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The Wise Woman

by Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)

3.21 of 5 stars 3.21 · rating details · 3,869 ratings · 412 reviews

Alys joins a nunnery to escape the poverty of her life on the moor with her foster mother, Morach, the local wise woman with whom she lives as an outcast, but she soon finds herself thrown back into the world when Henry VIII's wreckers destroy her sanctuary. Summoned to the castle as the old lord's scribe, she falls obsessively in love with his son Hugo, who is married to...more

Paperback, 640 pages

Published February 1st 2002 by HarperCollins (first published January 1st 1992)

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The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Best Historical Fiction Set in UK and Ireland

74th out of 558 books — 493 voters

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

Best Books by Philippa Gregory

15th out of 25 books — 92 voters

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Community Reviews

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Sep 21, 2011 Kiri rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Set during beginnings of the English Reformation in the Tudor Era up in Durham County England (Northern Counties) this story follows the life of Alys as she manipulates and is manipulated by people and events. Glimpses of the well known people and events of the period are shown (Queen Catherine's being put aside/divorce, and death; Fall of Anne Boleyn; Jane Seymour's rise and so on) providing reference points and indicating why witchcraft (culminating in the the Anti-Witchcraft Law) was so heavi...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, fantasy-sci-fi

Better than her Queen books. Not as good as the Virgin Earth and Earthy Joys. The "Wise Woman" is anything but. In fact she's a despicable young thing who lives in a convent for the love of it's good food and shelter. She escapes when it is burned and pillaged and believes her Mother Superior is dead. She ends up in at a castle,and becomes whore to the local nobleman, using her witch skills to enslave him.

She eventually betrays the old healer/witch who reared her before and after the convent. It...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars

"In my dream I smelled the dark sulphurous stink of a passing witch and I pulled up the coarse blanket (smooth embroidered sheets) over my head and whispered, "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us" to shield me from my nightmare of terror." Philippa Gregory begins and ends The Wise Woman with these words. The stink of a witch and the prayer invoking Mary compel by their very opposite powers. Witches were the worst that a woman could be called in Tudor times and Mary was the best, those opposite...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Emily Martin rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Wise Woman centres on the character of Alys - devout nun turned malevolent witch. She is fictional proof that teenage girls are impressionable and vulnerable, as she buries herself deeper into the troubles and complications of 'the grown-up world'. At first she is a likeable character and you can't help but feel sorry for her - Henry VIII and his men burn down her nunnery but she escapes and her only sanctuary is with the wise old woman - Morach, a closet witch, versed in the dark arts. Alys...more The Wise Woman centres on the character of Alys - devout nun turned malevolent witch. She is fictional proof that teenage girls are impressionable and vulnerable, as she buries herself deeper into the troubles and complications of 'the grown-up world'. At first she is a likeable character and you can't help but feel sorry for her - Henry VIII and his men burn down her nunnery but she escapes and her only sanctuary is with the wise old woman - Morach, a closet witch, versed in the dark arts. Alys feels guilty for leaving her old life behind as she tries to adopt a new identity as the wise woman's apprentice, healing the local villagers with herbs and superstitious verses.

Her childhood sweetheart tries in vain to rescue her and whisk her away to enjoy a modest, happy life, but she is stubbornly fixed to her vows to God and virginity, then to the shallow desires of a woman who wants to climb the social ladder. She wants to be more than a wise woman or a poor man's wife who lives in a dank cottage and never fulfils her potential, or so she thinks.

Given her growing reputation as the best healer in the lands, Lord Hugo summons her to see to his ailing father. This marks the end of her innocence as she must deny her past for fear of the flames and make another identity for herself in order to survive. She is now a young wise woman but cannot be revealed as a witch for fear of the noose. She cannot win, so change she must, and change she does.

Lord Hugo is instantly attracted by Alys as succulent young flesh compared to his seemingly barren wife and his many other flooseys. Resisting temptation seems easy at first as she is adamant that she will never concede to any man's desires. Understandably, Lady Catherine is jealous of Alys and treats her accordingly.

