Customer Reviews

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver

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In college, during a summer session, I had to take a dreadful Medievel History class. The instructor sat on the desk and droned on for the entire class period. We each had to draw names and do a research paper on someone or something from that period. I drew the name of Eleanor of Aquitaine...never heard of her. For some reason, the library had quite a bit of information on her (they must have heard of her!). Besides reference book information, I found 2 historical novels on her. My goodness, WHAT A WOMAN!! She was the queen of both England and France, the mother of future kings of England and France. She was under house arrest for years. The life story of this woman could have been a college class in itself. My mother is a librarian in small town and I was telling her about my project. She said, "I think we just got a children's book in on her." It happened to be "A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Minerva." I went home to pick up the book and it was better and more informative than any of the college material I checked out. WHY hadn't any history teachers pointed out this facinating figure??? History could be so interesting if it were taught with an historical fiction reading list instead of textbooks. I have since traveled to Europe several times and just can't get enough of history. When I think of that dreadful history professor and what a horrible injustice he did to this period of time. However, he DID introduce me to Eleanor. And for that I will be forever grateful.

I first read this book at least 15 years ago and have never forgotten it. This book and The Daughter of Time launched my ongoing love affair with British history. After reading this book, I was so inspired that I dressed as Eleanor of Aquitaine for Halloween; I was shocked and astonished to discover that she was far from a household name and I spent my entire evening of trick-or-treating explaining my costume. If more books for children were as historically accurate and entertaining as is Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, I think more people would have recognized and appreciated my costume. E.L. Konigsburg writes some of the best children's books I've ever read and they stand the test of time- I enjoy reading them now as much as I did then. By writing about an often ignored yet fascinating woman, Konisburg opened my eyes to a range of historical characters usually excluded in traditional history books. I highly recommend this book for any child, but especially for young girls who are looking for more female characters to shape their understanding of world history.

Konigsburg has painted the portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine with the brushes of four observers: her priest, her mother-in-law, her jailer, and Eleanor herself. From each of these artists, we see a part of Eleanor's life, through their sometimes limited senses. The section told by Abbot Suger is full of color and music; the tale by the jailer, William the Marshall, is gray, matter of fact. Konigsburg's subtleties of characterization, use of language, and her ability to manipulate point of view contain incredible opportunities for teaching about writing and how writers work. Konigsburg stretches the minds of all who pick up this amazing book. The four tales are held together by an over-arching story: Eleanor and the story-tellers are in Heaven, awaiting the arrival of King Henry II, Eleanor's second husband. While they wait, they fill each other in about Eleanor's long life and influences.

This is easily one of the best, if not the best, historical novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I first read it when I was maybe ten or twelve years old. I absolutely loved it! I read it five or six times over in the space of about a month. Reading this novel, I always felt like a part of the colorful medieval world created by Konigsburg. Every time I finished the book I had to immediately restart it; I couldn't stand not being part of that world anymore. I'm quite sure this book is at least partly responsible for the shelf full of history books in the corner of my bedroom. I'm a wee bit older now, nearly eighteen, but the medieval world introduced to me by _Scarlet and Miniver_ still interests me as much as it did when I finished the book for the first time. It truly left a lasting impression with me.

P.S. - to the people who dislike or don't understand the title - "Scarlet" is a bright red, and "miniver" is white or light gray fur that was used as trim for royal or ceremonial robes. The name fits the book perfectly, because it sums up the passion Eleanor of Aquitaine had for vibrant colors and rich surroundings, things that set her apart from the dutiful, dull persons surrounding her throughout much of the book.

If this is historical, it is hysterical: give me more! What a delightful presentation of what is usually dry, historical fact. This book is the perfect vehicle to introduce middle school students to the Middle Ages, where human nature is revealed at its worst (just like nowadays). Let's hear it for the start of the Women's Movement --centuries before Elizabeth I. Between the covers of this literary gem is related the life of a determined, capable and ambitious woman--Eleanor of Aquitaine. The four sections are narrated Canterbury Tales style by different characters: Abbot Suger, Empress Matidla, William the Marshall, and Eleanor (the Incorrigible) who lived to be 80, herself.

These first-person tales are interspersed with witty conversatons on a cloud in Heaven, as the speakers reminisce while awaiting the iffy arrival of King Henry II. It seems that his earthly career requires the skill of many lawyers to argue his case--a breed which is not plentiful in Heaven....But for Eleanor Waiting itself is Purgatory, since she is a woman of decisive action. Still as we eavesdrop on their frank discussions, we enjoy many chuckles and glean much information about the life and tumultuous times of this extraordinary woman.

