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The King's Confidante (2009)

The King's Confidante (2009)

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Rating
3.88 of 5 Votes: 5
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ISBN
030734620X (ISBN13: 9780307346209)
Language
English
Publisher
broadway books

About book The King's Confidante (2009)

This was a pleasure to read about Sir Thomas More, a notable figure among the prolific Tudor court of Henry VIII. Thomas More was a brilliant scholar and wrote "Utopia." You can't read a Henry VIII book and not have mention of the infamous Thomas More. Yet, we never get to see him in a personal tone until you read "St. Thomas's Eve" by Jean Plaidy. This novel does not focus on Henry VIII, it follows Thomas More's personal life as he marries, has children, remarries and becomes a grandfather. His star rises in the courts, albeit unwillingly, because of his talented way with words, and as a lawyer King Henry enjoys his unique intellect. Thomas is portrayed as very religious and honest to a fault. He opened his home to others, housing an orphan and then a step-child, and taught several gentlemen on site as well. There were several poignant scenes that I enjoyed that involved More's children. The novel features all of them quite well: the eldest Meg, Mercy Gigs (the orphan), Elizabeth, Cecily, Jack and the step-daughter Alice Middleton (Ailie). The story is about how this quaint little family evolves and grows, and even when the girls marry they all live under one family roof. There is emphasis placed on the bond between Thomas and his eldest daughter, Meg, who becomes a Mrs. Meg Roper. There are a few introductions to some of the other notable figures of the times, such as Erasmus, Hans Holbein, the Howards of Norfolk and the Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and many of the other names are mentioned in passing in a gossiping nature. We hear about the problems with Catherine of Aragon to the "Frenchified" and deformed Anne Boleyn and "The King's Secret Matter".Plaidy seemed to be on a mission to make the novel not read like a book of the Court Life, but truly focused on the travails of this family who struggled to control the way the vengeful court affected it. The More family wanted for nothing but each other and the freedom of learning. Thomas More did not want to be a courtier but you cannot say no to a King. As the children grew, Thomas was away more and more at the beck and call of the King. His children had their premonitions that all would not be grand for long, one false step and tragedy would be theirs.Once things were set in motion in Henry's love life, Thomas disapproved. He tried to step away, but the King did not want any of his towns people to flock to More's views. All Thomas had to do was to acknowledge King Henry as the Head of the Church, after the break with Rome due to the Pope's not allowing the divorce of Catherine and Henry. Thomas stayed fast to his virtue, would not sign the Act of Supremacy, and also would not condone the marriage of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Plaidy successfully demonstrates the sadness the family feels when they realize that the humble happiness that they crave will not come to fruition. Although history tells us what fate befell Thomas More, I was still emotional as Plaidy spelled it out for me. The love that his family had for him is palpable and heartbreaking, and I am glad to have had a glimpse of the personal side of Sir Thomas More. Plaidy shows us the family behind the martyr, and I feel much more enlightened about one of the greatest scholars of our time.

The title of this book is somewhat misleading. While Meg More's relationship with her father is central to the book; it is Sir Thomas More's life which is the main feature. Still, this fact doesn't detract from my pleasure in this quaint novel.There is much to admire in the humble Sir Thomas; but the loving family life he held so dear,especially the bond between him and Meg is most admirable. More's goodness was evident in his dealings with his family, extended family, friends and countrymen. He strove to always do right and upheld justice even at the expense of his family. The high values he maintained couldn't be bought or swayed. He served the king well, but didn't fear the wrath of King Henry VIII when their interests weren't the same, because he was loyal to God first, then the king. Although I knew the outcome, the ultimate beheading of More, the story was nonetheless heartwarming.

Do You like book The King's Confidante (2009)?

St. Thomas’s Eve, republished as The King’s Confidante, is a story of the life of Sir Thomas More – scholar, lawyer, councilor to the King and ultimately Chancellor, after the fall of Wolsey. But most importantly to More, he was a loving husband and father, as well as father-figure to many.The story begins with More’s difficult decision to pursue a family life instead of becoming a monk — something he will continue to question throughout his life. Though he was a family man at heart, he was also deeply religious, bordering on fanatical worship of the Catholic faith. His relative open-mindedness in the humanist respect when writing Utopia did not extend to his own deep-rooted faith. As the years passed he seemed to lean more and more to the tyrannical when it came to religion. He personally answered Martin Luther and persecuted heretics.Even so, More is such a likable character in this novel. He is kind, thoughtful and generous. He treats everyone with respect and the utmost fairness. He is a perfect minister on the King’s council… until Henry elevates him under the impression that he will do as told. Henry VIII had much respect for Sir Thomas More, and at first was amused by his honesty and integrity, but soon learned that More would stand in the way of his divorce from Katherine of Aragon.This novel is the story of a happy family that continually grows as adopted children, step-children, spouses and grandchildren, most of whom live in the household, flourish under More’s love and devotion for learning. Many scholars, artists and the like find solace in the More home as well, which adds even more culture to the atmosphere.I don’t feel that the reprint title, The King’s Confidante, was a good choice. He wasn't seen as inside the King’s intimate circle. Henry was amused by him and somewhat valued his honesty, but I would not put him in the category of ‘confidante’. I think publishers are really overusing the terms king and queen these days to sell books, and this was the only thing they could come up with. I much prefer St. Thomas’s Eve, which has a meaning pertaining to the story.
—Arleigh

Not really about Margaret More but about Sir Thomas More's life.The first chapter is horribly repetitive and a little bit boring but I enjoyed reading this book and found it informative
—Gabrielle Blin

"When good fortune is greatest, then is trouble close at hand. For Fortune delights to strike down those who are too high and to raise those who are low; and if we do not anticipate trouble, should it come, we shall face it with greater fortitude".Saint Thomas's Eve takes a step aside from the Palaces of King Henry VIII and his wife trouble, and concentrates on the life of one his closest friends and confidantes, Thomas More, and his family. After reading this book, my dislike of Henry VIII - which was already pretty strong - is stronger! He wasn't a King - he was a murderer. If anyone disagreed with him, he would conjure up tales about that person in order to get them executed - and this is what happened to lovely Thomas More on St Thomas's Eve.The novel traces More's rise from being lawyer, writer and family-man to his reluctant position of Lord Chancellor, and his life following his resignation from the Lord Chancellor's post. His benevolence is described, both towards members of his family, and to beggars in the street; whilst running through the novel the strong relationship between More and his children - especially Margaret (Meg) - is evident.The ending is tragic - More is executed for standing fast to his beliefs, which as he wrote to his fellow prisoner in the Tower, Bishop John Fisher, "is no crime". "Too many honours were being thrust upon the master, and honours brought envy; they brought sycophants, the false friends, who were like wasps that fed on the lovely fruit until it was ruined and dropped from the branches."I have to admit to not having known a lot about Sir Thomas More before reading this book - now I feel like I know the man; the Courtier and the father. I have also discovered the background to the common expression "More's pity". How awful it must have been to have been called to serve the King in the Tudor days; doing so was almost like taking on a death sentence!Loved this book. I have yet to read a Jean Plaidy historical novel that has not been a pleasure. Highly recommend.
—June Louise

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