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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Reread 2013: I remember enjoying this book the first time I read it. After rereading it, I have no idea why.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I came to this book after reading The Other Boleyn Girl and enjoyed every minute of that reading. I was very curious about this work and wondered what Gregory would do with this queen, known for her faith and her steadfast refusal to give Henry VIII his divorce, which would have much more far reaching effects than in just their case.
If you have never read Gregory before, start with this novel and then go to The Other Boleyn Girl. I think this novel really gives you a wonderful sense of Catalina/Katherine and all of the choices she has to make for heart and country. Gregory's theory regarding the marriage and death of Arthur Tudor are fascinating and somewhat logical (if overromanticized). Arthur comes off very well in this novel, as a king thwarted by death, if somewhat unrealistically forward thinking.
Catalina comes off as somewhat haughty, but I think that this is a far more realistic perception of this character than many are willing to give.
I think that this work could act as a prequel to the Other Boleyn Girl, because after reading this, Gregory's characterization of Katherine in the Other Boleyn Girl becomes much more three dimentional.
I also like how she portrayed Henry. To see the spoiled brat prince that Henry was makes the man much more easy to understand - not sympathetic by any means - but just understandable.
A nice companion piece to the Other Boleyn Girl, but definitely stands on its own merits.
If you have never read Gregory before, start with this novel and then go to The Other Boleyn Girl. I think this novel really gives you a wonderful sense of Catalina/Katherine and all of the choices she has to make for heart and country. Gregory's theory regarding the marriage and death of Arthur Tudor are fascinating and somewhat logical (if overromanticized). Arthur comes off very well in this novel, as a king thwarted by death, if somewhat unrealistically forward thinking.
Catalina comes off as somewhat haughty, but I think that this is a far more realistic perception of this character than many are willing to give.
I think that this work could act as a prequel to the Other Boleyn Girl, because after reading this, Gregory's characterization of Katherine in the Other Boleyn Girl becomes much more three dimentional.
I also like how she portrayed Henry. To see the spoiled brat prince that Henry was makes the man much more easy to understand - not sympathetic by any means - but just understandable.
A nice companion piece to the Other Boleyn Girl, but definitely stands on its own merits.
3.5/5 Stars
This one was very interesting to listen to but I didn't like it quite as well as some of the others in the series. While it may be fiction, it was interesting to read about Queen Catherine (Catalina) prior to her queenly days. She was clearly a strong and fearsome woman. I simply wish it had gone a bit differently. The story felt a bit slow and stagnant compared to others.
This one was very interesting to listen to but I didn't like it quite as well as some of the others in the series. While it may be fiction, it was interesting to read about Queen Catherine (Catalina) prior to her queenly days. She was clearly a strong and fearsome woman. I simply wish it had gone a bit differently. The story felt a bit slow and stagnant compared to others.
I have always liked Philippa Gregory's stories. I haven't been reading them in order, and it was interesting reading about Catherine of Aragon while already knowing her ultimate fate.
I love the detail that Gregory uses - giving readers a back story and painting a picture vivid enough that I can see it in my mine. This was a quick read for me as I didn't want to put the book down.
I love the detail that Gregory uses - giving readers a back story and painting a picture vivid enough that I can see it in my mine. This was a quick read for me as I didn't want to put the book down.
Catalina
I love her
she is very clever when it comes to fooling Henry
her love for Arthur was a force to be reckoned with
she was deserted by her family but yet she stayed strong
she defeated Scotland
her miscarriages made her more determined to have children
the only thing that I was upset about was her leading the King on when she was still a widow, she could have prevented all her suffering after that
and the lie that made her queen but you have to admire her "constancy" as this is what saved her
I loved the book, every time I put it down, I would pick it back up again to know what happens next. I like how the author went from third person perspective to telling us how Catalina felt about that issue that was being discussed, it meant that I got to know her more, that I became a confidant of hers.
Great book, cant wait to read the rest of the series :)
I love her
she is very clever when it comes to fooling Henry
her love for Arthur was a force to be reckoned with
she was deserted by her family but yet she stayed strong
she defeated Scotland
her miscarriages made her more determined to have children
the only thing that I was upset about was her leading the King on when she was still a widow, she could have prevented all her suffering after that
and the lie that made her queen but you have to admire her "constancy" as this is what saved her
I loved the book, every time I put it down, I would pick it back up again to know what happens next. I like how the author went from third person perspective to telling us how Catalina felt about that issue that was being discussed, it meant that I got to know her more, that I became a confidant of hers.
Great book, cant wait to read the rest of the series :)
This is not the best book in the world. It doesn't even get close, really. But I liked it. It was the first historical fiction book I've ever read. And now that I have read almost all of the other books in this series I can appreciate this one even more because I know how hard it is for PG to make a ethical female character.
Even if the said ethics lead her to lie to her husband for 20 years or so.
But please, Mrs. Gregory, don't ever write in italic again. Ever. Thank you.
Even if the said ethics lead her to lie to her husband for 20 years or so.
But please, Mrs. Gregory, don't ever write in italic again. Ever. Thank you.
I enjoyed this book very much. I was a little disappointed at the ending but still found the book an enjoyable read.
Finally finished this hard to put down book. Loved it! Will now begin the next book, chronologically. This series was not written in chronological order. The Other Boleyn Sister came first. But I am reading in chron order. So far, I highly recommend it. I loved The Sixth Wives of Henry VIII and am enjoying a fictional take on these women.
Not my favorite of her books, but a good story about Katherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII's first wife. One of those stories where you get to the climax and realize you're only 1/2 way through, so the entire second half is falling action that kind of drags on a bit.