Official Review: Matilda the Queen by Richard S. Rose

Use this section to discuss drama books and poetry books. Drama includes plays but not novels. This includes work by Shakespeare, Marlowe, Miller etc. Poetry anthologies can also go here.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
bluegreenmarina
Posts: 368
Joined: 26 Oct 2016, 14:43
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =6703">The Count of Monte Cristo</a>
Currently Reading: Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead
Bookshelf Size: 1230
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bluegreenmarina.html
Latest Review: Spontaneous Addiction Recovery by Dr. James Slobodzien

Official Review: Matilda the Queen by Richard S. Rose

Post by bluegreenmarina »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Matilda the Queen" by Richard S. Rose.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


The history of the 12th century in the royal courts of Europe and Great Britain was full of juicy drama and political exploits. Matilda the Queen by Richard S. Rose tells the story of the life of Matilda, her conquest for the crown of England, and her family life.

Prior to this, I knew very little about the events that this story references, and was pleasantly surprised by how accessible and easy-to-follow this author’s version was. This book is actually a play written in (mostly) non-rhyming verse, and as a result the storyline is primarily driven by expository dialogue. This results in a quick-moving plot but fewer descriptions of character background and location setting than is typical within a novel.

The play begins with Matilda, daughter of King of England Henry I, being betrothed while still a child to an older Heinrich V. Ten years later, we find Matilda has become the Queen of Germany as well as the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, however she and her husband have no sons. A shipwreck results in the loss of the lives of her brothers, her father’s only other potential heirs, resulting in a threat to the English crown. The play takes us through the political decisions and strategies engaged by Matilda and her father (and later, her son), and the resulting marriages and wars that take place between the various rulers involved. Each party is fighting for the same thing – ownership of the crown and title of King of England.

One of the most impressive things about this work is the author’s ability to pack so much detail and action within a relatively short number of pages, in a way that is engaging and straight-forward. I was concerned prior to starting the play that the cast of characters was fairly large and some of them had similar names. However, as I read through the events, I was never confused about who the characters involved were, or their role in the events being described. Reading about these actual historical events in this engaging format encouraged me to seek out additional information about Matilda which I consider another positive – my favorite way to learn about history is through literature.

The only negatives about this play are the fact that I noticed a few typos, and that I would have preferred a bit more time spent on setting descriptions. It almost seemed that the location of each scene was superfluous to the plot of the play – that the conversations between the characters could have taken place anywhere – which made it tough to fully immerse myself in the scene. However, the dialogue was well-written and I enjoyed the bits of it that rhymed (and appreciated that the rhyming was limited). I rate this play 3 out of 4 stars and recommend it for readers who enjoy Shakespeare, and who are interested in concise historical accounts of medieval Europe.

******
Matilda the Queen
View: on Bookshelves

Like bluegreenmarina's review? Post a comment saying so!
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11683
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Currently Reading: Believarexic
Bookshelf Size: 486
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

Interesting. It's probably been since college that I've really read any plays. I applaud the author for getting so much detail in a short period. Thanks for the review!
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
User avatar
JJenson
Posts: 4
Joined: 12 Mar 2017, 01:17
Currently Reading: Grapes of Wrath
Bookshelf Size: 14
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jjenson.html

Post by JJenson »

This book sounds right up my alley.
User avatar
LivreAmour217
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2043
Joined: 02 Oct 2014, 12:42
Favorite Author: Too many to count
Favorite Book: Ditto
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 294
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-livreamour217.html
Latest Review: Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer

Post by LivreAmour217 »

I like historical fiction, so I might read this one. Wonderful review!
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
Darakhshan Nazir
Posts: 925
Joined: 17 Jun 2017, 12:25
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-darakhshan-nazir.html
Latest Review: "Twisted Threads" by Kaylin McFarren

Post by Darakhshan Nazir »

Admirable review . I usually don't read poetry . But review says it's a nice book to read
Do Read And Comment On My Latest Review!!
Latest Review: "Twisted Threads" by Kaylin McFarren
User avatar
MrsCatInTheHat
Posts: 3817
Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 376
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 0

Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

A large cast of characters can be overwhelming but it sounds like this author handled this aspect well. I do enjoy the medieval time period so perhaps this one will make it to my reading list. Just not sure about it being in the form of a play, as that is not typically my preference.
Life without a good book is something MrsCatInTheHat cannot imagine.
Post Reply

Return to “Drama and Poetry Books”