997. The Red Queen

The Red Queen
Margaret Drabble
2004
Around 350 pages

Here on this blog, we are Team Drabble, rather than Team A.S. Byatt (her purported literary rival and sister). And once again, Margaret does not disappoint, so take that, Antonia.

Dr. Barbara Halliwell is on the plane to Seoul for a conference. She is reading the memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong, a Korean Queen in the 1700s, and the story is split between the two narratives. Barbara's story details a short and passionate romance, while Hyegyeong describes being picked as a bride and her husband's violent insanity.

I can see why some people might find the addition of Barbara's story unnecessary, as Hyegyeong's story is worthy of its own novel, and what happens with Barbara isn't that original. But I enjoyed it. I find Drabble's prose engaging enough that I'm happy just reading about her characters doing ordinary things, like losing their suitcase at an airport.

I wouldn't give this five stars because I wasn't that blown away, but I was thoroughly entertained for 350 pages, and that's all I care about.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Guardian reviewer Maureen Freely described the novel as "an implausible but gorgeously trashy romance...Rarely has feminist escapism been so stylishly disguised."

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