellrey I believe- new cover art they combined the first two books, so I can only assume that the others are on the way- keep harrassing them!!! I just had to by my fifth book on e-bay for over $30!!!! Worth every penny- I want the whole set for my little girl....』
(Bring these books back.) 『I too wish that this series would come back to the bookstores. I own four of the six books and cannot seem to get access to a resonably priced sixth book. I have been left hanging at the fifth book! I keep them because they are exciting and appeal to not just young girls but to anyone with an imagination. I cherish the books that I have because the idea of a young girl making such a huge impact on the lives of an entire country is what inspires me. I do not care if they are pricey collectors items I would just like to have a complete series for my daughter to read someday.』
(I'm going to get these back in print! Can you help?) 『I'm launching a letter campaign to get these books back. It is ridiculous what people are spending for a book that should be available to young girls and old alike. Libraries can't keep these books in stock! If you want to help me this is what I'm doing: I will mail a letter a day to the Ballantine/Fawcet press asking that they publish The Secret of the Unicorn Queen Series. I will say that there is a genuine need for these books and that they will sell. In order to prove the high demand for these books it would be great to have other people send in letters too. Anyone who is interested can e-mail me (it's a hotmail account with my name) or just write and mail a letter. This shouldn't be a herculean labor, these books are marketable and will sell, the publisher can't go wrong. (I love the cover art too-Rowena is brilliant!)』
(Sara's Review) 『This is one of the most brilliant and inspiring books ever,that can really capture your imagination and bring the story to life. I thought it was a really unique idea but one that could just be crazy enough to happen so you don't think 'no way, that'd never happen!'when the story of how sheila fell through Dr.Reit's time machine and landed in a parallel world is relaid. The characters are all really fascinating due to the fact they're all really tough warriors but are gentle people at heart.
I gaurentee by the end of this book you'll still be wanting more.』
(Out Of Print Wonders!) 『Moonspell is the sixth and final book in The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen series, by four different authors. Shelia and the unicorn riders lead by Illyria, a mighty warrior women, must help safely escort the unicorns to Ryudain. Once there the unicorns will replenish the power that fills them, but can they make it safely there? And can Shelia get her tracker back from Mardock so she can make it home?
...
The entire series The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen is a magnificant set of books. Each one is a story all it's own that captures the attention of childen and adults alike. It doesn't matter if you are male or female you'll love these books, because they action packed with a twist of romance. The only problem is finding them! Luckly for me I visited a local library, were I used to live, on the day they were selling off unread inventory. I was amazed to find that the books, which I had read from this library 7 years previously, were still in great condition and for sale. I baught all six books[.]... I urge you to buy these books if you can! You won't regret it! I'm happy now to announce that I have all six finally typed up and am more than happy to make them available to everyone else. ...』
Kakaku：799 saved$7.99
Berkley
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Good, solid fun Aaron Elkins) 『Fans of Aaron Elkins won't be disappointed. A light read but good on a rainy afternoon!』
(Honeymooning with the Skeleton Detective) 『Aaron Elkins always delivers a pleasantly engaging mystery. "Murder in the Queen's Armes" finds forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver on honeymoon in England, where he is drawn into a bizarre series of crimes involving an archaeology excavation -- which culminate in two murders. Although a few of the plot twists can be seen from a mile away, at least one bit of danger to our intrepid hero and his new wife is a real white-knuckle terror, and the denoument is quite satisfactory.』
(Good book, but character assassination with Julie) 『Excellent story that keeps you guessing right up until the very end. However, the author's portrayal of Gideon's wife Julie is rather offensive.
In the previous books, Julie was written as Gideon's intellectual equal. She was independent, opinionated, and capable. Now that they're married, Julie's character has regressed to something straight out of the 1950's. In this book, Julie exists only to have sex with Gideon whenever he wants, to ask silly questions in order to make Gideon look more intelligent, gets bored when Gideon talks about archaeology because she claims it's over her head (which it isn't), and whines when she's away from Gideon for longer than one afternoon. This is not the Julie we've been reading about. She is a complete ditz in this book!