The introduction of Morach to the courtly drama solidifies Alys' belief that she must use her powers to manipulate Lord Hugo, Lady Catherine and Hugo's father. Little does she know how short-sighted she is and how short-lived her dreams would be. Cursing her puppets in turn curses herself and those few people who love her, as a mother or as a sweetheart. She must live with her mistakes as the hands of time cannot be reversed, despite any dark arts magic.
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Nov 02, 2012 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: has-magic-in-it, convent

This book was right up my alley so even though the reviews weren't glowing, I had to read it. I liked the setting and the premise, and especially liked how there was a little, but not a lot, of magic. It was a normal world just had some magic in it.
I was surprised at how little time passed in the book. I thought like at least 2 years had passed until it was mentioned that it had only been 10 months. I was surprised how rather suddenly she became a bad horrible person. She pretty much never felt...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Jennifer Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

I can't decide whether I really like the book or it was a waste of my time....

***Spoiler alert***
Personally, I don't find Alys, the supposed protagonist, sympathetic or likable. She is motivated by self-preservation, greed, and pure selfishness. I wanted to know what made her this way, but all I got was that she was probably starved for affection when she was a toddler but when she joined the nunnery, she was loved by the head mistress. There was a lot of affection and expectation. So, it still...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Marion Marchetto rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

When I was a young girl my mother always told me to 'be careful what you wish for'. Too bad Alys, the young girl around whom this story centers, didn't heed that admonishment when her mentor/mother Morach made it. At an early age Alys came to live with Morach, an old wise woman who lives alone in a remote cottage out on the moors. Morach trains the young Alys in the healing arts of an herbalist. When Alys falls in love though it is the young man's parents who literally offer Alys to the local nu...more When I was a young girl my mother always told me to 'be careful what you wish for'. Too bad Alys, the young girl around whom this story centers, didn't heed that admonishment when her mentor/mother Morach made it. At an early age Alys came to live with Morach, an old wise woman who lives alone in a remote cottage out on the moors. Morach trains the young Alys in the healing arts of an herbalist. When Alys falls in love though it is the young man's parents who literally offer Alys to the local nunnery.

Still a child, Alys takes one look at the luxurious life of the nuns (as compared to her own life living in Morach's hovel), and is happy to join them. She is fostered by Mother Hildebrande who treats her like a daughter. Shortly after Alys has taken her vows, the nunnery is raided and torched by Lord Hugo acting under the orders of King Henry VIII. Fleeing for her life in the dead of night, Alys realizes that her fellow sisters have all burned in their beds and that she is the only survivor. She finds her way back to Morach's filthy hovel and is taken back in. In no time at all she is back to being Morach's apprentice although she tries to keep to her vows as best she can.

When the old lord of the area, Lord Hugo's father, becomes sick he sends for the wise woman from the moors - not Morach, but Alys. She goes unwillingly but in time she wins the heart of the old lord and continues on at the castle to work as his clerk since she can read and write.

From this point on it becomes the familiar love triangle - Alys falls in love with Lord Hugo (who burned down the nunnery). Hugo is married however to a seemingly barren woman who has produced no heirs and he is prone to taking his pleasures everywhere else. Alys wants no part of him since she is trying to maintain the vows she has taken. In due time though she succumbs to Lord Hugo's charms and falls completely in love. When she finds that he thinks of her only as a pleasant diversion she brings in Morach. Morach warns her that in order to turn Hugo towards her it will take more than Alys may want to give up. In short, black magic or a pact with the devil. But Alys has her sights set on being the lady of the castle and nothing short of marriage to Hugo will please her. So she turns her back on everything holy and uses everything at her disposal to secure her future. But is she truly secure?

After getting pregnant with Hugo's child Alys believes that she is Hugo's chosen lady, especially since his wife suffers an ugly and unspeakable miscarriage. The tale concludes with a twist that is unexpected and brilliant. To say more would be anticlimatic.

Note: There are some explicit scenes not for the faint of heart.

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Jun 25, 2011 Kirsty Mcardle rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Phillipa Gregory fans and history novel fans

Gripped from beginning to... almost the end.

Pretty Alys grows up with Morach, the dirty, old wise woman who lives in a small hovel in Bowes Moore. Not knowing her mother, Morach and her hovel are all she ever knew. When things progress with her childhood playmate, Tom, his family abruptly end the romance, sending her to a nunnery and therefore ending their love.

