The Red Queen
Registered by 
perryfran
of Elk Grove, California USA on 5/11/2008
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
perryfran of Elk Grove, California USA on 5/11/2008 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
11 journalers for this copy...
Amazon Editorial Review:
Barbara Halliwell, on a grant at Oxford, receives an unexpected package-a memoir by a Korean crown princess, written more than two hundred years ago. A highly appropriate gift for her impending trip to Seoul. But from whom?
The story she avidly reads on the plane turns out to be one of great intrigue as well as tragedy. The Crown Princess Hyegyong recounts in extraordinary detail the ways of the Korean court and confesses the family dramas that left her childless and her husband dead by his own hand. Perhaps it is the loss of a child that resonates so deeply with Barbara . . . but she has little time to think of such things, she has just arrived in Korea.
She meets a certain Dr. Oo, and to her surprise and delight he offers to guide her to some of the haunts of the crown princess. As she explores the inner sanctums and the royal courts, Barbara begins to feel a strong affinity for everything related to the princess and her mysterious life.
After a brief, intense, and ill-fated love affair, she returns to London. Is she ensnared by the events of the past week, of the past two hundred years, or will she pick up her life where she left it? A beautifully told and ingeniously constructed novel, this is Margaret Drabble at her best.
This is also No. 7 on the 1001 books you must read before you die list.
Barbara Halliwell, on a grant at Oxford, receives an unexpected package-a memoir by a Korean crown princess, written more than two hundred years ago. A highly appropriate gift for her impending trip to Seoul. But from whom?
The story she avidly reads on the plane turns out to be one of great intrigue as well as tragedy. The Crown Princess Hyegyong recounts in extraordinary detail the ways of the Korean court and confesses the family dramas that left her childless and her husband dead by his own hand. Perhaps it is the loss of a child that resonates so deeply with Barbara . . . but she has little time to think of such things, she has just arrived in Korea.
She meets a certain Dr. Oo, and to her surprise and delight he offers to guide her to some of the haunts of the crown princess. As she explores the inner sanctums and the royal courts, Barbara begins to feel a strong affinity for everything related to the princess and her mysterious life.
After a brief, intense, and ill-fated love affair, she returns to London. Is she ensnared by the events of the past week, of the past two hundred years, or will she pick up her life where she left it? A beautifully told and ingeniously constructed novel, this is Margaret Drabble at her best.
This is also No. 7 on the 1001 books you must read before you die list.
Journal Entry 3 by perryfran at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, June 2, 2008
perryfran at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, June 2, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (6/2/2008 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to olered in Salem, OR to start this bookring. Enjoy!
USPS DC# 0308 0070 0002 1160 3098
On its way to olered in Salem, OR to start this bookring. Enjoy!
USPS DC# 0308 0070 0002 1160 3098
The book was here this morning, along with another ring when we arrived home from a short trip to California. I'm excited to read this - it looks so good. Perryfran offered several great looking bookrings from the '1001 books you must read before you die list.' I'd like to read them all!
Mailed on the 5th of Aug from the San Juan Island in the state of Washington while on vacation there. Am surprised she hasn't received it yet. It was a wonderful book....although I found the transition from 200 years ago to the present disconcerting. Was very glad to have read the book - thanks perryfran.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Already added a journal entry.
Already added a journal entry.
Oops! I thought I journaled this book when I received it last week. I'm sorry. I started reading the book, and so far, I enjoy it. Thanks for sharing.
Just wanted to say I'm still actively reading this book. I've started on Dr. Halliwell's story.
I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. The princess' story was interesting, since I know very little about Korea, let alone its history. However, I couldn't get into Barbara Halliwell's story, and it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book--why did the princess appeal so much to her? Halliwell seemed like a cold character.
Tranq1 asked to be skipped, so I have contacted UnwrittenLibra.
Tranq1 asked to be skipped, so I have contacted UnwrittenLibra.
Journal Entry 10 by rhythmbiscuit at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, October 19, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (10/20/2008 UTC) at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I will mail this book to UnwrittenLibra. Enjoy!
I will mail this book to UnwrittenLibra. Enjoy!
Got it! A bunch of rings so it'll be awhile...but I have elizardbreath's address so I can send it when I am done. Thanks all!
Whoops, forgot to journal - I finished and sent it off last week :)
20.2.2009 The book arrived by mail yesterday. Thank you for sending, UnwrittenLibra and for organizing the ring, perryfran!
