I've reviewed some of the Plaidy novels on my other blog, but face it, Plaidy was so prolific, if I tried to review them all there, it'd soon turn into a Jean Plaidy blog, which would be a bit of a bore for readers who aren't all that interested in her books. Hence the present blog, where I can post as much as I please about Plaidy without guilt.
Jean Plaidy, of course, was the pseudonym for the author Eleanor Hibbert, who also wrote novels as Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr (among others). My focus here will be on the Jean Plaidy books, but I may venture into the Holts as well, depending on what grabs my interest.
So now to get started.
As you may know, a lot of Jean Plaidy's novels are being reissued, with classy new covers. Some of them are quite lovely, but I have a soft spot for some of the older ones, like this one from The Vow on the Heron, a 1980 novel about Edward III.
This cover is from a 1984 paperback edition, and one of the things that has baffled my existence is wondering who the Farrah Fawcett-like blonde on the cover is. Queen Philippa would seem to be the most likely candidate, but the woman isn't crowned, and in any case, Queen Philippa by most accounts wasn't the hot number that this blonde is. Alice Perrers? Maybe, but if so, Edward III's way too young, as he took up with Alice late in life. Joan of Kent? The Countess of Salisbury? Possibly, but what on earth are they doing on a ship, anyway?
The mind boggles.
If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.
6 comments:
Love the new blog! It's a great idea. And woo-hoo, I get to write your first comment! (You were the first ever commenter on mine, so it's only fair. ;)
*Sniggers uncontrollably at book cover*. Haven't seen that one before. What on earth is Edward III wearing on his head?? My first thought was Alice Perrers, but you're right, Edward seems too young. Now there's a puzzle.
Hey, Alianore! I've replaced the picture with a bigger one from Photobucket so it can be admired as it ought to be. That is some fine headgear he's wearing, isn't it?
I think Mattel made a Barbie outfit similar to the one the mystery woman is wearing.
I have that book but I have no idea about the cover. I'm definitely linking this blog, too! Great idea!
Does the text give a clue as to the lady's identity? If not, she might as well be Farrah Fawcett, or Barbie for that matter - a figment of the cover designer's overheated imagination :-)
Thanks, Sherhazade!
Carla, it's been a while since I've read the book, but I don't recall anything that gives a clue. Sounds like a cover designer fantasy to me!
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