The King's Women

by Dinah Lampitt

Book Overview

France in the Middle Ages. A country torn by internecine strife, and menaced by the might of England's King Henry V. At the country's head is a frightened youth, the Dauphin Charles. Isabeau and the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451403894
• ISBN13: 9780451403896
• Release Date: December 1993
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

An Unexpected Jewel

I knew little of the subject matter before I started reading this book and was uninspired by the cover or the writeup on the back of the novel....but I loved it! I am also a big fan of Tudor England so it was interesting to see where they arose from (Catherine, Charles' sister married Owen Tudor after the death of Henry V). The novel centers around King Charles VII and all the women in his life from the time of his birth to the time of his death. His life and career are both shaped by the mothers (birth and "real"), mistresses, sister, wife, and advisors (such as Joan of Arc) that form parts of his life. I couldn't put this book down, especially the last half. Deryn Lake has a great way of writing to put the reader directly into the scene and the imagery is excellent! I give the book four stars instead of five due to the slow first half and also because of some of my concerns with the historical notes. It states that none of Queen Isabeau's actions have been exaggerated when I have read since completing this novel that her monstrousness may have been perpetuated by the French and the English as she was both a foreigner and a strong leader for a woman of the time. As well, the statement that the Priory of Sion was proven to be real in the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Now, I'm sure the author has done more research than I have but I have read in multiple places that this is a hoax and no such secret society ever existed and was invented in the 1950's. Despite the notes, I loved this book but take the historical "facts" with the grain of salt that what was recorded in 1400's is not necessarily 100% correct. After all, history is written by the winners :)

A Cracking Story

Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death on the Romney Marsh, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all these titles are preceded by the word death, it is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex Written in 2006 this is a change of tack for Deryn Lake and also an earlier period in history than the novels featuring the apothecary John Rawlings. The author has also seen fit to cross the channel to France for the backdrop to this novel., set in the Middle Ages. France is threatened by the might of the English and their monarch Henry V. At France's head is a young frightened boy, the Dauphin Charles, but the chrysalis is about to turn into a butterfly and be the most victorious king of all. Charles is to be the one who is to cut the canker out of the heart of France and drive the English back across the channel . . . This is the story of King Charles VII of France and the women in his life. I bought this book with a little trepidation. Having enjoyed and read all the John Rawlings novels, I thought I may be disappointed with a new scenario from the author, but not a bit of it. The author's writing style is still as lucid as ever and her meticulous research introduces us to such characters from history as Agnes Sorel, mistress of the king, Joan of Arc, Nicolas Flamel, the French Alchemist and the Knights Templars all beautifully blended into an intriguing tale.

Well researched Historical Fiction with a splash of romance.

A well reasearched novel that made me interested in reading more about the time period and subjects in this book. Not a cheesy romance novel as title and cover may suggest. You have to use a bit of your brain but I found the story quite fulfilling and am glad I read it. I felt like I learned something.

History Revisited

This book is like no other I have read. It entwines history with spirituality and is so accurately researched one might wonder why it wasn't used in history class. This book has changed my life! It has given me a whole new outlook on everything and everyone. I am planning my journey to France, which will no doubt be a life-changing experience! The gilt-edged paperback cover might throw some readers off as to the content, but don't let that stop you. This is no typical romance novel. This book is a true heart-gripping historical masterpiece from the first page until the very last, and will have you thinking about it for a very long time afterwards!

Best history lesson outside a classroom.

Look past the ditzy title of this novel and you'll find a painstakingly-researched, lovingly-detailed , fast-paced tale of a kingdom saved by a female warrior. I took this book with me on holiday and stayed cooped up in the hotel finishing it rather than go sightseeing. Yes, it's that involving. The book even launched me on a Joan of Arc pilgrimage to Rouen. Take the conspiracy theories with a grain of salt, have an unsurpassed read, and emerge to impress your friends with random details about 15th century France