Beth F
Sandy
bermudaonion (Kathy)
Stephanie
Trisha
The Traitor’s Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II by Susan Higginbotham
“The Traitor’s Wife” is first and foremost the story of Eleanor de Clare, niece of King Edward II of England and wife of Hugh Despenser the Younger, a man who would eventually be much reviled in England. Through Eleanor’s eyes we watch unfold the tragic kingship of Edward II, a man who wasn’t really best suited to be king, as he continually alienated his barons and wasn’t much of a military leader.
In comparing “The Traitor’s Wife” to the other book I’ve read about Edward’s reign, “Queen of Shadows,” I was really struck by the spin an historical fiction writer can place on events. While reading “Queen of Shadows” I felt pity for Isabella, she being largely ignored as her husband squandered his position in the country, I felt that she was always trying to do what was right. In Higginbotham’s book, Isabella is a cold-hearted woman who is in the game for her own power – although probably for the same reasons, having watched her husband destroy his power. Hugh was a much more sympathetic character in “The Traitor’s Wife,” yes he wanted power and the best for his family, but he didn’t seem as coldly calculating as in “Queen of Shadows.” I’m sure the truth for both persons was somewhere in between their two depictions, although I did prefer Hugh as slightly less of an evil genius, since his plans didn’t end up working out all that well in the end.
I found “The Traitor’s Wife” to be an overall engaging and comprehensive view of Edward II’s reign. Higginbotham clearly knows her stuff. Every so often a bit of prose would strike me as slightly off and pull me out of the story, but that could just be me as I was never actually able to figure out what my objections were. This was originally a self-published novel (which is the version I read) and want for a better editor might account for the little issues I had, but it is a remarkably robust, well-polished book for something that was self-published. Of course, this is probably evident by the fact that it has now been picked up by Sourcebooks and was released by them on April 1, 2009. I’m not sure if any additional editing was done once Sourcebooks picked it up, but it is a book I would still recommend, overall, to historical fiction buffs even if it is being published exactly as is. I can’t wait to read more of Higginbotham’s work as she has continued to hone her craft.
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I read this a couple of years ago (I have the self-published edition as well) and really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to her next book which should be out in the spring.
.-= daphne´s last blog ..Mary Boleyn by Josephine Wilkinson =-.
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This sounds pretty good, I haven’t read much about the reign of Edward II.
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This books sounds very interesting. And the story behind the story – of going from self-pub to Sourcebooks, well, that’s equally intriguing to me.
.-= Scobberlotcher´s last blog ..Update Me: A Facebook Story =-.
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I really enjoyed this novel and Higginbotham’s other novel, Hugh & Bess, was good as well. Elizabeth was quite the little witch in this one!
.-= Amy @ Passages to the Past´s last blog ..New Feature: Series, Trilogies and Sequels, oh my! =-.
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I’ve never read much historical fiction but I have heard that Higginbotham does it very well.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Finger Lickin’ Fifteen =-.
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Historical fiction novelists can really spin characters any way they want. Historians can too, but novelists have an advantage. Hugh & Bess, her next novel, is coming up very soon for me and I’m looking forward to it.
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..BTT: Funny =-.
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Thanks for the review! There were minor changes between the self-published version and the Sourcebooks version–mostly correction of typographical errors and stylistic changes–but no changes to the story.
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devourerofbooks Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Thanks for answering my question and thanks for the great read! I’m excited to read your new book!
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o dear! another book for my wish list!
.-= hodgepodgespv´s last blog ..Thursday Thunks! =-.
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I’m quite inexperienced when it comes to books written about this era. I have heard wonderful things about the author, so if I were to dive and see if I liked it, this would be one of them!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Japanese Literature Challenge 3!!! =-.
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Yes it’s so true: “I was really struck by the spin an historical fiction writer can place on events.”
I love reading different books about the same people and events.
Very nice review. I would have avoided this book because of the self-published aspect, so I’m happy to see that it was so well done. I’ll likely seek out the Sourcebook version.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Themed Reading Challenge: Wrap Up =-.
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I read the Sourcebooks version and enjoyed it for the most part, but some of the qualms you mention are still present in the version I read.
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Susan Helene Gottfried Speaks About Music, Obsession, and Writing =-.
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I read the Sourcebooks version and really enjoyed it. I’ll be reading the sequel, Hugh and Bess, soon.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Interview With Félix Calvino, Author of A HATFUL OF CHERRIES =-.
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