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The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

by C.W. Gortner (Goodreads Author)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 2,675 ratings · 322 reviews

The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner bri...more The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.

The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.

Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart.

From the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley to the battlefields of the wars of religion to the mob-filled streets of Paris, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is the extraordinary untold journey of one of the most maligned and misunderstood women ever to be queen.
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Hardcover, 397 pages

Published May 25th 2010 by Ballantine Books

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Mar 28, 2012 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI, by C.W. Gortner is by far the clearest, out-of the box-take on this usually overly vilified queen of France. This in depth biography-type novel reveals a Catherine that not many people know- and that in itself is incredibly original as well as refreshing.
The Catherine in Gortner’s book has been researched to the max- and although the author took the liberty of slightly altering names and events for creativity and flowing purposes (this merely avoided the...more THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI, by C.W. Gortner is by far the clearest, out-of the box-take on this usually overly vilified queen of France. This in depth biography-type novel reveals a Catherine that not many people know- and that in itself is incredibly original as well as refreshing.
The Catherine in Gortner’s book has been researched to the max- and although the author took the liberty of slightly altering names and events for creativity and flowing purposes (this merely avoided the encumbrance of an historical index of names appearing just for the sake of accuracy- and I appreciated that!), the history is impeccably spot-on. Bravo for a novel that stuck to its essence while bringing us so much more!
How can this Catherine be so different? Well, for one, THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI, portrays an all-around complete Catherine; woman, mother, queen, lover, friend , ruler, patriot, and ultimate monarch. The emotions alone, that each of these roles entail are enormous and not always easy to convey in a novel; especially when written in the first person. Magically, Gortner achieves this to perfection.
Is it possible to love Catherine, when history has done everything possible to morph her into an absolute monster? When you read the how’s and why’s of Catherine’s actions, you begin to understand the person behind the story. It’s often easier to hold on to shock images that create an impact effect rather than to delve into the intricacies of the history itself. After reading Gortner’s magnificent novel, I understood the history so much better.
The details in Catherine’s life, France, her children, the political situation, the religion!- all in flawless account, like layers of a collage with Catherine woven into its web, this story opens up a whole new dimension into France’s ruling family of the time. And, if after reading this novel you still can’t find it in you to love Catherine- I guarantee you’ll begin to sympathize with her in ways you’ve never imagined.
So many facets to this woman: Catherine was headstrong for her nation, yet showed vulnerability in the face of love. She kept strong for her husband and endured the belittlement and embarrassment caused by his mistress and that whole awkward situation. She arranged marriages for her offspring with the nation in mind- yet had immeasurable love for them and an acceptance of their choices which was unparallel of her time (Her love for her son, Henri, poured unconditionally-beautiful!). Catherine had an uncanny foresight for great things, but sadly never had anyone to completely share her own doubts, needs, fears and- love. The enlightenment that no religion should divide a country and that France was all her people, not only Catholics-this too was grand.
I have to admit that I never truly believed the Jezebel portrayal, so I was especially glad to read this fantastic novel which revealed Catherine as a woman of immense substance. I now see Catherine as a woman and ruler who sacrificed all for the ultimate good of France- a huge responsibility which she took charge of with all her might. Her focus never deviating from her purpose –no matter the cost.
I happen to love this quote from the book;
Catherine while on her deathbed:
“...I’ve had ample opportunity to reflect on this unseen entity who guides our path and to ponder why he has seen fit to test me so. Have I not struggled as much as any other for my blood? Others live fewer years; accomplish a mere fraction of what I have; and yet they sit enthroned with halos about their brows, while I sink like a villain in my own calumny.
As I wait the inevitable, I see the dead...my sometimes enemies and accomplices, each martyr to their cause. Important as they were in life, through death they have become legend.
And I ask myself, What legend will history inscribe for me?
Read Catherine as you’ve never read before – It’s time history got a dusting-Thank you C.W. Gortner for polishing it to a shine.
EXCELLENT!(less)

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Jul 12, 2011 Orsolya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist, queens, library, historical-fiction, catherine-de-medici

I would love to teach a course on historical female royal figures. One of my lessons would be comprised of females who have a bad reputation and I would have assignments to compare and contrast these women, their actions, and social perceptions; to that of strong women today. Who would these women in my lesson plan be? Mary Tudor, Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots), Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen Isabella, Juana the Mad, and this woman: Catherine de Medici.

Although I view Gortner's work to be occasionall...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Christie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, royalty, 16th-century, 2011-scavenger-hunt, kick-ass-heroines

This book has got to be one of the best royal fiction books I have read. Though the book covers many years of Catherine de Medici's life, the pacing is good. I had to force myself to put this book down because it held my attention so well. This was also a refreshing read after reading Mary Queen of Scots by Roderick Graham. Mary spent her life whining about how everyone had done her wrong, Catherine de Medici took charge and made what she wanted happen. I plan to read a biography about her to se...more

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May 13, 2010 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, france, hfbrt, 16th-c, catherine-de-medici

“At the age of fourteen, Catherine de Medici, last legitimate descendant of the Medici blood, finds herself betrothed to the King Francois I’s son, Henri. Sent from her native Florence to France, humiliated and overshadowed by her husband’s life-long devotion to his mistress, when tragedy strikes her family Catherine rises from obscurity to become one of 16th century Europe’s most powerful women.

