You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Tudor history has always been one of my favourite periods to read about. This is the story of Kateryn Parr, the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII. It is narrated in the first person and provides an account of the times and tides of Henry's court.
Kateryn is offered the queen’s chair knowing that she is a widow. She lives forever in the shadow of Queen Jane Seymour (Henry’s 3rd wife who died at childbirth leaving him his sole heir). She is even replaced by Jane in the royal portrait. However, the pillars of Kateryn’s characters are a strong will, wit and perseverance. She has outlived two husbands and knows that “this marriage will end in death – his or mine”. She is one of the lesser discussed characters in Tudor history. However, she has been instrumental in forwarding the reformist agenda, been the first woman to publish in her own name and mothered three royal children with different faiths.
There are some interesting side characters in the plot as well. Nan, Kateryn’s sister has lived at court all her life and makes herself Kateryn’s advisor, mentor and friend to help her navigate the politics of city life. Will Somers, the King’s fool is far from being foolish. He is the eyes and ears of the palace but nobody pays any importance to him though he carries a wealth of information in his mind. The three stepchildren of Henry, all born to three different queens, are brought closer by Kateryn. Princess Mary (daughter of Katherine of Aragon) is only 3 years younger to Kateryn and is treated like a friend despite her papist inclinations. Princess Elizabeth (daughter of the notorious Anne Boleyn) is coquettish and quick like her mother. She enjoys the encouragement to education and scholarship she receives from her stepmother. Prince Edward (son and heir of the beloved Jane Seymour) is an innocent child who is pulled too soon into the politics of royalty.
Finally one of the most enigmatic and frustrating characters – King Henry Tudor VIII. Kateryn describes him in various ways – a sensualist trapped in a rotten body, a man who is incapable of love, a wife killer… Kateryn fears Henry at first but as the months and years go by, she learns to trust her husband. This proves to be foolish too at times since he is a whimsical king. What he supports one day is suddenly declared heretical overnight. But she learns to manipulate him by always telling him things he wants to hear, when he wants to hear them. This always comes at a price to her pride, honour and dignity. But she perseveres.
Upon ascending to the throne, every Queen must choose a motto and Kateryn chooses "To Be Useful in All that I Do". It does not seem very inspiring to her in contrast with Jane’s motto which was “Bound to Obey and Serve”. Truly, knowing her mind to be quite in contrast to her husband's it seems like an ambiguous statement. Where she wanted to be clear about specifying that it was God she dedicates her life to, she couldn't declare this openly for fear that it may be perceived as putting God above the King, her husband.
Coming to the title of the book - it is apt because Queen Kateryn Parr is of the reformist party and despite being a woman, a widow twice over and finally a royal wife cannot stop herself from speaking up in favour of reform, religion and education. She is learned and scholarly and liberated in her mind. But there are many at court, even Henry himself, who prefer a woman to be submissive and obedient to their husband's will.
Kateryn has great respect for Anne Askew (a reformer and preacher), thinking her a woman who “has not been cut down to fit her circumstances.” Meeting her and discussing theology together the queen is emboldened and humbled at the same time. Anne sacrifices her life to save Kateryn's who ultimately realises that this sacrifice is meant to take the reform further and must not go in vain.
Philippa Gregory’s narration is smooth and adequately paced. The main struggle in that era of the Henrician court was reform in religion but the author manages to keep the subject interesting and as close to fact as possible. A good read for history fans.
Kateryn is offered the queen’s chair knowing that she is a widow. She lives forever in the shadow of Queen Jane Seymour (Henry’s 3rd wife who died at childbirth leaving him his sole heir). She is even replaced by Jane in the royal portrait. However, the pillars of Kateryn’s characters are a strong will, wit and perseverance. She has outlived two husbands and knows that “this marriage will end in death – his or mine”. She is one of the lesser discussed characters in Tudor history. However, she has been instrumental in forwarding the reformist agenda, been the first woman to publish in her own name and mothered three royal children with different faiths.
There are some interesting side characters in the plot as well. Nan, Kateryn’s sister has lived at court all her life and makes herself Kateryn’s advisor, mentor and friend to help her navigate the politics of city life. Will Somers, the King’s fool is far from being foolish. He is the eyes and ears of the palace but nobody pays any importance to him though he carries a wealth of information in his mind. The three stepchildren of Henry, all born to three different queens, are brought closer by Kateryn. Princess Mary (daughter of Katherine of Aragon) is only 3 years younger to Kateryn and is treated like a friend despite her papist inclinations. Princess Elizabeth (daughter of the notorious Anne Boleyn) is coquettish and quick like her mother. She enjoys the encouragement to education and scholarship she receives from her stepmother. Prince Edward (son and heir of the beloved Jane Seymour) is an innocent child who is pulled too soon into the politics of royalty.
Finally one of the most enigmatic and frustrating characters – King Henry Tudor VIII. Kateryn describes him in various ways – a sensualist trapped in a rotten body, a man who is incapable of love, a wife killer… Kateryn fears Henry at first but as the months and years go by, she learns to trust her husband. This proves to be foolish too at times since he is a whimsical king. What he supports one day is suddenly declared heretical overnight. But she learns to manipulate him by always telling him things he wants to hear, when he wants to hear them. This always comes at a price to her pride, honour and dignity. But she perseveres.
