Author: Philippa Gregory
ISBN: 978-0-00-719033-1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 518
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper.
"The year is 1539 and the court of Henry VIII is increasingly fearful at the moods of the ageing sick king. With only a baby in the cradle for an heir, Henry has to take another wife and the dangerous prize of the crown of England is won by Anne of Cleves. She has her own good reasons for agreeing to marry a man old enough to be her father, in a country where to her both language and habits are foreign. Although fascinated by the glamour of her new surroundings, she senses a trap closing around her. Katherine is confident that she can follow in the steps of her cousin Anne Boleyn to dazzle her way to the throne but her kinswoman Jane Boleyn, haunted by the past, knows that Anne's path led to Tower Green and to an adulterer's death"
Being a fan of Philippa Gregory's novels, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I always find her Tudor novels a treat to read, and know I'm in for something special.
I enjoyed reading about Anne of Cleaves and Katherine Howard, I hadn't read a novel with them in it before. Another thing I liked about this book, was we got to see another side to Jane Boleyn. I actually felt sorry for her in this book, while in The Other Boleyn Girl I hated her.
Kathrine Howard in this novel I did find a little irritating, as her immaturity got to me, but I know the author was trying to show how young she was and her immaturity compared to the grown up court.
As I've read Philippa's Tudor novels, I've learnt more about history by going on the true historical facts. Henry VIII was not a nice man at all, he was to be feared and thank god those times are past.
So, here I get to sum the book up and I have to say I did enjoy it, although I was irritated a little by Katherine Howard. It's not my favourite novel in the Tudor series, it comes third to The Other Boleyn Girl and The Constant Princess. The Virgins Lover and The Queens Fool, follow.
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5 comments:
I also found myself feeling sorry for Jane at times. She was being used by Norfolk just like Anne and Katherine had been. The one thing that kept me from totally pitying her though was that she always seemed to find a way to justify her actions at least to herself. I think she was in some serious denial!
Thanks for the review. I haven't read this one or The Constant Princess yet, but am looking forward to both. I liked The Queens Fool, apart from the very end so it will be intersting to see what you think of it.
Loved this, my favourite of PG's yet!
I've been thinking recently that I'd like to give Historical Fiction a try. This sounds like a good author to check out, but perhaps not this book?
Hi nymeth, although this wasn't my favourite, I'd still recommend the book. I enjoyed it but preferred the other two. ;)
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