Patroness of Nostradamus and a seer in her own right, accused of witchcraft and murder by her foes, C...more “At the age of fourteen, Catherine de Medici, last legitimate descendant of the Medici blood, finds herself betrothed to the King Francois I’s son, Henri. Sent from her native Florence to France, humiliated and overshadowed by her husband’s life-long devotion to his mistress, when tragedy strikes her family Catherine rises from obscurity to become one of 16th century Europe’s most powerful women.

Patroness of Nostradamus and a seer in her own right, accused of witchcraft and murder by her foes, Catherine fights to save France and her children from savage religious conflict, unaware that her own fate looms before her—a fate that will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, reputation, and the passion of her own embattled heart. . .

From the splendors of the Loire palaces to the blood-soaked battles of the Wars of Religion and haunted halls of the Louvre, this is the story of Catherine’s dramatic life, told by the queen herself” (from author’s website)

This book follows Catherine from her life as a young girl in Italy, until the very end of her life in France. She is the daughter of the wealthy Medici family, but when she comes to France she is that Italian girl that no one really pays attention to. This is something she has to fight against her entire life.

I really enjoyed how Gortner presented Catherine. She is humanized, with passions, fears, and a soul. She cares about her children, desperately loves the husband who doesn’t love her back, and believes in the predictions of a man named Nostradamus. I think Gortner shows Catherine’s vulnerability and human side through the title of his book – a confession. About halfway through the book you begin to understand why this book is titled this way. To mimic a popular song that would describe Catherine perfectly, “these are my confessions”.

One of the things that was very new to me was the Huguenots vs. Catholics battle. I knew that there have always been conflicts between the two, but had never read anything about them. This part of the story, the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, was very exciting and I didn’t really know where it would go. Catherine was constantly in such difficult situations.

I loved getting to know all of the children of Catherine and Henri. I really think my favorite was their son Henri – he was the most constant to Catherine. On the other hand, her daughter Margot, was so bad, and constantly a thorn in Catherine’ side, very sly that one was. And my hatred for Diane de Poitiers continued in this book. I just can’t stand how much she got in the way of Catherine and Henri’s marriage – she was so controlling.

If you have read the Jean Plaidy trilogy about Catherine, I’m not sure if you will enjoy this book as much as you would if you haven’t. I have read the first in her series, Madame Serpent, and I didn’t feel like I had read anything new in the first third of Confessions. I can’t attest to anything beyond the first book.

A great new book from C. W. Gortner. I haven’t had the chance to get to The Last Queen yet, but if this book is any indication of how Gortner handles maligned women, I can’t wait to read it.

This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.(less)

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Jan 31, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of royalty & historical fiction

Recommended to Jennifer by: A History of Royals Group Read

Shelves: historical-fiction, medici, italy, group-reads-and-brs, library, 2011, france

4.5 stars

This is one of the best HF's I've ever read. I was hooked from the very beginning, couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end.

The novel starts out with Catherine as a young girl in Italy, leads to her marriage in France to Henri (the second son of King Francis I), her role as the Dauphine, as the Queen of France and then finally as the Queen Mother. She stops at nothing to keep her family and country safe.

I'm so thankful that this was my introduction to Catherine de Medici, her li...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Susan rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book was truly awful. I've read some bad books in my time but this one was so bad I actually burnt the book. I have never destroyed a book in my life before this one and I hope never to again. Historical Fiction should have a basis in fact. There are too many errors to list all but for a start:

France has Salic Law. The alternative heir to Henri of Navarre could not have been the son of Claude de Valois as the Throne of France could not pass through the female line.

Catherine de Medici would...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Simone L. rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book in only two days, at the beginning not quite liking it, but soon coming around. The story begins when Catherine is only a child, but the novel shows her as already quite mature in her mind (at least that's what I think and it disturbed me, even tough it probably can be explained by the cruel fate she already had to endure back then). She marries into the french court and for years tries to earn the love of her husband, who'd rather spend his time with his much older mistress tha...more I read this book in only two days, at the beginning not quite liking it, but soon coming around. The story begins when Catherine is only a child, but the novel shows her as already quite mature in her mind (at least that's what I think and it disturbed me, even tough it probably can be explained by the cruel fate she already had to endure back then). She marries into the french court and for years tries to earn the love of her husband, who'd rather spend his time with his much older mistress than her.

This was the part of the book I didn't care about at all, since it was just years and years of endless waiting for her to finally conceive. Also the years went by very fast, for the most important things happening in her life at that point were probably her problems regarding her marriage and she didn't have much to say in political matters.

But after her husband dies is when she really starts to unfold herself and the story got very interesting. Often blind to a lot of things, but unwilling to accept defeat, she kind of turns into an overprotective mother-lion, who stubbornly protects what she deems most important: The state of peace in france. The fact that she can never let go and has to have control over everything is really a big flaw in her character, but this is what makes her so very interesting.