When Alys gets to the nunnery, she is renamed Sister Ann and takes her vows with the upmost loyalty and commitment. She is well-liked, t...more

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Mar 24, 2011 Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf

The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory takes place in Durham County England in 1535.
It was during this time that the English Reformation was put forth by King Henry VIII. Henry VIII sought out to split from the Roman Catholic Church because Queen Anne Boleyn failed to produce England with a male heir. In order for Henry VIII to be completely rid of Anne and be free to marry another, he accused her of witchcraft. Anne Boleyn was sentenced to die by the sword. This led Henry to pass the Anti-Witchcraf...more The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory takes place in Durham County England in 1535.
It was during this time that the English Reformation was put forth by King Henry VIII. Henry VIII sought out to split from the Roman Catholic Church because Queen Anne Boleyn failed to produce England with a male heir. In order for Henry VIII to be completely rid of Anne and be free to marry another, he accused her of witchcraft. Anne Boleyn was sentenced to die by the sword. This led Henry to pass the Anti-Witchcraft Law for England, which caused many English citizens to become paranoid. Anyone who looked out of the ordinary or seemed to be doing something suspicious was accused of being a witch. This sets the stage for Philippa Gregory’s book The Wise Woman.

Alys is an orphan raised by her foster mother the local town’s wise woman, Morach. She and Morach live in a tiny shack right off of Bowes Moor where they are labeled as outcasts. The town fears Morach, suspecting her of being a witch capable of performing dark magic. Alys is sent away to live with the local nuns by the parents of her childhood crush Tom. This was done to prevent Tom from marrying Alys because his parents saw her as a girl with no respectable family that could pay her husband a dowry.

On a cold dark night, Alys awoke to a smell of something burning. She soon realized that the entire Abbey was on fire and was under attack by Lord Hugo and his men. Upon leaving her room she noticed that she was the only one who was awake. The other sisters and Mother Hildebrand were unaware of the danger they were in, but Alys was worried that if she helped them escape that she would be dead too. So Alys ran as fast as she could away from the nunnery not knowing whether anyone survived the attack or not. She found herself back at Morach’s door begging her to take her back so long as she would not have to use her powers and could remain true to her vows.

Alys was once again forced into living with Morach and succumbed to the feeling of being unclean and famished. One day Alys was summoned to the castle of Lord Hugh. His health was failing and he begged her to work whatever magic she could to save him. She confessed that she was only an herbalist and did not partake in witchcraft. Lord Hugh soon grew found of Alys and offered to let her stay in the castle where she would become his clerk. She agreed in order to escape from Morach’s damp and filthy shack.

It did not take long for Lord Hugh’s son Hugo to become infatuated with Alys, which caused his wife Lady Catherine to become extremely jealous. Alys soon finds herself backed into a corner as a result of Lady Catherine’s outrageous accusations of her being a witch and hexing Hugo into loving her. For her own safety, Alys decides to set aside her vows and take up the powers she’s learned from Morach. The spell she conjures up becomes too powerful for her to control and so it takes on a life of its own. This puts Alys in mortal danger and on the path to self destruction. Does Alys rise so far to the top only to fall so low to where not even her powers can save her?

After reading this book, I can see why so many had a hard time even finishing it because of the combination of witchcraft and very erotic sex scenes. I must admit this is not Philippa’s best work but it does not deserve to be shunned like so many have done. I went in knowing there were to be some crazy sex scenes and so I was prepared for them when they appeared. I enjoy reading paranormal books so the witchcraft aspect didn’t bother me a bit, in fact I found it refreshing. It was nice to read something a little different from your typical HF books.

I did find the character of Alys to be a little disturbing at times. I kept questioning why she chose to do some of things she did. I knew she wasn’t making very wise choices that may cause her to dig her own grave, but I was curious as to where it was going to lead her in the end.

Overall, I was not too disappointed with this book. If you can accept the fact that there will be some crazy and also some disturbing sex scenes down the line then it shouldn’t be too bad. If you choose to read this book, don’t expect another Other Boleyn Girl or The White Queen. Expect something more like Wideacre. If you could handle Wideacre then it may be a good choice for you.

