Book Report: Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser

In a captivating story of this enigmatic woman we see a princess, a widowed queen, a reigning queen and an imprisoned queen. Written by Lady Antonia Fraser (and this link) of Scotland, this biography, infused with passion and compassion, reads more like a novel of love and intrigue. Although this book is considered "popular history," as opposed to an academic resource, Ms. Fraser draws her facts and details from primary sources. In her forward she writes that she "wished to test for [herself] the truth or falsehood of the many legends" that surround Mary Queen of Scots. As one reviewer of the book said, "It needs to be read carefully as it contains multitudinous views and insights into this remarkable woman."

Mary, the only child of James V, King of Scotland, was sent at the young age of 6 to her mother's family in France to be raised and groomed to marry the next king of France, Francis. Widowed at age 17, she returns to Scotland where her courtly refinement clashes with her brusque, crude kinsman.

Beautiful, brilliant, charming, and courageous, she would have had a long and successful reign except for 2 issues: 1) she didn't understand her Scotsmen; and 2) her impulsive heart led her to unwisely choose a husband. Caught in a web of feuding and fickle noblemen made worse by a philandering and ambitious husband, Mary seeks the aid of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth. Though the women never meet, their tense relationship exhibits sisterly devotion, scheming intrigues, fear and jealousy.

Lady Fraser is obviously sympathetic to the nature and circumstances of Mary, Queen of Scots. Setting Mary "in the context of the age in which she lived," she has written "with the single objective of showing with as much accuracy as is possible in the light of what modern research what Mary Queen of Scots must have been like as a person." Her copious research and affection are evident in every page.

As a high school student, I didn't really care for history. It was taught in the traditional manner as a succession of dates, people and miscellaneous facts. As a homeschooling mom, I fell in love the people, places and events that have become "history." As a family, we have read aloud biographies, historical fiction and books by writers who were passionate about their topics. Their enthusiasm was contagious. As a result, I often find myself diving into a period of history or a geopolitical topic. Currently, the reign of the Tudor family has my attention. Who knows what will come after that .....

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

If you're looking for a light, encouraging book as a good summer read, have I got the book for you! The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, by Terry Ryan. Ms. Ryan, the sixth of Evelyn Ryan's ten children wrote this biography about her amazing mother who writes jingles, poems, and 25-words-or-less compositions. She wins hundreds of contests that save her family from destitution.

In the 1950's and 1960's, "contesting" drew a surprisingly large number of housewives who used the small to large prizes to supplement their family incomes. Beginning with the roadside Burma Shave rhymes, Evelyn's contesting career required her word skills, wit, and originality. "Luck" she always said, "has nothing to do with it." (p. 22) She developed an elaborate system for filing food labels, collecting entry forms, and varying the names on the forms (variation on her name, her children's names, even fictitious names.)

A magnificent competitor, Evelyn won cash rewards, shopping sprees, automobiles, trips to Europe, gold watches, TVs, radios, a fridge AND a freezer, a washer-dryer, and a host of smaller prizes which she squirreled away in her "Closet" for that proverbial rainy day. Who knows? Someone just might need one of the 3 pairs of Arthur Murray dance shoes.

The poignancy of the story is not in the many wins by this clever, indefatigable woman, but that her humor and joy are sustained in a difficult situation. We can all agree that the task of raising 10 children on a single income is daunting. Evelyn's husband, Kelly, was the source of the growing tension in the family. Kelly Ryan's "problem drinking," dark angry moods, and resentment over his wife's success often brought the family to the edge of eviction and poverty. As the years progressed, less of his paycheck came home and his violence increased.

Suze Orman writes her forward to the book:

"How could such a woman show her children that live is not cruel, but bountiful? How could she possibly keep them, all 10 of them, afloat, much less teach them abundance, grace, and courage in the face of grinding poverty and adversity? ... Richness of spirit can dwell in the most desolate places and it pervades Evelyn's household like a healing balm." (p. 11, 13)

One reviewer of the book became an instant fan of Evelyn's and called her the "goddess in a girdle."

Not only do I highly recommend the book, but the movie by the same name is also a "winner." Starring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson, this film is an accurate representation of the book.

Enjoy!

Book Report: The Yellow Mask

"Masterpieces of menace, mystery and terror by the world's greatest writer of romantic suspense."