18.5.2009 The first part of the book (the story of The Crown Princess Hyegyong) seemed to be dragging and it took ages for me to read it. I just couldn't get into that part of the book. But when I finally made it into the second part (the story of Dr. Halliwell), the reading started to be more enjoyable. In my opinion the book could have done well without the first part or it could have at least been shorter. I enjoyed the second part a whole lot more and I would have actually prefered to read a bit more about the life of Dr. Halliwell after her coming back from Korea.
I will mail the book to CaterinaAnna tomorrow.
18.5.2009 The first part of the book (the story of The Crown Princess Hyegyong) seemed to be dragging and it took ages for me to read it. I just couldn't get into that part of the book. But when I finally made it into the second part (the story of Dr. Halliwell), the reading started to be more enjoyable. In my opinion the book could have done well without the first part or it could have at least been shorter. I enjoyed the second part a whole lot more and I would have actually prefered to read a bit more about the life of Dr. Halliwell after her coming back from Korea.
I will mail the book to CaterinaAnna tomorrow.
Journal Entry 14 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, May 23, 2009
Arrived safely in Coventry.
Journal Entry 15 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Why do descriptions of this book focus on the second part? Are they scared no-one will buy it if they read a summary of the first half? I found the first half intriguing - the story of the princess, her culture and her time was not one with which I am familiar and I must remember to add at least one of the versions of her memoirs listed in the bibliography to my wishlist before I parcel this up to send on to ekranda. I also liked the idea of a ghost continuing to learn after her death, reflecting on her life from the perspective of her new knowledge, and determined that her story is to be told.
Spoilers in the next bit hidden by making text white. Highlight if you want to read.
So far so good, but then we get to part two. I tried to see the parallels between the two stories, really I did but, apart from the unsubtle mad husband and dead child, they were well hidden. The take-over of Babs by the princess was thwarted by the presence of the former's academic hero and it seems that the author too got carried away with this - the poor ghost gets pushed out of the way by a bit of conference wish-fulfillment that's ending, although sad, is selfishly gratifying for Barbara.
As far as I'm concerned the third, and weakest, part of the book starts with Bab's return to London. While I understood her feeling responsible for the Chinese orphan, jointly adopting her with Jan's widow was a decision that had little narrative support let alone credibility. There are hints that the princess pushed her hand but again, her voice is curiously silent on the matter. The child herself is somewhat sinister, and the postmodern conclusion laughable. Has the ghost fulfilled her aim by getting Margaret to write the book, or is there more to come via Chen Jianyi?
The premise of this book is so much better than the execution and, while I didn't not enjoy reading it (to use one of Barbara's favoured double negatives) I would have much preferred to hear more from the enigmatic ghost.
Spoilers in the next bit hidden by making text white. Highlight if you want to read.
So far so good, but then we get to part two. I tried to see the parallels between the two stories, really I did but, apart from the unsubtle mad husband and dead child, they were well hidden. The take-over of Babs by the princess was thwarted by the presence of the former's academic hero and it seems that the author too got carried away with this - the poor ghost gets pushed out of the way by a bit of conference wish-fulfillment that's ending, although sad, is selfishly gratifying for Barbara.
As far as I'm concerned the third, and weakest, part of the book starts with Bab's return to London. While I understood her feeling responsible for the Chinese orphan, jointly adopting her with Jan's widow was a decision that had little narrative support let alone credibility. There are hints that the princess pushed her hand but again, her voice is curiously silent on the matter. The child herself is somewhat sinister, and the postmodern conclusion laughable. Has the ghost fulfilled her aim by getting Margaret to write the book, or is there more to come via Chen Jianyi?
The premise of this book is so much better than the execution and, while I didn't not enjoy reading it (to use one of Barbara's favoured double negatives) I would have much preferred to hear more from the enigmatic ghost.
Released 14 yrs ago (5/26/2009 UTC) at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Label made, just need to get it printed and the book wrapped up ready to go in the post-box on my way to work.
Label made, just need to get it printed and the book wrapped up ready to go in the post-box on my way to work.
oops i'm sorry i think i've had this book for about two weeks!! Going to take it on holiday with me to NY so bound to read it either during the eary hours whilst i've got jet lag or during the flight back! Thanks for sharing i'm looking forward to reading it big time!!
I've got to honestly say that I’m somewhat disappointed with this one. It's been on my wish list for ages - I’ve been keeping my eyes pealed for it every time I go into a charity shop and I feel a little deflated after reading it..
It flowed ok, I got absorbed into the story but does it really deserve to make it into the list of 1001? I’ve read some great books that haven’t made it onto the list and I feel that they are superior to this one.