To read more of my reviews visit my Historical Fiction site: http://allthingshistoricalfiction.blo...(less)

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Nov 16, 2010 Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory takes place in Durham County England in 1535. It was during this time that the English Reformation was put forth by King Henry VIII. Henry VIII sought out to split from the Roman Catholic Church because Queen Anne Boleyn failed to produce England with a male heir. In order for Henry VIII to be completely rid of Anne and be free to marry another, he accused her of witchcraft. Anne Boleyn was sentenced to die by the sword. This led Henry to pass the Anti-Witchcra...more The Wise Woman by Philippa Gregory takes place in Durham County England in 1535. It was during this time that the English Reformation was put forth by King Henry VIII. Henry VIII sought out to split from the Roman Catholic Church because Queen Anne Boleyn failed to produce England with a male heir. In order for Henry VIII to be completely rid of Anne and be free to marry another, he accused her of witchcraft. Anne Boleyn was sentenced to die by the sword. This led Henry to pass the Anti-Witchcraft Law for England, which caused many English citizens to become paranoid. Anyone who looked out of the ordinary or seemed to be doing something suspicious was accused of being a witch. This sets the stage for Philippa Gregory’s book The Wise Woman.

Alys is an orphan raised by her foster mother the local town’s wise woman, Morach. She and Morach live in a tiny shack right off of Bowes Moor where they are labeled as outcasts. The town fears Morach, suspecting her of being a witch capable of performing dark magic. Alys is sent away to live with the local nuns by the parents of her childhood crush Tom. This was done to prevent Tom from marrying Alys because his parents saw her as a girl with no respectable family that could pay her husband a dowry.

On a cold dark night, Alys awoke to a smell of something burning. She soon realized that the entire Abbey was on fire and was under attack by Lord Hugo and his men. Upon leaving her room she noticed that she was the only one who was awake. The other sisters and Mother Hildebrand were unaware of the danger they were in, but Alys was worried that if she helped them escape that she would be dead too. So Alys ran as fast as she could away from the nunnery not knowing whether anyone survived the attack or not. She found herself back at Morach’s door begging her to take her back so long as she would not have to use her powers and could remain true to her vows.

Alys was once again forced into living with Morach and succumbed to the feeling of being unclean and famished. One day Alys was summoned to the castle of Lord Hugh. His health was failing and he begged her to work whatever magic she could to save him. She confessed that she was only an herbalist and did not partake in witchcraft. Lord Hugh soon grew found of Alys and offered to let her stay in the castle where she would become his clerk. She agreed in order to escape from Morach’s damp and filthy shack.

It did not take long for Lord Hugh’s son Hugo to become infatuated with Alys, which caused his wife Lady Catherine to become extremely jealous. Alys soon finds herself backed into a corner as a result of Lady Catherine’s outrageous accusations of her being a witch and hexing Hugo into loving her. For her own safety, Alys decides to set aside her vows and take up the powers she’s learned from Morach. The spell she conjures up becomes too powerful for her to control and so it takes on a life of its own. This puts Alys in mortal danger and on the path to self destruction. Does Alys rise so far to the top only to fall so low to where not even her powers can save her?

After reading this book, I can see why so many had a hard time even finishing it because of the combination of witchcraft and very erotic sex scenes. I must admit this is not Philippa’s best work but it does not deserve to be shunned like so many have done. I went in knowing there were to be some crazy sex scenes and so I was prepared for them when they appeared. I enjoy reading paranormal books so the witchcraft aspect didn’t bother me a bit, in fact I found it refreshing. It was nice to read something a little different from your typical HF books.

What I found disappointing was that the characters had no depth. The characters weren't believable and not one of them stuck to doing one thing with the exception of the old Lord and Morach. I did find the character of Alys to be a little disturbing at times. I kept questioning why she chose to do some of things she did. I knew she wasn’t making very wise choices that may cause her to dig her own grave, but I was curious as to where it was going to lead her in the end.

