Catalog

Record Details

Catalog Search



The falcon's eyes : a novel  Cover Image Book Book

The falcon's eyes : a novel / Francesca Stanfill.

Summary:

"Illuminating the end of the twelfth century and the notorious queen--Eleanor of Aquitaine--who dominated it, this sweeping, suspenseful tale follows Isabelle, a spirited, questing young woman, who defies convention--and her controlling, falconry-obsessed husband--to lead an extraordinary life"-- Provided by publisher
Set in France and England at the end of the twelfth century, the moving story of a spirited, questing young woman, Isabelle, who defies convention to forge a remarkable life, one profoundly influenced by the fabled queen she idolizes and comes to know - Eleanor of AquitaineWillful and outspoken, sixteen-year-old Isabelle yearns to escape her stifling life in provincial twelfth century France. The bane of her mother's existence, she admires the notorious queen most in her circle abhor: Eleanor of Aquitaine. Isabelle's arranged marriage to Gerard --- a rich, charismatic lord obsessed with falcons --- seems, at first, to fulfill her longing for adventure. But as Gerard's controlling nature, and his consuming desire for a male heir, become more apparent, Isabelle, in the spirit of her royal heroine, makes bold, often perilous, decisions which will forever affect her fate.A suspenseful, sweeping tale about marriage, freedom, identity, and motherhood, THE FALCON'S EYES brings alive not only a brilliant century and the legendary queen who dominated it, but also the vivid band of complex characters whom the heroine encounters on her journey to selfhood: noblewomen, nuns, servants, falconers, and courtiers. The various settings - Château Ravinour, Fontevraud Abbey, and Queen Eleanor's exiled court in England - are depicted as memorably as those who inhabit them. The story pulses forward as Isabelle confronts one challenge, one danger, after another, until it hurtles to its final, enthralling, page. With the historical understanding of Hillary Mantel and the storytelling gifts of Ken Follett, Francesca Stanfill has created an unforgettable character who, while firmly rooted in her era, is also a woman for all times.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780063074224
  • ISBN: 0063074222
  • Physical Description: 819 pages : illustrations, genealogical tables ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2022]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references.
Subject: Eleanor, of Aquitaine, Queen, consort of Henry II, King of England, 1122?-1204 > Fiction.
Wives > Fiction.
Identity (Psychology) > Fiction.
Falconry > Fiction.
Middle Ages > Fiction.
Young women > 12th century > Fiction.
Queens > Great Britain > Fiction.
Medival history > Fiction.
Ancient world historical romance.
Medival historical romance.
Great Britain > History > Henry II, 1154-1189 > Fiction.
Genre: Historical fiction.

Available copies

  • 11 of 11 copies available at Missouri Evergreen. (Show)
  • 1 of 1 copy available at North Kansas City.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 11 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
North Kansas City Public Library FICTION STANFILL 2022 (Text) 0001002423158 Fiction Available -

Summary: "Illuminating the end of the twelfth century and the notorious queen--Eleanor of Aquitaine--who dominated it, this sweeping, suspenseful tale follows Isabelle, a spirited, questing young woman, who defies convention--and her controlling, falconry-obsessed husband--to lead an extraordinary life"--
Set in France and England at the end of the twelfth century, the moving story of a spirited, questing young woman, Isabelle, who defies convention to forge a remarkable life, one profoundly influenced by the fabled queen she idolizes and comes to know - Eleanor of AquitaineWillful and outspoken, sixteen-year-old Isabelle yearns to escape her stifling life in provincial twelfth century France. The bane of her mother's existence, she admires the notorious queen most in her circle abhor: Eleanor of Aquitaine. Isabelle's arranged marriage to Gerard --- a rich, charismatic lord obsessed with falcons --- seems, at first, to fulfill her longing for adventure. But as Gerard's controlling nature, and his consuming desire for a male heir, become more apparent, Isabelle, in the spirit of her royal heroine, makes bold, often perilous, decisions which will forever affect her fate.A suspenseful, sweeping tale about marriage, freedom, identity, and motherhood, THE FALCON'S EYES brings alive not only a brilliant century and the legendary queen who dominated it, but also the vivid band of complex characters whom the heroine encounters on her journey to selfhood: noblewomen, nuns, servants, falconers, and courtiers. The various settings - Château Ravinour, Fontevraud Abbey, and Queen Eleanor's exiled court in England - are depicted as memorably as those who inhabit them. The story pulses forward as Isabelle confronts one challenge, one danger, after another, until it hurtles to its final, enthralling, page. With the historical understanding of Hillary Mantel and the storytelling gifts of Ken Follett, Francesca Stanfill has created an unforgettable character who, while firmly rooted in her era, is also a woman for all times.

Loading Recommendations...


Additional Resources