The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.
So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.
The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.
Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart. (goodreads)
I absolutely loved The Last Queen when I read it and I’m glad I wasn’t disappointed with this either!
Catherine de Medici is leaving Italy to marry Henry, second son of French King François I. But Henri is on love with his older mistress Diane de Poitiers and doesn’t seem to care about Catherine at all. She feels lonely but she does befriend the king. Things gets better after years of waiting she delivers a boy. But it’s only after Henri’s death she becomes to her power.
She fights hard to secure the crown for her son(s) and keeping the dynasty alive. We see her growing from naive girl to powerful woman with capacity for compassion and understanding. And who also knows how to make people fear.
I loved how Gortner describes St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre and how Catherine is involved with it. And how the things got to that point.
I love how Gortner is able to humanize Catherine and to show there were reasons to what she did. She made mistakes but she tried to do her best. And it wasn’t easy juggling between Catholics and the Huguenots.
The only quibble I had was that I’d liked to have something on the author’s note about Catherine and Coligny. But that was the only thing.
I just loved this book and can’t wait to read more from him!
5/5
New-to-me author: No
Would I recommend this? Yes
Would I read more from this author: Absolutely
I won ARC copy from giveaway
PK Reeves
OH this was a great win for you and the read a bonus 5!!!
I’m am so going to search for this one next at Indigo!
This review was amazing and I must confess the cover is gorgeous. Hmmm now how to swindle this one in with the ban imposed by hubby… hmmmm
Elysium
oh dear, I hope success when you try to smuggle that in :D
blodeuedd
It does sound so good! But the thing is that I personally do not like Catherine de Medici…yes I am that weird
blodeuedd recently posted..Reviews- Mistborn 2- 3 – Brandon Sanderson
Elysium
I know what you mean! I can’t stand Queen Christina of Sweden…
Danielle
Thank you for your thoughts on this book, which I am curious about. Can you tell me whether Gortner champions Catherine de Medici as a misunderstood figure for whom he feels genuine sympathy, or whether he is simply trying to restore some balance to the very negative historical image she has left? I enjoy novels that show well-reasoned, alternative interpretations of historical figures, but I admit Catherine de Medici challenges my openness!
Danielle recently posted..Ireland- Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran
Elysium
I felt like Gortner was trying to restore some balance in her image. She didn’t come off as too goody but didn’t have her poisoning every enemy either, among other things.
I’ve only read Jean Plaidy’s books on Catherine before and I liked this Catherine much more.
Danielle
Thank you for your reply, Elysium, which has helped me make up my mind. I will check this book out.
Danielle recently posted..Ireland- Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran