Kings and Queens (and maybe a princess or two): A Thursday Thirteen

Having too many library books is like having a box of chocolates--you don't know which chocolate to choose, but you hope it will have something good inside.  I've stopped debating which book to try.  In the end I decided to start reading Catherine Delors' Mistress of the Revolution.  I used to read quite a lot of historical fiction set in the courts of Europe.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy reading about royalty, and I'm immensely enjoying Mistress of the Revolution, which is set before and during the French Revolution.  Even though I know I should concentrate on finishing a few other books first, I find myself not wanting to stop at just one chapter. 

This has given me a little inspiration for this week's Thursday thirteen (am I the only one who makes these lists anymore?)--novels set in royal courts.  Although the Tudor court seems an obvious choice when it comes to royalty, I've already given them 'list time', so I've looked for some novels set in other places and time periods.  Some feature once real people as the narrator or characters, but most have entirely fictional characters dropped into historical settings.  As usual, these are books I've read and enjoyed or have on my TBR pile. 

I have vivid memories of reading books by Rosalind Laker and Karleen Koen when I was in high school.  Although I now have several books ongoing at once, when I was younger I would pick a book, and completely lose myself in it, and only when I had finished it think of moving on to the next one.  These books were always large enough to be doorstops, and I would live and breath the story for a few days.  In some cases they would be total escapist fiction, but there's something comforting about a book that will take you completely away from the here and now.

1. To Dance with Kings, Rosalind Laker - This has recently been reissued.  I wonder what I would make of it now.  I remember finding it highly entertaining when I was younger.  It is set in Versailles during the reigns of King Louis XIV and Louis XVI.
2. Through a Glass Darkly, Karleen Koen - This is the story of a young woman married to a much older man set in the 18th century French court.  I have a vague recollection of a twist at the end of the book.
3. Now Face to Face, Karleen Koen - This is a sequel to Through a Glass Darkly.  I shouldn't admit this, but I can't remember whether I ever read it or not.  Last year Koen wrote a 'prequel' to these two titles, and I keep meaning to go back and read/reread them all. 
4. Katherine, Anya Seton - I've heard this is a classic love story set in 14th century England of the love affair between Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
5. Abundance, Sena Jeter Naslund  - I've been wanting to read this for a while--a fictional account of the life of Marie Antoinette.
6. The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas - I've always loved this movie and have wanted to read the book ever since a new translation came out.  It's a great romp through the 17th century about a young man who wants to become a musketeer and guard King Louis XIII.
7. Nefertiti, Michelle Moran - I need to get back to this book.  I guess this is royalty of a different kind, though Nefertiti was a Queen, too.  The story is told from the perspective of Nefertiti's younger sister.
8. The Far Pavilions, M.M. Kaye - I've never read this, but I've had a copy on my shelves since I was in high school.  I have, however, read all of Kaye's wonderful mysteries!  This is the story of a forbidden love between and Englishman and an Indian Princess.
9. Canterbury Papers, Judith Koll Healy - "Set in lavishly described medieval England and France, The Canterbury Papers is an enthralling and suspenseful debut novel combining dark family secrets, duplicity, and a missing heir to the throne."  This was a very enjoyable read.
10. Dissolution, C.J. Sansom - Okay, so the Tudors will make a small appearance on my list.  This is a mystery set during the Dissolution during King Henry VIII's reign, and I've heard very good things about it and the other books in the series.
11. The Oracle Glass, Judith Merkle Riley - I'm not sure how many of Merkle Riley's novels are in print, but they're great fun--I've read a smattering of them.  Most have a bit of the occult thrown in for good measure.  This is set in 17th-century Paris and Versailles.
12. The Tale of Murasaki, Liza Dalby - This is a wonderful novel, though perhaps more thoughtful and slower going than the others.  Murasaki was a true court lady, and Dalby writes from the experience of someone who knows Japanese culture and history.  Murasaki wrote The Tale of Genji, and The Tale of Mursaki is a very well-written and evocative novel!
13. Queen of Camelot, Nancy McKenzie - And one fantasy.  I've not read a lot of novels about King Arthur, but the few I have I've enjoyed.  And I'd love to read one from Guinevere's point of view.

One of these days I'm going to have to come up with a list full of challenging reads or experimental fiction, so you won't think I exist on a steady diet of comfort reads (not to say these are all fluffy, as some are really quite literary!).

Comments

[Amy]

Thanks for the list! Looks like a lot of good ones.

Nothing wrong with comfort/fluffy reads...I like them myself!

[Danielle]

Amy--I'm a great fan of historical novels like these. And comfort reads are definitely good now and then!

[BooksPlease]

I'm still debating what book to read next. I've never done Thursday Thirteen, maybe I should have a go next week as I do like reading your lists.

I've read some of these and there are some great books there - 4, 6, 8 and of course 10.

I've not thought about The Far Pavilions for years. When I read it I just had to find more of M.M. Kaye's books. I saw a film of it later - nowhere near as good as the book, but then I usually think that.

[litlove]

I admire your list-making capacities so much, Danielle! I don't know how you do it. Have you ever read Forever Amber by Kathleen Windsor? I have it on my shelves (it's a chunkster) and I was once told it was the definitive historical novel, but that could just have been good PR or enthusiasm. I'd love to find someone who's actually read it!

[Cornflower]

I agree - there's nothing wrong with comfort reads!

[Lezlie]

Great list! I loved "Dissolution" and the others in that series, I have "Abundance" and "The Canterbury Papers" in my pile next to the bed. I didn't care for "Nefertiti", but it was a personal thing. I compare all Ancient Egypt books to the ones by Pauline Gedge. Though "Pillar of Fire" by Judith Tarr made quite an impression on me! :-)

Looking forward to more of your lists!
Lezlie

[Lisa]

I always enjoy your lists, and I love historical fiction. Thanks for the suggestions!

[Ashleigh]

I've been meaning to read Abundance as well. I loved Naslund's Ahab's Wife so I'm sure she weaves a beautiful tale here.

[Dorothy W.]

Great list! Madame de Lafayette's The Princess of Cleves popped into my head as another example, something from the 17th C. I'd love to see a list of experimental fiction -- but I'm not at all implying that there's anything wrong with comfort reads! :)

[Danielle]

BooksPlease--I loved MM Kaye's mysteries--have you read those? Not terribly PC, but considering when they were written the attitudes towards 'colonials' wasn't surprising. I even bought her memoirs (all three volumes), though I haven't read them. I think I'd like The Far Pavilions.
Litlove--As long as I don't bore people with my lists!! :) I have not read Forever Amber, but I've looked at it in the bookstore--may have to get it one of these time--it is quite a long book, isn't it! I've heard it is a famous historical novel, though, so I should try it.
Cornflower--I don't know if I would enjoy reading so much if I didn't have my comfort reads!
Lezlie--I really haven't read anything about ancient Egypt, so I'm completely open to authors. I like what I've read in Nefertiti, and will also check out the authors/books you mention--thanks.
Lisa--Thanks! I'm glad you find my lists useful! :)
Ashleigh--I loved Ahab's Wife, too. I wouldn't mind rereading that sometime.
Dorothy--I think I have The Princess of Cleves somewhere--bought many years ago. I need to dig it out and look at it again. And I like challenging reads as well--will have to think about a list. I wonder how many books I have that are experimental...

[Catherine Delors]

Thanks, Danielle, for mentioning Mistress of the Revolution! I look forward to your impressions once you are done reading it.

And Ashleigh, I too am a Princess de Cleves fan.

[Danielle]

Catherine--I'll definitely be posting on it when I finish. As I've finally finished another book, I'll be taking this to work with me now this week! :)