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Where has this book been all my life?
Jun. 1st, 2010 08:11 pmDid you know E. L. Konigsburg wrote a young adult novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine? I didn't! Not until very recently, that is. It's a wonder to me that she was able to get such an in-depth historical novel for teens, especially one with a title like A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, into print, and I guess it's not that well-known these days at all. But fortunately, the library had it. I find Eleanor one of the most intriguing historical figures of all time (thanks in large part to Katharine Hepburn, I admit) and was dying to read the book the minute I heard about it. (Incidentally, the cover for this version, which is the current edition, isn't nearly as good as this cover on my library copy.)
I haven't been a "young adult" reader for quite some time, but in my opinion, Konigsburg (who won my heart years ago with From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) did a fine job making the book both educational and enjoyable for that age group. I enjoyed it myself, very much . . . although there are two things I would change.
The premise is excellent -- Eleanor is in heaven with friends, waiting to see if Henry will be allowed up to join her -- but the author goes with the old "heaven is boring" theme beloved of too many authors. I have no sympathy with that attitude at all. Heaven, I believe, would be an endlessly thrilling place even for someone as vivid and colorful as Eleanor, and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to be subjected to a steady diet of C. S. Lewis until he or she comes around.
The other thing is that the people with Eleanor -- her mother-in-law Matilda, William the Marshal, and Abbot Suger -- have no real conflicts with her about anything. They poke some gentle fun at her on occasion, and she needles them, but on the whole they all get along pretty harmoniously. We never get to meet anyone like, say, Thomas Becket, who is said to be higher up in heaven with the rest of the saints. If only Konigsburg had brought him in . . . now, there would have been a meeting for the ages!
I haven't been a "young adult" reader for quite some time, but in my opinion, Konigsburg (who won my heart years ago with From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) did a fine job making the book both educational and enjoyable for that age group. I enjoyed it myself, very much . . . although there are two things I would change.
The premise is excellent -- Eleanor is in heaven with friends, waiting to see if Henry will be allowed up to join her -- but the author goes with the old "heaven is boring" theme beloved of too many authors. I have no sympathy with that attitude at all. Heaven, I believe, would be an endlessly thrilling place even for someone as vivid and colorful as Eleanor, and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to be subjected to a steady diet of C. S. Lewis until he or she comes around.
The other thing is that the people with Eleanor -- her mother-in-law Matilda, William the Marshal, and Abbot Suger -- have no real conflicts with her about anything. They poke some gentle fun at her on occasion, and she needles them, but on the whole they all get along pretty harmoniously. We never get to meet anyone like, say, Thomas Becket, who is said to be higher up in heaven with the rest of the saints. If only Konigsburg had brought him in . . . now, there would have been a meeting for the ages!
