A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver

This is easily one of the best, if not the best, historical novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I first read it when I was maybe ten or twelve years old. I absolutely loved it! I read it five or six times over in the space of about a month. Reading this novel, I always felt like a part of the colorful medieval world created by Konigsburg. Every time I finished the book I had to immediately restart it; I couldn't stand not being part of that world anymore. I'm quite sure this book is at least partly responsible for the shelf full of history books in the corner of my bedroom. I'm a wee bit older now, nearly eighteen, but the medieval world introduced to me by _Scarlet and Miniver_ still interests me as much as it did when I finished the book for the first time. It truly left a lasting impression with me. P.S. - to the people who dislike or don't understand the title - "Scarlet" is a bright red, and "miniver" is white or light gray fur that was used as trim for royal or ceremonial robes. The name fits the book perfectly, because it sums up the passion Eleanor of Aquitaine had for vibrant colors and rich surroundings, things that set her apart from the dutiful, dull persons surrounding her throughout much of the book.

I first read this book at least 15 years ago and have never forgotten it. This book and The Daughter of Time launched my ongoing love affair with British history. After reading this book, I was so inspired that I dressed as Eleanor of Aquitaine for Halloween; I was shocked and astonished to discover that she was far from a household name and I spent my entire evening of trick-or-treating explaining my costume. If more books for children were as historically accurate and entertaining as is Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, I think more people would have recognized and appreciated my costume. E.L. Konigsburg writes some of the best children's books I've ever read and they stand the test of time- I enjoy reading them now as much as I did then. By writing about an often ignored yet fascinating woman, Konisburg opened my eyes to a range of historical characters usually excluded in traditional history books. I highly recommend this book for any child, but especially for young girls who are looking for more female characters to shape their understanding of world history.

In college, during a summer session, I had to take a dreadful Medievel History class. The instructor sat on the desk and droned on for the entire class period. We each had to draw names and do a research paper on someone or something from that period. I drew the name of Eleanor of Aquitaine...never heard of her. For some reason, the library had quite a bit of information on her (they must have heard of her!). Besides reference book information, I found 2 historical novels on her. My goodness, WHAT A WOMAN!! She was the queen of both England and France, the mother of future kings of England and France. She was under house arrest for years. The life story of this woman could have been a college class in itself. My mother is a librarian in small town and I was telling her about my project. She said, "I think we just got a children's book in on her." It happened to be "A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Minerva." I went home to pick up the book and it was better and more informative than any of the college material I checked out. WHY hadn't any history teachers pointed out this facinating figure??? History could be so interesting if it were taught with an historical fiction reading list instead of textbooks. I have since traveled to Europe several times and just can't get enough of history. When I think of that dreadful history professor and what a horrible injustice he did to this period of time. However, he DID introduce me to Eleanor. And for that I will be forever grateful.

The title of this book may scare somepeople into thinking that it is one of those boring books you'll read in school. I mean I have to admit I wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't for a nice lady I met at a bookstore. Anyway the truth is A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is anything but boring. It starts out as Elanor of Aquitaine (sorry if I spelled that wrong) and three others she knew throught different times of her life are waiting for Elanor's second husband to come up from heaven (today is judgement day). As they're waiting they each tell what they saw Elanor of Aquitaine to be. It all starts with an abbot who knew her when she was married to her first husband. Then is her second husband's mother. Next is a marshel she knew throught some of her second marrige. Finally she tells her own tale of what happened after the three had died. It is one of the best books I have ever read. If your planning on buying a book for someone ages 9-12 this is the book to get.

Konigsburg has painted the portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine with the brushes of four observers: her priest, her mother-in-law, her jailer, and Eleanor herself. From each of these artists, we see a part of Eleanor's life, through their sometimes limited senses. The section told by Abbot Suger is full of color and music; the tale by the jailer, William the Marshall, is gray, matter of fact. Konigsburg's subtleties of characterization, use of language, and her ability to manipulate point of view contain incredible opportunities for teaching about writing and how writers work. Konigsburg stretches the minds of all who pick up this amazing book. The four tales are held together by an over-arching story: Eleanor and the story-tellers are in Heaven, awaiting the arrival of King Henry II, Eleanor's second husband. While they wait, they fill each other in about Eleanor's long life and influences.