"Here is the essence of gothic romance, menace and suspense by the master of the macabre -- Wilkie Collins."

Comments taken from the jacket of The Yellow Mask, these are pretty big promises for a collection of 3 short stories by the Victorian novelist Wilkie Collins, a writer who was a friend of Charles Dickens. In our day of CGI and special effects we may be too jaded to be terrified by this "chilling collection of sinister tales." In his day, however, Collins was a writer you didn't want to read alone in a big, dark, lonely house on a stormy night.

"The Yellow Mask" is a story of a sculptor, a hussy, a naive seamstress, a nobleman and a well-intentioned priest in 16th century Italy. The hussy is treacherous; the seamstress is "good and virtuous;" the sculptor is changeable and irresolute. At the quintessential masked ball a spectre of the dead wife appears. Hence, the mystery and suspense.

"Miss Bertha and the Yankee" reads as statements in a trial in the early 1800's. Opening for the defense is Miss Bertha Laroche of Nettlegrove Hall. The trial reveals the story of a pretty, rich, single woman and two handsome men -- an English captain and an American traveler. Both men love her and their schemes bring out the best and the worst of their characters.

"A Plot in Private Life" is a mystery told from the perspective of a man in service to a wealthy widow who marries a "hare-brained, headlong, penniless young gentleman of variable temper." This brief story of jealousy and infidelity involves a detective, a witchy woman from the tropics and a trek over the Scottish highlands. Does the dried blood on the nightgown point to foul play or misunderstanding?

I was introduced to Wilkie Collins in a college class on Victorian novels. He's written a number of novels, of which The Moonstone and The Woman in White are my favorites. His books are well-crafted and peopled with many interesting characters. Like all mysteries, the twists, turns and resolutions are carefully manipulated. That's why it's fiction!

I don't know if you can find this particular book of short stories. I picked it up at a used book store.

Book Report: Thunderstruck

I picked up a book, thinking it was another British mystery. To my surprise, it was more history than mystery. Erik Larson wrote the history of the wireless and the situations surrounding the world of science as if it was a novel.

In Thunderstruck Larson weaves the stories of two Edwardian men, a quiet doctor, Hawley Harvey Crippen,in an uncomfortable marriage and the obsessive inventor, Guglielmo Marconi. According to Larson "the dual stories provided a look at science, superstition and middle-class marriage in the Edwardian era through a very different window."

The book is set in the late 1800's and into the first two decades of the 1900's when scientific discoveries were amazing the European world. The realms of superstition and the supernatural were regularly exposed at the Royal Institute, "Britain's most august scientific bodies." (p. 9)

One story centers on the son of an Italian farmer/ businessman and an Irish woman from the whiskey empire. As one reviewer wrote: "Enter Marconi, a young man of Italian-Irish heritage, who dreamed of harnessing electromagnetic waves for long-distance communication. No matter that his contemporaries considered this idea far-fetched. Marconi's lack of a traditional scientific education, particularly his ignorance of physics, became an advantage as he worked obsessively to achieve his goal. Step by slow step, in an all-consuming process of trial and error, he was able to increase the distance over which he could send messages."

Dr. Crippen, a homeopathic doctor and creator of "remedies," is the protagonist of the other strand of this book. Married to a domineering and flamboyant woman, he continues to yield to her lifestyle and financial demands. Proving a failure on the stage, she cultivates the theater culture off-stage. Dr. Crippen meets a thoughtful and compassionate young woman and a romance develops.

The stories of these 2 men intersect when Dr. Crippen finds himself embroiled in an investigation by Scotland Yard. Marconi's amazing technology spreads the news of a trans-Atlantic police chase.

Thunderstruck leans much more heavily on the history side, and less on the mystery. Erik Larson did his own research for the facts and storyline of this book. (He includes 40 pages of notes at the end.) Much of the conversations and details come directly for letters and journals from Marconi, Crippen and their associates.

I'll close with another comment from another reviewer:
Larson has found compelling characters and a story arc that carries the reader as if it were created for a novel. The combination of the three elements; a carefully-built world, great characters, and a page-turning plot, provide all the thrills of reading a great novel, and something more. Reading 'Thunderstruck', we live in the past, but we cannot escape thinking about the present and the future.

