The story of Anne Neville is a thread that connects the key players in the Wars of the Roses. Yet as Philippa Gregory points out, it is a story that has never really been told - until now. I enjoyed seeing events through Anne's eyes, although the first-person narrative was sometimes stilted and unconvincing. Reading The Kingmaker's Daughter I realised the real heroine of this story is Isobel, Anne's older sister, who seems to cope with much greater hardship. I would like to also see her story told.
Richard the Third is always reminding people that his motto is "Loyaulte me lie" (loyalty binds me) and gets a lot more sensitive treatment than Anne's parents, who come across as hard and uncaring. On balance, this is a readable book that succeeds in shining the spotlight on the life of a truly important woman - who was barely mentioned in history lessons when I was at school.
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