The Passionate Enemies (1976)

I read many of Plaidy's books years ago and I loved them. However, going back and reading one of her series books now hasn't hooked me like it used to. ( )

As I finished the conclusion to Plaidy's Norman Trilogy, I couldn't help feeling satisfied. In fact, I think that's the perfect way to describe the series. Satisfactory. It's not an epic that will leave your heart pounding and blood burning; even the battle scenes are rather sedated, like reading a newspaper report by a journalist who really wanted to be assigned to another story. And yet each person is fully rounded and realistic. Stephen is the epitome of the King who has love but not control, whose kindness nearly unseats him from the throne. Matilda his wife is a loving helpmate, the steel rod that keeps the family together when Stephen's weakness is revealed. Matilda the Empress is as narrow-minded and haughty as the arrogant movie star stereotype. Like many, she is so driven by her vision of the world and her desires that she never sees how her own self-importance drives her supporters away.

Lots of drama, rarely exciting. A pleasant read for one curious about the era, or seeking to complete Plaidy's body of work. ( )

http://shelfandstuff.blogspot.com/2007/02/norman-trilogy-by-jean-plaidy.html ( )

good