Book Report: King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

A favorite book at our house is King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey and Don Wood. Telling the story of a merry King who won't budge from his bath in order to rule his kingdom, this tale features the Queen, a Knight, courtiers and most importantly a young servant boy. Don Wood's illustrations are full, detailed, and as one reviewer wrote, "luscious." The elaborate costumes, extravagant details of fleet and feasts, and the subtle change of light corresponding to the change of time make the book a treat for the eyes. The story progresses lyrically with repetitive phrases like "King Bidgood's in the bathtub and he won't get out! Oh who knows what to do?" and "Come in, cried the King with a yum/trout/jig, etc." The solution for coaxing this King out of his sumptous bath is clever and sweet.

We've read this book over and over. My youngest daughter took it to school to share as her "favorite book." For a while, it was part of our evening routine. Our copy of this book is very well-worn. The paper dust jacket has long disappeared. A little marker, crayon and even nail polish are on the outer hardcovers. Thankfully, the pages don't have that familiar wrinkle from being wet. In other words, no one has bathed with this book.

I've found a variety of lesson plans and activities for teachers and homeschoolers on-line for this book. My children are of the opinion that "lessons" ruin a good book. If you haven't read this delightful little tale, pick it up in the children's section of the library. (I'm rather convinced that you'll want your own copy before too long.)

Book Report: The Life of Elizabeth I

Having read 2 other books by Alison Weir, Eleanor of Aquitaine (a biography) and Lady Elizabeth (fiction), I hurried to the library to pick up another book by this excellent author, The Life of Elizabeth I. This book chronicles Queen Elizabeth's life from her accession day on November 17, 1558 to her death on March 24, 1603. In a day of male royalty and strictly hierarchical societies, "good Queen Bess" was an anomaly to have reigned in England for 45 years to the age of 70.

Ms. Weir, in her author's preface, states that this book is not a political biography nor a social history. "My aim has always been to write a history of Elizabeth's personal life within the framework of her reign, drawing on her own extensive literary remains, as well as those of her contemporaries." Elizabeth's private life was very much a public life; the resulting book weaves the personalities, events, and details into a rich narrative.

Drawing from letters, journals, diaries, pamphlets and other missives of the Elizabethan era, Weir presents us with political and historical persons of complex and fascinating characters. The Queen herself is beguiling, annoying, wise, imprudent, faltering and courageous. With the seeming exception of Lord Burghley (William Cecil) who was her closest and longest advisor, her councillors were mixtures of ambition, devotion, flattery and affection. Though she never marries, she had a court full of especial favorites who often competed for titles, awards and honors. Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex were her most notable.

Reading like a novel, this book engages as well as informs. By knitting together details with personalities, Weir captivates her readers. Although she points out Elizabeth's weaknesses and mistakes, Weir has an obvious fondness for the Queen. As she wrote of her death, I found myself teary at the passing of this most unusual woman. In her epilogue she writes:

"For forty-five years, 'though beset by divers nations,' Elizabeth had given her country peace and stable government-- her greatest gift to her people. During that time, England had risen from an impoverished nation to become one of the greatest powers in Europe. Bolstered by the fame of her seamen, her navy was respected and reared on the high seas, and not for nothing had Elizabeth been lauded as 'the Queen of the Sea, the North Star.' ... The Queen had also brought unity to her people by effecting a religious compromise that has lasted until this day, and making herself an enduring focus for their loyalty. She enjoyed a unique relations ship with her subjects, which was never seen before and has never been seen since. Few queens have ever been so loved." (p. 487)

Many of Elizabeth's contemporaries also spoke of her unusual abilities as the sovereign of a nation. Lord Burghley wrote: "She was the wisest woman that ever was, for she understood the interests and dispositions of all the princes in her time, ans was so perfect in the knowledge of her own realm, that no councillor she had could tell her anything she did not know before."

Thanks to the interpretations and insights of Ms. Weir, my thoughts echo those of Elizabeth's biographer, William Camden, "No oblivion shall ever bury the glory of her name; for her happy and renowned memory still liveth and shall for ever live in the minds of men."

Book Report: The Gift of the Magi

Another favorite regular for our family is O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." This short story about a young couple, Jim and Della, tells of love and sacrifice during a holiday season when times were tight. As is common to the short story genre, it's pithy and to the point. Rather than a full palate of colors, O. Henry roughly sketches out the story and lets the readers fill it in.

