Harlot Queen [Paperback]

Hilda Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2007

Isabella of France was proud to be wed to the handsome Edward II of England, but her joy soon turned to rancor, for Piers Gaveston, an egotistical and mercenary courtier, usurped her husband's bed. No woman could compete with her beauty, but another man? What could she do at the age of fourteen? Wait, only wait. And so she waited, nursing her anger, rejection, and disgust. She grew in beauty and wiles; the king, in weakness, as other men, worse men, took Gaveston's place. Wearly of waiting, Isabella turned to Mortimer of Wigmore. In his bed, she found comfort and love and cared little that people called her a harlot. But even the presence of Mortimer could not quench her thirst for vengence, once she had tasted blood. Like an unleashed fury, she pursued the king's paramours. She would tear England in half to quench her rage; if she failed, her son would avenge her honour. The contest that ensued decided the fate of England. In this historically accurate and thrilling story of power and passion, Hilda Lewis has created an unforgettable account of how the fate of nations has often been forged in royal bedrooms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR HILDA LEWIS: 'Hilda Lewis is not only mistress of her subject, but has the power to vitalise it' THE DAILY TELEGRAPH; 'A born storyteller' THE YORKSHIRE POST. Praise for Hilda Lewis's Wife to the Bastard: 'The private life of William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda of Flanders... convincingly worked out, and the historical background carefully painted in' THE DAILY TELEGRAPH; 'Matilda, wife to William the Conqueror, is painstakingly depicted through her deflowering, marriage, much child-bearing, some jealous violence and repentance... well documented historical fiction' THE OBSERVER; 'A work of quiet distinction... her subject is treated well and movingly, with dignity and insight' THE SUNDAY TIMES; 'A spankingly good story about Matilda, whom the legends call gentle but she calls a good deal more' THE SPECTATOR.

About the Author

Hilda Lewis was one of the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, known for her authentic application of period detail to all her books. She was born in London and lived for much of her life in Nottingham. She wrote over 20 novels, most published in hardback by Hutchinson and paperbacked by Arrow. Hilda Lewis died in 1974.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tempus (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752439472
• ISBN-13: 978-0752439471
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,570,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of the She-Wolf of France, February 18, 2005

By 

K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harlot Queen (Hardcover)

This is the story of Isabella of France, Queen of King Edward II of England. Married at 14 to a husband who was more interested in his male favourites Isabella grew up as a famed beauty and badly treated Queen.

However, Isabella in later years turned the tables on her husband and his favourites by doing something rare in any Queen - getting her own lover and staging and invasion of England. In this novel, Hilda Lewis, as usual, provides a convincing view of England during a very turbulent period and shows us how a loving, innocent woman could turn into the passionate She-Wolf of France accused of murdering her husband.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Royal Family Dysfunction, May 19, 2009

By 

Barb Mechalke (in the lovely Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harlot Queen (Paperback)

I had no idea about Isabella the 'She Wolf' of France. I found this history fascinating and I struggled to stay away from WikiPedia until I was done with the book. I didn't want to know what happened before I read Hilda Lewis' version of events.

Someone who is familiar with the facts might have a very different opinion but I thought the story was engaging and well written and never overly dramatic.

Some of the details were a bit grotesques, many times I felt lucky to be born into the modern world. Life was hard in Medieval times and justice was very harsh.

I liked the way Lewis varied the narrative from the first person to the third person perspective, it was done very subtly, without jarring the reader. And the way she presented the story allowed the reader to sympathize with King Edward II and Queen Isabella at different times during the course of events. And what interesting events they were!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars willy, April 25, 2009

By 

Cammie M. Royce - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harlot Queen (Paperback)

It was a good book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Englands Queen's.