"The favoured child" starts off promisingly, with the kind of deep emotional writing that Gregory does so well, but after the first half of the book (which, by the way, seems far too long for the relatively simple story that unfolds) it descends into the kind of melodramatic, mournfully escapist claptrap that gives historical novels such a bad name. Isn't a story that involves incest, insanity and betrayle exciting enough without resorting to vague hints at magic and prophecy? In fact I found it a little patronising, as if Gregory thought we couldn't handle the idea that this sort of thing could happen in the real world.

I was also irritated by the heroine's persistant refusal to grow a spine. Yes, I love my siblings too (not in the same way), but if they raped me, murdered my best friend and sabotaged my only chance at a loving relationship, I might not take their word as gospel.

It's this absolute refusal to create rationally behaving characters that lets this (and other works of Gregory) down; without the witchcraft her work would be gritty and emotionally challenging. With it, her books will be constantly labled as "chick lit", inferior versions of what Johanna Harris does so well.


WOW!!   August 4, 2005
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

I started this book with slight apprehension as I was so impressed with Wideacre I did not want The Favoured Child to spoil my impression. I often don't read the concluding books in a trilogy as I feel that they spoil my memories and imagination of what the ending and growing characters would be. I started reading the opening chapter of this book and I found it harder to 'get into' than other Philippa Gregory books.
You do not have to have read Wideacre first -- the plot unfolds for you.
I am an avid reader and I have never come across a book like this, I get so angry and hurt (like the character would) when something goes wrong, and so happy and warm when something is good, I can often relate to the characters and the situations they are in. I do not like the main character (Julia), I prefered Beatrice (the main character in Wideacre), however this does not spoil this book, it makes the emotions thrown around for both the characters and reader even more etched in ones mind, it makes you race one, you want to know what happens. This book, I found was much more tragic than Wideacre. I would love to tell you more about the plot and what 'happens' but for the magic that this book created for me could only be created for you if you read it!
ENJOY while I read the third book in this trilogy!!