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Alan Robert Clark

Auteur van Rory's Boys

5 Werken 55 Leden 4 Besprekingen

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Bevat ook: Alan Clark (6)

Werken van Alan Robert Clark

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This book is disappointing when compared with the author's novel about Prince Eddy. That had real imagination and opened up a new, albeit fictional, window upon its leading character.

Valhalla, although starting with an interesting question – what was it like for Princess May to find herself married to the brother of her dead fiance in the early years of her marriage – proceeds to give some very odd answers, by wilfully misunderstanding both the Princess and especially Prince George her husband. The latter is dealt with very critically and stereotypically, and May is depicted in a very unimaginative 'naïve young woman gets trapped by over-bearing family' way. This attempt to make her into some kind of Victorian Princess Diana, is not convincing. There is no attempt to explore the real possibility that far from being a trapped wife, May was the stronger and dominant partner in the marriage.

The best chapter in the book is the one describing a day yachting trip May takes with Liko Battenburg along with her son and her parents.

The book does take a positive view of a few characters such as Queen Victoria and Princess Mary Adelaide. In general however, the treatment of most people is unsympathetic. The book also takes a cliched approach to settings such as the various houses and palaces – for example by ramming home at every opportunity a negative view of Sandringham and York Cottage, apparently to reinforce the slant taken on George and his parents. It also occasionally uses abusive language unnecessarily.
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Gemarkeerd
ponsonby | Dec 12, 2021 |
When I opened this book and discovered it to be a novel about the Duke of Clarence and Avondale rather than the biography I had anticipated, I was not happy; and when I found it to be written in the present tense, a fashion I strongly dislike, I felt even worse. But I have a strong interest in the period so resolved to try it anyway; and I was pleasantly surprised, because THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK.

It isn't perfect; some of Clark's writing is a bit too florid, with an excess of adjectives. But the main thing is that it enters very convincingly into Prince Eddy's mind; and not only his but also those of members of his family, and his friends. It tells his story from early childhood until his premature death, and really gets across how difficult it was for him to survive in a milieu so different from that which suited him. The theme of sexuality is sensitively and openly handled; and all the characters are treated sympathetically even if their flaws are on display. Achieving a credible new slant on royal characters is not easy, but Clark succeeds. I now intend to read 'Valhalla', Clark's book centred on Mary of Teck, who is an important character at the end of Eddy's life.… (meer)
 
Gemarkeerd
ponsonby | Aug 7, 2021 |
My thanks to Nudge readers and the Publishers who provided a Paperback copy of this book to read and honestly review.
According to the cover the true account of a heart-stopping journey and a heart-breaking decision, now the saying goes that you should never judge a book by it's cover, so how to choose a book to read. Well I personally use what I call 'the first page test' which as it suggests involves reading the first page, and if after that I want to carry on reading then i buy the book, and 95% of the time it works. In this case I ended up reading all five pages of the prologue, that's how attention grabbing and intriguing the start was.
Absorbing compelling and memorable this is a riveting read. A tale of honour and love, as two men from very different backgrounds become prisoners of War, and firm friends who refuse to just accept their fate, and plan an audacious and frankly amazing plan of escape. We learn the back story of the lives of our escapees prior to the start of the Second World War, their eventual capture and incarceration in a Polish prison camp. Part detective story, always interesting sometimes funny often sad, a tale of resilience and strength of character that remains with you as you close the book for the final time. Well written and descriptive with excellent characterization throughout.
WARNING :- As is often the case with Non Fiction stories there a several pages of photos mid way through the book, but don't look at them as they spoil the end of the book.
Recommended reading.
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Gemarkeerd
Gudasnu | May 10, 2019 |
What a delightful, laugh out loud, and tissues handy read. Well deserving of its longlist nomination for Polari First Book (which bought it to my attention)
 
Gemarkeerd
gsc55 | Jul 15, 2012 |

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Statistieken

Werken
5
Leden
55
Populariteit
#295,340
Waardering
3.8
Besprekingen
4
ISBNs
11

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