Power of a Woman. Memoirs of a turbulent life: Eleanor of Aquitaine
"In 'Power of a Woman,' Eleanor of Aquitaine plays a leading role in a world of power-drunk males. Before reading it, I never understood the historic context in which England's Queen learned to temper her headstrong, impulsive behavior and shape an agenda that changed the power structure of England and Europe. If you don't read this book out of historic interest, read it out of love of language. I suspect that Robert Fripp is a descendent of one of Eleanor's own troubadours. His rhythmic crescendos enable us to see, hear, taste, and touch Eleanor's world. His word pictures dig deep into the psyche, and remain. As a writing teacher myself, I know that bringing a person to life through the filter of first-person narrative is difficult indeed. Robert Fripp does so with exquisite sensitivity to the many layers of Eleanor's existence, and our own need to understand her." --Margaret Schmidt, Public seminars instructor, Newberry Library, Chicago"Power of a Woman" brings us an "autobiography" of Eleanor of Aquitaine that is accessible and entertaining! Eleanor was Medieval Europe's most interesting woman. In an age when women were considered a necessary evil and expected to bear sons and be quiet, she defied tradition. She married two of the most powerful men in Europe, and birthed several more. She went on Crusade. She ruled vast territories. She created a definition of love that survives to this day. Telling her story in Eleanor's voice, Robert Fripp shows us Medieval Europe through her eyes: Crusades, wars, enmities, alliances, eternal subterfuge. Fripp's vision brings the very stones and glass of cathedrals and castles to life. History becomes a tapestry which Eleanor works, stitch by stitch. At eighty-one, she hasn't much time. We feel her urgency, the ache in her knees, the chill in her bones. Will she finish before she dies? Her sorrow of lost love, lost children, lost time is as real as the triumphs of her extraordinary life. Eleanor emerges as a woman of great wisdom, dearly won. A real woman, with a strong sense of her place in this life and the next. What a great read! This is so gripping. I got so totally caught up in this story one night that I woke up with images of Eleanor in my mind, and Kate Hepburn's voice in my ear. I love this story." --Veronica Prior, Round Rock, TX"Those of you who know me know that in order for me to give a work of historical fiction a high rating, it has to offer something extraordinary. This Robert Fripp has done in "Power of a Woman. Memoirs of a turbulent life: Eleanor of Aquitaine." In this highly unusual fictional autobiography, Mr. Fripp tells Eleanor's life story "in her own words," as if she is dictating to a young lady in her household. Eleanor is aware that her long life is drawing to a close and that, having experienced so many significant events, she owes it to posterity to record her story. Yet she still finds time to muse on the present and the future, and to tease and cajole her young scribe, Aline. In this way, the author brings the reader that much closer to Eleanor, humanizing her in a way that a standard biography or a fictionalized third-person account could seldom do. In telling the story, the author strikes just the right balance with his phrasing and pace. He also succeeds in immersing himself thoroughly in the character. One delight of the book is getting to know such figures as Henry II and Richard the Lionheart -- not as an objective historian would know them, but as Eleanor knew them. If I had to choose a drawback, it would be the book's length. As Eleanor drew towards the end of her life and her digressions became more frequent, it took a little too long to reach the final chapter. But then, Eleanor's life was very long -- she lived to be 82, and I, as usual, was in a hurry to be done. I will readily admit that had I more leisure time to devote to the work, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more. It is a work to take your time with, much as you would want to prolong a conversation with an old friend." --[Edited] By Melissa Snell, Your Guide to Medieval History, at About.com"Robert Fripp's skillful prose sheds a unique perspective on one of the most enigmatic women in history: Eleanor of Aquitaine.Power of a Womanrecords Eleanor's dictated memoirs, making it a must read for anyone interested in this world-worn queen and her strife-torn times. Indeed, it will appeal to anyone who just enjoys a good historical read. The style reminds me somewhat ofI, Claudius, which is huge praise in this reviewer's eyes." --Yahoo Groups,The Lion in WinterGroup, posted by Medeas_Child"What a great read! This is so gripping. I got so totally caught up in this story one night that I woke up with images of Eleanor in my mind, and Kate Hepburn's voice in my ear. I love this story." --Ronni's Rants. A blog by Veronica Prior, Round Rock, TX