Yet another Queen....

A Reader's Respite finally got around to reading C.W. Gortner's much-hyped novel, The Last Queen, a couple of weeks ago. Now for those of you who missed this one, The Last Queen is a fictional look at Juana, the so-called Mad Queen of Castile.

Gee, a headless woman on the cover. How original.

History has pidgeon-holed this third daughter of the famed Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella as nuttier than the proverbial fruitcake, but like all historical people and events from the 16th Century, there's a lot of room for interpretation here.

After all, being madly in love with her bad-boy of a husband, Phillip of Flanders, and jealous enough to cut off his latest paramour's hair with a sharp pair of scissors doesn't necessarily mean Juana was insane. It meant she had attitude.

Here's our favorite portrait of Juana. She looks like one tough broad, eh?

But allegedly keeping Phillip's corpse nearby after he kicked the bucket so that she could periodically open the casket and embrace him? Well, if that particular historical rumor is true, Juana might indeed have benefited from some meds.

But in this novel, Gortner thankfully plunges far deeper into Juana's life, taking the reader from her childhood, her marriage and through her ultimate struggle with her own father for control of the kingdom that rightfully belonged to her.

If you don't have a good grasp on Spanish history, this is a fascinating place to begin. Gortner's work is accessible, yet detailed enough to lend it authority. His research is quite thorough and there is an impressive bibliography available for those who become hooked on this time period (easy to do!).

We'd recommend this one in a heartbeat.






If you didn't get a chance to read this novel the first time it made it's trip through the blogosphere, you do now. A Reader's Respite happens to have a copy that we'd like to give away. Leave us a comment if you'd like to enter and then check back here on October 1st to see if you won! (International peeps are welcome to enter!)

42 comments:

  1. I have never read Spanish History! ANd this does sound interesting!

    Did she really keep Philip's corpse nearby so that she could embrace him when she wanted! That's horrible!

    enter me for the drawing :)

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  2. I'd love to me entered in this. I've always been curious about Juana.

    BFish (dot) Reads (at) gamail.com

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  3. I haven't had a chance to read this one but everyone seems to love it. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

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  4. I'm interested in the stroy. Please do enter me.

    linna.hsu at gmail dot com

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  5. I would love to read this book.
    Thank you for the entry.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  6. I would love to win this one. I think this cover is just fabulous too!

    shhhimreading[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  7. This was probably my first book about historical Spain and I loved it. And I agree...she probably could have used some meds! No need to enter me.

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  8. I've never read a Spanish historical novel & would love to read this book. Please count me in ~ Thanks!
    megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  9. This book looks so great! I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Please include me! I've heard nothing but positive reviews about this book.

    Amanda
    fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. I have a copy of this (so no need to enter me) but haven't had a chance to get around to reading it. I really may have to do so soon.

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  12. Include me also, I read a lot of historical books re: King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. Curently reading THe Kings Pleasure by Nora Lofts about Catherine of Aragon...

    Thank you

    I twitter@celticlady1953

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  13. I would love to read this! count me in please
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  14. Please enter me; Juana sounds like an interesting chick.

    kylee.journal AT gmail.com

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  15. count me in

    lilwhiteninja at yahoo dot com

    Thanks

    Tricia

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  16. Sounds intriguing.


    Please count me in.

    Mystica

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  17. This is a book that I would love to read!

    grottis6 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  18. This sounds fascinating and I love the cover-gorgeous!

    stephaniefleischer889 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  19. I'm just hung up on the hugging the corpse thing. No need to enter me ... but I just loved your reviews.

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  20. Please enter me! I would love to check this one out.

    mackenzie.casey@fmr.com

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  21. Looks so good!! Thanks for sharing it.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

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  22. This sounds like an enjoyable book and a fascinating woman. I'd love to be entered.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

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  23. Count me in!
    You're the best with all these giveaways!

    carlos_durao AT hotmail DOT com

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  24. Me too! ME TOO!

    muchdeepmeaning @ gmail . com

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  25. I just stumbled upon this fabulous site & cannot believe you are giving away such wonderful books! Count me in! History, Kings & Queens, love & intrigue...how could I not leave a comment in hopes of winning this book for myself?! And even if I'm not chosen, you can be sure that I will continue to visit your site to read your fantastic & witty reviews! Thank you!

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  26. I added this to my wish list when it first made the rounds of the blogosphere, and reading about it again just reminds me how much I wanted to read it. I'd love to have my name in for a chance to win. Thanks!

    tanabata2000 at gmail dot com

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  27. I've been jonesing for this one since I first heard about it several months ago. I'd love to enter the drawing!

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  28. Please enter me to win.
    I have never read Spanish Historical fiction.
    This sounds interesting.

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  29. I'd love a chace at this one.

    I posted it on my blog


    cyderryATyahooDOTcom
    Cheli
    Cheli's Shelves

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  30. She was a tertiary character in Philippa G's book about Katherine, right? Am I thinking of the right one?

    Sounds interesting! Please enter me!

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  31. Please count me in....thanks.

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. This cover is just gorgeous and it sounds very good too. Please enter me.

    ~Briana

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  33. Oh, I want in!
    :)

    jafantu AT gmail DOT com

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  34. Oh, one more great giveaway!

    educhico AT gmail DOT com

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  35. Hello again!
    Put my email on the giveaway, please.

    o_rei_de_havana
    @
    hotmail.com

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  36. Joana is one of my favourite character of History of all times.
    There is a great spanish movie on her, "Juana, la Loca", that if you can you should see.
    So, count me in!
    Best regards!

    Maria D

    dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane AT gmail DOT com

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  37. Oh, I want in!
    :)

    catarina DOT magoito AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  38. This looks and sounds soooo good! Please enter me.

    Marie
    utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. This one sounds good.
    Don't know the character, but should be fascinating!

    39 DOT 5susy AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi there!
    More giveaways!
    So nice, I'm signing up!

    goncalo DOT mil AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Count me in, please!

    Best regards!

    joanapatriciadias AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  42. One more
    ;)

    tanitalves AT sapo DOT pt

    ReplyDelete

Fire away!