Customer Reviews

The Queen's Devotion: The Story of Queen Mary II (A Queens of England Novel)

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If Jean Plaidy had based her characterizations of Mary and William on the historical figures rather than on these caricatures of Jacobite propaganda, this would have been a better book. For example, there is evidence in Mary's and William's letters that her love was returned. He certainly wasn't a perfect husband but he had one discreet affair. Compare that to Charles II or Louis XIV openly flaunting their many mistresses and expecting their wives to meekly accept them. The more one knows about the real William and Mary, the easier it is to understand why Mary would write, "And though I am sorry that I have only three crowns to give him, that is not because my love blinds me. No, I can see his faults, but I say this because I know his virtues too."

The author, Jean Plaidy, who is also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt, is a masterful writer of historical fiction. This book, originally released under the title, "William's Wife", was part of the author's "Queens of England" series. It is an engrossing portrait of Lady Mary of York, daughter of King James II of England, who would be a future Queen of England.

The story is expertly woven with sufficient historical detail so as to satisfy the most discerning readers. Growing up the beloved daughter of the Duke of York, an ardent Catholic who would one day be crowned King James II of England, Mary was reared as a Protestant to conform to the will of the people. At fifteen years of age, she was forced into a political and loveless marriage with her Protestant first cousin, the dour and reserved Prince of Orange, William. She then left her beloved England to live in Holland with William.

Mary was to spend a number of lonely and desolate years in Holland with William, during which her uncle, King Charles II of England, died. Her father, the Duke of York, was then crowned James II. In turmoil over his avowed Catholicism, England was ripe for change. Mary's husband, William of Orange, being an ambitious man who coveted the English crown, lost no time in making sure that England stayed Protestant and took on his royal father-in-law. His victory over James II paved the way for the reign of William and Mary.

The author paints a portrait of a woman in conflict, torn between her love for her father and her loyalty to her husband. It details the political intrigues of the day that were to have such impact on Mary's life and shape her destiny. It is a wonderful and engrossing blend of fact and fiction. This richly textured novel is sure to delight those who enjoy historical fiction.

I read this book first and quite enjoyed it, although I agree with another reviewer that Queen Mary's devotion to her unloving husband, William, is unexplained.

However when I later read Plaidy's Stuart trilogy (starting with 'The Haunted Sisters') I felt this was just a rehash of that earlier work, so much so that I would sometimes stop and think 'I've already read this!' In retrospect I wouldn't have bothered with this book and would have gone for the- much more informative- trilogy

Although Plaidy uses the same basic descriptions in her queens novels the flavor of each is distinct. You can still understand the background and history within the emotions of the women. I enjoy her writings.

I have read many Jean Plaidy books and obviously love her writing but it was hard to get into this one. Mary II was not the most interesting queen of England but it still gave some illumination to the period.

I've long been awaiting the release of this book and I have to say I was disappointed. Jean Plaidy did the tale justice, there was more information than I had known before, but I wasn't happy with the overall tone of the book.

In most of Plaidy's novels the women are very strong and do their best to change what they don't like, or accept what they can't with some dignity and strength. Mary was flat for me.

She started out fine in the beginning of the book. Plaidy succeeded in drawing the reader in with her relationship with her father, the doomer James II. They were a pair and almost inseparable. She also lays down the relationships with her mother, her sister, Anne; Charles II and others. The start of the book was very promising and I wish it could have remained so.

The book began to go downhill for me with her marriage to William, Prince of Orange. He was cold, seemingly uncaring, stern and not what she was used to. But she had no choice in the matter and had to go. She has one attendant with her that she knew from the beginning she should have dismissed, but does nothing to rectify the situation. She constantly comments that she isn't clever where others are. I wanted to scream she was the Princess and could exert some power, but never does.

She allows her husband, and others, to rule over her and cowers a lot. She whines constantly about her treatment from William, but claims to love him so much. She never tells him her true feelings to change the way he is towards her and when she finds out about his affair does next to nothing.

Even when she becomes Queen, and she's the rightful heiress, she allows William to rule with her in the background unless he has to leave the country. She's only strong with someone beside her or when William is gone, but turns over the reins to him without question.

She complains about her father being reckless and foolish, but is the same in her own way. She's not outwardly foolish like he is, but she allows others to rule over her when she has power herself. She complains of this with her sister Anne and her attendant, Sarah Churchill, but refuses to acknowledge this within herself.

I understand that she was in a very precarious position, but she doesn't make a forceful enough decision for me in the whole book. I think this is what leads her to be so uncertain through the entire thing. She didn't have enough strength in herself to believe in herself. This was most unfortunate.