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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
As a big fan of historical fiction, particularly related to anything Henry VIII, I was eager to dive into THE TAMING OF THE QUEEN. Although I know quite a bit about Henry's last queen, Katherine (Kathryn) Parr, it was interesting to read Philippa Gregory's take, which is different.
Gregory's presents Katherine coming to the crown as a twice-widowed and lovesick (for Thomas Seymour) woman, not particularly well-educated or knowledgeable about religious reform. Only after becoming Queen does Katherine begin to explore, appreciate and support religious reform, eventually publishing her own translations and prayers -- something virtually unknown for a woman at this time, even for a Queen.
I personally found it a bit hard to swallow that in her brief time (3 and a half years) as Henry's wife, Katherine was able to develop the skills needed to be a published author and renowned translator. It seems to me she must have been better educated and already interested in reform by the time she married the King. But this may simply be my personal preference and maybe Gregory's version makes a more interesting story.
The novel itself felt a bit long to me and I found the back and forth religious beliefs of Henry somewhat tedious, as he pitted both conservative Catholics and dedicated Protestants against one another in an effort to exercise absolute power. Henry himself comes off as a horrid despot of a king and husband. In fact, the portrait Gregory presents of the King was more intriguing to me than the way she portrays Katherine Parr. I was also disappointed that she didn't include in this novel what happened to Katherine after the King's death.
Gregory's presents Katherine coming to the crown as a twice-widowed and lovesick (for Thomas Seymour) woman, not particularly well-educated or knowledgeable about religious reform. Only after becoming Queen does Katherine begin to explore, appreciate and support religious reform, eventually publishing her own translations and prayers -- something virtually unknown for a woman at this time, even for a Queen.
I personally found it a bit hard to swallow that in her brief time (3 and a half years) as Henry's wife, Katherine was able to develop the skills needed to be a published author and renowned translator. It seems to me she must have been better educated and already interested in reform by the time she married the King. But this may simply be my personal preference and maybe Gregory's version makes a more interesting story.
The novel itself felt a bit long to me and I found the back and forth religious beliefs of Henry somewhat tedious, as he pitted both conservative Catholics and dedicated Protestants against one another in an effort to exercise absolute power. Henry himself comes off as a horrid despot of a king and husband. In fact, the portrait Gregory presents of the King was more intriguing to me than the way she portrays Katherine Parr. I was also disappointed that she didn't include in this novel what happened to Katherine after the King's death.
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
I actually spent the first third of this book wondering why I was bothering, since most of it feels repetitive from the three wives who came before Kateryn Parr. More of how foul Henry VII was, both in mind and in body. More of the conniving and scheming and constantly changing tides of his court. More accusations, more deaths. I get that he went through wives like they changed with the season's fashions, but I started to wonder if they all needed to have their own story or if the point could have been made by putting some of them into a single book. I mean, some of them were barely on the throne beside his for a year. Just about the point I was really starting to get annoyed, though, I started to like Kat. By the end, I truly felt for her. In fact, awful as he was to his wives, I may have had more sympathy and compassion for his final wife than any of her predecessors. And now, Henry is gone, finally expired, and I know that the next book will be on to someone new.
Like all of PG's books, I go in without knowing a lot about the people and places depicted. History isn't my strong suit, but I enjoy historical fiction. I also fully expect that it's FICTION. Things have been embellished and filled in. I suppose if you have different expectations, you could be disappointed, but I'm more inclined to give historical fiction authors their creative license.
I generally enjoy PG's books and expected to like this one the same amount, but it exceeded my expectations. When I started, I was not expecting to be inspired by Kateryn, but I was HERE for it.
The characters in PG's books always bring life to a time period that's difficult to relate to, but Kateryn especially. She was regal and trustworthy like Kathrine of Aragon, sharp like Anne Boleyn, humble and kind like Anne of Cleves.
Kateryn's upbringing and earlier life was a mix of learned and rural, and her country ways at time embarrass her sister. Nonetheless, when Henry VIII chooses her as his next queen, she does her best and combines what she knows to be the "correct" queenly behavior with motherly and kind instincts. She brings his children together and is an advocate for the common people. She is opinionated, but voices her thoughts to the king in a cunning way to gain his support as well.
As with many of PG's books (and the mark of good historical fiction, in my opinion) I found myself researching certain aspects of the story to see if it was factually accurate and what was embellished.
I found Kateryn Parr to be the most relatable queen, and the most inspiring. She was the first women to put her name on a book she authored in English! She studied and her rooms held theological debates. She deftly handled a king who had gotten rid of 5 wives.