Upon ascending to the throne, every Queen must choose a motto and Kateryn chooses "To Be Useful in All that I Do". It does not seem very inspiring to her in contrast with Jane’s motto which was “Bound to Obey and Serve”. Truly, knowing her mind to be quite in contrast to her husband's it seems like an ambiguous statement. Where she wanted to be clear about specifying that it was God she dedicates her life to, she couldn't declare this openly for fear that it may be perceived as putting God above the King, her husband.
Coming to the title of the book - it is apt because Queen Kateryn Parr is of the reformist party and despite being a woman, a widow twice over and finally a royal wife cannot stop herself from speaking up in favour of reform, religion and education. She is learned and scholarly and liberated in her mind. But there are many at court, even Henry himself, who prefer a woman to be submissive and obedient to their husband's will.
Kateryn has great respect for Anne Askew (a reformer and preacher), thinking her a woman who “has not been cut down to fit her circumstances.” Meeting her and discussing theology together the queen is emboldened and humbled at the same time. Anne sacrifices her life to save Kateryn's who ultimately realises that this sacrifice is meant to take the reform further and must not go in vain.
Philippa Gregory’s narration is smooth and adequately paced. The main struggle in that era of the Henrician court was reform in religion but the author manages to keep the subject interesting and as close to fact as possible. A good read for history fans.
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Definitely provided interesting insight into the life of Katherine Parr, which I feel is a bit overlooked by other historical fiction authors. However, I wish the book had gone a little beyond Henry's death to offer a glimpse into what Parr's life was like after he passed away. I also felt that there was too much on the religious viewpoints of both Henry and Katherine, which could've been made shorter or removed from the story entirely.
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:
Yes
I enjoyed "The Taming of the Queen" more than other Gregory stories. Gregory may have done a fair bit of inventing, but at least the story was more plot based and less a romance in historical times. However, Gregory still has her Gregory-isms-- too many mentions of "cloth of gold," adult women who sound like inexperienced children, purpled details on everything, having character tell each other things that would have been known or giving them internal dialogue that is too obviously to remind the reader of things, etc.
Overall, "The Taming" isn't great, but I enjoyed it more than other things by Gregory.
Overall, "The Taming" isn't great, but I enjoyed it more than other things by Gregory.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
another book by Gregory I couldn't put down. I appreciate the way this author gave voice to her expectations of Katherine Parr.
I think that it did well to focus on her devotion to her faith and her character and not overwhelmingly playing a damsel.
My only regret is that i feel as if the ending was too abrupt and almost seemed as an afterthought.
other than that, i continue to love the strength of women in a time where it was forbidden.
I think that it did well to focus on her devotion to her faith and her character and not overwhelmingly playing a damsel.
My only regret is that i feel as if the ending was too abrupt and almost seemed as an afterthought.
other than that, i continue to love the strength of women in a time where it was forbidden.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I particularly liked the love story of Thomas and Kateryn. I was so angry with Henry by the end that reading about his death brought joy...as terrible as that sounds. Taming of the Queen is one of my favourites from Gregory's Tudor court novels.
Katheryn Parr is the least mentioned of Henry VIII’s wives, but I think she is becoming my favourite..
I thought the story was just ok, and if I had actually been reading it, I'm not sure that I would have finished it, as it was very repetitive, and I can't stand that. But I listened to it, and the voice actor was incredible, made me want to listen to the whole thing.
I don't usually DNF books, and I didn't DNF this one but I have to admit this one really required a lot of patience. I know that Ms Gregory was trying to portray Katherine's life as that of a survivor from a notorious wife killer, but really - I felt like Katherine's voice here was little more than a teenage girl pining for a lost love every chance she got. And when she wasn't doing that, her narrative was riddled with reformist ideas and religion and how crazy and fickle minded Henry was becoming towards his last days.
Cringing through it. Especially at that one scene that truly sickened me, won't spoil here (but ugh I was asking myself time and again what I had just read).
Overall the book was soooo draggy and repetitive towards the 75% mark, then suddenly became active towards 25% onwards. The good thing about the book? It capitalized in a very flawed manner how Katherine in some way managed to rebel against the people who would fight with her for the beliefs that she stood up for. Yet later on she does become a dull puppet for Henry, which was what he probably wanted in the first place. A submissive and obedient wife. That to me was truly horrible.
Cringing through it. Especially at that one scene that truly sickened me, won't spoil here (but ugh I was asking myself time and again what I had just read).
Overall the book was soooo draggy and repetitive towards the 75% mark, then suddenly became active towards 25% onwards. The good thing about the book? It capitalized in a very flawed manner how Katherine in some way managed to rebel against the people who would fight with her for the beliefs that she stood up for. Yet later on she does become a dull puppet for Henry, which was what he probably wanted in the first place. A submissive and obedient wife. That to me was truly horrible.