Also, the author accomplished something I never would have thought possible, by totally pulling of the mysticism in this story. I am usually annoyed by stories that have something to do with witchcraft, the second sight or the interference of some greater power, because I like it realistic. But in this book it doesn't come across as weird. In fact, all the visions that she has are more or less brought across like deja vu, therefore it's actually believable. Also she trusts alot in the opinion of her astrologers and changes the course of her actions accordingly. It's alot like a self-fulfilling prophecy and therefore I found it very entertaining.
She also never looses some kind of naivety, even when she turns into a rather cold and ruthless person at some point. When her astrologer tells her that there is going to be a war she is completely surprised, even tough at that moment she cannot understand his prohpecy. But seriously, that's not even a real prophecy! Of course at one point in her life, especially with the religous trouble in the country, is there going to be a war in the future! You'd have to be quite the political dumwit in order not the see THAT coming....it's like going to a fortune teller and hearing that at one point in your life you are going to fall in love. But then again, I still found her character very refreshing. It only took a while, for all the things happening to her before her husband dies are rather boring, but then again that's not the fault of the author and he surely tried to make it as interesting as possible.
So altough this book has some weak points, I can honestly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction.(less)

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May 08, 2012 Sandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

A fascinating read-- a time of great tumult in France, religious strife, wars between countries and instability within the kingdom. Bring to the royal court a young lady from the commercial family of Florence, she becomes the favorite of the reigning king while married to the Dauphin who chooses to live with his "tutor", an older woman. Henri II is crowned and Catherine delivers him the requisite heirs while held in the shadows of the Court. The author tells a tale of a wise, well educated woman...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Aik Chien 인첸 rated it 5 of 5 stars

The opening line of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is simple yet powerful: "The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess."

Well, I have to say that I'm glad I had the chance to read this book, because it's amazing. Before reading this novel, I knew nothing of Catherine de Medici. To make sure that I have a vague idea of what I'm reading, I googled about Catherine de Medici. Turns out, she's a prominent historical figure in France. To be precise, she's the mother of t...more The opening line of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is simple yet powerful: "The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess."

Well, I have to say that I'm glad I had the chance to read this book, because it's amazing. Before reading this novel, I knew nothing of Catherine de Medici. To make sure that I have a vague idea of what I'm reading, I googled about Catherine de Medici. Turns out, she's a prominent historical figure in France. To be precise, she's the mother of the last three Valois kings of France, a major force in French politics during the 30 years of Roman Catholic-Huguenot wars and the instigator of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Her acts earned her the nicknames of Madame La Serpente and The Black Queen among many others.

At a young age, Catherine de Medici was married off to King Henry II of France. She was optimistic towards her new life in her newly-adopted country, but her optimism did not last for long when she realized that her husband had no interest in her at all and preferred to shower favours on his chief mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who was about twice his age. Even though her husband never neglected their utmost duty - to produce heirs to the throne, she was overwhelmed by loneliness and sadness when she learned that to him, she was merely a breeding mare and nothing else.

After her husband died, Catherine acted as the regent on behalf of her son and held great power. However, she feared that the noble figures in court would trigger an uprising to overthrow the current ruler of France - the royals. She constantly faced complex and daunting problems - the conflict between the Catholics and the Protestants being the main problem. Desperate to keep the Valois monarchy on the throne, she set various policies to ease the tension between the two conflicting parties in religion. However, when things got out of control, she was determined to protect the throne of France at all costs.

To many, she may seem to be the representation of evil itself, but The Confessions of Catherine de Medici deems otherwise. Under Gortner's expert pen, we see a hidden facade of the queen herself; we observe the heartaches, the pain, the despair and the sadness of a queen who struggles alone to defend the throne of France. The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is a powerful appeal for the queen, who, with the burden of the throne of France on her shoulders, is forced to do what is best for the country - even if it means betraying her own heart.(less)

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Aug 04, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Gortner returns to the historical fiction genre with his newest offering: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, a portrait of the infamous French queen and her political struggles for power. As a big fan of Gortner's The Last Queen, I snatched up this follow-up and was eager to see how Gortner would treat one of the most cutthroat queens in European history.

Interestingly enough, Gortner doesn't portray Catherine as being as cutthroat or sinister as many other historical fiction novels or even...more Gortner returns to the historical fiction genre with his newest offering: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, a portrait of the infamous French queen and her political struggles for power. As a big fan of Gortner's The Last Queen, I snatched up this follow-up and was eager to see how Gortner would treat one of the most cutthroat queens in European history.

Interestingly enough, Gortner doesn't portray Catherine as being as cutthroat or sinister as many other historical fiction novels or even biographies out there. Instead, Confessions offers a human portrait of Catherine's life where she is constantly struggling against the political web woven around her. Readers watch as the young Medici, sent to France to marry King Francois's second son Henri by her uncle the Pope, grows from a meek child into a powerful Queen Regent using every resource at her disposal, even her own children, to secure the future of the French throne. Fighting against political foes the Guises, religious wars between the French Huguenots and the Catholics, the kingdom's neighbor Henry of Navarre, and even her husband's own mistress Diane de Poitres, Catherine pushes through the court intrigues and games to become a powerful woman in her own right -even though her position would never quite be secure.

I was a little surprised that Gortner downplayed Catherine's interest in the occult so much. As he comments at the end of the book, Catherine's occult interests are well-documented and, aside from being interesting, would make a particularly juicy plot point, but Gortner decided to steer away from it. Rather, he focused on Catherine's relationship with her children and the political soap opera-nature of her life.

Gortner's writing, as in The Last Queen, is easy, comfortable and believable as Catherine de Medici's voice. He captures amazing details of the period perfectly and manages to balance description with plot without feeling awkward.