The book is a page turner and the story is great, but I'm dissapointed that Aaron Elkins felt the need to strip Julie of her personality and instead make her Gideon's airheaded play thing. She is no longer the capable sidekick - she's simply an annoying fly that buzzes around with nothing to do.』
(Gideon Oliver keeps getting better!) 『I thoroughly enjoyed this 3rd in the series. Bravo. I can't wait to read #4 through #9! I love THE SKELETON DETECTIVE! Keep the anthropology trivia and details coming!』
(THE BONE DETECTIVE RULES!) 『Gideon and his new bride spend their honeymoon in merry olde England. Of course everything isn't tea and crumpets. Gideon finds stolen bones, murdered anthropologists and mysteries galore. Spend some time digging in the dirt with Gideon, you'll be glad you did.』 『Edgar(r) winner Aaron Elkins follows "skeleton detective" Gideon Oliver on his honeymoon, one that will prove none too sweet.』
IPhone 3G used's review (THERE IS NO FOOL LIKE THE QUEEN'S FOOL...) 『This best selling English author of historical fiction has written yet another interesting work. This novel takes place during the reign of Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. She would leave a legacy that would cause her to be known as "Bloody Mary" for her burning of heretics. The narrator is a girl named Hannah Green, a young teenager who has fled Spain and its Inquisition with her father, following the death of her mother. She had been burned alive at the stake as a heretic, when it was discovered that she was a "Marrano", a false Christian, that is, a Jew who has converted to Christianity but who follows the Jewish faith in secret.
Landing in London, where her father opens a book store, Hannah makes the acquaintance of a handsome rake, Sir Robert Dudley, who discovers that Hannah has the gift of sight. She develops a personal relationship with him that eventually sees her enter into Queen Mary's service as her fool. Hannah serves Queen Mary, but at the same time, is sent by the Queen to serve her half-sister the Princess Elizabeth and spy upon her.
Meanwhile, Sir Robert Dudley also uses Hannah in his treasonous plot to see the Princess Elizabeth on the throne of England. So, Hannah finds herself walking a dangerous tightrope and is fearful of discovery of her role in the political intrigues that are welling around her, as well as discovery of her own background, which would be grounds for death. Her worst fears are nearly realized when the Queen marries Prince Phillip of Spain.
In the midst of all this political intriguing that appears to be going on all around her, Hannah has her own immediate future to think about, as she becomes betrothed to another Marrano such as herself. Infatuated with Lord Dudley, loyal to both Queen Mary and the clever and manipulative Princess Elizabeth, Hannah finds herself putting her own future happiness at risk amidst the political and religious turmoil of the time.
This is a fast paced, breezy read about an independent, young woman who finds herself at a crossroad in her life and begins a voyage of self-discovery that will ultimately change her life. The story takes place in sixteenth century England, amidst all the political strife and religious upheaval of the time. The author weaves an intriguing tapestry of historical events and personages together with the intrigues that were rife in the Tudor court of the Queen who would become known as Bloody Mary.』 『Although not stated, this appears to be a book club edition.』
Kakaku：1300 saved$13.00
Mariner Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (That which is most vehemently denied is often most inescapably true.) 『"...And my parents did not give me a Russian name, for, other than a few dedicated Communists in the thirties and forties, what black parents ever did?"
That comment, posed by a fictional character in another novel, The Emperor of Ocean Park,is answered here by Alice Randall in the persona of this story's most significant presence, Windsor Armstrong, a Harvard-educated professor of Russian Literature at Vanderbilt University. We meet Windsor as she is about to commence an epoch of self-reflection and introspection brought on by the impending marriage of her son Pushkin to a Russian- born, blond-haired stripper with, as the story unfolds, the ironic name of Tanya.
