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Michelle CH

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Death Comes for the Archbishop
Willa Cather
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A.S. Byatt
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Alisa Smith, J.B. MacKinnon
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MYSELF MY ENEMY (The Queens of England, Vol. 1) - Jean Plaidy It was a struggle to get through this book and I kept the myth alive that it would get better. Unfortunately it did not.

There were contradictions throughout the story which were annoying as was the repetition and flat characters.

Henrietta is a Catholic queen in Protestant England married to Charles I; Plaidy has her mention her faith about a million times. I get it, you are Catholic and want to convert your husband ( and everyone else). That is fine, but I didn't need to be reminded endlessly. Subtlety and allowing the reader to develop conclusions makes it much more enjoyable.

At the beginning of the novel, we meet Henrietta who remembered and knew too much for a six year old. Her thinking was really advanced which seemed odd to me. But I could forgive that as long as the story flowed well, but it really didn't. The one good thing was that she was fairly tame as a child, and therefore a little more likeable.

Henrietta also enjoys being obstinate. Another piece about Henrietta we are reminded of again and again. She can't help but be disagreeable and inflexible, but she is a queen and is entitled, blah, blah, blah. I wanted to slap her quite a few times. She is very dramatical; she sees how her behavior is forecasting doom and gloom for them all, but yet she continues being a b**** a little more restraint would have conveyed the story better.

I was excited to learn more about Henrietta but was so disappointed. Will look for other opportunities to catch up on this queen's history.

Myself, My Enemy is the perfect title. Because it was all about Henrietta.