The Other Queen & Atonement

Good Book and Better Book!

Ok, so The Other Queen is the latest in the Tudor series by Philippa Gregory. It's told from three perspectives and mainly about Mary Queen of Scots and all the stuff she went through. She had a pretty tragic life... I guess I never really knew! It was really interesting, with the different storytellers and stuff. I don't have a whole heck of a lot to say about this book... as usual with the Tudor books it makes me thankful to be a woman in modern times and not one who had to be subservient to men at all times, back in the late 1500s. No thanks. Sometimes when I read I just like to be transported to a different world, and P-Gregg does that. I do adore the Tudor series... and while this one wasn't the best, it was definitely a great read and stacks up well to the others!


Now...for the GREAT book (I said "better" above, but I'm upgrading it after having just reflected on The Other Queen!) Atonement... oh, why did it take me so long to warm to this book!? I tried to read it years ago and wrote it off as boring and hard to get into. Oh, Jamie from a few years ago, you ignorant twit. I finished it not an hour ago and closed it and clapped (as I usually do... for good books at least) and immediately added it to my short list of favorite all time books. It's SO good.
While I was reading it, since it was kind of about a writer, I kept reflecting on how the novel was put together and it just seemed impeccable, like I was taking a class on "how to write a novel" and this was required reading. Everything about it just seemed like a work of art - the writing was very literature-y, and I guess I can see how maybe if you're not into that kind of thing you might think it's "boring and hard to get into." But you'll be missing a great book, just sayin.

I am not going to go into a ton of depth on the plot. It spans I guess about 60 years, and covers family relationships, war, forgiveness (aka atonement) and how one night can change 3 lives. I was stunned by how wonderful the writing was. However you say this dude's name, he's the real deal, and I'll be searching for more books by him in 09! And I'm kind of excited to see the movie... I think the cast looks well chosen and it was up for all kinds of awards last year. Maybe it'll be a good representation :)

Here's a quote I really liked, from the introspective young writer, Briony (p38):
"It wasn't only wickedness and scheming that made people unhappy, it was confusion and misunderstanding; above all, it was the failure to grasp the simple truth that other people are as real as you. And only in a story could you enter these different minds and show how they had an equal value That was the only moral a story need have."

Ok, I think I'm going lighthearted next. Skipping Christmas, John Grisham :)