Book Review for: Royal Sisters
Written by: Jean Plaidy
Broadway Books
ISBN: 978-0-307-719-52-2
Avail: print and ebook
3.5 Stars
Plaidy pens an intimate look at Mary and Anne Stuart, sisters who both reigned as Queens of England. Mary and Anne have both been raised Protestant, whereas their father is Catholic to the bone. When England’s citizens choose the sisters over the father, they choose a course that the nation will follow to the present.
The novel opens with Charles II on the throne, his brother, James, is his heir. Charles is crafty. To that end, he has ensured his nieces have been raised in the Anglican faith. Mary is married and living in Holland with her husband, William. Eighteen-year-old Anne entertains a secret liaison with John Sheffield, Earl Mulgrave. When Charles discovers what Anne’s been up to, he goes about finding her a husband and settles on George of Sweden. Anne is happy enough in her marriage and she tries to secure an heir.
Charles dies and James comes to the throne, but the British people are apprehensive due to his open practice of Catholism. When his wife becomes pregnant and gives birth to the Prince of Wales, the British find any excuse to send him packing. The Glorious Revolution occurs. James flees England and his daughter, Mary, along with her husband, ascends to the throne.
Mary is gracious and an apt Queen Regina, but she is sadden over her loveless marriage. That’s not her only problem. Mary is unable to draw close to Anne due to Sarah Churchill’s interference – and Anne refuses to forsake Sarah’s friendship. With Mary childless, she realizes the heir to the throne after Anne is Anne’s young son, William, but can the sisters find peace between them so as to secure the Anglican/Protestant succession for future generations?
Plaidy’s love for the British monarchy shines in “Royal Sisters.” She’s done her research and it shows. What makes Mary and Anne’s story so poignant is how Plaidy features their strengths and weaknesses – painting them as deliciously human. Anne’s strengths are her love for her son and loyalty. Mary shares these strengths. Yet both Mary and Anne suffer in their hearts for the wrong they’ve done their father.
What Plaidy does exceptionally well is blend fiction and fact to tell the story. She has an incredible knack of slipping little known facts into the story as well, which makes her historicals stand out. Where Plaidy lags is in her writing style, often slipping into a “telling” style narrative, as opposed to showing the story. This style requires a bit more patience from the reader, but if you’re a fan of Plaidy’s ability to weave fact and fiction, it doesn’t hinder your ability to embrace the story.
Overall, “Royal Sisters” tells a story of love, greed, loyalty, and betrayal that will leave you wanting to find out more about the Stuarts.
Reviewed by: S. Burkhart
Book Review for: "Royal Sisters"
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