I enjoyed this novel; I wasn't terribly impressed with the writing, perhaps the age of the novel (c1974) has something to do that, but I found the story of William and Matilda to be interesting. The novel expanded my knowledge of this era of English history and I definitely plan to read more. ( )

This is the first book of a long series of Anglican history books that Plaidy wrote. It is the story about William the Conqueror, who invaded what we now know as England in 1066. It is his life story, from beginning to the end.
When I first started reading her books, I was stunned by her unique insight into the people who until then were just figures in history surrounded by important dates. She made them human, and wove a story around them without passing any judgment, which captures and holds your attention and also does them justice.
If you are somewhere between a casual reader (who does not care about accuracy) and an experienced historian (who is quite happy with facts and does not need dramatisation), then start with Jean Plaidy's works. Of all her works, her Spanish Trilogy is quite good. I believe she also has written non-fictional works on the Spanish inquisition which may be read for background. ( )

The Bastard King wasn't bad, but it wasn't memorable. This is the first Jean Plaidy book I've read, and it was mildly interesting. I have heard so much praise of Plaidy over the past few years that I may have built my expectations too high, for I was expecting a grand novel with lust and adventure and deep psychological insight. The novel does a decent job chronicling William's conquests and the births of his children. The characters, however, lack depth.

(I was at times quite amused by the characters' willingness to rely on God's good grace so often without doing much to "deserve" it. For example, William's father Robert the Magnificent attacks England in the name of God and when he fails he goes on a pilgrimage to cleanse his sin. But he never marries the mother of William. (To be fair, this seems to be quite universal amongst the nobility and monarchies.) I often wonder if the Church simply didn't regard that as a sin back in the day; or if it was an inconvenient truth ignored for the lusts and pleasures of the rulers. ( )

http://shelfandstuff.blogspot.com/200... ( )

Good cursory storyline. ( )