Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns

pictish · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject: Rediscovering Jean Plaidy

I read a million of her books when I was about 12/13 and it was really what got me interested in history I think Cool

Anyway they started reprinting them again about 3 years ago and I tried them and thought they were quite dated Sad

However I tried them again recently and sort of got used to the different style and am really enjoying them. They are very well researched and written and more credible historically than the way Philippa Gregory writes though obviously not as racy Wink

There are a few bits that seem a bit dated in the style but they're still worth a look esp if you like the Tudor period as they are amongst her best. Generally speaking the earlier it was written, the better it will be as I think some of the ones she wrote when she was getting on a bit are a bit thin Confused

I've recently read The Thistle & The Rose about Margaret, sister of Henry VIII who marries James IV of Scotland, St Thomas's Eve about Henry VIII & Thomas More and am currently finishing Murder Most Royal about Anne Boleyn & Catherine Howard.

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Ali xxx

Wildpurl · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 1701

Oooh I loved Jean Plaidy when I was young too! I remember The Thistle and The Rose. Maybe I should have a look on Amazon...
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http://purlsinthepool.blogspot.com

Ravelry ID - Wildpurls

pictish · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

I liked that one as I'm not as familar with Scottish history apart from Mary Queen of Scots.
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Ali xxx

gilraen · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject:

An old favourite of mine too!!! She wrote under Phillipa Carr and Victoria Holt.
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" Onen i-Estel Edain, U-chebin estel anim"

Ravelry ID ~ gilraen

pictish · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject:

I think I read all of those as well!!! Laughing

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Ali xxx

gilraen · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

Me too!!! I knew more about Tudor England than the student teacher in form 2 at achool because of Jean Plaidy. Smile

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" Onen i-Estel Edain, U-chebin estel anim"

Ravelry ID ~ gilraen

pictish · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject:

I was very disappointed with school history in comparison and when I later in life ended up teaching it at 'A' level, I always included some of the bits I found more interesting Wink

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Ali xxx

Oblonsky · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:08 am Post subject:

I also read Jean Plaidy at the same sort of age and enjoyed them at the time. Not read any recently tho.

Another writer of historical fiction I really enjoyed was Anya Seton. I particularly enjoyed Katherine.

pictish · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:42 am Post subject:

Oh yes LOVE Katherine - I read that again about a year ago and still enjoyed it!!! It's a classic Cool

I read all her others too back then.
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Ali xxx

Auntie Noo · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:52 am Post subject:

Victoria Holt was my first "grown up" author - I can still remember the book was called Pride of the Peacock, and I read it about aged 11 or 12, and then again every summer until the book fell apart!!! Don't think I ever read her alter ego though?

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Claire

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