Published in 1968, Marian Palmer gives her spin on the oft-told tale of Richard III but she tells it from the point of view of cousins Francis and Phillip Lovell (I believe Phillip is a fictional character). Phillip serves in Edward IV’s household, and a younger Francis is given in wardship to Warwick where he meets Edward’s younger brother Richard and as an adult faithfully served the future Richard III. This is one of those books where you either know the history and don’t need me rehashing it all over again, or if you don’t Wik can do it much better than I can – I’m just here to talk about my reading experience.
While this can be a bit dry on occasion, I did enjoy it and found it fitted nicely as my “treadmill book” and not my main read. The main historical facts seem to fit with other books I’ve read on the period, although I suspect those better versed on the period could find a few bones to pick clean. Refreshing, as always to have a Richard who is neither good as good can be nor the evil villain as Shakespeare portrayed him. I enjoyed seeing this through the eyes of the two cousins and despite the sad ending at Bosworth Field (just once, can someone change it?), there’s a bit more to the story with a somewhat happy ending for at least one of the cousins. The story continues in The Wrong Plantagenet and whick as I understand it concerns the mystery of the two Princes and Perkin Warbeck so stay tuned. 4/5 stars.
FTC, I purchased it.
At Home With A Good Book and the Cat 
I have come across your reviews and posts on Amazon frequently in the HF community and happily found your blog earlier this summer. I just had to leave a comment in appreciation for your bringing attention to lesser known and older novels. I have been trying to do a bit of that myself on Amazon.
I will now have to add this book to my ever growing wishlist and look forward to seeing your comments on The Wrong Plantagenet. I like the refreshing point of view coming from his Lovell cousins – now I am going to have to find out if Phillip is real or not – and seeing Richard from a male perspective. It is also nice to see Richard III gets an evenhanded treatment in this book, it seems like he is too perfect in many of the recent books depicting him. Even though I am of the belief that he did not kill his nephews, and that the depictions by Shakespeare and More can be heavily refuted, he also could not have been a perfect angel. For me Sharon Kay Penman’s Sunne in Splendour is my measuring stick, how would you say The White Boar stacks up?
I too join your plea “just once, can someone change it?”!
Hi Dawn, thanks for stopping by and commenting and yes just once wouldn’t it be nice if that upstart Henry tudor lost at Bosworth. Nothing will ever stack up against Penman’s Sunne in Splendour, but White Boar is a refreshing change from the sugary sweet Richard’s we’ve been getting shoved down our throats. Have you tried The Seventh Son by Reay Tannahill? She has more believable well-rounded Richard.
I like finding these lesser known novels and frankly find most of them better written than much of the stuff being published in today’s market.
I just had to respond initially to your review because my husband and I were commenting on classic movies (another fave of mine) and what movie ending we would just once wish would change. The movie I picked; Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, just once when he glances back, we would see her running to him, just once!
I do have Reay Tannahill’s Fatal Majesty and will now have to add The Seventh Son to my wish list. I just found reader blogs earlier this summer and my list is exploding! Again, I really applaud your efforts of going outside the norm. I don’t know if I will ever do a blog but I will add my reviews on Amazon especially for the lost, forgotten and misunderstood books I come across. It seems like a lot of these got marketed, intentionally or otherwise, as romance with the ubiquitous romance cover, which hurts them even know when one is looking for HF at libraries or used bookstores.
Your last comment regarding a lot of the older books being better than what is being published today is exactly what mt hubby and I say about classic movies. Interesting ;~)
There are just so many long lost treasures languishing on library shelves waiting for discovery, and that includes romances. Quite a few of those 70’s and 80’s bodice rippers have quite a lot more history (and story) than you find in today’s stuff. Better writing, even with the purple prose. BTW, two great places to talk books (and you don’t get the author spamming like you do on the Amazon HF boards is Goodreads and Historicalfictiononline.com. Come on over, the water’s fine and the folks friendly.
I am glad you enjoyed this. The Wrong Plantagenet is good as well but not a HEA.
I’m almost done with TWP, if I’d been good and getting into the gym the last three days I would be 😉
PS, I have the same cover you do I think. I just couldn’t find a good image of it and was too lazy to scan.
ps Your cover is much nicer than mine.
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