Over a plate of grilled cheese and French fries in a seedy country western bar, over the next 200 pages or so, the reader is a rapt observer to intellectual self-vivisection as the professor examines exactly why she has arrived at this point of estrangement from her son, brought on by her palpable disenchantment with her son's choice of spouse as well as prior decisions (college choice, career) that failed to correlate to her aspirations for him, never mind the fact he has far exceeded the dreams most parents would ever entertain for their children. Circumstances are further complicated by the secret of Pushkin's parentage as Windsor has historically deflected, or just ignored any and all entreaties from her son regarding the name of his birth father.
Randall has infused enough thematic discourses to support a Doctorate thesis in American studies however, at the core this is a parent's paean to a child-man, an independent thinking and acting adult who has absorbed all of the lessons and knowledge any parent would hope to pass down but one who, while respectful of his elder, will not be hamstrung by any implicit requirement to live his life in accordance with another's vision.
Pushkin and the Queen of Spades is a tour de force exhibiting Ms. Randall's inestimable talents. Whereas her previous novel,The Wind Done Gone: A Novel, brought to mind the prose and style of Zora Neale Hurston, in this work one feels the influences of Joyce, Morrison, and Giovanni. WDG posed the question, "where were the mulatto children of Tara?" "Pushkin..." asks the question, "What are the consequences of our inculcated values?" She demonstrates visceral aplomb in the style of the classicists, post- modernists, or rhythmic fluidity of the urban patois. Whilst the path of introspective reflection allows her to examine the psyche, cultural patterns and distinctiveness of Black Americans in a multiplicity of circumstance and to address the often conflicting objectives of inclusiveness and individuality, Ms. Randall unfolds a story that should foment personal assessment of how we interact with our children and what messages we send to them via our thoughts and actions, whether verbalized or implied. 』
("Tis time, my friend, tis time!) 『For rest the heart is aching; Days follow days in flight, and every day is taking Fragments of being, while together you and I Make plans to live. Look, all is dust, and we shall die." Alexander Pushkin
Alice Randall's "Pushkin and the Queen of Spades", is a terrific novel. Beginning with the double entendre of its title the book is rife with meaning and food for thought. The issues addressed in the book, our internal and external lives at the intersection of race and culture and the long term impact that our relations with our parents have on our own children are often discussed in solemn, ponderous and often overly contentious tones. Randall will have none of that. Rather, she embarks on a graceful, biting and often hilarious tour de force that should leave the reader laughing out load while at the same time soaking in the powerful ideas set out neatly inside the pearls of laughter. Mary Poppins once said a little bit of sugar helps the medicine go down. In this instance a while lot of sugar and down right great writing helps open our minds to the sometimes provocative issues she sets out.
The story line itself is simple. Windsor Armstrong is an African American woman, graduate of Harvard, a professor at Vanderbilt University and the holder of a PhD in Russian literature. Her son Pushkin X is named after the great Russian poet and playwright, Alexander Pushkin (author of a famous book The Queen of Spades) whose own African ancestry formed the emotional basis of his work and life including his tragic death in a duel. Pushkin X has dashed Windsor's hopes that he would follow in his mother's academic career. He turned down Harvard and played football, at the University of Michigan. Even worse, Pushkin's football skills have resulted in his becoming a star in the NFL. The book's plot is revealed in the opening paragraph, perhaps one of the funniest opening paragraphs I have read in recent memory. Brief excerpts follow:
"Look what they done to my boy! . . . Fifty million people have watched him on a single Monday night. He has given a Russian girl a diamond ring. He means to get married. My son is a football player engaged to a Russian-born lap dancer, a girl named Tanya who danced at a club call Mons Venus. There is a God and he's punishing me. This much bad luck cannot happen by accident."
