Review: Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory

by Jewels E 5/23/2018 0 comments

Some years ago, I began reading novels by Philippa Gregory and thus really began to delve into the history of the Tudor dynasty. I am revisiting this interest again in my reading of historical fiction, and quite enjoying the change of reading pace. I had been disappointed with some of Gregory's newer novels, but this one proved far more engaging.

Series: The Plantegeant and Tudor Novels, #8 
My Rating: 5❀'s
Genre: Historical Fiction
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Now, I personally have read these novels all out of order and it really doesn't matter. Even if you don't know the history, you'll link it all up as you read so do not worry about that at all. This novel focuses on Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII's older sister, who married James IV of Scotland and was the mother to James V of Scotland. At first, Margaret's character and sense of pride in her royal lineage (new as it was) very much reminded me of her grandmother's character from The Red Queen. I could not stand her character as portrayed by Gregory, so I am was not sure if I would like this novel.

However, this novel proved a fascinating read. Margaret's was far more interesting than I thought, and it foreshadowed some of Scotland's later history as the second time around Margaret marries for love and this proves politically disadvantageous for her and for Scotland. This reminded me strongly of Mary Queen of Scots, but luckily for Margaret her story does not have such a violent ending. While Margaret makes some serious errors throughout the course of her so called reign as Regent, her story is compelling as her brother largely ignores her, makes war on her people and uses her for his own political ends. He is nothing like a brother should be. Largely alone in the world, Margaret must survive by her wits and yet she never loses her sense of who she is, a Tudor princess and the mother of the king of the Scotland.

I admired her for her feminist forward thinking, and I liked her for her sense of morality. The novel also cast new light on other historical characters, such as Katherine of Aragon, who did not seem as long suffering and pious as I had always thought of her as, and instead is portrayed as just as flawed as Margaret herself.

An interesting tale of a Tudor princess much forgotten about in history, this novel examines women's history and gives voices to the women of the time while highlighting how even queens and princesses had little power.

Happy Reading,

Jewels