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mthorley23's review against another edition
3.0
It started out slowly as I trudged through the profuse detail. I finally got into a groove after figuring out what I could filter by scanning. It's too bad that beyond names and dates it was fiction because I was getting excited about what the Savoy castle might have actually looked like. Stinkin' peasants. Why'd they have to destroy it? It was a little on the flowery side for me (manly virility under his tunic and the like) and as much as I dislike the medieval time period (lack of education, superstitions, dirty, women were property, violent, oppressive, corrupt, etc) I was interested in the history that I learned. Afterward, I did a little of my own research online to learn a little more about the people and events in the book. So, we'll say it was enlightening.
emjay24's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book back in college or high school..in fact, i read all of this author's books. a while ago, i was having a craving for some really good historical fiction, and all i kept finding was romance (bleh) so i decided to stick some old anya seton books on my list. sure enough, this one finally arrived. would i still like it? yes! it teaches me the basic history in an interesting way, and so detailed. this one is set in the 1300s and i love all the details, and learning about the duke john gaunt. its definitely not a fast read, but it never gets boring. i highly recommend it.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
2.0
I really, really wanted to like this one more, but it just didn't do IT for me. I tried really hard, and I am quite interested in the story, but I am suspecting it might have been a wrong time, wrong place kinda thing. I might just return to this book at some point.
Or not.
Plenty of other fish in the sea.
Or not.
Plenty of other fish in the sea.
danielajap's review against another edition
3.0
Un romanzo storico scritto in maniera accattivante, ben documentato. Ma la parte "rosa" della storia occupa troppo spazio per i miei gusti. Comunque ssi legge con piacere.
jennutley's review against another edition
4.0
Really good historical fiction. I've know filled in personalities and reigns of English kings (and some noblemen) from Edward III up to Henry V.
I especially appreciated how the author filled in the everyday details of Katherine's life with so little to work from. I wish I could figure out how to do that.
If this was swoon-worthy stuff in the 1950s, it seems pretty tame for these days.
I especially appreciated how the author filled in the everyday details of Katherine's life with so little to work from. I wish I could figure out how to do that.
If this was swoon-worthy stuff in the 1950s, it seems pretty tame for these days.
slc54hiwi's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful work of historical fiction that I first read in junior high. Succeeding re-reads only confirm that it's one of the best of the genre - truly sets a standard.
slc54hiwi's review against another edition
5.0
My 4th or 5th re-read. Still an excellent example of historical fiction.
jessicacoh's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was told this was royal love story, totally foundational historical fiction for lovers of Phillips Gregory, Alison Weir, and other authors that impose personality on women who have been largely lost to history. I can definitely see that— and I appreciated the foundation this book gave my understanding of English history. I do think other authors do it better though— this book was slow and Katherine herself unlikeable. I put it down for months at a time.