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Young Queens

The gripping, intertwined story of three queens, longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction

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Young Queens

By: Leah Redmond Chang
Narrated by: Olivia Dowd
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Bloomsbury presents Young Queens by Leah Redmond Chang, read by Olivia Dowd.

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION
WATERSTONES' BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: HISTORY
The boldly original, dramatic intertwined story of Catherine de’ Medici, Elisabeth de Valois and Mary, Queen of Scots – three queens exercising power in a world dominated by men.

'Alluring, gripping, real: an astonishing insight into the lives of three queens' ALICE ROBERTS
'Takes us into the hearts and minds of three extraordinary women' AMANDA FOREMAN
'Conveys the vitality of the past as few books do. An enviable tour de force' SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB

Catherine de’ Medici, Elisabeth de Valois and Mary, Queen of Scots lived together at the French court for many years – years that bound them to one another through blood and marriage, alliance and friendship, love and filial piety. When they scattered to different kingdoms, they would learn that to rule was to wage a constant war against the deeply entrenched misogyny of the sixteenth century. A crown could exalt a young woman. Equally, it could destroy her.

Young Queens masterfully weaves the personal stories of these three queens into one, revealing their hopes, dreams, desires and regrets at a time when even the most powerful women lived at the mercy of the state.©2023 Leah Redmond Chang (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Europe France Great Britain Politics & Activism Renaissance Royalty Women Middle Ages England Tudor
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Critic reviews

Redmond Chang expertly chronicles the lives and reigns of these three lives. Vivid and immersive, this book reveals the ways in which these women had to navigate the tumultuous European politics that entangled the French, Scottish and Spanish courts … [Young Queens] is well written and grounded in archival research. It shows with gripping detail that these queens truly marked history in their own right (Estelle Paranque)
An intriguing approach to 16th-century queenship … Chang delivers a murderously climactic final act, telling the story of Mary, Darnley and Bothwell with aplomb. She equally delivers quieter, moving moments … For all that this is a history book, however, it has present-day resonance too
An exquisitely written biography of these three queens, tracing their stories from Renaissance Italy through Reformation France to war-torn Scotland and beyond … Chang tells a vivid, visual and compelling story, furnished with stirring details from the countless letters penned by and about these women. Not everyone can make such sources sing as this author does … This is a masterful, compelling and significant book
A fascinating look at rulers who faced the same sort of criticism women in power still face today (Dan Snow)
Young Queens takes us into the hearts and minds of three extraordinary women. Leah Redmond Chang's meticulous research and engaging prose gives each of them their due, providing a rich and nuanced perspective on the challenges they faced and the remarkable legacies they left behind (Amanda Foreman)
Alluring, gripping, real: an astonishing insight into the lives of three queens, stepping out from the shadows of the patriarchy - we meet them on their own terms (Alice Roberts)
This exceptionally brilliant book, deft of phrase and vividly realised, conveys the vitality of the past as few books do. It’s an enviable tour de force and marks the arrival of a wonderful new voice in narrative history (Suzannah Lipscomb)
Amidst the turbulence of the 16th century, the lives of a Queen Mother, a Queen Consort and a Queen Regnant became irrevocably entangled as they restitched the tapestry of Europe with the thread of five great houses. Both an evocative re-imagination of political history and a meditation on the nature of queenship, Young Queens is a tour de force of storytelling (Nadine Akkerman)
This exceptionally researched narrative successfully weaves together the stories of three of the most intriguing queens in sixteenth-century Europe, revealing them to be integral parts both of one another's lives and the complex worlds in which they lived. Leah Redmond Chang expertly navigates the tumultuous waters of the French, Spanish, and Scottish courts, and in so doing brings these fascinating queens to brilliant and vivid life (Nicola Tallis)
All stars
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The three women at the centre of this book are very interesting. The decision to base the book around there correspondence is a very novel one, and it really pays off. I knew very little about Elizabeth de Valois, so this book really told me something new.

The narrator did a great job. I would be happy to listen to some of her other audiobooks.

As a minor point, the author has a tendency to ask a series of speculative questions, one after another, to fill in the gaps of what we don't know (think: "Did she feel...? Did she think...? We can imagine..."). This happens a lot. At times it feels as if it is just padding because we really don't know the answers to these questions. At times it also feels like it involves Imposing our contemporary attitudes on women who lived centuries ago. I wish that much of this had been cut out.

An interesting book with real insight

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This book is a remarkable account of some of the most influential women of the 16th century. The story draws you into the lives of three queens and their struggle to rule at a time when women were not looked upon as leaders. It beautifully outlines how their lives were intertwined and expertly portrays the bonds between these Renaissance royals. It is captivating and the author effortlessly draws you in with each chapter. Skilfully written and beautifully read. I disagree that Olivia’s narration did anything to detract from the story. It was a joy to listen to and the story really brings history to life.

Captivating Queens brought to life

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I have found this book very interesting and informative, both about the history of the period and about the lives of the queens it describes. With a wealth of detail offered from the letters cited, in particular, it builds a picture of both the characters of the queens and of their lives and difficulties.
However, the book is sadly let down by its reader. I imagine that Olivia Dowd claimed to be able to pronounce French. She can't! She mangles so many of the pronunciations of the names alone that it is a constant irritation to anyone with an educated ear. Her pronunciation of English words often goes awry as well. I can never understand why some people, paid to read audiobooks, don't do their homework a little better. It can ruin the listener's experience. It certainly has mine. It also lets the author down.

Richly informative but ruined by the performance

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A good book on the lives of catherine de medici, elizabeth de valois and mary queen of scots. I do not agree with one of the other reviewers that the performance of the person reading this book is poor. She does mispronounce some names and place names yes but she has a pleasant voice and a good intonation.

Well written and very interesting!

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There are several books on the relationship between Mary of Scotland and Elizabeth I. However those two women, while their lives were heavily intertwined for decades, never met in person. This book looks at the at times close and at times diverging lives of three women who had lived close , interconnected lives. Two were ‘foreigners’ in France and one became a foreigner on marriage and moving to live the rest of her life in Spain.
This is the second biography of Catherine de’ Medici life I’ve read and I absolutely devoured it.

Very good

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