PRINCESSES BEHAVING BADLY Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings

Cassandra Campbell puts the spark in these surprisingly lackluster tales of spunky princesses behaving in unprincess-like ways. The author categorizes her princesses as warriors, usurpers, schemers, survivors, partiers, floozies, and madwomen. Then she highlights real princesses throughout history who she believes fit the categories. Campbell makes each princess's story engaging, and makes it crystal clear that while some did, indeed, behave badly--even inhumanely--others were just rebelling against impossible strictures. This nonfiction works well as a glimpse into the lives of some fascinating women but offers little new in the way of historical substance. Even with McRobbie's graphic retellings of murder, corruption, sex, and madness, it's Campbell's impeccable narration that turns the book into something special. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2013]