Over the years, this story has been re-told in a variety of forms. Micky Mouse and Sesame Street produced children's versions; for grown-ups Marie Osmond starred in a movie, The Gift of Love. You can find of variety on on-line, full text of the story . Teachers can download a Study guide to use in their classroom. My all-time favorite version of the story comes from Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey audio series. Entitled "The Adventures of Madge and Guy," you'll giggle all the way through and learn a lesson to boot.

My daughter and I read this before bed the other night. Snuggled on the loveseat in our room, hot chocolate in hand, the story became a "jumping off place" to discuss gift giving, sacrifice, and loving others more than ourselves.

Book Report: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Some pieces of literature become yearly events at the Prichard home: Dickens's A Christmas Carol, O. Henry's Gift of the Magi, and Barbara Robinson's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (TBCPE). We've just finished TBCPE amidst fresh giggles and pleas for "just one more chapter."


A synopsis from the back cover:
The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie and steal and smoke cigars (even the girls). They talk dirty, hit little kids, cuss their teachers, set fire to Fred Shoemaker's old broken-down toolhouse, and take the name of the Lord in vain. So no one is prepared when the Herdmans invade church one Sunday-and decide to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of them has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation — the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating-- has a lot of people up in arms. But the actual pageant is full of surprises for everyone, starting with the Herdmans themselves.

I've wondered why this book is such a hit. I "Googled" the title and came up with page after page of community theaters performing this as a play. (My oldest daughter performed in the Northfield Arts Guild production almost 10 years ago.) How can we read this book year after year, knowing the stunts and dialogue by heart, and still anticipate next year's reading?

Here's what I think. Firstly, we're a bit fascinated by those Herdmans. Who doesn't like to sneak a peak (from a distance, of course) of these truly naughty children? I grew up down the street from a family of bullies and remember being both terrified and in awe of these boys. They were famous and infamous.

Ms. Robinson's style lends itself so well to reading out loud. Plenty of dialogue and clear narration make the chapters progress quickly and smoothly. There's no need to explain unusual vocabulary or to meander through convoluted sentences. She sketches out her characters so that your imagination can fill in the blanks... possibly with someone we already know. Interestingly enough, the young girl who narrates is almost non-descript, possibly so that we can put ourselves in her place and thoughts more easily.

This year my daughter was especially annoyed with Alice Wendlekin. Using my most "snotty" reading voice, she came across as an obnoxious tattle tale. By the end of the book, I think my daughter would have slugged Alice and hugged Imogene.

One section we re-read 3 times: (Mother is explaining the Christmas story)

"And, lo, the Angel of the lord came upon the," Mother went on, "and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and --"

"Shazam!" Gladys yelled, flinging her arms out and smacking the kid next to her.

"What?" Mother said. Mother never read "Amazing Comics."

"Out of the black night with horrible vengeance, the Mighty Marvo --"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Gladys," Mother said. "This is the angel of the Lord who comes to the shepherds in the fields, and ---"

"Out of nowhere, right? Gladys said. "In the black night, right?"

"Well ..." Mother looked unhappy. "In a way."

So Gladys sat back down, looking very satisfied, as if this was at least one part of the Christmas story that made sense to her.

Each year, as we end our reading, our eyes are a little moist because our hearts have been touched by the Herdmans and by a fresh telling of Jesus's birth.

Book Report: Skipping Christmas

Our family is getting back into the habit of reading aloud in the evenings. Maybe it's the coziness of a winter's night; maybe it's just that I'm sick of computers, TV and videos; maybe it's because if I hear someone say "I'm bored" again I'll ......

Since the Christmas season is upon us, I selected John Grisham's Skipping Christmas. It's a great little book from this well-known writer of suspence and intrigue. At Thanksgiving, Mr. and Mrs. Krank send their only child off to Peru to work with the Peace Corps. Rethinking the craziness and expense of a full-blown Christmas extravaganza, Luther Krank convinces his wife, Norah, that a cruise would be just the thing. For this one year, they would "skip" Christmas. The bulk of the story revolves around the affects this has on friends, relatives and neighbors.

