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The Winter Crown
- Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 2
- Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
- Series: Eleanor of Aquitane, Book 2
- Length: 18 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
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Summary
Eleanor of Aquitaine
A loving mother. A betrayed wife. A queen beyond compare.
1154
Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful women in Europe, is crowned queen of England beside her young husband Henry II. While Henry battles their enemies and lays his plans, Eleanor is an adept acting ruler and mother to their growing brood of children. But she yearns for more than this - if only Henry would listen.
Instead, Henry pushes Eleanor to the sidelines, involving himself with a young mistress and denying Eleanor her rightful authority. As matters reach a crisis, Eleanor becomes caught up in a family rebellion. And even a queen must face the consequences of treason....
Award-winning author Elizabeth Chadwick continues the fascinating story of a queen fighting for her rightful place in a world of divided loyalties and passionate betrayals.
Critic reviews
"An author who makes history come gloriously alive." (The Times)
"Meticulous research and strong storytelling." (Woman & Home)
"A sumptuous ride." (Toby Clements, Daily Telegraph)
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What listeners say about The Winter Crown
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Chris Berry
- 16-10-15
What about the rest
I'm hoping that there will be another book detailing the queens detainment and her sons battles with the king, the Kings eventual death in France and the rise of Richard, the lionheart. Eleanor was a formidable woman the wife of two kings and the mother to two kings of england
4 people found this helpful
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- Dr Ann-Maree Nobelius
- 09-12-17
Depressing
Touted as a story of the most powerful woman in history its a story of relentless verbal and ultimately physical abuse. I found it increasingly hard to listen to her powerlessness and abuse...completely depressing.
The narrators lack of capacity to protray any nuance in voice made the young men sound stupid, all older men angry at all tomes and other women sound stupid. Not in enjoyable experience
5 people found this helpful
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- Kathryn Huddart
- 05-07-21
Annoying
What a truly great story and character but the narration is dreadful. She’s “acting” her way thru and it’s just not required. I want to interpret the words and deeds myself when I read a novel but it’s being forced on me with this narrator who’s portrayal of both Henry and Eleanor ignores the hugely interesting subtle power battles and instead is almost pantomime. Her children’s voices are ridiculous and she makes every male sound ridiculous- their actions show this though we don’t need her to make their voices ridiculous too, we’re not in kindergarten! Almost gave up at chapter one because of it but I just love Eleanors story and strength. Portrayed here with the weakest pathetic voice - when in truth she makes a brilliant job from a horrendous situation.
1 person found this helpful
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- Valerie Kaye
- 11-07-19
absorbing.
Enjoyed the description of this medieval world, and its history. Hope there is a sequel.
1 person found this helpful
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- Connie Rea
- 12-03-19
The Winter Crown
These books are amazing. Let's just take a moment to think about what this lady accomplished. This wasn't modern day. This was medieval times. I just can't fathom what a remarkable person she must have been. How strong to have given birth to so many living children. To wield as much power as she did. Seriously. Read this series. I can't think of any other historical novels that have had such an impact on me.
However, let's set all that aside...
Elizabeth Chadwick is an amazing writer.
I am including one quote that stuck with me for days now.
"It was like dropping a precious crystal goblet and then receiving cuts as you picked up the shards. Just when you thought there were no shards left to hurt you, you would discover another needle-thin spike and you would bleed."
When I first read the quote, it really gave me pause. Later in the story she references the quote a few times...talking about "another shard" at different parts of the book. I found this to be so true. We don't just fall in and out of love in an instant. It happens with hundreds...sometimes thousands of tiny cuts. In our failed relationships we can all find ourselves imbedded with tiny shards of glass. I don't know...I just found that so insightful.
This is fiction...based on fact....Of course we don't know what these characters said to one another...how they truly felt from day to day...but the facts are there...and the imaginative, embellished tapestry that Chadwick displays for us is just magnificent. I can't wait to read the third instalment of this series. I have just so loved the first two book so very much...
1 person found this helpful
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- Vic444
- 13-10-21
Really enjoyed the story
Loved it. The natration was good. Got through the book quickly. look forward to the next book
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- Daisy
- 24-05-21
Castles and A feisty Queen.
The narrator became Eleanor. The story gave a fascinating insight into the lives of Royalty in a period of history I knew little about but left me wanting to know more. Chadwick's writing takes you to the heart of each interaction. I've already bought the Autumn Queen.
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- PAMELA R
- 07-04-21
Great Book
Wonderfully written and read, even better than book 1 eager to start book 3 and find out what happens next.
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- Marilyn
- 31-05-19
Winter Crown
This second book of the trilogy is brilliant, going to start the Autumn Queen straight away,
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- Tahira
- 06-10-18
Fascinating history read in a fascinating way
katie Scarfe brought the characters to life by using different intonations and styles of speaking, for each person. i enjoyed this enough to listen three times and I originally only bought it for bedside listening as I find it hard to sleep. So, unfortunately I listened intently and couldn't sleep haha so it became a daytime listen instead. Thanks this was brilliant.
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- Kelly
- 01-01-17
This series is more romance novel than history.
Unfortunately this book feels more like a romance novel than good historical fiction. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a strong, heroic woman of the middle ages. She was twice queen consort. She was the mother of multiple kings. She was prisoner, thinker, leader. She suffered many devastating losses. She was superbly intriguing and is a perfect example of what it means to be a feminist. But in this series she often comes off as whiny and simpering. She is dependent rather than leader. I am surprised by all the five star reviews. I have read many better historical fiction novels, and several about Eleanor. Average at best.
Ms Scarfe doesnt help rescue the book either. Her interpretation enhances the bodice ripper aspects of the book. I listened to all three rather than returning them, but I would not waste your credits if you are hoping for a deeper analysis of the history and of Eleanor herself.
8 people found this helpful
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- Tracey
- 12-03-15
Enjoyable
Light on historical details. I would have liked more depth in the historical sense. It's more like a historical romance
3 people found this helpful
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- Barry Barlow
- 26-05-21
Fell in love
This book is so well
Written I fell
In love with a cpl woman in this book!!
1 person found this helpful
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- Sondra Speer
- 01-04-20
Not Goid
Accent was annoying and could not even pronounce Aquitaine properly. This book dragged. First one was much better.
1 person found this helpful
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- Dr. Lance Moore
- 04-12-14
Beautifully written and narrated
Where does The Winter Crown rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
top 3
Who was your favorite character and why?
eleanor
What does Katie Scarfe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
characterization. she is wonderfully talented
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
no
Any additional comments?
i found myself "down in the dumps" when I finished the book. will listed again!
3 people found this helpful
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- ecd
- 21-12-21
This is definitely a " read again "
I love Ms. Chadwicks writing. This particular era has always fascinated me, and in every one of these books, she transports me to hide behind an arras, watching and listening to the day to day events that were truly momentous in our history.
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- sean
- 27-10-21
enjoyed it.
I'm glad I continued on with this book. There was much more to the story in this book than the first book. I can't wait to start the next!
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- Gaylie
- 04-03-19
a Lost Queen
just awsome trilogy loved Elenenor and can't wait to start the third book. And find out if Henryll loses and she wins.
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- Diane
- 25-01-19
Amazing!
I have enjoyed this book immensely. Finished very quickly, as I had a difficult time putting it down. The narrator, too, is the one of my favorites. She captured all of the passion and heartfelt emotion of Eleanor's plight.
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- Norasface
- 07-07-18
Wonderful
How can anyone not like this book! I listened to book one and two: I can’t wait for my credit so I am purchasing book three. This narrator brings every character to life five stars all around.