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Reign Of Madness (2011)

by Lynn Cullen(Favorite Author)

3.6 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0399157093 (ISBN13: 9780399157097)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Putnam Adult

review 1: Juana "the Mad" was an elder sister of Catherine of Aragon, third in succession for Queen of the Spains. By deaths of the first two in line, she becomes the heir to Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragon. I've read accounts of her insanity when reading about other members of the family, like Catherine of Aragon. This was my first time to read a novel written from her point of view, and Lynn Cullen makes some interesting conjectures- that perhaps Juana was never insane, but merely a woman who was willing to give her claim to the throne away, first to her husband, Philippe "the Handsome" and then to her father, Fernando of Aragon. It is likely that she was the victim of being born at a time when women were not considered strong enough to be rulers, and that because she... more lived as a modest and humble woman, she was stripped of her birthrights by a greedy husband and father. It is an entertaining book to read whether you believe Lynn's claims or not, full of courtly life in Flanders, Paris, Toledo, Saniego.
review 2: The story of Juana is such a sad one. This is the second book I have read by Lynn Cullen and I really liked it. One thing I love about her works is that she takes care to use as much historical accuracy as she can. The only negative I had to say about this book was it got a little long in the middle - there was a point or two where I felt like I was waiting for something - anything - to happen. But then, when it got moving again, I was gratified. Overall, totally worth the read! less

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