It soon becomes apparent that Pushkin X has withdrawn his mother's invitation to his wedding after she expresses opposition to the marriage and, more importantly, after she once again refuses to reveal the identity of Pushkin X's father, long a source of contention between mother and son. The rest of the book is devoted to Windsor's internal dialogue in the days leading up to the wedding. She touches on her early childhood in Detroit up to 1968 and the impact of her relationship with her father, whom she adored, and her mother, whom she did not adore, who took her away from Detroit and her father to D.C. They arrive in D.C. soon after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Despite her unhappiness in D.C. the city (and her mother) provides her with the opportunities that take her on her life's journey to Harvard, to Russia and a career as a scholar. Her internal dialogue continues. Like a river, her dialogue takes many twists and turns. Randall's words emerge as a beautiful stream of consciousness that leads us to many new and unexpected destinations. She is never boring and often profound. She is also funny and downright sassy at times as she embarks on riffs that touch on such diverse topics as her sex life, Malcolm X, `the souls of black folks', and writers such as Colson Whitehead and others. She touches on the meaning of being a mother and how the love of a mother (or father) for a child can bring more pain than we sometimes think we can endure. Simply put, in a context that Windsor Armstrong might enjoy - Curtis Mayfield may have had Windsor Armstrong in mind when he wrote the words "the woman's got soul".
The identity of Pushkin X's father and the nature of his conception gradually emerge as the book reaches it climax. That climax includes Windsor's wedding gift to Pushkin X - which gift is worth the price of the book standing alone.
In many respects the structure of Randall's dialogues are reminiscent of James Joyce's Ulysses. This is not to compare Randall to Joyce necessarily but I think it is no small compliment to the power of Randall's writing to even be thought of with Joyce in the same paragraph. As Christopher Hitchens once said about a writer once compared to Tolstoy, to be even compared to Tolstoy (or Joyce in this instance) is no small achievement even if one hasn't quite reach that stature (yet). I enjoyed the book tremendously and encourage anyone with an interest in good books to pick this up and read it. It is a book to be enjoyed and savored. 』
(Long, Boring and annoying) 『I have to admit that I gave up on this book at the half-way point. I just could not read any more, although I was mildly curious to find out who Pushkin X's father was. It wasn't worth the pain, though, so I gave up.
In the first place, the book is written somewhat in the manner of Toni Morrison's "Beloved", with one big difference-Morrison is a great writer and Randall is not (based on this book, at any rate). The result is that this book goes on and on in circles. It's deadly dull.
Second, I developed a hearty dislike for the protagonist. Instead of coming off as sympathetic, having had a tough childhood and adolescence, the protagonist comes off as self serving and selfish. Her disappointment in her son, with whose conduct and life I could find little fault, irritated me to the point that I simply could not stand another moment of the protagonist's harangues against him and his girlfriend (who struck me as an intelligent and thoughtful women and no weirder than the mother!).
Third, the idea of connecting the author Pushkin's life and works to contemporary black life is very intriguing (and was the reason I launched into the book in the first place), but the author does nothing with it. She skims over the clichés of Pushkin's life, but never digs into any original connections between him and black identity.
Fourth, what does this book really say about black identity? Granted, I am not black, so there may be some subtle message I am missing, but I learned nothing about black life in the US. The protagonist's life, in any case, is atypical, since she is a professor - hardly mainstream either in black or in white culture. Her childhood struck me as far from typical also.
I really found nothing in the first half of the book to suggest that I ought to invest the effort into reading the second half; so I didn't.』
(A mother's love) 『After her controversial debut The Wind Done Gone, a parody of Gone With The Wind, Alice Randall is back on the literary front with PUSHKIN AND THE QUEEN OF SPADES, a work of art presenting deeper observations on race, classism, interracial relationships, motherhood, family, and love. Embedded in these themes are strands of humor, literary references, and a mother's love and frustration in protecting her son from the realities and cruelties of the world.
Windsor Armstrong is a professor of Russian literature and has named her son Pushkin X after Alexander Pushkin, the Afro-Russian poet and Malcolm X. She raised Pushkin with the hopes that he would one day follow in her footsteps, as an intellectual, not boxed in the same stereotypical class of many other black men. Unfortunately, Pushkin has his own ideas and goals in life. He excels in football, turns down a scholarship to Harvard, and eventually advances to the NFL, to the horror of Windsor. When he announces his marriage to a white Russian lap dancer, Windsor finds herself lost in a myriad of emotions.
"Pissed" would be the forefront emotion as she takes his announcement personally, wondering why he didn't choose a black woman, why he chose the life he lives, and how she can continue to love him, considering all of the issues she finds with him. Tossing back and forth from the past to the present, she relives her life, her troubles, pain, and happiness, as she creates a wedding gift for Pushkin -- a narrative of her life. Through the revelation of her disappointments, we're able to further understand her anger and the love she has for Pushkin. In addition, we're given a multifaceted view of her character and her past.
PUSHKIN AND THE QUEEN OF SPADES is an exploratory journey for Windsor as she searches for identity and reconciliation. It is at times moving, hilarious at others, but, nonetheless, adeptly addresses many concerns faced by parents. It is definitely a book to be read slowly, up close and afar, to catch exactly what's going on throughout the pages. It is an exciting look into contemporary fiction with a literary edge.
Reviewed by Tee C. Royal of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers 』
(Top Draft Pick of 2004) 『In Pushkin and the Queen of Spades, Alice Randall mixes a spicy gumbo of Russian literature, Motown, and hip-hop that glides across the palate of the mind to rave culinary reviews. It's funky, hip, and sexy, yet sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and righteously poetic. When a Harvard-educated professor's football superstar son decides to marry a Russian lap dancer, her life becomes a retrospective of "where did I go wrong as a single black mother?" Windsor Armstrong thought she had raised her son, Pushkin X, to be a perfect reflection of herself: educated, erudite, and worldly, and sees his taste for the common as a direct rejection of everything she has ingrained in him, including her place in his life. Rather than retreat and wait for him to come to his senses, she writes a hip-hop elegy of epic proportions as a wedding gift in hopes of culling his forgiveness while desperately trying to respect his choices.』 『Windsor Armstrong has a problem: her brilliant boy, Pushkin X, has become a football superstar and is planning to marry a Russian lap dancer. In Windsor's opinion, Pushkin is throwing away every good thing she has given him. When she was an unwed teen mother, Windsor attended Harvard, leaving her shady Detroit roots behind. She raised her son to be fiercely intelligent, well-spoken, and proud. Now he lives for pro football and a white woman of no account. Outraged by her son's decisions but devoted to loving him right, Windsor prepares to give up her last secret: the identity of Pushkin's father.』 『The unacknowledged boom in African-American fiction continues withPushkin and the Queen of Spades, a second novel from Alice Randall, author of the nearly bannedGone with the Windparody,The Wind Done Gone. Windsor Armstrong is a Harvard-educated professor of Russian literature whose son, Pushkin--named after the great Afro-Russian poet--defied all her hopes for him by becoming a star football player. Any other mother would be proud, Windsor reflects. But she had wanted her son to transcend the narrow roles allotted to him as a black man in America. She had wanted more for Pushkin--a place in black bohemia, a place carved out by the writings of Dubois and others. And now, he rejects her again by choosing a Russian lap dancer as his wife.
Windsor's musings--by turns angry, conflicted, wistful, and eccentric--are among the most penetrating comments on race and mother love in contemporary fiction. She recalls her Motown childhood; her cruel, self-hating mother's climb through white society in Washington, D.C.; and the refuge she found at Harvard, slowly uncovering the roots of her racism and her shock and sadness that Pushkin has fallen in love with a woman who does not look like her. And what does Pushkin want from Windsor? Only the truth about who his father is.
Though the novel is a little longer than it needs to be, readers who stay with Randall through the switchbacks and cul-de-sacs of her narrative will be rewarded with stylistic fireworks and an unparalleled examination of black racism.--Regina Marler』
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Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (wise - not wanton) 『I'm a Henry VIII nut. I have quite a few books on him - from the recent historical fiction ones to old library tomes almost too dry to read. And I love historical fiction about England, particularly when the - what's the word I'm looking for? it's eluding me at the moment - their speech is true to form.