I did enjoy the first half, having the background about the royal family, the madness and the death of Prince Sado. I feel that it could have been introduced to us differently to how it was…perhaps introducing Babs at the start, then go back to the past as she reads the story. This might have aided with the flow as the different parts or sections within the book which seem very separate and it would appear by the write up on the book itself, the first section was ignored entirely and the focus was on part 2 and onwards.
Despite my negativity I finally got my reading flow back – I have been somewhat stagmented with my reading for months now – this has even involved books that I have really enjoyed…some of this must be due to the academic work I was working on until mid May but I found that even after completing deadlines I was reading painfully slowly until recently….it can’t be all bad if it caught my attention like it did….i’m looking forward to my appetite for reading to return back to me at least for the summer anyway!
Thank you so much for sharing your book. I have contacted both Lucy-Lemon (who asked to be skipped) and Danielle23 who should be getting the book soon - i'll try and post it to her tomorrow.
It flowed ok, I got absorbed into the story but does it really deserve to make it into the list of 1001? I’ve read some great books that haven’t made it onto the list and I feel that they are superior to this one.
I did enjoy the first half, having the background about the royal family, the madness and the death of Prince Sado. I feel that it could have been introduced to us differently to how it was…perhaps introducing Babs at the start, then go back to the past as she reads the story. This might have aided with the flow as the different parts or sections within the book which seem very separate and it would appear by the write up on the book itself, the first section was ignored entirely and the focus was on part 2 and onwards.
Despite my negativity I finally got my reading flow back – I have been somewhat stagmented with my reading for months now – this has even involved books that I have really enjoyed…some of this must be due to the academic work I was working on until mid May but I found that even after completing deadlines I was reading painfully slowly until recently….it can’t be all bad if it caught my attention like it did….i’m looking forward to my appetite for reading to return back to me at least for the summer anyway!
Thank you so much for sharing your book. I have contacted both Lucy-Lemon (who asked to be skipped) and Danielle23 who should be getting the book soon - i'll try and post it to her tomorrow.
Journal Entry 19 by Paws4Books at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, July 10, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/9/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Popped this in the post to the next person. Hope you enjoy!!!
Popped this in the post to the next person. Hope you enjoy!!!
Journal Entry 20 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Friday, July 10, 2009
The book has arrived safe and sound today with an amazing selection of goodies from ekranda! A beautiful card and some bookcrossing stickers and labels. (They're my first official BC labels and I love them, thank you so much!)
I now have 5 rings/rays before this but I am a fast reader and I promise I have learned my lesson, lol. I promise to get to it as soon as I can xx
I now have 5 rings/rays before this but I am a fast reader and I promise I have learned my lesson, lol. I promise to get to it as soon as I can xx
Journal Entry 21 by Danielle23 from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, July 27, 2009
I finished this book yesterday but happen to be house sitting for a friend with no internet connection so this is the earliest I could get to a computer.
I loved the first part of this book. It completely gripped me and I found myself really sympathising with the Crown Princess and the difficlut life she must have led. Prince Sado I found amazing, what with his clothing phobia, and I find myself really wanting to research Korean history and visit what must be a beautiful country.
And then we get to the second part of the book. I found this really hard to get into and it was just so different to the beginning of the book that it took ages to catch my interest. Saying that, once it did I found myself reading it very quickly waiting for the Crown Princess to make another appearance but I was disappointed.
I did enjoy this book but would have preferred the first part to be longer. Will post this on as soon as I can get to the post office. Thanks so much for sharing this book xx
I loved the first part of this book. It completely gripped me and I found myself really sympathising with the Crown Princess and the difficlut life she must have led. Prince Sado I found amazing, what with his clothing phobia, and I find myself really wanting to research Korean history and visit what must be a beautiful country.
And then we get to the second part of the book. I found this really hard to get into and it was just so different to the beginning of the book that it took ages to catch my interest. Saying that, once it did I found myself reading it very quickly waiting for the Crown Princess to make another appearance but I was disappointed.
I did enjoy this book but would have preferred the first part to be longer. Will post this on as soon as I can get to the post office. Thanks so much for sharing this book xx
Journal Entry 22 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Sunday, August 2, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/3/2009 UTC) at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to K2005, the next in line for this wonderful book. I hope you enjoy it xx
Off to K2005, the next in line for this wonderful book. I hope you enjoy it xx
I just received this book along with 2 other book rings!! I'll get to it as soon as poss.
