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The King's Concubine
The King's Concubine: A Novel of Alice Perrers | Anne O'Brien
2 posts | 4 read | 4 to read
A child born in the plague year of 1348, abandoned and raised within the oppressive walls of a convent, Alice Perrers refused to take the veil, convinced that a greater destiny awaited her. Ambitious and quick witted, she rose above her obscure beginnings to become the infamous mistress of Edward III. But always, essentially, she was alone... Early in Alice’s life, a chance meeting with royalty changes everything: Kindly Queen Philippa, deeply in love with her husband but gravely ill, chooses Alice as a lady-in-waiting. Under the queen’s watchful eye, Alice dares to speak her mind. She demands to be taken seriously. She even flirts with the dynamic, much older king. But she is torn when her vibrant spirit captures his interest...and leads her to a betrayal she never intended. In Edward’s private chambers, Alice discovers the pleasures and paradoxes of her position. She is the queen’s confidante and the king’s lover, yet she can rely only on herself. It is a divided role she was destined to play, and she vows to play it until the bitter end. Even as she is swept up in Edward’s lavish and magnificent court, amassing wealth and influence for herself, becoming an enemy of his power-hungry son John of Gaunt, and a sparring partner to resourceful diplomat William de Windsor, she anticipates the day when the political winds will turn against her. For when her detractors voice their hatred,and accusations of treason swirl around her,threatening to destroy everything she has achieved, who will stand by Alice then? Includes a readers guide
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review
Pash
Mehso-so

I disagree with the book cover that O'Brien is better than Philippa Gregory; PG is still the best, but it wasn't terrible. Weirdly, not much seemed to happen but somehow I was ¾ of the way through the book & yet I hadn't gotten bored. I don't know if the story was gripping enough to read it again (now I know Alice's fate, as I didn't before reading) but I did enjoy it.

review
aliasNayNay
post image
Panpan

The King‘s Concubine is the story of Alice Perrers the infamous mistress of King Edward III. There‘s no doubt Alice Perrers was a strong, powerful woman but this is my least favourite book by Anne O‘Brien. I found the whole story frustrating, and even sometimes clumsy. I just could not believe this was written by one of they best historical fiction authors. Sadly I would not recommend this book.