Overall, I was not too disappointed with this book. If you can accept the fact that there will be some crazy and also some disturbing sex scenes down the line then it shouldn’t be too bad. If you choose to read this book, don’t expect another Other Boleyn Girl or The White Queen. Expect something more like Wideacre. If you could handle Wideacre then it may be a good choice for you. For more reviews of other HF books and authors feel free to visit my site: http://allthingshistoricalfiction.blo... (less)

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Oct 09, 2010 RNOCEAN rated it 5 of 5 stars

*THE WISE WOMAN* by Phillipa Gregory

In this book, originally published after her bestselling debut with the Wideacre trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory takes readers to Henry VIII's England, on a journey to the outer reaches of passion, where magic and female power meet.
Alys joins a nunnery to escape the poverty of her life on the moor with her foster mother, Morach, the local wise woman with whom she lives as an outcast, but she soon finds herself thrown back into the...more

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Aug 27, 2010 Jenny rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: no-longer-own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I took a break from reading Gregory’s tales of the court in her Tudor series to read The Wise Woman, one of her stand alone novels. It is set in Tudor times, but mentions very little about the royals and isn’t included in that set. It said it was about a witch, so I thought maybe it would be interesting. It started out interesting enough, she leads you in to like the main character in the first 2/3rds of the novel. In the last third of the book however, things start to turn dark and perverse. If...more

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Jan 26, 2010 Yannie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ok at one time, this book was hard to find. The only way I was able to get it was through Amazon. But now that Philipa Gregory has become a household name among Henry the Vlll fanatics as myself, it is available again. The book is a grisly tale about dark powers and desires. It is a tale of passion and witchcraft in 16th century England.
Alys is raised by Morach who is a feared wise-woman of the moors. Alys does not like living with her so joins a Catholic nunnery. One day a young lord, Hugo and...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Jennifer added it · review of another edition

I'm pissed!! I read this more than ten years ago as a library book, and just bought a new copy, and it turns out she rewrote it! I want the old version, where the perverted little heroine falls in love with the guy who put a leash and collar on her mom after sacking their castle, not where the heroine is a nun!

I want to read the original novel, dammit.

I had noticed that Philippa Gregory seemed ashamed of this book, never listing it along with her historical novels. Now it's back, but she's chang...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Briansmom rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I'm not quite sure how to rate this book; I think it's actually a 1.5. I did finish it, and it kept me interested, but sorta like a train wreck is interesting. Most of the time, I was horrified and disgusted. So, I guess I finished it out of a deep desire to see if Alys gets what she deserves, in the end. Unfortunately, I picked up this book because I love most of what Phillipa Gregory writes. Yes, I did read the Wideacre trilogy, and was disgusted w/ book 1. Books 2 & 3 are much better, in...more

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Jul 28, 2008 AnneMarie Watson rated it 1 of 5 stars

I'm a huge Philippa Gregory fan, so I don't know how the same author wrote this as wrote The Other Boleyn Girl and all those other excellent historical romances. This book really sucked! If I hadn't been out of town and away from a library, and if I'd brought anything else with me to read, I wouldn't have even finished it! And I'm a real stickler for finishing books, even bad ones, so that says it all right there. This book was really awful.

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Nov 15, 2011 Rebecca Catlett rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the beginning of the book a young girl named Alys is being taken care of by nuns but when Henry VIII decides to burn down all the monasteries one night Alys escapes by a hair. She is extremely upset because she left behind her beloved Mother Hildebrande, the head nun, whom she thinks burned up in the fire. She runs off to and lives with Morach, a known witch/healer and original caretaker before she left to go to the monastery. There she lives a horrid life because Morach treats her like a sla...more In the beginning of the book a young girl named Alys is being taken care of by nuns but when Henry VIII decides to burn down all the monasteries one night Alys escapes by a hair. She is extremely upset because she left behind her beloved Mother Hildebrande, the head nun, whom she thinks burned up in the fire. She runs off to and lives with Morach, a known witch/healer and original caretaker before she left to go to the monastery. There she lives a horrid life because Morach treats her like a slave and they live poorly. One day a man comes to the door and demands to have Morach go help him with his sick master, Lord Hugh. Morach sends Alys because she is young and she can stand the treacherous ride to the castle where Lord Hugh lives. She also knows that Alys can help heal because she has "special powers". When Alys gets to the castle she is in awe because everything is so glamorous than what she is used to but trouble starts as soon as she meets Lord Hugh's son, Lord Hugo. She quickly falls in love with Lord Hugo even though he is married to Catherine. While helping the old lord get better she becomes Lord Hugo's mistress. Once Catherine finds out that Alys is her husbands mistress, everything starts to look up for Alys because she finally has Lord Hugo's attention. When Catherine becomes pregnant Alys becomes her main helper although neither of them like it. After spending many months together Catherine starts to trust Alys and they become friends. Sadly, Catherine loses her baby in a most unpleasant way and that's when Alys finds out she is pregnant with Lord Hugo's child. Alys believes she will become Lord Hugo's wife since Catherine has lost her baby. She is living the grand life and is very excited that she will be a mother and wife. Soon Alys finds out that she is not good enough for Lord Hugh or Lord Hugo because she does not have a dowry and she was a peasant living with a witch/healer when they got her so she will never become Lord Hugo's wife. She becomes even more devastated when she finds out her beloved Mother Hildebrand is alive but is on trial for her faith. Alys is now worried about her and tries to help free her every way she can since Lord Hugh is one of the people who is trying to convict her. She eventually persuades her master to let Mother Hildebrande back to her little house. Alys makes up a lie and is able to run off to see Mother Hildebrande. When she is finally able to talk to her she tries to convince her to change her faith or they will burn her alive for heresy. Mother Hildebrande does not change her mind and Alys is very upset that she will die. She is also afraid to tell her that she is pregnant and has abandoned her faith although Mother Hildebrand thinks she still has the same faith. A few days after Alys arrives back at the castle she finds out that Mother Hildebrande is charged and sentenced and will be burned at the stake for heresy the next day. The day of the burning, Alys wakes late and almost misses it so she runs and when she is near she decides to do the unthinkable: She runs to Mother Hildebrand and holds her while they are both being burned alive. She does this because she finally realizes Mother Hildebrand has been the kindest to her and she does not want to change her faith.

