The White Queen

I usually enjoy a historical novel, and I was pleased to learn about the Yorkist Kings, as I knew very little about the War of the Roses before I started.

One of the good things about historical novels is that they can give a credible, if some what conjectural view of why people behaved the way they did. Nobody knows why Edward IV, the first and longest reigning of the Yorkist Kings did not marry a European princess as his powerful uncle Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick "Kingmaker" wanted him to.  Philippa Gregory has a rather unsatisfactory answer as to how Elizabeth Woodville, daughter of a mere knight was able to make such a fine catch - she was a witch!
To be fair, having read a little more widely, nobody seems to have a better explanation and seem to agree that she bewitched him. Not only so, but Elizabeth herself believed herself to have the powers of a witch and be descended from the water goddess Melusina. However I still felt a little cheated that instead of a plausible explanation of character's motivations what we got was an invitation to believe in witchcraft.
Another good feature of historical novels is that you can absorb a vivid picture of what life was like while simply enjoying the story.  Here again I felt slightly short changed, coming away with little idea what life and society was like. I may be wrong, but I felt it was only after finishing the novel that I read that her brother Anthony knew William Caxton and was the author of the first book to be printed in the English language.
Having said all that it was an enjoyable story and a good read. Its just that I expected more. Of course she had to skirt round one the greatest historical unknowns of all time. Who killed her two sons King Edward V and  Richard, Duke of York - the princes in the tower?  Well it remains a mystery - but the story does convey a couple of twists that are unexpected but certainly within the bounds of possibility.
Now I did come away from the story with more respect for the Yorkist kings than I had when I started, but the book is by no means pro Yorkist. In fact it is quite open about how dishonourable they were at times.
The story is much more about Edward IV than Richard III, but Richard comes over in quite a good light, especially compared to how we see him from Shakespeare's writings.  Calculating, decisive, yes, but cruel vindictive, no, and quite personable and an attractive character.   Elizabeth herself, the central character, is the more scheming and vindictive.
So there you have it, turbulent times, vividly portrayed, families at war, danger hatred and revenge, witchcraft but still accurate historically, loyalty and hope.  Not a great read but certainly a good one.