The Forever Queen

The Forever Queen

by

Helen Hollick

ebook, 0 pages


Published November 1st 2010 by Sourcebooks, Incorporated (first published 2004)

ISBN1402258860 (ISBN13: 9781402258862)
primary language: English
original title: A Hollow Crown: The Story of Emma, Queen of Saxon England
characters: Emma of Normandy, Cnut the Great, Æthelred the Unready
setting: United Kingdom


About the Book (goodreads)

Married to a king incompetent both on the throne and in bed, Emma does not love her husband. But she does love England. Even as her husband fails, Emma vows to protect her people-no matter what. For five decades, through love and loss, prosperity and exile, Emma fights for England, becoming the only woman to have been anointed, crowned, and reigning queen to two different kings, the mother of two more, and the great aunt of William the Conqueror.

About the Author (goodreads)

Born in Walthamstow, North East London, in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. I have no qualifications, nor have I been to college or university, although I have studied part-time for my Medieval History Diploma, which, I'm pleased to report, I passed with honours.

My thoughts:

The Forever Queen was a recommended read by Staci at Life in the Thumb.  I was totally captivated by the cover art and the title when she featured it on her blog.  After reading Staci's review I knew I had to read the book.  I enjoy historical fiction, especially books about royalty.  I had never heard of Emma of Normandy so this was an educational experience as well as entertaining.  Emma was twice queen of England serving with two different Kings.  She was also the mother of two Kings.  She was involved actively with the politics at the time and her influence on English law is still in effect.  I found Emma to be an intelligent and powerful woman.  I also enjoyed the author's ability to make her real and bring her to life.  The author also paints brilliantly the historical elements of the book.  I enjoyed her descriptions of the political atmosphere, lodgings, lifestyle, food and country.  I also appreciated the fact that the author took a great amount of information and broke it down comfortably into smaller books according to the King who was ruling during the period of Emma's life.  This simple organizational structure of the book allows the reader to pause, take a break and digest the material.  I enjoyed this book very much and if you are interested in historical fiction I would suggest you read it. 

Emma lived at a time in history when war never ceased.  The following is a quote from the book that struck a sympathetic chord with me.

"Ah, the glories of battle?  Glory belonged only to the harpers' songs, not to the reality of a battlefield"

I also enjoyed this description of Emma when she arrived as a child bride in England

"A man she had never seen until this moment, who was four and thirty years to her three and ten, spoke a language she barely understood, and who, from the morrow, was to be her wedded husband.  Did he approve of what he saw?  Her sun-gold hair, blue eyes, and fair skin?"

this summary of Queen Emma's life was very helpful


    Book #35