The only trouble I had with this book is that it was a little slow at times, particularly before Henri died and Catherine became regent. Perhaps this was enhanced by the fact that the first half of the story also felt very repetitive in that Catherine was always talking about being pregnant and having (yet another) child. Thankfully, the action really picks up in the second half of the book when Catherine has more power.

A great and unique portrayal of Catherine de Medici, Confessions is a well written, wonderful piece of historical fiction that's perfect for fans of the genre(less)

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Jun 14, 2011 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Confessions of Catherine de Medici" is a novel that art historians and historical fiction lovers will simply devour once they get their hands on it. I know, because I am of that ilk! This book is as close to reading someone else's diary as one could get were it not for the extraordinary descriptive details that highlight the story.

Written by the hand of a wizard, the novel is riddled with unbelievably gorgeous descriptions of architecture, artworks, tapestries, gardens and garments. That alone...more "Confessions of Catherine de Medici" is a novel that art historians and historical fiction lovers will simply devour once they get their hands on it. I know, because I am of that ilk! This book is as close to reading someone else's diary as one could get were it not for the extraordinary descriptive details that highlight the story.

Written by the hand of a wizard, the novel is riddled with unbelievably gorgeous descriptions of architecture, artworks, tapestries, gardens and garments. That alone could make me an avid fan, but to top that off, Mr. Gortner is a writer of such an all inclusive style that I hung on his every word. To him, history is not dull, and he conveys that in every sentence of this powerful, absorbing book.

Catherine de Medici has long been a figure I've been interested in knowing more about. I was an Art History major in college, including concentrations in Fine Arts and Museum Studies. The Medicis absolutely captured my fantasies because of their collections of art, their wealth, their bent toward evil doings and their intrigues. They were handsome, gorgeous and insane, while they built a Florence that became the jewel of Italy. Fascinating stuff! So, Catherine de Medici, the last of the Medici and only surviving grandchild of Lorenzo the Magnificent had to be exceptional and endowed with dazzling gifts of mind and spirit.

Mr. Gortner makes all of his characters come alive. His easy manner of introducing and evolving the emotional make up of the primary characters makes them feel like they have walked into your life, literally. I fell in love with the young Catherine and her devastating childhoood, suffered with her young bridal years, agonized over her love life, and fought with her for her children and country. What a heroine she was, and how vulnerable Gortner made her, as well as making her a lioness befitting her royal heritage.

Mr. Gortner's research and writing of his historical novel seems meant to reach a wide audience, although directed mostly to women. His concerns address the historical significance of Catherine de Medici as a major woman of the 16th c. It also seems to me that he writes in order to highlight the strengths that a spirit can rise to and overcome under duress in life. Women are most often the ones who carry burdens of balancing difficult tasks, caring for home, children, poverty and wartime backlash...Mr. Gortner's book offers Catherine de Medici as a historic figure who represents real life heroics women have achieved throughout time.

When all the dots have been placed and the commas laid in properly, "Confessions of Catherine de Medici" is simply a wonderful story to read. It will remind you of those books about Anne Bolyen and her sister we've all loved in the recent past, only Mr. Gortner writes much better.

5 stars for an author who will take you back to 16th century France.

Deborah/TheBookishDame
http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com (less)

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Feb 05, 2011 cecilia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: green-covers, red-covers

The Confessions Of Catherine De Medici did not "wow" me as much as The Last Queen. I am not entirely sure why. C.W. Gortner unfolds Catherine's story with the same finesse as Juana La Loca. However, I just was not as impressed with Catherine - it may be a mixture of not connecting with Catherine as much as Juana; the fact that there were a lot of names thrown about (and sometimes duplicate names); and a lot of political ups-and-downs every other page or so. The latter is probably the majority of...more

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Jul 29, 2010 Elena rated it 5 of 5 stars

"I ask you, what could a woman do, left by the death of her husband with five little children on her arms, and two families of France who were thinking of grasping the crown—our own [the Bourbons:] and the Guises? Was she not compelled to play strange parts to deceive first one and then the other, in order to guard, as she did, her sons, who successively reigned through the wise conduct of that shrewd woman? I am surprised that she never did worse." ~Henri IV

C.W. Gortner's new historical novel...more "I ask you, what could a woman do, left by the death of her husband with five little children on her arms, and two families of France who were thinking of grasping the crown—our own [the Bourbons:] and the Guises? Was she not compelled to play strange parts to deceive first one and then the other, in order to guard, as she did, her sons, who successively reigned through the wise conduct of that shrewd woman? I am surprised that she never did worse." ~Henri IV

C.W. Gortner's new historical novel "The Confessions of Catherine de Medici" recalls to mind a feeling we all have had at some time in our lives. It is the feeling a person has when a rug is pulled out from under them, except that instead of falling and hitting the floor, they continue to fall. Such a sensation Catherine de Medici must have experienced almost constantly throughout her life. As soon as she was beyond one tragic, life-threatening circumstance, barely treading water, another debacle would befall her.

It started when as an infant her parents died, and Catherine was left an orphan in hostile circumstances. As a very young girl she thought she had found a home in France when her uncle the pope sent her to marry one of the sons of François I. Although she loved her new country she realized her battle for survival had only just begun. Catherine had no weapon but her wits, but as history bears witness, she was very rarely outwitted, and when she was, the results were disastrous for everyone.

