Intertwined story of the daughter of a silk-grower (who has an affair with a priest and is therefore arrested by the Inquisition), and the queen of Spain, who fails to produce offspring and therefore is poisoned.[return][return]Interesting, it shows the absurdities of the 16th Century court, the belief systems of a Catholic country and the pressures on some to produce heirs and the pressures on others not to...

I have to agree with with those who found Francisca's story distracting. Her narration seems to offer nothing more than padding. The book would have been a much tighter and compelling tragedy if it only followed the Queen's hardships. ( )

Although I read this years ago, it has stayed a memorable favourite. Historical novels don't usually attract me, but this is so well written; evocative and sensual in the detailed descriptions, and well crafted, as it merges the extraordinary stories of two young women living in Spain during harsh times in the Middle Ages. We are drawn into the twisting tale as fate lacerates their respective lives. I was moved by the suffering endured by each girl as the beauty and hope of their youth was contaminated by the cruelty of people motivated by bigotry, power and greed. An exceptionally good read. ( )

The story of two young women born on the same day but to different families, Francisca who is the daughter of a Castilian silkworm farmer, and Maria Luisa, a young French princess who becomes the Queen of Spain. It’s set in Spain during the Inquisitions in the 1600s when superstitions and religious fervour ruled the Spanish people. The lives of these two young women are told through the thoughts of Francesca who is in prison, accused of witchcraft after having had a child by a priest. This is a fascinating tale that vividly describes the horrors of the Inquisition with all of its nightmarish accusations and tortures. Throughout the book there are threads of love, passion, betrayal and dreams, all written so eloquently that for me this book was impossible to put down. ( )

Beautifully written "historical" novel, set in 18th century Spain, and comparing the lives of two women, one a peasant girl, the other the Queen. Accused of witchcraft, the peasant girl recalls her past, and muses over the fate of the Queen, sent by Louis from France to marry the impotent Spanish King Carlos. Mysterious, tantalising and evocative, this is definitely worth reading. ( )