The Red Queen

A Novel

By: Philippa Gregory

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

The inspiration for the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries The White Queen, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings to life Margaret Beaufort, heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, who charts her way through treacherous alliances to take control of the English throne.

Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her Lancaster house is the true ruler of England, and that she has a great destiny before her. Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of all time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and awaits his opportunity to win the greatest prize in all of England.

The Red Queen is a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history.

You Gotta Read It...Resign Yourself

What did you love best about The Red Queen?

It's hard to say. It wasn't a book I loved. It was -- on one hand -- KIND OF interesting to read the story from Margaret Beaufort's perspective, but on the other, it isn't a particularly sympathetic one. Because it's part of a series, you really should read it, but it's not the best of them so far.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Check it off the list. Since you know how it ends, there was no real climax.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Bianca Amato does a great job of reading a rather unimpressive book. Great affect, great interpretation...just not fantastic material.

If you could take any character from The Red Queen out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Elizabeth Woodville!! HA HA!! Sorry, but the white queen SO outshines the red one...

Any additional comments?

I love Philippa Gregory! But I have to admit that this wasn't one of her better books. I have to agree with other reviewers I read (before purchasing the book) that the events have been recounted in her other books and the perspective of Margaret Beaufort is singular (her divine duty and/or right) and uninteresting. And yet, I still assert that you have to read it as part of her Cousins War series! But don't let the worst of the reviews dissuade you...you can't NOT read it!

Good Book

I am absolutely enjoying this series! It has even increased my interested in English history!

off with her head....please....

I love ms. gregory's books...that said, the woman in this book grated my nerves so bad....I really think she was a nutcase...she was whiny and miserable her whole life....and not for one minute do I think God was telling her to do the things she thinks he was telling her to do....

If you didn't already despise Margaret Beaufort...

I liked this overall, but I wonder if Margaret Beaufort could have been portrayed in a more positive light. Did she really lack the self-awareness that Gregory portrays in the story? Also, I would have liked the storyline to go into Henry's reign. I'm sceptical that history actually went down this way, although it's a creative version of the story and entertaining. It's not quite as good as the Lady of the Rivers or the White Queen.

I’ve always admired Lady Margaret

Margaret Beaufort has always been my favorite historical figure. The way Philippa puts history in our ears is phenomenal. I can’t say enough about how enjoyable her books are.
However, I am NOT a fan of the sudden narrator change at the end. I get used to the voice that plays each character and to have an entirely different human suddenly come in and plays is quite off putting. Please don’t do that anymore.