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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
I know I've mentioned this before Philippa Gregory is not one of my favourite authors. I had to read this book to fill a prompt for one of my book challenges. I didn't enjoy it. Its not my cup of tea and I wont be reading it again to be honest
I read “The Other Boleyn Girl” a couple months ago, which is about Mary and Anne Boleyn. This one, about Katharine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, was so interesting, especially with the background knowledge of the other. I definitely want to read more by Philippa Gregory.
Left me so interested in both Catalina and her country and the 'heretics' of Spain. Loved the comparison of life in different countries/cultures. I really felt for this woman and her struggle. I really want to read a fully fiction novel re imagining an England where Arthur and Catalina ruled together. If only.
This wasn't my favorite Philippa Gregory book. It's okay, but there are better historical fiction novels out there.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
1.5 stars. Although I am fascinated by the time period the book was set in, I found this extremely hard to follow. Don't know wether it was extremely high expectations or writing style, I'm not sure. But I just couldn't get into it but I would have been disappointed if I didn't finish it
Werd op t einde iets beter, maar... Tja,vond dit niet een goed boek.
I love any book that Philippa Gregory writes but the writing style of this one was a little tedious to read and at times, I almost wanted to stop reading it because it was slightly boring.
When I first picked up this book, it was because I loved "The Other Boleyn Girl" so much and wanted to read the prequel. Upon reading such a scandalous, juicy rivalry story of how Anne Boleyn swept the King away, made an unlikely marriage for herself with an unfortunate end on the executioner's block, you tend to have certain expectations. And that's exactly what I think people do when they pick up this book, they expect the same level of excitement and courtly rivalry to take place.
Unfortunately for them, this book unravels at a much slower, (and often repetitively boring) pace.
In other words, the word "Constant" should be enough of a hit as to what kind of ride you're embarking on.
In Gregory's defense, there isn't much excitement in the life of Catherine of Aragon to fill 390 pages without being boring, or repetitive or a combination of both. Especially when confined to the time period while Henry and Catherine's marriage is going fairly well and their main focus is on securing the borders and strategizing for war with either the Scots or the French.
With that said, I cant help to wonder why even bother writing this book, or prolonging it to almost 400 pages for that matter. Yes, its interesting the learn the early life of Catherine, her marriage to Arthur and the quick and devastating death that plunged her into such a state of despair, not knowing what's to happen to her now that she's left without a husband.
But the entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking "Is this necessary ?". Is it necessary to constantly remind us that Catherine is doing her mothers bidding, that she believes shes doing god's work, that she claims she needs to be constant, yada yada yada. Every other page the same thought and feeling and reoccurring themes. Every time we're reading Catherine's thought, her POV, she's saying the same thing.
Many times I wanted to stop reading, because it seemed that for every 50 pages we get a little bit of new information, but the whole time we have to sit through this repetitive speech. Something like listening to your mom lecture you the same speech over and over again. I just dont want to sit through it.
However, I somehow managed to finish this book, and can successfully say I could have gone without reading it. Its not something I recommend for those who are still riding on the excitement of "The Other Boleyn Girl" because you will be plunged into boredom from page 1.
On the other hand, if you're genuinely interested in the history of that time period, what Catherine might have been feeling at the time and you're are interested in knowing her feeling and attitudes, then by all means this book is the one for you.
Sadly, it was not for me.
Unfortunately for them, this book unravels at a much slower, (and often repetitively boring) pace.
In other words, the word "Constant" should be enough of a hit as to what kind of ride you're embarking on.
In Gregory's defense, there isn't much excitement in the life of Catherine of Aragon to fill 390 pages without being boring, or repetitive or a combination of both. Especially when confined to the time period while Henry and Catherine's marriage is going fairly well and their main focus is on securing the borders and strategizing for war with either the Scots or the French.
With that said, I cant help to wonder why even bother writing this book, or prolonging it to almost 400 pages for that matter. Yes, its interesting the learn the early life of Catherine, her marriage to Arthur and the quick and devastating death that plunged her into such a state of despair, not knowing what's to happen to her now that she's left without a husband.
But the entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking "Is this necessary ?". Is it necessary to constantly remind us that Catherine is doing her mothers bidding, that she believes shes doing god's work, that she claims she needs to be constant, yada yada yada. Every other page the same thought and feeling and reoccurring themes. Every time we're reading Catherine's thought, her POV, she's saying the same thing.
Many times I wanted to stop reading, because it seemed that for every 50 pages we get a little bit of new information, but the whole time we have to sit through this repetitive speech. Something like listening to your mom lecture you the same speech over and over again. I just dont want to sit through it.
However, I somehow managed to finish this book, and can successfully say I could have gone without reading it. Its not something I recommend for those who are still riding on the excitement of "The Other Boleyn Girl" because you will be plunged into boredom from page 1.
On the other hand, if you're genuinely interested in the history of that time period, what Catherine might have been feeling at the time and you're are interested in knowing her feeling and attitudes, then by all means this book is the one for you.
Sadly, it was not for me.