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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I brought this book with me when I flew to London. I got to see Hampton Court Palace which is mentioned in this book! Seeing the palace helped to bring this book to life!
For those of you who don't know, "The Taming of the Queen" is a very good book featuring the last wife of King Henry VIII. Kateryn Parr was not like any other queen before her. She was studious and knowledgeable. She had her share of close calls, but she used her wits and her knowledge to "play" the game. It wasn't an easy challenge because "the rules" are constantly changing throughout the book. Henry VIII loved attention and enjoyed pitting people against one another. He thought of himself as a god, but he was not a just, merciful, loving god. He was a manipulator, an adulterer, and a murderer. He found joy in the misery of others. He did not love anyone other than himself.
I felt sorry for Kateryn and her household because women were targeted for heresy, treason, and any other crime that they could pin on them. The pressures of the day were insurmountable. I also felt sorry for the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth and Prince Edward because they had a rotten example of a father and king. But they had a great step-mom who did appear to genuinely care for their physical, mental, and spiritual welfare.
If you love English history, you will likely enjoy this book. This is not a "quick-read" by any means. Do give yourself time to pace yourself so you will enjoy it.
For those of you who don't know, "The Taming of the Queen" is a very good book featuring the last wife of King Henry VIII. Kateryn Parr was not like any other queen before her. She was studious and knowledgeable. She had her share of close calls, but she used her wits and her knowledge to "play" the game. It wasn't an easy challenge because "the rules" are constantly changing throughout the book. Henry VIII loved attention and enjoyed pitting people against one another. He thought of himself as a god, but he was not a just, merciful, loving god. He was a manipulator, an adulterer, and a murderer. He found joy in the misery of others. He did not love anyone other than himself.
I felt sorry for Kateryn and her household because women were targeted for heresy, treason, and any other crime that they could pin on them. The pressures of the day were insurmountable. I also felt sorry for the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth and Prince Edward because they had a rotten example of a father and king. But they had a great step-mom who did appear to genuinely care for their physical, mental, and spiritual welfare.
If you love English history, you will likely enjoy this book. This is not a "quick-read" by any means. Do give yourself time to pace yourself so you will enjoy it.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Least favourite of the Tudors series
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I don't really know how much of what I'm reading is fiction and how much is history - usually that doesn't bother me too much but for some reason it did in this book. I mostly liked Kateryn but I found it hard to root for her and Thomas because Thomas has 0 personality and we don't know anything about him. Also I found it odd how much she thought about and dwelt on the difficulties of being a woman and particularly a wife of Henry VIII and yet she was so hostile about the women who had come before her.
Overall Gregory brought Kateryn's story to life in a way I wasn't expecting but didn't fully believe.
I don't really know how much of what I'm reading is fiction and how much is history - usually that doesn't bother me too much but for some reason it did in this book. I mostly liked Kateryn but I found it hard to root for her and Thomas because Thomas has 0 personality and we don't know anything about him. Also I found it odd how much she thought about and dwelt on the difficulties of being a woman and particularly a wife of Henry VIII and yet she was so hostile about the women who had come before her.
Overall Gregory brought Kateryn's story to life in a way I wasn't expecting but didn't fully believe.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
A fascinating insight into the life of Queen Kateryn Parr, a rare and fierce woman centuries ahead of her own time. As always, Philippa Gregory excelled at bringing these historical figures and events to life.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: To assure someone that if enough nuns sing enough Masses then her dead child will go to heaven is trickery as low as passing a false coin as good. To buy a pardon from the pope, to force the pope to annul a marriage, to make him set aside kinship laws, to watch as he fleeces his cardinals, who charge the bishops, who rent to the priests, who seek their tithes from the poor – all these abuses would have to fall away if we agreed that a soul can come to God without any intervention. The crucifixion is the work of God. The church is the work of man.
First Sentence: He stands before me, as broad as an ancient oak, his face like a full moon caught high in the topmost branches, the rolls of creased flesh upturned with goodwill.
A fascinating insight into the life of Queen Kateryn Parr, a rare and fierce woman centuries ahead of her own time. As always, Philippa Gregory excelled at bringing these historical figures and events to life.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: To assure someone that if enough nuns sing enough Masses then her dead child will go to heaven is trickery as low as passing a false coin as good. To buy a pardon from the pope, to force the pope to annul a marriage, to make him set aside kinship laws, to watch as he fleeces his cardinals, who charge the bishops, who rent to the priests, who seek their tithes from the poor – all these abuses would have to fall away if we agreed that a soul can come to God without any intervention. The crucifixion is the work of God. The church is the work of man.
First Sentence: He stands before me, as broad as an ancient oak, his face like a full moon caught high in the topmost branches, the rolls of creased flesh upturned with goodwill.