Retro Reads discussion

Whio has already got this far? Are you enjoying the read.

Remember - no open spoilers, but you can use spoiler tags if you want!

I’m enjoying it still, this section was very gripping - (view spoiler)[I was so worried about Anne! Also, I can’t believe how much misery George causes... (hide spoiler)]

This start of this 'book' really brought home to me just how young (in years) Richard and Anne were. He's 19 to her 15--but they both had been through so much. Life experiences had come at them hard and fast!

I wept over the fate of Henry VI. Penman handled that whole episode devastatingly well, IMO.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "This start of this 'book' really brought home to me just how young (in years) Richard and Anne were. He's 19 to her 15--but they both had been through so much. Life experiences had come at them har..."

Yes, I agree, Henry’s situation was heartbreaking - I wonder what modern medicine would consider his condition? Has anyone read any modern takes on what mental Illness he likely suffered from?

I don’t know what ailed Henry, but the kings much later (Hanoverians) had a strain of porphyria in the family. There’s only a slight genetic connection between Henry and the house of Hanover, but I wondered if that might be it.

I wondered, because I got the impression it came on suddenly as a young adult (20s - might’ve been middle-aged by their standards, they fit in a lot of living, and started young!), and came and went for awhile, then came and stayed with him - could have the strain of civil war, captivity, etc.

Susan in NC wrote: "I wondered, because I got the impression it came on suddenly as a young adult (20s - might’ve been middle-aged by their standards, they fit in a lot of living, and started young!), and came and wen..."

The source documents re: Henry's illness probably aren't detailed enough to make a good diagnosis from 500+ years away, though some historians have mentioned schizophrenia as a possibility.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I wondered, because I got the impression it came on suddenly as a young adult (20s - might’ve been middle-aged by their standards, they fit in a lot of living, and started young..."

I wondered about that possibility, because of the age of onset, and I thought some characters make reference to him having visions or hearing voices.

This 'book' does have the most romantic story. (view spoiler)[Their reunion in Aldgate is so wonderful for Richard and Anne. But this is where knowledge of what's to come rises up and smacks me in the face. (hide spoiler)]

Barb in Maryland wrote: "This start of this 'book' really brought home to me just how young (in years) Richard and Anne were. He's 19 to her 15--but they both had been through so much. Life experiences had come at them har..."

I didn't pick up how young Anne was!

Also Ned (29) & Eduard (sp 17) They certainly had to grow up fast!

I was feeling so worried for Anne at the end of the Part One. (I will freely confess that my knowledge of this time period is shaky)

Parts of the last section did start to drag a bit for me - I thought I would never get through it!

But from Barnet Heath onwards it was gripping!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "This start of this 'book' really brought home to me just how young (in years) Richard and Anne were. He's 19 to her 15--but they both had been through so much. Life experie..."

Same for me, in the last book...slow going, and sad!

While Richard & Anne's (view spoiler)[ romance is very sweet & tender, I just want to shake George! Since there wasn't a King George this early, I am eagerly awaiting his comeuppance!

Also the probable fate of Henry IV - very sad. (hide spoiler)]