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A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver | E.L. Konigsburg
2 posts | 4 read | 4 to read
Eleanor of Acquitaine has been waiting in Heaven for a long time to be reunited with her second husband, Henry II of England. Finally, the day has come when Henry will be judged for admission--and while Eleanor waits, three people close to her during various times of her life join her, helping to distract her and providing a rich portrait of a remarkable woman in history.
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BarbaraJean
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I had to finish reading Wolf Hall before I started this one, so I wouldn‘t get my Henries mixed up 😆

I didn‘t know much about Eleanor of Aquitaine going into this, but now I realize why E.L. Konigsburg found her so fascinating. Headstrong, determined, wife to two major figures of her time, mother of Richard the Lionheart and the infamous King John—and with a finger in a LOT of different political pies! The narrative frame here felt a bit odd:⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …Eleanor and three of her contemporaries are waiting for Henry II‘s arrival in Heaven, and as they wait, each one recounts a chapter of Eleanor‘s life. That setup felt contrived—especially when Lincoln and Churchill randomly show up at the end! I prefer Konigsburg‘s books with contemporary settings, but still really appreciate the way this children‘s book from the 1970s brings a strong female historical figure to life. 7mo
BarbaraJean This was my 1973 pick for the #192025 challenge. 🎉 (edited) 7mo
TrishB I‘d recommend Sharon Penman‘s and Elizabeth Chadwick‘s books on Eleanor if you want to read more! 7mo
BarbaraJean @TrishB Thanks for the recommendation—I‘ll take a look at those! 7mo
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emilyesears
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Miniver is white fur--didn't have any of that, so I figured my sheepskin would suffice. This is a juvenile book about the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She's in heaven waiting for her husband Henry II and she and a few companions take turns discussing different epochs in her lifetime. I had never read any Konigsburg besides The Mixed-Up Files and I really enjoyed it. It made me go on a Wikipedia binge on Eleanor and her family.