It's a sweet book with scenes that made us giggle. (I won't share them here... I'd hate to ruin any of the little surprises.) It's not an overly long book; we read it in less than a week. The conflict, climax and denoument were well-timed and well-suited for reading out loud. However, I must warn you that a few inappropriate words and scenes may need on-the-spot editting by the reader. (It depends on your crowd.)

Now that we've finished the book, we plan to watch Christmas with the Kranks, the movie taken from this story starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. Our family is just nerdy enough to re-watch a movie and compare it to the written source.

Book Report: The Lady Elizabeth

Alison Weir, a well-known historian of medieval European history, has written many non-fiction books (especially biographies) pertaining to this period. The Lady Elizabeth is her second novel. In the three sections covering Elizabeth's life from age 3 to her coronation, Weir unpacks historical events and adds her own literary imagination. She weaves together flowing dialogues, glimpses of 16th century Tudor England and intriguing character studies.

The novel is broken into 3 sections: The King's Daughter, The King's Sister, and The Queen's Sister. As the book opens, Elizabeth is told by her half-sister, Mary, that her father King Henry VIII has had her mother, Anne Boleyn beheaded. Thus we are thrust into the complexities of these royal relationships. Elizabeth wrestles with adoring her father knowing that he had the mother she hardly knew executed. Mary sways between affection for her helpless younger sister while bitterly blaming the girl's mother for her disgrace. Mary's almost fanatical Catholicism clashes with Elizabeth's pragmatic Reformed ideas.

One reviewer wrote:
Indulging in some fictional legerdemain, the author has crafted an intriguing protagonist, her destiny writ large long before she ascends the throne after her unhappy sister’s death. Her world littered with plots and temptations, Elizabeth instinctively steps through a minefield of the ambitions of others, proving her mettle in the most dire of circumstances, a born ruler long before she steps up to the throne of England.
Since I'd read another of Alison Weir's books (Eleanor of Aquitaine) I trusted her historical accuracy and interpretation. I was confident that she would be authentic and portray the period with integrity. In her other non-fiction writings, she is sympathetic to her characters, interpreting them according to the times they live in, not according to modern sensibilities, values and mores.

My only frustration with the novel was her rendering of the thoughts and motivations of Elizabeth and Edward as children. Often, writers give children the same complex thought processes that adults use. Weir's depiction of Elizabeth from her early adolescence to early adulthood rings far truer than that of the characters in their youngest years.

There is but one questionable scene. To quote another reviewer:
I am not going to give anything away here, but these passages are certainly eyebrow raisers -- and, as Weir has noted in interviews, was a matter of historical record. Very intriguing. And in case you think historians write dry prose, think again. The love scenes in "The Lady Elizabeth" are descriptive but not vulgar. But she gets her point across, that's for sure.
I recommend this book to any European history buff.

Book Report: Peace Like a River

I've just finished Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (of Osakis, MN and MPR fame). It was an incredible book, one that I couldn't put down and didn't want to finish. I chuckled, gasped out loud and cried more than once. I could write a profound review, but I'll include some comments by David Abrams:

As long as we're tossing around Great Writer Names, let's add Harper Lee to that list as well. Peace Like a River bears more than just a passing resemblance to To Kill a Mockingbird. In both novels, parents are a deep and abiding mystery and childhood, which once seemed to stretch forever, is marked by self-awareness and a sense of closure. Few writers are able to discuss adolescence in such clear-eyed, yet rosy-with-nostalgia terms that will cause grown-up adults to nod so vigorously with recognition that their heads threaten to fall off their necks. Lee and now Enger have proved themselves worthy of the task. "I remember it as October days are always remembered," writes Engers, "cloudless, maple-flavored, the air gold and so clean it quivers."

The real strength of Enger's book lies in the voice of our young asthmatic guide. Reuben Land is one of the most engaging narrators -- young or old -- to take control of a book's pages in a long time. He's funny, endearing and a fierce champion for his family, no matter how wrong their actions are. It's hard not to be swept away by Enger's prose.

The novel rises steadily to an unexpected and shattering climax which is sure to leave readers gasping for air in the last 15 pages. Unlike Reuben's condition, it does not wheeze. It sings. Oh my, how this book sings.

The book was about faith and life without being patronizing or shallow. The style was engaging and intimate. I kept thinking that I wish I could write like that. Ahhh....