Four Sisters, All Queens

This was a great book. It takes place much earlier than most of the books I read (I tend to stick with 14th, 15th century), so I didn't know anything about these sisters before starting this. Ms. Jones writes in a style that flows nicely and she always keeps the story moving...not focusing too much on trivial events. There are times when two or three years will have passed between chapters.I'm not going to summarize this book too much since it's already been done here, but if you're interested in reading it, I definitely recommend it. Each sister has her own, very vivid voice (Sanchia's is a bit weak, but she was the weakest of the four sisters, so that's to be expected), and you'll like them all for different reasons.You will most likely come to dislike Marguerite as the novel wears on though...she becomes bitter and mean the older she gets, but she certainly has reason for becoming that way. Eleanore is tough and capable. She has a very hard time bending to the will of the men around her, especially when she knows they're wrong.Beatrice, the youngest sister, was my favorite, though she made me sad. She and her husband were happily married (very odd for that time period) and they shared their ever-expanding power equally. She loved her sisters with all her heart, but she was extremely misunderstood by them, and therefore never really 'one of them', something that pained her until her death. And Sanchia...sweet little mouse-like Sanchia. What a sad and unhappy life she had. All she wanted was to give herself to God and live out her days in a convent, but the enormous ambitions of her mother would not allow it. She was married to a cruel and abusive husband, and became more and more dependent on alcohol.Overall, very entertaining book. I realized only after starting this that there's a short prequel to this book called  White Heart ...the story of Blanche de Castille (the White Queen of France). It's only 58 pages long, but I've just downloaded so I can find out what made her such a absolutely horrid woman. I'll definitely be keeping my out out for future books by Sherrie Jones.

I was happy when this book finally arrived. I had been looking forward to it since seeing it in my suggestions based on another book I had read.I haven't read any of Ms. Jones's other books, but "Four Sisters, All Queens" made me want to go seek them out. I really had trouble putting this book down and ended up finishing it in two days.The book is told from the points of view of all four sisters, though it seems to focus more on Eleonore and Marguerite (this is not a complaint, as both are great characters). Sanchia and Beatrice show up about a quarter of the way in, when they start to approach a marriageable age, and they are fascinating. Each sister is distinct and real, but not so different that you wonder how they're related. "Family comes first" is the motto, and it is interesting to see how and if these ladies live by it.There are politics aplenty, greed, murder, loneliness, family, and a monster-in-law I wouldn't wish on an enemy. The book covers a large time frame - from the marriages of Eleonore and Marguerite to their middle age. Yet, it never feels rushed, or bogged down with the dramas that ensue in their lives (let's just say that these sisters were not boring). The pacing was perfect. The writing was spot-on.I really enjoyed this book.I'd write more, but I just finished and wanted to quickly write a review while I had the chance.--Wait: There's more that I almost forgot. There is a prequel short story,  White Heart , that is about Blanche and how she became The White Queen (aka Marguerite's monster-in-law). I figured I'd mention it since I loved this book enough to read the prequel.--Just a note: I'm sure it will be compared to "The Sister Queens" since they both cover the Sisters of Provence and both came out within months of each other, but the books really are different (in a very good way). The perspectives and voices are different, and yet still authentic. So, even if you loved one, you'll most likely love the other. Or at least I loved both.

I enjoyed reading about the sisters and their lives. I especially enjoyed reading about their mother who could easily have been a modern mother in her attempts to get her daughters as far as possible up the social ladder. I found it rather fascinating in that the sisters tried to outdo each other even as they reached heights most other people would not get to. And at the same time there were sisterly love. It was interesting too that each of them really had a difficult time in many different ways, just like all other people, but even when they didn't get along the love for the other sisters were there. Of course, the whole family was very unusual and it was truly interesting reading.

While the stories of the sisters are interesting and competently told, this is more a recitation of history than a full imagining of the lives of the historical women. They fail to develop unique, integrated personalities in the author's hands, and instead are simply historical sketches of prominent women that move from important event to important event with little personality development -- approximately what we could get in a history book, but with conversations invented. This is no "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B" (which I suspect is what it aspires to) and certainly no "Wolf Hall." However, if you are interested in the time period, it is full of detail and certainly does a competent job of outlining the historical events and how they relate to the four Savoy sisters. I found the book approximately 25% too long, and I began to lose interest in the second half when it was clear that the personalities of the sisters were underdeveloped and not well-connected throughout the story. Still, enjoyable historical fiction about an interesting group of women.

I enjoyed reading this book as it follows the stories of these four sisters from Provence. I knew the histories of. England's queen and of the French queen but knew nothing about Sanchia's sad history and Beatrice's life as Countess of Provence and Queen of Sicily. Their mother, Beatrice of Savoy was the original pushy mother. Although Provence was extremely poor she educated her children to a high standard to ensure that along with their beauty they held the highest positions in Europe. She never took no for an answer. She genuinely believed that as queens they could change the face of Europe.

Found the story fascinating, how the lives of the three sisters intertwined. Written with sensitivity and insight. The imagery was very clear.It was possible to relate to each girl and understand how their reactions to each other, those around them and historic events ensued.Just one adverse comment. During one meal, Sherry mentions they had potatoes. Surely potatoes did not come into Europe until the time of Raleigh and Drake? Anyway it didn't spoil what proved to be a very good book.

This was a good read although confusing with all the characters. Unusual to be reading in this format but an enjoyable book all the same

awn amazimg stpry of the sisyers of provence enjoyed it imesntly highy recommened it one of the best books of my.life loved ot so muxh

Really enjoyed this unusual book that gave a the reader the chance to look at the lives of 4 very different sisters who lived in a time when women had no choice but to defer to men. Two of them however did manage to make their mark in history.