Yes, I read another book about Lady Jane Grey. And?!
Sue Reid's version of LADY JANE GREY is told through the perspective of Jane herself, in diary form. The reader is incredibly limited in details given as, it appears, Jane must have been. She was a young girl in a world that was changing by leaps and bounds faster than anyone had time to absorb. What wasn't changing was the power parents had over their children, so Jane had to do what her parents told her. That brings to question, then, how much Jane knew of what was going on to make her queen and how much she was kept in the dark and truly was surprised when she was told she was queen--and that she had no choice but to accept.
As I mentioned previously, I have always been extremely fascinated with Lady Jane Grey, the Nine-Days Queen. She may have been queen of England for only 9 days total, but she made a powerful impact in the history books--enough so that people like me continue to be curious about her and want to know as much as we possibly can about the very young woman who became queen of England for a grand total of 9 whole days.
I adore Oscar Wilde. Because of that, I'm not so sure it's a good idea for me to evaluate his works. As a big fan, I simply love reading everything he's written! So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed THE HAPPY PRINCE AND OTHER TALES by Oscar Wilde. I'm not sure others would enjoy these stories, but I found them simply charming. I was even pleasantly surprised by one story that is very Christian in its focus and purpose, a clear deviation for Wilde. I like the way Wilde uses these stories to demonstrate the idiocy of some people in their thinking, especially in regards to friendship. Each story is short enough to be read in just a short time and just fun to read for one such as me--who enjoys just about everything ever written by Oscar Wilde.
Yes, I stayed up until 4:00 am to finish MY LADY JANE by the Lady Janies. And it was so very worth it!!! This is my new favorite book! The Lady Janies have taken the tragic, horrific story of Lady Jane Grey and made it something hysterical to read. It is very clear that this a work of historical FICTION. There are details that are true to history, too, which makes a book like this that much more fantastic. I LOVE historical fiction and since I have always been uber fascinated with Lady Jane Grey, this book fed my love of reading like nothing else has! This book is simply delightful!
What makes this book even more super-fantastic are the wonderful
references to modern-day movies/stories!!
It is a clear tribute to one of my all-time favorite movies, LADYHAWKE--"always together, eternally apart." I hope this book sends millions of people running to watch this movie because it's fantastic!!!
There is a reference to The Red Wedding in GAME OF THRONES!!!
To my great delight, it is also a wonderful tribute to the amazing and super-fantastic THE PRINCESS BRIDE!!!!
Lady Jane is described as a Hermoine-type character with a love of reading, loving libraries, and wild [red] hair!!!
Elizabeth (yes, THE Queen Elizabeth) is a Professor McGonagall-type character!!!
Lady Jane uses a frying pan to beat up soldiers, just like Rapunzel in TANGLED!!!! That's quite possibly my favorite part!!! "Frying pans! Who knew?!"
G reminds me so much of R in WARM BODIES! He's also portrayed as a would-be, possibly-could-have-been William Shakespeare! And his constant, "Oh, that's good. I need to write that down," is wonderfully reminiscent of the fantastic DRAGONHEART!!!
There is even a reference to JAWS!!! "We're going to need a bigger sword!"
I know I haven't even come close to mentioning all the wonderful stories the Lady Janes have referenced in the wonderful MY LADY JANE, so if you see others, I'd LOVE to compare notes. This book was worth the impulse buy, reading it all in one day, and staying up until 4:00 am!!!
Oscar Wilde's delightful play LADY WINDEMERE'S FAN could
easily become one of my all-time favorite Wilde plays. I think I will always prefer THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST simply because of the cucumbers, but LADY WINDEMERE'S FAN, as a serious play rather than comedic, is simply fantastic. I was disappointed in the predictability of the story, yet found that I simply enjoyed the story anyway. Typically I get bored when I am able to predict the plot and especially when I am able to figure out the "secret" well before it is revealed, but knowing such things prior to their reveal did not diminish my enjoyment of the play in the slightest. I can't wait now to see a version of this play on stage or even as a movie!!! I have no idea as of the writing of this if there is a movie, but I promise you that if there is, I will be watching it as soon as I can find a copy to watch! Maybe even one day I'll find an opportunity to act in a local performance of this play.....That could prove to be a LOT of fun!!!!
A HOUSE OF POMEGRANATES is a book of short stories by Oscar Wilde is just plain weird. The stories are interesting but odd. It is easy to see why these stories are not widely advertised as stories by Oscar Wilde. If you like Wilde, though, it's worth reading, if only to see other types of stories he wrote.
