Monday, February 15, 2010

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer


Princess Mary Tudor tells her story of riches to rags: one moment she was destined to become the Queen of England and at the next moment she lost everything that was rightfully hers: her title, her elegant clothes and expensive jewelry, and even communication with her mother, Queen Catherine of Aragon. Mary is eventually treated like a servant in her own home. She tells of her father's (King Henry VIII) dramatic change of personality as his relationship with Anne Boleyn grows stronger. With the help of her favorite maid, Salisbury, a few close friends, and letters from her mother, Mary endured the humiliation (even being forced to be the maid of her half sister, Elizabeth) and remained strong and resilient for as long as she could.

When I saw the title of this book, I remembered when I was in elementary school and I thought of the "myth" or "legend" of how saying Bloody Mary a few times in a dark room would make her appear. I was scared to death of this! With that in mind, it was interesting to learn about the life of Bloody Mary from a historical fiction standpoint. I have heard some of my students mention this myth/legend, and I think that the title would grab their attention like it did mine.

3 comments:

  1. This is interesting! I want to read this now, especially because I remember the myth also and how we used to sneak in the bathroom, say "bloody mary" three times and then run out! Did the book help clarify the legend?

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  2. Unfortunately, the book doesn't mention the legend. It is mostly about Mary's life and trials and tribulations. I thought it was interesting...I couldn't put it down. Read it!

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  3. I really like this part of english history. The tudor family was one of the greats, i feel it gave England one it best monarchs; Queen Elizabeth I.

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