[go: up one dir, main page]
Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Daughter of York
    Daughter of York
    Daughter of York
    Audiobook23 hours

    Daughter of York

    Written by Anne Easter Smith

    Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    History tells us that the intelligent, wealthy, and powerful Margaret of York had everything any woman could want, except for love. The acclaimed author of A Rose for the Crown takes us between the lines of history and into her heart.

    It is 1461. Edward, son of Richard of York, ascends to the throne, and his willful sister, Margaret, immediately becomes a pawn in European politics as Edward negotiates her marriage. The young Margaret falls deeply in love with Anthony Woodville, the married brother of Edward’s queen, Elizabeth. But Edward has arranged for his sister to wed Charles, son of the Duke of Burgundy, and soon Margaret is setting sail for her new life. Her official escort: Anthony Woodville.

    Margaret of York eventually commanded the respect and admiration of much of Europe, but it appears to history that she had no emotional intimate. Anne Easter Smith’s rare gift for storytelling and her extensive research reveal the love that burned at the center of Margaret’s life, adding a new dimension to the story of one of the fifteenth century’s most powerful women.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
    Release dateFeb 5, 2008
    ISBN9781415949221
    Daughter of York
    Author

    Anne Easter Smith

    A native of England, Anne Easter Smith has lived in the United States for more than forty years. She was the features editor at a newspaper in New York State and now lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts, with her husband, Scott. You can visit her website at AnneEasterSmith.com.

    More audiobooks from Anne Easter Smith

    Related to Daughter of York

    Related audiobooks

    Historical Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related categories

    Reviews for Daughter of York

    3.5/5

    93 ratings9 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5

      Jun 22, 2019

      Edward IV's sister Margaret is not a historical figure one reads about very often. She's one of those characters always on the fringe of the main story. It's a shame as she had quite an interesting life! I loved this book. It is well written and certainly not repetitive in subject matter.
    • 4/5

      Jul 11, 2016

      I wanted to read this book because it was the continuation of the Duke of York's family. It didn't disappoint. I really enjoy reading what happened back in the 1400's and thank God women aren't betrothed to someone when they are 6 and sometimes married off to someone they don't know when they are 16 just to win favors for their kingdom. Anne Easter Smith knows how to bring these characters/people to life and follows history really close. I'm looking forward to continue reading about this family.
    • 4/5

      Jul 6, 2016

      3.5 Stars

      Margaret of York is one of those historical figures that just makes history interesting by her sheer force of personality, even if the work that portrays her doesn’t quite live up to her. This one excels at making her strong will and political acumen shine through; yet some of the storytelling and writing choices made by the author keep this from being one of the greats about this fascinating historical figure.

      Smith is known for her attention to details and historical realism. This work is no different. Colorful medieval jousts, court scenes, and weddings make their appearances as expected. Everything is lovingly described and portrayed.

      Margaret is someone most people nowadays haven’t heard of; only someone really interested in the Middle Ages would have heard of this dragon lady. I’ve only heard of her as I adore strong female figures from that time period, and she’s one of the strongest. She basically held together one of the strongest and richest kingdoms of the late Middle Ages after her husband died through sheer force of will and determination. Her smarts and connections preserved the duchy for her step-daughter for at least a few more decades after Charles’ death.

      I love what Smith did in portraying her. Margaret’s never been more forceful and resilient against incredible odds and prejudices. A brutally abusive marriage and a society that didn’t appreciate her genius illustrate her strength of character when facing such. I love an intelligent medieval woman who knows how to work the system and earns the respect of those around her due to more than just her pretty face. Margaret is one of those women that made things happen.

      Yet for all this strong frontal character and a great medieval background for her, the author made some story flow and telling options that kept this from reaching a great level. The ending left something to be desired. The author chose to leave off telling Margaret’s story at an odd place, knowing all the drama in her life coming that the author chose to leave out. While I can understand the want to leave the story ending on a positive note, the author choosing where they did made this story feel incomplete and with a sudden drop of an ending with no resolution. Maybe someone completely unfamiliar with Margaret’s story wouldn’t notice this odd ending, but I definitely did.

      Also, a trait I found annoying was the author’s habit of inserting side paragraphs/speeches describing what was happening or an outsider’s impressions of people and places. You’d be immersed into a vivid scene, flowing along with the story, when suddenly we’d get a completely different POV describing how beautiful or wise Margaret was or something along those lines. Usually, it was to further describe and praise Margaret. I found these side speeches annoying; they pushed me out of the narrative more than they added anything to the flow.

      A great story and primary lead make this an enjoyable read, but I’ve come across better in the genre. I loved the historical details and Margaret; she alone makes for a great tale. This one is a great escape for lovers of medieval historical fiction. The items that irked me may not bother another.
    • 5/5

      Sep 10, 2015

      As usual, the character comes alive, and you feel you've become initmately acquainted with Margaret of York, and her life.
    • 3/5

      Apr 18, 2013

      As I mentioned when I first started reading this book ended up not being one of my favorites of the series with Anne Easter Smith. I do not know if it is because I could not really warm to Margaret or if perhaps I was just a little bit over done with the War of the Roses. Now that part said the book was not a bad book I did like it.

      Margaret is a pivotal character in the war of the Roses. Not only is she the Sister to two Kings she is one that goes on as far as she can to try to keep her family on the throne. She is a woman of convictions and loyalty. While I could not warm to her personally I fully respect her. As a woman in the time period she was in she did not really have much power, even as a relation to the a King, and yet she did her best to in fact wield power. When she became a Duchess in her own right she did indeed wield that power, not always in an honest way but still she thought she was doing the very best for her family.

      If your a fan of the War of the Roses this is a book you should not miss. While as I said it was not my favorite it was good and I am glad that I read it. I would have missed out on a perspective that not many take into thought when they think of the war. A woman who was indeed at the heart of it.
    • 5/5

      Feb 19, 2011

      I am a huge fan of Anne Easter Smith and this book did not disappoint. While some of the plot point are more far fetched than in her previous novels they are easily overlooked because of the connection you feel to Margaret of York.
    • 3/5

      Nov 2, 2010

      I found the somewhat soppy romance part of this book boring and I think unlikely, but the life of Margaret of Burgundy was reasonably well done. The book is clearly in the romance category and so those looking for solid historical fiction will be disappointed.
    • 4/5

      May 18, 2009

      Daughter of York was an enjoyable, but lengthy read. It was really my first introduction to the War of the Roses era, having mostly read about Henry VIII in terms of British Royal historical fiction. Margaret of York was certainly an intriguing character. I enjoyed reading many of the section focusing on her political negotiations. Overall, I found the novel to be an enjoyable intro to the various characters, but a bit on the lengthy side.
    • 3/5

      May 31, 2008

      Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the author's A Rose for the Crown, I looked forward to reading this novel, but I was disappointed. The novel's protagonist is Mary, sister of Edward IV who marries Charles, the Bold, of Burgundy. Historically this alliance becomes very important to the king when he is temporarily deposed by Warwick and must seek sanctuary in Burgundy. Because of this, Margaret plays an important role in history. The fictional story line did not seem very plausible to me. Charles is portrayed as ruthless, egotistical, and abusive. Margaret is portrayed as politically savvy, which she was, and she did become a strong and wise duchess. I never could buy into the supposed love affair with Anthony Woodville.