Book Review: The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

Product Details
Simon & Schuster UK, August 2009
Hardcover, 432 pages
ISBN-10: 1847374557
ISBN-13: 9781847374554
Description

The first in a stunning new series, The Cousins War, is set amid the tumult and intrigue of The War of the Roses. Internationally bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings this family drama to colourful life through its women, beginning with the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen

The White Queen tells the story of a common woman who ascends to royalty by virtue of her beauty, a woman who rises to the demands of her position and fights tenaciously for the success of her family, a woman whose two sons become the central figures in a mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the Princes in the Tower whose fate remains unknown to this day. From her uniquely qualified perspective, Philippa Gregory explores the most famous unsolved mystery, informed by impeccable research and framed by her inimitable storytelling skills.

Review by Susie Wilson

York, Lancaster, Lancaster, York. Brother against brother. Cousin against cousin, who will win? The plotting, murder and intrigue and sexual passion have been outlined beautifully in this novel. Elizabeth Woodville’s character has been formed so that everyone woman and mother can understand her joys, pain and love. Phillipa sometimes uses the supernatural too much and it overtakes the plot and history of the story. But this time is has enhanced the story instead of being a distraction.

I say go the crossroad that Elizabeth stood at and start reading this book.