This is not quick reading, and yet it seemed like the book was finished in nothing flat. It does for Katherine Howard's reputation what Sharon Kay Penman did for Richard III's and the twins in the tower (the antithesis of shakespear's play.) Who's to say what the truth is? Because history potrays Richard as a power hungry, murdering rogue (except for a sect of people these days who are out to clear his name), and Katherine (except in this book) has always been said to be a wanton and promiscuous woman.
In The Fifth Queen, however, her character is wise and virtuous; but that Henry would have her as his wife, she'd have gone to a nunnery by choice. She believes strongly in the Catholic God and sees it as her mission to return Henry to Rome and to Catholocism and to persuade his daughter to reconcile with him.
But she's too innocent and good-hearted for those at court, who are always thinking of themselves and what's to their best advantage. As restoration of the Catholic faith would re-instate to the church lands and riches previously taken, those who are Lutheran would be left without what they gained when Henry became head of church and state. So Katherine must be dispensed with by whatever means possible.
Thus Ford's quite rational and lucid explanation for history's version of her background.
It's no secret that Henry was "not such a one who {could} stay the wind," as she puts it, and indeed, throughout my readings, that seems the essence of him: big and powerful on the outside, small and unsure on the inside; a man who has the power to get what he wants when he wants it, but best walk softly because he may change his mind tomorrow. Mercurial at best. I wonder if he'd be on prozac these days?
He's under the impression he's saved her and now they'll be together, but he's missed the irony of what he's put forth and arranged. Her speech in the final pages of the book is moving and borne of a wisdom you'd be hard pressed to find today, especially in one so young.
On an entirely different note, she was apparently beautiful. But have you ever noticed the paintings from that era? Check out the paintings of her - and his other wives by various artists. There doesn't seem much difference in the attractiveness of Anne of Cleves, Catherine of Aragon, Katherine Howard and Anne Boleyn, for instance. And Hans Holbein, who did quite a number of portraits of royal family members, was supposed to be the finest painter - and easy to belive that. His portrait of her is far superior to any of the others (not the miniature that is apparently actually Jane Seymour's sister), and Cromwell and Moore practically jump off the canvas. I dunno. The "beautiful" woman all look rather unattractive, if you ask me.
』
(What Katherine's tragedy was really all about......) 『I saw Ford's THE FIFTH QUEEN recommended on a history discussion board. I must say that I am close to agreeing with the assessment that it is the best historical romance of the twentieth century. It is certainly one of the best. Ford contends that what Katherine's death was really all about is that as a Catholic, she was trying to get Henry VIII to reconcile with the Church of Rome. She was close to succeeding and the reformers did not want that to happen. Her male friends were tortured until they admitted to dilly-dallying with her before marriage and after her marriage. Getting other people to agree with the testimony of the tortured men was no difficult feat. And so Katherine was condemned as a slut and whore.
Ford alludes to the fact that while Katherine may have been violated in some was as a young girl, it is also clear that Henry was aware that she had a Past and he did not care. Ford's Katherine is about 18 years old but Alison Weir says she may actually have been only fifteen. Ford portrays her as witty and bright, which makes sense since Henry was not attracted to stupid women; he enjoyed the repartee with a lively, witty damsel, especially over theological matters. Katherine had the charm of her cousin Anne Boleyn, with a great deal more sweetness; she also had the magnificent red-gold hair of the Plantagenets. Henry was repeatedly drawn to women with such hair, such as all three of his Katherines.
Ford brings Katherine to life as no one else - engaging, impulsive, and valiant. This coincides with what Alison Weir writes about her efforts to help imprisoned Catholics, especially her husband's cousin Bl. Margaret Pole. She is loving to her much older husband, to whom she was genuinely attracted, in Ford's novel. As her tragedy unfolds, she is ready to immolate herself for what she sees as a higher cause. Henry's heartbreak when he sees he must lose her is captured by Ford in a very moving manner. Henry does not believe the charges of adultery (Katherine was never found guilty of breaking her marriage vows) and wants to annull his marriage to her so that she can live as his mistress. Katherine must choose between dishonor in life or dishonor in death.