Henri, Catherine's husband, as a young teenager came under the thrall of a much older woman, Diane de Poitiers. I personally never saw anything romantic about their liaison. There is nothing romantic about a mature woman leading a boy into a sexual relationship which leaves him emotionally crippled and dependent upon her for life. After reading Confessions I can only see the Henri/Diane affair as unnatural and sick; I think Catherine came to see it that way eventually, not that anything could take her pain away. Diane was at the root of the dysfunction which seemed to consume and destroy the Valois family, even after she had long been dead.

I read one of Jean Plaidy's novels about Catherine de Medici as a teenager. It was excellent and introduced me to Catherine. Mr. Gortner, however, is better able to capture the Mediterranean temperament of "Madame de Medici," just as he so ably captured the fiery Latin temperament of Juana la Loca in The Last Queen. One of the most powerful scenes in the book is when Catherine slaps Diane de Poitiers, saying: "Putana!" right before Diane slinks away to the country. (I cheered out loud for Catherine.)

As is well-known, Catherine de Medici was interested in astrology, and kept at least one full-time astrologer in her pay, but then so did most of the other courts of Europe. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance astrology was seen as a science and played a part in medicine and horticulture, although the line between science and superstition was easy to cross. In the novel, as France descends into violence and as family members die one by one, Catherine becomes more superstitious and eventually sinks into cynicism and near despair. The danger of relying on horoscopes was aptly illustrated for me. On the other hand, Catherine is also a friend of the famous Nostradamus, a Catholic physician with prophetic gifts, which he uses to warn Catherine, at least up until his death.

The Wars of Religion is one of the most complicated eras in French history but, like the Albigensian crusade, it was mostly about fighting for political power, with religion as a pretext. Many Huguenots used religion as a pretext to rape nuns and desecrate Catholic churches, whereas Catholics like the Guises exploited the Catholic faith as an excuse to murder many people. The Guises also hated Catherine and wanted to control the throne; they were greater enemies to her in many ways than were the Huguenots. Catherine's advocacy of tolerance is a matter of public record and yet in the popular mind she is falsely held responsible for one of the most horrific massacres of all time.

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici would make a great film or television series. The story of the last Valois has always seemed to me to be the ultimate operatic tragedy, with characters which no novelist could invent, although interpreting such a complicated family into fiction must be a challenge. Mr. Gortner makes the family come alive; he convincingly depicts Catherine as a mother trying to protect the children who had once been taken away from her. He shows her to be a Queen who will use whatever methods at her disposal to bring peace to France. Yes, she could be ruthless, but then she had been so often deprived of the love which should have been hers.

*Note: "The Confessions of Catherine de Medici" was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.(less)

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Jul 24, 2010 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-books

I was poking around at the bookstore and it seemed like half the books on the shelves were about the wives/daughters of Henry VIII. Isn't there any other interesting woman in history to write about?

Yes, actually. An Italian woman who ruled France during the same time period.

This book covers almost her entire life. It moved fast and at times I wished it would give more attention to the specific conflicts/intrigues she dealt with.

It is also exactly how I like a historical: big, twisty, and rich. T...more

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Jun 23, 2010 Cheryl C. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Catherine de Medici is known throughout history as being a ruthless queen who poisoned her enemies, arranged the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and who practiced witchcraft.

At the age of 14, the last legitimate descendant of Medici blood, Catherine departs Florence for France, to wed King Francois I’s son, Henri II. While knowing this was a political marriage, Catherine would hope for a good life with Henri; all too soon to discover he preferred his former governess, Diane de Poitiers, who he had...more Catherine de Medici is known throughout history as being a ruthless queen who poisoned her enemies, arranged the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and who practiced witchcraft.

At the age of 14, the last legitimate descendant of Medici blood, Catherine departs Florence for France, to wed King Francois I’s son, Henri II. While knowing this was a political marriage, Catherine would hope for a good life with Henri; all too soon to discover he preferred his former governess, Diane de Poitiers, who he had taken as his mistress, and flaunted in front of his wife.

Together Catherine and Henri would have several children, before his unexpected death placed their sickly son, Francois II on the throne. Tragedy would come to Catherine time and again, as her power grew during a time of unrest in France. Always seeking peace, she attempted to bring Huguenots and Catholics together, though not always assisted by her children--some even plotted against her.

She would die having been accused of many things. "The Confessions of Catherine de Medici" is her story.

Having previously read "The Last Queen", also by Gortner, I was anxious for the release of this book. Gortner's latest is at least as good as "The Last Queen", if not better.

Bringing Catherine de Medici's story to life through her own confessions pulls the reader in immediately.

"I was ten years old when I discovered I might be a witch."

And so opens "The Confessions of Catherine de Medici". Gortner certainly knows the importance of hooking a reader. The important thing, however, is that once he has you, Gortner never lets you go. The abundance of historical details, the numerous complex characters that reside within the book's pages, the perfect blending of fact and fiction, all let you know that you are dealing with a master who has perfected his art.

I found it much more challenging to write a review of Gortner's book than some others because I became so involved in the story, so attached to the characters, I forgot I was reviewing it.

While history has painted Catherine de Medici as a power hungry, maniacal force during her years in France, Gortner paints a much more sympathetic image of the girl sent to marry a king who preferred his mistress. She was a woman who sought to keep peace in a time when war threatened to rip France apart. She was a mother who felt the need to protect her children after the death of their father. She even felt the sting of betrayal by those close to her.

