Non-Fiction Spotlight : Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review.

 

          

                                                                                             

PUBLISHER:

Quirk                                            

 

I had so much fun with this book! This is book is a shelfer, meaning its one you want to keep on the shelf and pull down repeatedly for enjoyment and reference. Despite the title the women in this book aren’t solely villains. What makes them “Bad “ is their refusal to not stay within the typical female molds for the times they lived in.                                                        

 

Like Alfhild, a 5th century  Princess who chafed under her fathers overprotective nature and a potential suitor for the choppy seas as a pirate Queen.

 

This book profiles warriors in the physical realm like Khutulun a Mongol Princess who refused to consider any suitor who couldn't best her on the wrestling mat, Political manipulators like  Hatshepsut a female reagent who decided to seize power and live her life as a male Pharaoh, and rulers with interesting habits like African ruler Njinga who had her lovers dress in female clothes and called them concubines.

 

There are fake Princesses, like Caraboo, a young British girl who tried to pass her self off as foreign royalty, Sexually aggressive and exhibitionist Princesses like Pauline Bonaparte and of course the mad like Elisabeth of Austria  who was obsessed with her looks so much so that she wore an eye mask lined with veal.

 

I really enjoyed the stories in this book and Linda does a great job of combining fact with humor. A wonderful read.