Queen's Own Fool

A young tumbler, Nicola, catches the eye of Mary, Queen of Scots, while performing at Court. Mary prizes the girl's wit and willingness to state the truth as she sees it rather than fawning as courtiers do, so she offers her a place in court as her fool. Nicola accepts and proves her loyalty to the queen through hard times as Mary is sent to Scotland and attempts to rule her headstrong people while succumbing to her imprudent heart.

The Queen's Own Fool is a very human look at Mary, Queen of Scots. It depicts the queen as a strong woman who allows her heart to rule her. She and Nicola mature together as they are exposed to death and intrigues. Although Mary is a sympathetic, lovable character, her relationship with Nicola has realistic show more ups and downs. The queen, despite her wish that Nicola always speak the truth, will hear nothing against her rash and selfish young husband. And although Nicola and Mary share a deep friendship, both are aware of the differences in station that preclude complete intimacy.

I enjoyed this, but I wish the history and politics, especially the Bothwell part, had been explained and explored a bit more. It often seemed like Yolen expected her readers to be familiar with the basic history of the period. show less

“Queen’s Own Fool” is Nicola, who is given the nickname ‘La Jardiniere’. La Jardinaiere was real, although we know almost nothing about her. Yolan and Harris have used her as a lens to view the life of Mary Stuart, the Queen of France and of Scotland.

Mary, at the time Queen of France, buys orphaned Nicola from her uncle’s entertainment troop when she is a girl. Nicola is witty and, more important, honest. Mary values honesty above all- she hears so little of it at court- and relies on Nicola to remind her that she, despite being Queen, is mortal like her subjects. The novel takes us through the death of the young King of France and Mary’s decision to live in Scotland, so she can rule rather than being an extraneous female show more for her uncles to marry off to further their political aims. This turns out to be a bad decision; Scotland is full of internal strife between Catholics (which Mary is one of) and the Protestant rebels. She walks into this situation fairly blindly and makes her situation worse by marrying pretty boy Lord Darnley. No one likes Darnley; he’s ambitious politically but mannerless, forces himself on serving women, cares nothing for the people of Scotland, and rather reminds me of Donald Trump. Mary is helpless as rebels take over the country.

I’ve never much cared for Mary Stuart; she always struck me as fairly witless and ruled by her heart rather than attempting good governance - not good traits in a queen. Seeing her through Nicola’s eyes, though, I could see other sides to Mary; she was kind and smart (in book learning, at least). She was a woman in the wrong place at the wrong time; a pawn of first her uncles, then the rebels, then prisoner of her cousin Elizabeth I of England. Other than her years at the court of France, she led a pretty sad life. Nicola’s version of Mary made me sympathetic to her as a woman who cared deeply for her friends and her people.

Nicola herself is witty, brave, and fast thinking. She acts as Mary’s eyes and ears when Mary is held prisoner and helps her out of several scrapes. Nicola is almost too good to be true, but I enjoyed her and think she makes a great heroine for the YA crowd for which this book was written. This was a fast, couldn’t put it down read for me. While I knew there could be no happy ending for Queen Mary, I couldn’t help but be rooting for her and being tense over a lot of the scenes, hoping for the best. Great book. show less

Queens Own Fool is a novel of Mary Queen of Scots. I suppose this is a children's book but it certainly appeals to adults. This is a lovely telling of the story of Mary Queen of Scots through the voice and eyes of her Fool. The story is anchored in facts of history and floats on the invention and detail of Ms. Yolen and Mr. Harris. Nicola Ambruzzi is part of her Uncle's performing troup until they entertain Queen Mary and her husband, the young King of France. Nicola's wit and unjaded perspective are refreshing and the Queen rescues Nicola from her abusive uncle and takes her off to be part of the Court.

Nicola travels with the Queen through the death of the King, exile to Scotland where Queen Mary struggles with the lines between show more politics, power, and life as a woman. Nicola also struggles with those delineations in regard to her own life and those of her Queen. There is some romance and forced kisses (not part of the romance!) but nothing prurient.

This is a wonderfully written book. How well? Even though I knew the history, I read to the end with anxious hope for both lives.

I'd recommend this book to these people I know: A teacher in her 30's who likes historical fiction, an 11 year old girl who likes fiction and appreciates knowing the motivation of "villains", a 9 year old girl who has read Jane Yolen's work before and just finished a project about Mary Queen of Scots, and a woman in her 40's who reads large amounts of books. show less

If you like historical fiction, you might enjoy this well written book of Mary Queen of Scots from the perspective of her fool Nicola Ambruzzi.

If you can suspend the disbelief that a court jester would be as intimate and friendly with the Queen, then read along in this magical tale of intrigue, back stabbing plots and incredible sadness as Nicola shows the beauty and the folly of her much loved Queen.

Traveling in a ragley, tagley troupe of entertainers, orphaned Nicola is a savvy, quick witted, intelligent peasant girl who catches the eye of Mary. Her life changes dramatically when she becomes the court fool. She grows to love her master and sadly watches as Mary's life spins out of control.

Nicola is well aware that the Queen rules with show more her heart and not her head as we observe the many reckless decisions that lead to her downfall.

Recommended for the good writing and Yolen's wonderful ability to weave magic. show less

This was a nice change from the usual historical royalty books I read. Mary Queen of Scots is without question this story's main focus, but it is told from the point of view of one of her court jesters. The portrayal of Mary in this rendition was fantastic - much truer to life. I find Mary is often depicted as a heartless, power hungry banshee, and that was not the case at all; she was very intelligent and very kind and generous - forced into situations by the malicious doings of her handlers.

Really spectacular book. 5 stars.

Enjoyable YA historical fiction, from the point of view of Mary, Queen of Scots' court jester.
I tend to like Jane Yolen, and this book did not disappoint, even though it is co-written (by Robert J. Harris - don't know much about him as a writer). It is a little juvenile in tone, more so than some YA books - it's an entertaining, fast-paced light read.
I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth and complexity, and more historical detail - but I still enjoyed it 4-stars' worth.
Plus - excellent and appropriate cover art by Cynthia von Buhler.

I very much enjoyed how this story unwound surrounding the life of Queen Mary of Scots. It also gave a unique perspective as it was written from the viewpoint of the Queen's fool, Nicola, also known as La Jardiniere. The author kept the tone light which made it enjoyable and entertaining. It was also a quick read and I had a hard time putting it down.