Gortner gives Catherine de Medici a voice. He does so in an eloquent, intriguing manner that will captivate readers and leave them wishing to know more about this misunderstood woman of the Renaissance. I highly recommend "The Confessions of Catherine de Medici" to any lover of historical fiction and those interested in powerful women in history.
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Jun 22, 2010 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Older teens through adult

Shelves: adult, fiction, favorites, historical-fiction, review-copy

This book has left me breathless. No matter how many times I try to write a review that captures the essence and beauty in which it was written, I cannot do justice.

C. A. Gortner captures Catherine de Medici and brings her to life. So many times I've had to remind myself that this is fiction, and not taken straight from Catherine herself. Gortner makes her so real - so able to capture your heart with his masterful insight. He was brilliant at crawling inside her head and "becoming" Catherine.

I d...more

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Jun 21, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Powerful and engrossing, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici takes the reader on an unforgettable journey with one of the most powerful women of history. Beginning with her youth, C.W. Gortner intertwines fact with fiction as he tells the story of Catherine de Medici, her strength, resolution and determination. From the very start, I felt entranced by Catherine - the pain and misery she suffered as a youth - the intelligence and power that she developed with age. An incredibly loving and devo...more

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Jun 06, 2010 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I didn't know much about Catherine of De Medici. Okay, I knew nothing about her but she lived in Italy then France at the same time Henry VIII was busy beheading, divorcing and outliving his six wives
So I did the extensive research of looking her up. I used Wikipedia.

Snore.

The European history buff in me prevailed and I decided this one had a pretty cover so perhaps the story would be acceptable. Oh. My. Gosh. I was incredibly surprised by the storytelling. I could not put the book down. Althoug...more I didn't know much about Catherine of De Medici. Okay, I knew nothing about her but she lived in Italy then France at the same time Henry VIII was busy beheading, divorcing and outliving his six wives
So I did the extensive research of looking her up. I used Wikipedia.

Snore.

The European history buff in me prevailed and I decided this one had a pretty cover so perhaps the story would be acceptable. Oh. My. Gosh. I was incredibly surprised by the storytelling. I could not put the book down. Although the story follows much of Wikipedia's account of Catherine, the author tells a story of the time period and of Catherine, a woman both loved and hated during her life and death.

Catholicism was still the rage in the sixteenth century, although John Calvin, Martin Luther, and others had cast a shadow on the prevailing church's worship practices. Catherine was very small when her Italian city was thrown into a civil war. She suffered terribly during her imprisonment but was eventually rescued by her Uncle Clement, the pope. Shortly thereafter, however, she was sent to France to marry Henry, the son of Francois, the current king of France. It was a political move, as all royal unions tend to be. Unbeknownst to Catherine, she entered a royal court full of adultery (the most glaring being her husband's), petty gossip, and negotiation for power.

The dauphin, the next in line, dies, leaving Henry the next king. Eventually, the old king dies and bequeaths the crown to Henry and Catherine becomes queen. By this time, she has finally given birth to a son and follows up with 8 more children. The king dies leaving Catherine the odious task of becoming a has-been. She watches the social climbers and new powers take over son's sovereignty and then he dies without leaving an heir. The next son is only 11 years old. She appoints herself as regent and rules until his death, again leaving no heir. The next son steps up, using Catherine as his playbook.

Meanwhile, Protestant and Catholic wage wars against one another. It is brutal. Catherine tries to remain non-partisan while maintaining her Roman Catholic roots but eventually makes decisions that may have contributed to the massacre of St. Bartholomew. Huge. Really huge and not at all pretty.

The author writes a story that leaves Catherine as a heroine rather than a persecutor. While he does not beatify her, her reasons are explained the reader is drawn into her world and her sorrow. Why did she laugh as Navarre was forced to renounce his Protestant faith and join the Catholic church? It's in the book. Did she really order the deaths of all Protestants in France on that fateful night? What could have driven a woman to take such desperate measures? Or did she?

The book is well written and has clear and concise descriptions. Catherine endears herself to the reader who feels empathy for the protagonist. By the end of the book, and of Catherine's life, the reader understands more clearly how being royalty in this time period left few choices in marriage and others often pulled the puppet strings. How much manipulation plays a part is brutally brought to light.

The writing and story are excellent. I kept having to turn the page to find out what happens next. It is definitely not boring by any stretch. I also did not find myself getting lost with too many characters. Although complex, the relationship to Catherine and her children is generally quite clear. Gortner's research is meticulously done.(less)

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Jun 02, 2010 Jeanette Stingley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Before I read The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, I had little knowledge of her and what I did know wasn’t pleasant. Catherine was supposedly to blame for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, she was accused of using witchcraft of black magic, Nostradamus counseled her at one point, and she was an extremely jealous wife of her husband’s mistress. This novel is from the prespective of Catherine and makes you see her in a new light.

I am not normally a fan of literature based on events that happ...more

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Mar 06, 2010 C.W. added it · (Review from the author)

The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protec...more The truth is, none of us are innocent. We all have sins to confess.

So reveals Catherine de Medici in this brilliantly imagined novel about one of history’s most powerful and controversial women. To some she was the ruthless queen who led France into an era of savage violence. To others she was the passionate savior of the French monarchy. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter into the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power.