Hmm, i'd been wanting to read this for ages but, although i enjoyed the first part, unfortunately i didn't enjoy this book as much as i thought i would. I am going to find out more about the princess though. Sorry to have kept the book so long and held up the ring.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On it's way to pepelepew as i didn't get an answer when i PM'ed martjxox.
On it's way to pepelepew as i didn't get an answer when i PM'ed martjxox.
Journal Entry 26 by PepeLePew from Sarajevo, Sarajevo Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Arrived yesterday :) Thanks for the beautiful greeting card, k2005 :) I have another ring with me at the moment, but I'll try to read both books at the same time, so hopefully I won't keep this one too long :)
Journal Entry 27 by PepeLePew from Sarajevo, Sarajevo Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday, December 26, 2009
I was afraid that I've missed something important in this book, but reading comments from other readers I can see that I'm not the only one. The first part of the book was good and interesting, especially to those (like me) who know little about this period of Korean history, but it lacked a proper ending. The story is finished in the hurry and the way it is told (as if beyond the grave) is just ridiculous and it made it harder for me to enjoy it properly. The other part of the book was plain awful. Babs is wooden and unfinished character, her story is very much pointless and lacks proper feelings. It seems as if the whole book was an introduction to something that never came. We never learn anything about any of the characters and the way the two stories are connected. And what about the Chinese baby?
This was my first book by Margaret Drabble and I hope others are better (she does have a great style of writing). It makes me sad to say this, but this one was disappointing. I am glad I read it, though, since I wanted to for a long time. Thanks for sharing, perryfran :)
I'll send this book on after the New Year, as soon as I can :)
This was my first book by Margaret Drabble and I hope others are better (she does have a great style of writing). It makes me sad to say this, but this one was disappointing. I am glad I read it, though, since I wanted to for a long time. Thanks for sharing, perryfran :)
I'll send this book on after the New Year, as soon as I can :)
Journal Entry 28 by PepeLePew at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, January 7, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (1/7/2010 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way :)
On its way :)
Journal Entry 29 by Tubereader from Lenningen / Lenneng, Kanton Remich Luxembourg on Friday, January 22, 2010
The book arrived safely.
Thanks a lot PepeLePew for sending it (beautiful stamps, btw) and perryfran for sharing!
I'll update the JE as soon as I pick it up for reading.
JANUARY 31ST UPDATE: Quick note to let everybody know that I am starting to read this book today.
Thanks a lot PepeLePew for sending it (beautiful stamps, btw) and perryfran for sharing!
I'll update the JE as soon as I pick it up for reading.
JANUARY 31ST UPDATE: Quick note to let everybody know that I am starting to read this book today.
Journal Entry 30 by Tubereader from Lenningen / Lenneng, Kanton Remich Luxembourg on Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and the story flows very well. Nevertheless, I liked the first part much better than the second and way better than the third one...
Journal Entry 31 by Tubereader at Luxembourg / Lëtzebuerg, Kanton Luxemburg Luxembourg on Monday, February 15, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (2/15/2010 UTC) at Luxembourg / Lëtzebuerg, Kanton Luxemburg Luxembourg
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book has been posted back to Perryfran, so the ring is over!
Thanks a lot Perryfran for sharing this book with all of us!
The book has been posted back to Perryfran, so the ring is over!
Thanks a lot Perryfran for sharing this book with all of us!
Book arrived back home today. Thanks everyone for participating in this bookring!
Journal Entry 33 by perryfran at USPS By Media Mail in -- Paperbackswap.com, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, March 12, 2010
perryfran at USPS By Media Mail in -- Paperbackswap.com, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, March 12, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (3/12/2010 UTC) at USPS By Media Mail in -- Paperbackswap.com, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed to a PaperbackSwap.com member in Tennessee
Welcome to BookCrossing!
Please make a journal entry to let me know that this book has been caught so I know that it has found a good home with you. If you are new to BookCrossing, please consider joining and indicate that you were referred by perryfran. I hope that you enjoy the book. You can make another journal entry with your comments when you are done reading.
Then, whenever you are ready to send it on its way, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey. You’ll be alerted by e-mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free.
I hope that you will enjoy the BookCrossing experience!
Mailed to a PaperbackSwap.com member in Tennessee
Please make a journal entry to let me know that this book has been caught so I know that it has found a good home with you. If you are new to BookCrossing, please consider joining and indicate that you were referred by perryfran. I hope that you enjoy the book. You can make another journal entry with your comments when you are done reading.
Then, whenever you are ready to send it on its way, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey. You’ll be alerted by e-mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free.
I hope that you will enjoy the BookCrossing experience!