I think the age range is for advanced readers because you have to be very mature to read this book as it has many scenes that are not appropriate for children. Also it contains many words that young children are not able to comprehend yet. I think it is a great book for advanced readers who like books in the Tudor century because it has so many aspects of what is is like for a girl being raised at that time.

The front cover that shows on Goodreads is not the same as mine. The front cover of my book looks to be painted with dark colors and they are blended together with very intricate lines. The girl on the front cover is turned to the side and it looks like she is running from something through the woods. It is a very pretty painting because the painter made the woods a blend of purple, yellow, and pink. My favorite part of the cover is on the girl's dress there is a hint of old writing and a faint picture of a clock.

I have read all of Philippa Gregory's books (except her new 1, still working on it) so I recommend all of her books. Like many of her other books, she made the main female character go through a lot of trouble like they did back in the day. This book is a start on reading Philippa Gregory's books because she writes the same in all of her book:very detailed and leaves you on the edge until the last page. If you like Tudor England then this book is for you. (less)

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Feb 16, 2012 Kate Millin rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Philippa Gregory that I have not enjoyed reading - I finished it because I wanted to know what happened, but I found Alys to be the the least likeable main character of any book I have read for a long time. Also although I like fantasy and science fiction I prefer it in books within those genre's not in a book I am reading for historical context. I have read other books about witches in this period and they were much better as they did not resort to fantastical elements...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Freckleface79 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, historical

Alys is always looking out for number one. An orphan, she comes from nothing and through pure luck and scheming she works her way up and up through the social ladder, yet she is never happy with what life gives her. When she eventually falls in love with lord Hugo, she sets her sight on the position as lady of the castle (nevermind the fact that there already IS a lady of the castle - lady Catherine) and uses magic and scheming to get her way.

This book is unpleasant and fascinating and creepy....more

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Oct 16, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

This was a decent book. I'm a Gregory fan, and her books are one of my guilty pleasures. I always blaze through them at a pretty fast clip. This was recommended by the site "The Hairpin" as a good read for Halloween.

In the novel, Alys, who's been raised by an old "wise woman" - Morach - sinks deeper and deeper into evil as she tries to maintain her place an English lord's court during the reign of Henry VIII.

As always, Gregory's material is well-researched, her women are complex and complicate...more

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Jul 03, 2008 Samira rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: novels

I was disappointed in this book after The Other Boleyn Girl. The main character was utterly unsympathetic, as were most of the other characters. As a result, it was hard to get invested in any of their outcomes. In addition, it lacked the complicated politics of Gregory's other work, but carried on some of the same themes in a thin echo of what I know that she can do.

