Reviews

Katherine by Anya Seton

laurenjodi's review against another edition

5.0

Katherine
5 Stars

The amazing true story of the relationship between Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt. The epic love story between these two historical figures comes to life in this amazingly well-written and well-researched work.

kathryn14's review against another edition

3.0

This book has done nothing but reignite my ridiculous obsession with going on a pilgrimage. TAKE MY SHOES!

7 / 10

tessaramstad's review against another edition

3.0

Mja. Scenerna mellan Katherine och John var toppen men tyvärr var de sällan ihop. Boken var ganska seg i stora delar, mycket om religösa synder som var ganska ointressant. Önskar att boken var ca 200 sidor kortare för då hade den nog varit super. 

sashshearman's review against another edition

5.0

Six stars! Brilliant saga about the life of Katherine Swynford, unlikely progenitor of every English monarch since Edward IV. Katherine's trial and tribulations are riveting, Seton is faithful to history, the writing is skillful and there is an unexpected spiritual element in the novel that enriches the whole experience. Up there with Gone With The Wind and The Outlander. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction, sagas and romance.

sisbill's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Library

kayu99's review against another edition

5.0

This book felt very immersive and vivid, and I liked that different perspectives were shown and well-integrated into the flow of the story; Katherine's is not the sole point of view. The pacing and timing of the plot were also well-done. The beginning and end points made sense, but I did not expect the story to end where it did (although the book is already quite long and it may have dragged on too much if it had continued).

Anya Seton's portrayal of these historical characters and events is wonderful.

susannahnah's review against another edition

3.0

Fascinating history, great detail, but draws on a bit too much.

sambooklove's review against another edition

4.0

Incredibly readable yet doesn't skimp on history. Gets a little dry but a beautiful, fascinating love story in turbulent times.

lexiebug's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

poachedeggs's review against another edition

3.0

Eh, I guess this was OK. I have found over the course of the last year or so that I am really not a fan of historical fiction. There is just too much explanation, and the sense that everything has already been scripted/ has already taken place, so there's little room for the characters to grow into their skins and do things that surprise the writer and (more importantly) reader. Plus, this was nearly a 500-pager, and while the political intrigue had the potential to develop in really interesting directions, the rather flat romance between Katherine and John of Gaunt overshadowed all else.