Which makes the last 100 or so pages all the more devastating... and then not devastating? At this point I'd looked up enough things to know how it was going to end, but it's still so sad and frustrating at what Kateryn had to endure.
I generally enjoy PG's books and expected to like this one the same amount, but it exceeded my expectations. When I started, I was not expecting to be inspired by Kateryn, but I was HERE for it.
The characters in PG's books always bring life to a time period that's difficult to relate to, but Kateryn especially. She was regal and trustworthy like Kathrine of Aragon, sharp like Anne Boleyn, humble and kind like Anne of Cleves.
Kateryn's upbringing and earlier life was a mix of learned and rural, and her country ways at time embarrass her sister. Nonetheless, when Henry VIII chooses her as his next queen, she does her best and combines what she knows to be the "correct" queenly behavior with motherly and kind instincts. She brings his children together and is an advocate for the common people. She is opinionated, but voices her thoughts to the king in a cunning way to gain his support as well.
As with many of PG's books (and the mark of good historical fiction, in my opinion) I found myself researching certain aspects of the story to see if it was factually accurate and what was embellished.
I found Kateryn Parr to be the most relatable queen, and the most inspiring. She was the first women to put her name on a book she authored in English! She studied and her rooms held theological debates. She deftly handled a king who had gotten rid of 5 wives.
Which makes the last 100 or so pages all the more devastating... and then not devastating? At this point I'd looked up enough things to know how it was going to end, but it's still so sad and frustrating at what Kateryn had to endure.
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was bad. Really BAD.
When you make it through 50% of the novel and still nothing has happened it is not worth your time. And when I say nothing I mean zilch, squat, zero. Kateryn Parr (the author for that matter) never shuts up about translating the bible for the people of the England and that gets old real fast. It is literally the only thing happening in the plot.
And I just cannot fully express how disappointing this was. Philippa Gregory hadn't let me down yet, but this novel was not worth the pages it was printed on.
When you make it through 50% of the novel and still nothing has happened it is not worth your time. And when I say nothing I mean zilch, squat, zero. Kateryn Parr (the author for that matter) never shuts up about translating the bible for the people of the England and that gets old real fast. It is literally the only thing happening in the plot.
And I just cannot fully express how disappointing this was. Philippa Gregory hadn't let me down yet, but this novel was not worth the pages it was printed on.
Actual rating 3.5
Let's be honest here, I came for the pretty red-stained page edges and Catherine Parr nerd fangirling. I stayed for that and to lol "swive me". It's not a bad book and once I got into the flow of things I was caught up in the story, compelled to keep reading. Yet the characterisation and commentary- on women reading freely, studying, writing and discussing their faith- was as subtle as a brick. Moments that could have been poignant and lasting were swept away in drama and left me cold.
I enjoyed reading, but I wouldn't be compelled to revisit the book.
Let's be honest here, I came for the pretty red-stained page edges and Catherine Parr nerd fangirling. I stayed for that and to lol "swive me". It's not a bad book and once I got into the flow of things I was caught up in the story, compelled to keep reading. Yet the characterisation and commentary- on women reading freely, studying, writing and discussing their faith- was as subtle as a brick. Moments that could have been poignant and lasting were swept away in drama and left me cold.
I enjoyed reading, but I wouldn't be compelled to revisit the book.
In theory Parr is interesting, but she's always interested me less than most of Henry's wives (besides Jane). That might be part of the reason that this wasn't one of my favorite Philippa Gregory books. I still enjoyed it, but it took me a while to get into it. I also felt like her characterization of Parr was a little inconsistent? Also I am super protective of Howard (is it weird to be protective of a historical figure?) so I didn't love how she was presented in this book, even though that probably is how Parr would have seen her.
I think it would be interesting to read a book by Gregory covering Parr's life post-Henry!
I think it would be interesting to read a book by Gregory covering Parr's life post-Henry!
Read for Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2021 prompt: Book with a family tree
I'm a sucker for historical fiction set in this era, Catherine Parr, and Philippa Gregory's books in general. Like her other books, there was a good amount of intrigue and drama. It just wasn't my favorite depiction of Catherine and felt a bit inconsistent in interpretations of characters/events from prior books in this universe.
I'm a sucker for historical fiction set in this era, Catherine Parr, and Philippa Gregory's books in general. Like her other books, there was a good amount of intrigue and drama. It just wasn't my favorite depiction of Catherine and felt a bit inconsistent in interpretations of characters/events from prior books in this universe.