Before Eleanor of Aquitaine was Queen of England, had a tumultuous and passionate marriage with King Henry II of England, and a brood of rebellious children, she was the Queen of France who was trapped in an unhappy and unsatisfying marriage. This strong, dynamic, and passionate woman was smothered by a weak husband and king more concerned with praying than ruling his country or loving her, men of the church who did not respect her as a woman, and being completely powerless. "Queen Defiant: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine" by Anne O'Brien tells the story of Eleanor's unhappy days as Queen of France and how she defied everyone particularly various men to have her freedom and triumph.
"Queen Defiant" follows Eleanor of Aquitaine's journey of her unhappiness as Queen of France to her exciting future as Queen of England. Eleanor was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right which made her an attractrive bride. Eleanor married the young, handsome, but pious French daupin, Louis. When Louis became King of France he gained access to Eleanor's numerous lands and Eleanor landed a crown and became Queen of France. Unfortunately, the marriage was doomed from the start with Louis's uber religious ways and influence from holy men such as Abbot Suger and Bernard of Clairvaux. Eleanor was not allowed to speak her mind, have power or influence, and was constantly being treated poorly by the holy men. The marriage also suffered as Louis rarely was intimate with Eleanor leaving Eleanor feeling abandoned and unloved. Eleanor strived to have power, prestige, and honor as well as experiencing true passion. When King Louis and Queen Eleanor went on the dangerous Second Crusade to Jerusalem, Eleanor found her voice and desperately sought for a way to end her marriage. Eleanor challenged King Louis, her advisors, and even the Pope to gain an annulment based on consanguinity between Louis and Eleanor. Eventually Eleanor achieved her annulment and had an ally in her corner, the power hungry, ambitious,and fascinating, Henry of Anjou whom Eleanor met as a boy. AT the time, Henry had his eye on the throne of England and could gain more prestige and support with Eleanor, her barons, and lands at his side. He promises to marry Eleanor and make her Queen of England. Eleanor believes she has finally met her match in a man. Henry and Eleanor marry and as the novel concludes are crowned King and Queen of England. Eleanor finally has it all: the power, prestige, honor, and most importantly, passion. Little does Eleanor know what is in store for her in the future. The novel is a look at Eleanor's unhappy days as Queen of France and the start of her infamous marriage to King Henry II of England. This is the story of the young Eleanor of Aquitaine and how she refused to stay silent in a man's world. Whether she was Queen of France or Queen of England, she truly was "Queen Defiant".
This is O'Brien's second historical fiction novel and once again it is an interesting and well-written read. O'Brien makes her characters come to life. O'Brien's Eleanor of Aquitaine's personality shines through whether it be arguing with King Louis, showing her vulnerable side to her sister, or bantering with Henry of Anjou. Other memorable portrayals include the weak and ineffectual King Louis, the alluring Raymond, Prince of Antioch, and the larger than life, Henry of Anjou. The historical figures come to life in "Queen Defiant".
The novel is character driven, focused on Eleanor's story, but also features an almost history lesson through the politics of France and the rest of the world, the Second Crusade, and the various lands and their owners in France. The novel also is passionate and romantic as it takes a look at Eleanor's unhappy marriage with Louis, her dalliance with Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, her forbidden, but powerful tryst with her own uncle, Raymond, and her ultimate passion with Henry.
The best part of the novel is Eleanor's connection with Henry early on. She meets him as a boy and feels a connection of some kind with him. It is nice forshadowing for the power couple they would later be. It is a unique twist not seen in other historical fiction novels on Eleanor of Aquitaine.
"Queen Defiant" is another fascinating look at the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. O'Brien's Eleanor is a fine tribute to the woman that she was historically: complex, ambitious, intelligent, and alluring. Eleanor of Aquitaine would be proud!
"Queen Defiant: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine" will be available in book stores in the United States on June 7th
To purchase "Queen Defiant: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine": http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Defiant-Novel-Eleanor-Aquitaine/dp/0451234111
For more information on Anne O'Brien: http://http://www.anneobrienbooks.com/
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