REVIEW: William's Wife by Jean Plaidy

This book is the 10th in Jean Plaidy's Queens of England series and as with all the others is written from the point of view of the main character. In this novel Lady Mary of York, daughter of King James II of England and niece to Charles II (the Merry Monarch) tells her story.

Mary appears to have a decent childhood and the adoration of her father. She lives an idyllic life up until she becomes of marriageable age and it is decided to she will marry Prince William of Orange who turns out to be a cold distant husband throughout their relationship. Mary is raised Protestant which puts her in conflict with her father later in life due to his ardent support of the Catholic church. Seems England has had a lot of the Protestant vs. Catholic theme that has divided several royal family members, eh?

Plaidy portays Queen Mary as a likeable woman, even if she was somewhat weak. Mary could have been a great ruler in her own right but always chose to be subservient to her husband even though no one liked him. I find it sad that she had to endure such a loveless marriage and even outright disrespect and indiffererence from her husband yet somehow they grew to have a mutual respect for eachother. Plaidy rightfully portrayed William of Orange as a cad. It is sad that she endured so much grief in her personal relationships when she really didn't have to.

I must say I enjoyed this book, as I have all but one of the books in the Queens of England series (In the Shadow of the Crown was just eh for me).

If the FTC is wondering: This book is from my own personal library