Daughter of York: A Novel

Book review by Tracey
I was getting back to my roots with this read. It is a work of Historical Fiction about Margaret of York, the sister of Edward IV of England, and a later king, Richard III. I have never read anything else about Margaret, so it was very easy to allow Ms. Smith to paint a realistic portrait for me. The story was good, and told though the character of Margaret herself. Of course as a female royal pawn Margaret had no real power of her own, but Anne Easter Smith creates a character that is well looked upon by her peers for her logical thought processes (very unusual in a woman of that era) and negotiating skills. I had to sympathize with her for having to marry for dynastic alliance instead of for love. It was of course the way of things, and truthfully I thought Ms. Smith portrayed Margaret’s true love as a little less romantic as I’d have liked him to be anyway, so I didn’t feel the passion for him that Margaret did! The story is 557 pages long, but it didn’t seem tedious in the least. I enjoyed it and appreciated it as the story of a historical figure until now not contemplated.

Tracey.