The last legitimate descendant of the illustrious Medici line, Catherine suffers the expulsion of her family from her native Florence and narrowly escapes death at the hands of an enraged mob. While still a teenager, she is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France, and sent from Italy to an unfamiliar realm where she is overshadowed and humiliated by her husband’s lifelong mistress. Ever resilient, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children as regent of a kingdom torn apart by religious discord and the ambitions of a treacherous nobility.

Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons. She allies herself with the enigmatic Protestant leader Coligny, with whom she shares an intimate secret, and implacably carves a path toward peace, unaware that her own dark fate looms before her—a fate that, if she is to save France, will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and the passion of her embattled heart.

From the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley to the battlefields of the wars of religion to the mob-filled streets of Paris, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is the extraordinary untold journey of one of the most maligned and misunderstood women ever to be queen.
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Aug 05, 2011 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: france-paris

Sixteenth century France. Big events, beautiful settings, huge personalities. Royals you love to hate/hate to love, that kind of thing. I settled in for some history-lite. But at about one-third of the way through, I’m setting this one aside. Not a bad book, but just not for me. I kept thinking, “Now that’s just silly,” or “why are they doing that?” Off to find something else.

Catherine is a Medici, but she gets outplayed every time, especially by Diane de Poitiers. Diane takes Catherine’s husba...more Sixteenth century France. Big events, beautiful settings, huge personalities. Royals you love to hate/hate to love, that kind of thing. I settled in for some history-lite. But at about one-third of the way through, I’m setting this one aside. Not a bad book, but just not for me. I kept thinking, “Now that’s just silly,” or “why are they doing that?” Off to find something else.

Catherine is a Medici, but she gets outplayed every time, especially by Diane de Poitiers. Diane takes Catherine’s husband, children, and chateaux, and she has the gall to wear white velvet and black pearls while she’s doing it. The Catherine/Diane dynamic could be fascinating, but there’s not enough explanation here for why Diane acts the way she does. And Catherine just snivels and whines.

Catherine frequently quotes Machiavelli, but she appears to have no awareness of what’s going on in France and Europe. Hard to believe she’d have this sort of “I don’t know what my husband does at the office all day” attitude. I expected the story to gloss over a lot of the battles and treaties and alliances of that time. But they’re left out altogether, and so is all that Catherine did to bring the Italian Renaissance to France.

As for the writing, there are a few too many verbs like “clad” and “wed” and “sup” for my taste. I haven’t decided how the modern reader should “hear” historical characters’ voices. Sometimes it feels more realistic to have them sound, well, archaic. Sometimes, though, I’d like to have the language updated so that I hear them the way they heard each other.

Maybe I’m giving up too soon. Catherine really comes into her own as a widow. Her husband has been dead for a few months now, and so far, all I see is foreshadowing of an adolescent, tee-hee-hee flirtation with a man she talked with once, twenty years ago. I’d wanted Catherine to be bold and bitchy, and proud of it. Instead she’s a bit of a ninny who gets spooked out by Nostradamus.
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Feb 03, 2011 Jennifer (JC-S) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Jennifer (JC-S) by: fionnabhair@bigpond.com

Shelves: librarybooks

‘And I ask myself, what epitaph will history inscribe for me?’

Catherine de' Medici (1519 – 1589) was born in Florence, Italy, to Lorenzo II de' Medici, Duke of Urbino, and Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne, Countess of Boulogne. Both parents died within weeks of her birth.

In 1533, aged 14, Catherine was married to Henri, the second son of François I, King of France. In 1547, Henri became King of France (as Henri II) and Catherine was Queen Consort from 1547 to 1559. On the death of Henri II, Cathe...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Norain MT rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: couldnt-finish, e-book

In a book, especially that with a first person view, the narrator is important. He or she decides for the reader whom to hate, whom to like, whom to empathise with. If the narrator fails, then the story basically falls apart. This was the case for this book. The failure started from the narrator herself, Catherine de Medici. She tried to convince me into sympathising for the husband who had made her suffer and then to fall for Coligny with whom she shared an intimate relationship, but she failed...more In a book, especially that with a first person view, the narrator is important. He or she decides for the reader whom to hate, whom to like, whom to empathise with. If the narrator fails, then the story basically falls apart. This was the case for this book. The failure started from the narrator herself, Catherine de Medici. She tried to convince me into sympathising for the husband who had made her suffer and then to fall for Coligny with whom she shared an intimate relationship, but she failed to even make me feel for herself.

The writer tried to depict Catherine as a woman with strong believe and principal, the Catherine of Medici as most of us know, but at the same a loving mother and faithful wife. There was a bigger focus for the latter, the way someone trying to convince you that the fierce-looking bloke next door was not as fierce as he seemed to be. “She may be bad and all that but you must understand her situation” kind of explanation. Unfortunately it just held no appeal to me and I regarded the attempt as a failure. The narrative was detached and maybe because it covered a long period of time, felt somewhat rushed; like someone pushing you to swallow a bit of hard rock cake before you could really munch it. The Catherine in this story succeeded more as a mother than a convincing respectable leader.

And it did not help for her to display her intelligence only by quoting Machiavelli in every possible ‘intelligent conversation’ that happened to cross her path. She was like a student trying so hard to please a teacher. Text book answer if you please! I mean, action speaks louder than word. The writer could do much better to prove Catherine’s credibility by narrating what she did that made her worthy to be the Catherine de Medici. Instead the writer wasted her time writing the you-know-what-scenes-romance-must-have and then hurried everything else along and expected her readers to take the package as it was. Not me, thank you.

