E. L. Konigsburg (1930–2013)

Eleanor of Aquitaine, Bishop Suger, Empress Matilda and William the Marshall wait in Heaven for King Henry II to ascend after many years below, in this creatively-framed and immensely engaging work of historical fiction for young people. Each in turn relates the events of a period of Eleanor's long life, from Suger's account of her marriage to Louis VII of France and their actions during the Second Crusade to Empress Matilda's description of the early days of her marriage to King Henry II of show more England. William the Marshall recounts the latter days of her marriage and her imprisonment by her husband, while Eleanor herself tells of her life after Henry's death, and her efforts on behalf of her two remaining sons, King Richard the Lionheart and King John...

Only the second book I have read from E.L. Konigsburg, following upon her Newbery Medal-winning From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which I encountered as a child, A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is absolutely brilliant, and more than enough to convince me that I need to track down more of the author's work! Fortunately, I read it with friends who are aficionados when it comes to the author's books, so I have some ideas of where to go next. In any case, I thought the framing device here was fascinating, allowing for a certain amount of commentary and introspection that might not otherwise have been possible. The story itself, the narrative of Eleanor's life, was also fascinating, and I thought Konigsburg did an excellent job writing from the different perspectives of her four storytellers. Suger's beauty and spirit-focused account is very different from Empress Matilda's tart (but fair) take on her daughter-in-law. All in all, well worth the time of any young reader who enjoys historical fiction, or who is fascinated by Medieval Europe and/or Eleanor of Aquitaine. show less

This is likely my favorite book, I read it when I was a child and I come back to it, time again. I can hear Konisburg's voice in my head at times. I think of Claudia when I'm planning for a trip and it helps me to realize that this planning is part of the fun. I think of Jamie when I cannot bear to part with an old book or spend money on a new car. The old books and old car I have are just fine, thanks. I loved their adventure, the detail, the cheek, the wit. I hope that kids are still show more reading this because it certainly broadened my horizons. show less

I read this in one sitting and then realized that it was one of those books that I wish I had read when I was a kid. I would've wanted to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I would have been captivated by the idea of two kids sleeping in the antique beds and bathing in the fountain.

Beyond the setting and the adventure, there is a strong moral code evident in the children as well as a solid level of intellectualism, which stood out to me as markers of a genuine classic. I think the show more whole package, from plot to lessons, is very pleasant.

As an adult, it's tough to set aside that "life just isn't that convenient" disbelief, but even with that on your shoulder, this is still a wonderfully fun and delightfully articulate children's book. As a kid, I would've wanted to be Claudia. As an adult, now, I want to be Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

It just seems like such fun. :) show less

Rereading this with my daughter was wonderful! The magic of running away to live in the MET still resonated, but I loved Claudia's journey to understand herself even more than I did as a child. Her exploration of her own motivations will stay with her much longer than her week in the museum. I loved that she and her brother Jamie have such different personalities when it comes to spending money and planning. They are forced to learn how to prioritize and compromise. And Mrs. Frankweiler is show more just delightful! show less