Vimes Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 The second Duchess by Elizabeth Loupas is, I have to say, one of the best historical fiction book I have read in a while. Inspired by the poem ,"My Last Duchess" by Browning it is well worth a read. The story follows Barbara of Austria as she gets married and learns about the mysterious death of the first duchess and then how she finds out what happened to the first duchess. For those that are interested here is the poem. My Last Duchess That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now: Fr Pandolf's hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will't please you sit and look at her? I said ``Fr Pandolf'' by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not Her husband's presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps Fr Pandolf chanced to say ``Her mantle laps ``Over my lady's wrist too much,'' or ``Paint ``Must never hope to reproduce the faint ``Half-flush that dies along her throat:'' such stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough For calling up that spot of joy. She had A heart---how shall I say?---too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. Sir, 'twas all one! My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace---all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. She thanked men,---good! but thanked Somehow---I know not how--- as if she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred- years-old name With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill In speech---(which I have not)--- to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, ``Just this ``Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, ``Or there exceed the mark''--- and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, ---E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet The company below, then. I repeat, The Count your master's known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretence Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me! Robert Browning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardengirl Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 You certainly make a good case for reading this book, so it has gone on my TBR list, can I get it on Kindle?I had heard of though not read, the poem, isn't it chilling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuppycakes Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hello Vimes, I'm a big fan of historical fiction I've never heard of this author before but will try to read one of her books in future. Hi gardengirl! Are you a fan of historical fiction as well? Have you ever read Jean Plaidy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) ..been deleted... Edited September 13, 2013 by Vimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) ..been deleted... Edited September 13, 2013 by Vimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) ..been deleted... Edited September 13, 2013 by Vimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 You certainly make a good case for reading this book, so it has gone on my TBR list, can I get it on Kindle?I had heard of though not read, the poem, isn't it chilling? Glad that I was able to suggest something to you, I hope that you will injoyed it when you read it . I assume that it is available on Kindle although I don't know for sure, (Its on my e-book reader but it isn't a kindle and you know how things are. It's available here but not there... ) Yes, the poem sent shivers down my soon the first time I read it. Makes you feel like you were there. Hello Vimes, I'm a big fan of historical fiction I've never heard of this author before but will try to read one of her books in future. Hi gardengirl! Are you a fan of historical fiction as well? Have you ever read Jean Plaidy? I have too have a soft spot for a good Historical novel, I haven't ever heard of jean plaid. What books has he/she write? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Sorry delete button not working and post button working to well! Ai! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuppycakes Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) Jean Plaidy writes Historical fiction. Her real name is Eleanor Hibbert. She also wrote with other names like Victoria Holt. She is fantastic! She is a renown historical fiction author known for her historical accuracy. I love her Tudor saga. Are you a Tudor fan? Edited September 13, 2013 by cuppycakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Oh Tudor! Have them, just haven't read them yet . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardengirl Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hi Vimes and Cuppycakes, yes, I love historical stuff, as long as it's well written [although you can apply that to any genre I guess.]When I was a teenager [oh so long ago!] I read nothing else BUT Jean Plaidy, is she still in print?Wonderful stuff, light-ish but all the history is there and well told.I also used to read Norah Lofts another good writer from way back, but historical stuff doesn't really date does it [or does it?]Have you read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel?Tremendous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimes Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) Like the Tumor books, I've got it but I just haven't read it. I thought about it a few weeks ago but it looked a little dark and gloomy to me? Or at least that's the feel that I got from the description that I found online for it. Edited September 14, 2013 by Vimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuppycakes Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) Hi Vimes and Cuppycakes, yes, I love historical stuff, as long as it's well written [although you can apply that to any genre I guess.]When I was a teenager [oh so long ago!] I read nothing else BUT Jean Plaidy, is she still in print?Wonderful stuff, light-ish but all the history is there and well told.I also used to read Norah Lofts another good writer from way back, but historical stuff doesn't really date does it [or does it?]Have you read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel?Tremendous! Haven't read Wolf Hall but have heard a lot about it. Like many history authors Mantel is no different in that she has a particular soft spot for a historical figure, which in this case is Cromwell. I read an interview with her once where she said that she didn't think that Cromwell planned every detail about Anne Boleyn's trial and that he more or less just carried on the case against her based on what others had to say about her. I have to disagree with that because Cromwell was no saint, he was crafty and I think he did have a lot more to do with the charges against Anne's. Edited September 14, 2013 by cuppycakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardengirl Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 yes, Cuppycakes, I think you may well be right about Thomas Cromwell! He didn't get where he got for being a lovely person, Tudor England [including the Court] was an edgy unsafe place all round [understatement of the year!]I think a lot of people also confuse him with Oliver Cromwell [ different century.]I see that you are from USA, are a lot of people interested in English history there?I live in England, so naturally am, but actually find American history fascinating too. We were talking of Jean Plaidy, didn't she also write under the name of Georgette Heyer as well as Victoria Holt? Giving my age away here!My grown up daughter still loves her Georgette Heyer books and when she was 18 and managed to get into an Oxford College, she took those books with her as comfort books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuppycakes Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 I think a lot of people also confuse him with Oliver Cromwell [ different century. He's also distantly related to Thomas Cromwell. ]I see that you are from USA, are a lot of people interested in English history there?I live in England, so naturally am, but actually find American history fascinating too. Not really. A lot of emphasis gets placed on American history here which is nice because I like American history as well; particularly about the Native Americans. Speaking of which, do you gardengirl or Vimes know of any definitive biographies about Pocahontas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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