I was so impressed by Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution that I thought I would be lucky to find other such great historical fictions in this one. Alas, I wasted my time.
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Jun 06, 2011 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, europe, fiction, historical-fiction

There are many people in history that seem to have only one story about them. For Catherine de Medici, it's a story of scheming and poisoning anyone who dared to defy her. I didn't know much about Catherine de Medici before this book but I did know her reputation for being in love with power and relying on some pretty ugly things to maintain the power of herself and her family.

C.W. Gortner is able to humanize the Queen as a person who had seen a lot of trauma in her life. She found herself paren...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I don't know. I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, it was definitely an interesting story but I feel as though the witchcraft and visions/prophecies were pointless since she never truly developed her "gift" or didn't use it until the end. I felt like that little tidbit was thrown out there in the beginning and then never developed.
Also, I don't feel that the story was really about Catherine as much as it was about the Guise/Coligny feud. While I think the story itself was incre...more

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May 23, 2011 Jodi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: books-set-in-france, historical-fiction

I do not know much about Catherine De Medici but knew she is a notorious figure in history. I enjoyed the book but probably would have enjoyed it more if I knew more about her, and France and Italy's history during the time that she lived. At any rate, I love a good piece of historical fiction and this book did not disappoint me! At times, Catherine was definitely ruthless in her decision making but I think she had to be just in order to survive!

I am always shocked to hear about brides being wed...more

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Jan 16, 2011 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-review

It seems that each novel of this particular type (Queens, Kings, Tudors...) that I read, I fall a little more in love with History. Never really one for loving History or English classes in school, I am now a HUGE fan! C. W. Gortner is a new to me author and one that will be a favorite for a long time to come. His writing style is amazing, bringing History to life before the reader.

This Historical hovel of the Queen of France, Catherine De Medici, is absolutely above and beyond phenomenal. The s...more

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Jun 14, 2010 Serena rated it 5 of 5 stars

C.W. Gortner’s third book, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, has all the best elements of historical, royal fiction from political strife to women sold in marriage to keep the peace. Like his previous book, The Last Queen, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is chock full of drama as Catherine is taken from her home shortly after surviving an angry mob in Florence and betrothed to Henri, one of the sons in line for the throne of France.

“How little they know me. How little anyone knows m...more

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Dec 25, 2011 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

My real rating would be somewhere between "it was OK" and "I liked it"; I found myself vacillating between the two, but Goodreads doesn't offer an option for half stars.

The topic is huge - the story of Catherine de Medici from her childhood in Italy, to her marriage to Henri II, through the balance of her life as widowed queen mother. History has not been kind to her; she struggled to retain the Valois control of France during difficult times, in an era when religious discord sparked mass execut...more My real rating would be somewhere between "it was OK" and "I liked it"; I found myself vacillating between the two, but Goodreads doesn't offer an option for half stars.

The topic is huge - the story of Catherine de Medici from her childhood in Italy, to her marriage to Henri II, through the balance of her life as widowed queen mother. History has not been kind to her; she struggled to retain the Valois control of France during difficult times, in an era when religious discord sparked mass executions, and trustworthy advisors were difficult to find. Though Catherine was naive when she first arrived in France, she quickly learned the limitations, and dangers, of being royal chattel; possessing an uncanny sense for potential traitors, she forged careful alliances with those who shared her political goals.

On a personal side, the author shows Catherine's transformation from innocent to ruthless plotter, motivated by the drive to ensure continued rule for her children. She is hardened by lost love and ruined dreams, and often guided by both her friendship with Nostradamus and her own psychic visions. One does get a sense of her conflict, teaching her children the same lessons she was forced to learn about setting aside individual desires and surrendering to monarchical subsumption. It is only as the children are lost to her that she mourns the time not devoted to genuine parenting.

It is historically fascinating, though I had the sense of skimming along the surface too frequently. The intrigue and corruption that defined world events were shocking at times; Catherine, herself, has been accused of orchestrating several murders, with no apparent repercussions. It is in this area that I found the book somewhat lacking; it was not always readily understandable how the political pieces of France, Spain, and England fit together, which could be a shortcoming in either the writer or the reader. At any rate, it whets the appetite for a more in-depth look at this era, from something other than the oft-cited Tudor perspective.(less)

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Aug 02, 2010 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-read-list

Catherine de Medici is often remembered as a witch and one that used her skills to attain what she wanted. Gortner's book includes those themes, yet he shows a strong woman that often did what she had to do in order to survive and keep her family alive. Her life was one of triumph at times, yet great suffering was most often the case. In this book, Catherine is the narrator and it has the feel that you are sitting by her side as she tells you the story of her life. I liked this about it as it ma...more

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About C.W. Gortner

C.W. Gortner holds an MFA in Writing, with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies. Raised in Spain and half Spanish by birth, he currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

He welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit him at www.cwgortner.com for more information.

More about C.W. Gortner...

Books by C.W. Gortner

The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile

The Tudor Secret (The Spymaster Chronicles, #1)

The Tudor Conspiracy (The Spymaster Chronicles, #2)

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“Love is a treacherous emotion. You will fare better without it. We Medici always have.” — 5 people liked it

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