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Sep 27, 2012 Kimberly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I gave a lot of thought to how I would rate this. This is not an easy novel to read, which accounts for the overall low rating on Goodreads, I believe. Gregory does not shy away from despicable depictions, and leaves the reader disgusted and appalled at times. At first, I chalked up the unlikable characters and extreme plot twists as flaws in the writing--until I took a broader perspective on the author's intentions. She writes of a brutal time and brutal choices, in fact, it could be argued are...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dumb, dumb, dumb. Through much struggle and perserverance I finished this book but wow what a ridiculous story line. I kept waiting for it to all fit together and become a remarkable book (much like Gregory's other novels). It was just so far fetched that it made it completely silly - not to mention the story written to a little over 500 pages could have been told that in have the pages.

What a waste of trees!

I will read Gregory again but this was a shocker of a disappointment - I wonder how she...more

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May 01, 2007 Veronica Bailey rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Nobody

Shelves: historicalfiction

Is it possible to give less than one star? I think this may well be the worst book I've ever read all the way to the end. The "heroine" of the story was so selfish and unconcerned with anything but her own material pleasure that I swear I only finished the book in hopes that I'd get to see her die a brutal death at the end.

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Feb 11, 2013 Puffin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, philippa-gregory

I did enjoy reading this and thought the story was quite captivating but I really struggled with the fact that I didn't really like the central character. The story winds its way through a mix of magic, religion and power struggles and its easy to see why Alys became the woman she did although this didn't really do much to help me warm to her and so I found it quite unusual to be hoping for her downfall! I also felt the book seemed to end quite abruptly and not totally convincingly for me.

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Feb 02, 2010 Amy rated it 1 of 5 stars

I have read almost all of Philippa Gregory’s other novels and I am now going back to some of her “older” books. Finding The Wise Woman, I was excited to read it but after the first few pages I was utterly disappointed. It was a struggle just to complete the book and I always finish books no matter how good or bad. If I had not read her other books to know I enjoy her as an author I would have walked away from this book and never picked up on of her books again. The main character was utterly uns...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Mallory rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british, historical-fiction

Set in 1535 Durham county, England, this book can be read as part of Gregory’s Tudor series since it occurs between Queens Anne and Jane right in the middle of the protestant reformation. Alys is a runaway nun who above all else wants to make a better life for herself. She finds herself at the castle working as Lord Hugh’s clerk and lady in waiting to the lady Catherine. However, she quickly finds herself lusting over the young Lord Hugo, even though it goes against her vows. Alys winds up strug...more

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Nov 12, 2010 Lori rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What the hell kind of stupid ending was that?!
OK, I was ... somewhat enthralled with the historical fiction and the witchcraft angle; I've never before read Gregory but she's gotten glowing reviews from people whose opinion I respect. I knew there was going to be an issue with this book almost from the first page... but I am also one of those people who are loathe to cast aside a book before it's finished. I disliked the main character (can't call her a "heroine," can I?) from the very beginning...more

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Jan 06, 2010 Karen rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book is remarkable only in its utter awfulness.

I've read probably half a dozen of Gregory's books and have always enjoyed them. Usually fun, fluffy, and easy-to-read, her books serve as a nice palate cleanser after a particularly intense read. This one, however, left a decidedly bad taste in my mouth. I honestly believe that Gregory must have been going through some sort of crisis as a writer when she wrote this one. She mocks herself as a writer, her genre, and her readers.

Not a single ch...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Tina rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book is well-written, but I spent the whole of it wondering when Alys was going to become at least a little bit sympathetic and likeable, or even a protagonist one could at least love to hate. No, she remained throughout horribly selfish and lacking in self-awareness or empathy. Alys was the complete opposite of a wise woman, and the depiction of witchcraft and the realities of what a historically accurate wise woman would be and was were completely unrealistic and false. Considering how go...more

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About Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory was an established historian and writer when she discovered her interest in the Tudor period and wrote the novel The Other Boleyn Girl, which was made into a TV drama and a major film. Published in 2009, the bestselling The White Queen, the story of Elizabeth Woodville, ushered in a new series involving The Cousins’ War (now known as The War of the Roses) and a new era for the acc...more

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Books by Philippa Gregory

The Other Boleyn Girl (The Tudor Court, #2)

The Constant Princess (The Tudor Court, #1)

The Boleyn Inheritance (The Tudor Court, #3)

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