After so many centuries, will Henry finally make it Up? This is the monarch who loved then mourned Thomas a BECKET; the king who sired Richard the Lion Heart, as well as that much-despised creep, evil Prince John (who got his royal come-uppance at Runnymede). We learn about Eleanor's considerable improvements, courtly embellishments and Crusader importations in order to "civilize" both England and France. Of course there is nothing like royal famlily squabbles (The Lion in Winter) to keep us glued to the pages! It was her eldest daughter, Marie of Champagne, who created L'Amour Courtois, the philosophy of Courtly Love as a pleasant pasttime, which inspired most medieval literature and influenced the etiquette of the upper classes, even to present days. I tip my hat (or crown) to Konigsburg for this highly-readable account of an unforgettable lady.

This is truly one of the best pieces of historical fiction ever written, for a kid OR an adult. Not only is the subject matter well researched and the history complete without ever being boring, it is also presented in a truly imaginative way: as a conversation between Eleanor and several of her friends in Heaven, as they wait for Eleanor's second husband to be released from Purgatory. Maybe that sounds strange, but it really works.

Through the book, Eleanor and her friends discuss Eleanor's exciting life: her marriage to the King of France and then the King of England and her relationship with each; her relationship with her children (including the two sons who were both King of England), her many adventures. Ms. Konigsburg manages to do all this without glossing over some of Eleanor's less perfect points, or by sacrificing style, humor, or story-telling.

If you've seen any of my Listmania lists or my reviews, you'll know that I'm something of an Eleanor fanatic... and this is the book that got it started. I think it's a great read for a girl or a boy, but I think that it is especially important for a girl to know about such an important and influential woman in history. It is also worth a read by adults, for its imaginative presentation.

The title of this book may scare somepeople into thinking that it is one of those boring books you'll read in school. I mean I have to admit I wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't for a nice lady I met at a bookstore. Anyway the truth is A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is anything but boring. It starts out as Elanor of Aquitaine (sorry if I spelled that wrong) and three others she knew throught different times of her life are waiting for Elanor's second husband to come up from heaven (today is judgement day). As they're waiting they each tell what they saw Elanor of Aquitaine to be. It all starts with an abbot who knew her when she was married to her first husband. Then is her second husband's mother. Next is a marshel she knew throught some of her second marrige. Finally she tells her own tale of what happened after the three had died. It is one of the best books I have ever read. If your planning on buying a book for someone ages 9-12 this is the book to get.

Before reading this book, I wasn't too interested in Eleanor of Aquitaine. I knew who she was, and dimly remembered reading about her somewhere, but nothing made an impression. At that time, I wasn't particularly interested in British or French history. This book completely changed that. I found Eleanor a fascinating woman, and instantly dove into a pile of books to learn more about her and her real life.

"A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver" tells (pretty accurately) of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is mostly known for being a wife of two kings, and the mother of two kings, but in reality, had a fascinating life by herself. Strong-minded and extremely independent, Eleanor was a major historical character, and in this book we see that clearly. She is proud and firm, and it's easy to find her fascinating.

The book draws the reader in quickly. It's not told by the same person all the time, which may be confusing to some, but I found it made the story flow much easier, because it meant that we didn't have to wonder why a certain character was around for so much. It's a wonderful historical novel, and really gets you reading other things about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and discovering how incredibly amazing she truly was.

I loved this book. I mean, really, really loved this book. It's got get history, a great main character, and so much more.

THis was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid. I didn't go in for historical fiction much, but somehow Konigsberg wrote the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine in such an engaging, funny way that to this day, over 20 years later, that little part of european history is rock solid in my memory due to this book. it was my first introduction to a powerful, remarkable female political figure. I will forever be in debt to E. L. Konigsberg for giving me this story.

I first read this book when I was ten, when my mother and I picked it up at a library sale. Twenty years later, I'm nearing completion on my PhD in medieval history, with an emphasis on England under the Plantagenet kings - and I give this book credit for starting me on the path!

For the intelligent child reader, or for an young adult (or even the grown-up) reader who enjoys exceptional writing and a whimsical framework for historical fiction, this book will stand out as a exceptional. Eleanor is one of the most interesting, incredible women in history - ever - and Konigsburg has captured the incredible feats of her life with vivid accuracy. She has done her research well. Even today when I am reading or writing about one of the historical figures that appear in this book, I find myself thinking about them in terms of the Konigsburg's characterization.
For anyone who loves medieval history, this book is a gem.