There seem to be few if any portraits of the fifth queen; what portraits still exist are dubious. Those who destroyed her also tried to destroy all evidence that she had lived, even as the altars of the old religion were being broken and defaced. However, the real Katherine lives in Ford's amazing trilogy, which is as vivid a work of art as any painting.』
(Intrigue and romance in the court of Henry VIII) 『Intrigue and romance in the court of Henry VIII Katherine Howard, armed only with education, wit and honesty, becomes the Fifth Queen, Henry VIII's fifth wife in this amazing historical trilogy. The plot-ridden court comes to vivid life as everyone high and low maneuvers for advantage. Everyone except Katherine Howard, whose unwillingness to scheme will make her queen and defenseless at the same moment. Even knowing the general story this is a fascinating and occasionally shocking novel, with a stunning ending...』
(A New Spin on an Old Queen!) 『Fans of Tudor history will enjoy this meaty volume which delivers a very different take on the life of Queen Katherine Howard...she is hardly the hysterical and promiscuous girl so often depicted. Especially interesting characterizations of "Bloody" Mary Tudor and Henry VIII, as well. Strictly for fans of the subject, however, or otherwise tedious reading.』
(A Parable) 『Ford Madox Ford's "The Fifth Queen" - actually a collection of three separate novels - is a fictionalized account of the fifth wife of England's Henry VIII, Katharine Howard. As A.S. Byatt explains in her Introduction, "This figure bears little relation to what we have about the real Katharine . . ." and thus the reader should be conscious that Ford's Katharine - a young, pretty, pious woman who yearns for a return to Catholicism after Henry's split with Rome - is strictly fictional. That said, the only real failure of this work is that Katharine is the least appealing, least interesting character; we first meet her as a dispossessed ingenue seeking entrance to Henry's court around the time of his disasterous fourth marriage to Anne of Cleves, and it is this description which will follow her throughout the book. Even as she becomes Queen, it is almost by accident, surviving the machinations of Cromwell, Lord Privy Seal and the recklessness of her devoted cousin Culpepper. She is Queen by default. She constantly protests that all she seeks is a Catholic England - the "old ways" - and yet throughout she resigns herself to letting events happen to her, as if she cannot control the consequences of her own life. Indeed, her final speech to Henry where she confesses to an adultery which did not occur, becomes her last fatal act of passivity, for which she pays with her life. She cannot see that there are those who wish to help her and that her naive, narcissistic piety does not have to be her ruin. What holds these novels together is the rich supporting cast: the aforementioned Cromwell, who has his own sovereign Protestant image of England, free from the entanglements of Rome. There is the brooding Princess Mary, Henry's daughter by his first wife, who knows how to carry a grudge for her mother's divorce, the super-spy Throckmorton, the lecherous Magister Udal and more. Ford uses Katharine to show that the blind commitment to an ideal - any ideal - will only result in failure, that this world is more than ideas and faiths, but of people who are imperfect, people who will fail. It is a world five hundred years in the past, but it is also our own.』 『Now back in print, Ford's highly acclaimed portrait of Henry VIII's controversial fifth Queen
This masterful performance of historical fiction centers on Katharine Howard--clever, beautiful, and outspoken--who catches the jaded eye of Henry VIII and becomes his fifth Queen. Corruption and fear pervade the King's court, and the dimly lit corridors vibrate with the intrigues of unscrupulous courtiers hungry for power. Soon Katharine is locked in a vicious battle with Thomas Cromwell, the Lord Privy Seal, as she fights for political and religious change.
Ford saw the past as an integral part of the present experience and understanding, and his sharply etched vision of the court of Henry VIII--first published in 1908--echoes aspects of Edwardian England as it explores the pervading influence of power, lies, fear, and anxiety on people's lives.
"The Fifth Queen is a magnificent bravura piece." --Graham Greene
"The best historical romance of this century." --The Times Literary Supplement
"A noble conception--the swan song of historical romance." --Joseph Conrad』
