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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Another good book by Philippa Gregory but I didn't enjoy it as much as The Other Boleyn Girl. I felt more detached from the characters. I don't know if I liked that each of the three main characters narrates her own story. I still plan to read the other books in the series when I can get a hold of them.
Good historical fiction about the unfortunate wives of Henry VIII - #4 (Anne of Cleves) and #5 (Katherine Howard).
dark
emotional
sad
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
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I loved the changing perspectives in this story, the innocence, the jaded views, the longing for freeeom. My favorite Phillips Gregory novel so far.
Well written, well researched and VERY well narrated.
This book alternates between the voices of 3 interesting women: Henry VIII's 4th and 5th wives (Anne of Cleves & Katherine Howard) and Jane Boleyn, the lady-in-waiting who serves them (as well as Henry VIII's previous 3 wives). The book focuses on the differences between the women and their relationship to one another, as well as Henry VIII's decline into tyrannical madness. Of the 3 women, Anne of Cleves is definitely the most admirable. Occasionally Katherine Howard's chapters annoyed me, since of the 3 she was the most shallow and naive in some ways, but somehow managed to make perceptive insights. But I pitied her. Jane Boleyn was definitely the most complicated -- I did pity her, but in this book, she also shows a malicious and evil streak. And both Henry VIII and the Duke of Norfolk emerge as villains (who seem to go basically unpunished, especially the latter). And I loved how each woman consciously dealt with her Boleyn inheritance.
Ultimately, I think I sympathized with all 3 women -- as fascinated as I am with this period, I would not have wanted to live through this time! Although you could read this book without having first read The Other Boleyn Girl, I strongly recommend reading The other Boleyn Girl first.
Ultimately, I think I sympathized with all 3 women -- as fascinated as I am with this period, I would not have wanted to live through this time! Although you could read this book without having first read The Other Boleyn Girl, I strongly recommend reading The other Boleyn Girl first.
First, as always, the narration: the narration on this book gets 5 stars. Three women, and they each did a fantastic job.
This is like every other Philippa Gregory book I've read. I learned stuff about the Tudors, and it's fun to hear about what everyone is wearing, and what CRAZY shit actually went down. The writing itself is only mediocre. She repeats herself like CRAZY.
Although now that I'm thinking about it, it might be the best of her writing so far. It isn't too bad. And the narrator guilty of the most repetition (Jane Boleyn) was supposedly mad. So you know.
Recommended if you're into this sort of thing.
This is like every other Philippa Gregory book I've read. I learned stuff about the Tudors, and it's fun to hear about what everyone is wearing, and what CRAZY shit actually went down. The writing itself is only mediocre. She repeats herself like CRAZY.
Although now that I'm thinking about it, it might be the best of her writing so far. It isn't too bad. And the narrator guilty of the most repetition (Jane Boleyn) was supposedly mad. So you know.
Recommended if you're into this sort of thing.
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An enjoyable book about two of the wives of Henry VIII. This book switches between three perspectives from chapter to chapter: Jane Rochford, Katherine Howard, and Anne of Cleves. It begins with the journey of Queen Anne from Germany to England as Henry's wife following the previously executed Anne Boleyn. Then it moves into the divorce of those two and the marriage of Henry to Katherine. Lady Rochford acts as an advisor and maid for both of these women while always keeping an eye out for herself. Philippa focuses on many dangers that women faced in these times, with Katherine suffering for her naivety and youth, Jane suffering for the decisions she made while guided by a man, and Anne suffering for her independent nature. I appreciate these choices in characterization because it allows the wives of Henry VIII to be human. I feel that oftentimes, history only depicts them as a minor part of the story, completely ignoring that each women had their own life. We know that Henry VIII was a wicked, mad, and cruel man who killed almost every wife he took, but I had no concept of how many people outside of the castle suffered at his hand.
My favorite part of this novel was the characterization of Katherine Howard. History likes to paint her as a wicked adulteress, with no consideration for her situation. Queen Katherine was only 16 when she was executed, for loving a man before she knew the king, and for loving a man while satisfying the king. Reading her internal monologue, I truly felt for her and grieved the childhood that she never got to experience. I also appreciate the relationship that her and Anne of Cleves formed. Instead of warring, they worked together, and Anne acted as Katherine's mentor when she needed it.
I don't feel like this book was life-changing, but I do appreciate it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially life in a royal court. I also think that the social commentary is too obvious and almost exaggerated, making it feel as though the author is beating the reader over the head with her goal. If you read this book and really enjoy it or find it entertaining, I would recommend watching "Reign" on Netflix. It has a very similar premise and execution (excuse my pun). Good book, fun to read, but doesn't have much deeper than that.
My favorite part of this novel was the characterization of Katherine Howard. History likes to paint her as a wicked adulteress, with no consideration for her situation. Queen Katherine was only 16 when she was executed, for loving a man before she knew the king, and for loving a man while satisfying the king. Reading her internal monologue, I truly felt for her and grieved the childhood that she never got to experience. I also appreciate the relationship that her and Anne of Cleves formed. Instead of warring, they worked together, and Anne acted as Katherine's mentor when she needed it.
I don't feel like this book was life-changing, but I do appreciate it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially life in a royal court. I also think that the social commentary is too obvious and almost exaggerated, making it feel as though the author is beating the reader over the head with her goal. If you read this book and really enjoy it or find it entertaining, I would recommend watching "Reign" on Netflix. It has a very similar premise and execution (excuse my pun). Good book, fun to read, but doesn't have much deeper than that.