Author:Helen Hollick
Aged only thirteen, Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, is married in a strategic alliance to King Aethelred of England. Inept and arrogant, Aethelred the Unready is loathed by his young wife, whom he punishes for his many failings as a ruler. Their first son, Edward, is born through an act of violence that is little more than rape.
England is invaded by the Viking King Swein Forkbeard and his son Cnut. After a bitter struggle, Aethelred loses his kingdom and his wife. Emma, now dowager queen, holds London against the invader Cnut. When he demands she surrender or suffer the consequences, Emma stakes everything on a dangerous gamble, but troubles and tragedy still await the indomitable queen as she struggles for power and for survival in a violent male world...
This fascinating historical novel reveals the truth behind the woman who played a key role in the power shift from Saxon to Norman, at a pivotal point in world history.
Joins the ranks of Rosemary Sutcliff, Mary Stewart and Marion Bradley
—— Pendragon MagazineHelen Hollick has a powerful talent for bringing the past vividly to life
—— Elizabeth ChadwickA spellbinding novel - a fabulous read and one to be recommended unreservedly. If only all historical fiction could be this good
—— Historical Novels ReviewSaxon England comes alive in this stunning novel of political intrigue, tragedy and an indomitable queen. A colourful and compelling read
—— Lancashire Evening PostCompelling, convincing and unforgettable
—— Sharon PenmanRoth's writing looks uncompromisingly straightforward but is subtle and clever... A human story for our times
—— New StatesmanThe genius of this short, bleak, remarkable novel stems from the way that Roth turns his desolate assessment of death into something bracing: an angry acceptance that mortality is the price we pay for the sheer wonder of this thing called life
—— The TimesEvery sentence and every paragraph works with the coiled precision of the watch mechanisms that the narrators father repairs and glitters with the lapidary perfection of the perfection he sells
—— Independent on SundayA savage, heart-wrenching novella
—— Harper's BazaarA simple beautiful ending to a deeply sombre book
—— Scotland on SundayThere is enough plot for several novels here (enough sex for dozens), all vividly conveyed in the author's excitable style... Her many fans will not be disappointed
—— Literary ReviewHarris does it again with this brilliantly told tale.
—— THE SUNVoluptuous helpings of magic, mystery, love and, of course, mouthwatering discriptions of her favourite chocolates, combine to make a rich, satisfying story that should keep you riveted to your sun lounger page after page
—— SHE magazineThe Lollipop Shoes is a sensory fantasy, Harris writes with an original and satisfying poetic flair.
—— DAILY TELEGRAPH...the magic still enchants
—— MAIL ON SUNDAY...a sumptuous treat.
—— HEAT Magazine, May 2007...a sensory fantasy, Harris writes with an original and satisfying poetic flair. Harris is a delicious treat.
—— DAILY TELEGRAPHThis novel has the richness of the best quality dark chocolate.
—— INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAYSparkling black comedy
—— PlayPearson is a hilarious author who captures the guilt and the exhaustion of the working mother's life perfectly
—— Dublin DailyIt's the incisive details and Pearson's vivid writing that propel the story
—— New York Times BooksSmart book...great fun
—— New York TimesPearson is insightful, witty and full of fun
—— Daily TelegraphWonderfully warm, witty and intelligent
—— Sunday independentA Bible for the working woman
—— Oprah WinfreyHer social observation is unerringly accurate...so beautifully written that it brought tears to my eyes, as well as a wry smile
—— Daily TelegraphPearson...to write a novel...that has already sold a gazillion copies and is going to become a film. Hats off to you, madam!
—— Ok MagazineShe will...make you laugh
—— Culture, Sunday TimesPearson...has made it all fresh again
—— TimeEntertaining, compulsively readable, and brilliantly written
—— Daily CandyHilarious and...poignant
—— Publisher's WeeklyThis terrific novel is alternately hilarious and sad
—— UpfrontIt may change your life
—— The ObserverPearson is a very witty and moving writer. Her prose is spare and skilful...waspish truisms and spot-on social observations
—— Daily ExpressIntelligent, witty and of-the-moment, it mixes sassy, brittle perceptions with barefaced sentimentality
—— The Herald, GlasgowBrilliantly captures and defines the mood of the moment...sparkling wit and razor sharp insights
—— XW MagazineSharply observed and frequently funny
—— Evening Standard