What do You think about The King's Confidante (2009)?
St. Thomas’s Eve, republished as The King’s Confidante, is a story of the life of Sir Thomas More – scholar, lawyer, councilor to the King and ultimately Chancellor, after the fall of Wolsey. But most importantly to More, he was a loving husband and father, as well as father-figure to many.The story begins with More’s difficult decision to pursue a family life instead of becoming a monk — something he will continue to question throughout his life. Though he was a family man at heart, he was also deeply religious, bordering on fanatical worship of the Catholic faith. His relative open-mindedness in the humanist respect when writing Utopia did not extend to his own deep-rooted faith. As the years passed he seemed to lean more and more to the tyrannical when it came to religion. He personally answered Martin Luther and persecuted heretics.Even so, More is such a likable character in this novel. He is kind, thoughtful and generous. He treats everyone with respect and the utmost fairness. He is a perfect minister on the King’s council… until Henry elevates him under the impression that he will do as told. Henry VIII had much respect for Sir Thomas More, and at first was amused by his honesty and integrity, but soon learned that More would stand in the way of his divorce from Katherine of Aragon.This novel is the story of a happy family that continually grows as adopted children, step-children, spouses and grandchildren, most of whom live in the household, flourish under More’s love and devotion for learning. Many scholars, artists and the like find solace in the More home as well, which adds even more culture to the atmosphere.I don’t feel that the reprint title, The King’s Confidante, was a good choice. He wasn't seen as inside the King’s intimate circle. Henry was amused by him and somewhat valued his honesty, but I would not put him in the category of ‘confidante’. I think publishers are really overusing the terms king and queen these days to sell books, and this was the only thing they could come up with. I much prefer St. Thomas’s Eve, which has a meaning pertaining to the story.
—Arleigh
Not really about Margaret More but about Sir Thomas More's life.The first chapter is horribly repetitive and a little bit boring but I enjoyed reading this book and found it informative
—Gabrielle Blin
"When good fortune is greatest, then is trouble close at hand. For Fortune delights to strike down those who are too high and to raise those who are low; and if we do not anticipate trouble, should it come, we shall face it with greater fortitude".Saint Thomas's Eve takes a step aside from the Palaces of King Henry VIII and his wife trouble, and concentrates on the life of one his closest friends and confidantes, Thomas More, and his family. After reading this book, my dislike of Henry VIII - which was already pretty strong - is stronger! He wasn't a King - he was a murderer. If anyone disagreed with him, he would conjure up tales about that person in order to get them executed - and this is what happened to lovely Thomas More on St Thomas's Eve.The novel traces More's rise from being lawyer, writer and family-man to his reluctant position of Lord Chancellor, and his life following his resignation from the Lord Chancellor's post. His benevolence is described, both towards members of his family, and to beggars in the street; whilst running through the novel the strong relationship between More and his children - especially Margaret (Meg) - is evident.The ending is tragic - More is executed for standing fast to his beliefs, which as he wrote to his fellow prisoner in the Tower, Bishop John Fisher, "is no crime". "Too many honours were being thrust upon the master, and honours brought envy; they brought sycophants, the false friends, who were like wasps that fed on the lovely fruit until it was ruined and dropped from the branches."I have to admit to not having known a lot about Sir Thomas More before reading this book - now I feel like I know the man; the Courtier and the father. I have also discovered the background to the common expression "More's pity". How awful it must have been to have been called to serve the King in the Tudor days; doing so was almost like taking on a death sentence!Loved this book. I have yet to read a Jean Plaidy historical novel that has not been a pleasure. Highly recommend.
—June Louise
