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The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
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Adored by her parents and pampered by the court, the infant Princess Mary’s life changes suddenly and drastically when her father’s eye is taken by the enigmatic Anne Boleyn.
Mary stands firm against her father’s determination to destroy both her mother’s reputation, and the Catholic church. It is a battle that will last throughout both her father’s and her brother’s reig ...more
Mary stands firm against her father’s determination to destroy both her mother’s reputation, and the Catholic church. It is a battle that will last throughout both her father’s and her brother’s reig ...more
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Start your review of The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England
I've been so looking forward to reading this book, and I was not disappointed. It tells the story of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and sister of Elizabeth I, in the first person, and alternates between chronological events and instances just before her death; in these, she talks about the events of her life, which are then expanded upon in the main chapters. The format worked very well; I was engrossed throughout.
Mary has always had a bad press, for being a religious fanatic and burning so ...more
Mary has always had a bad press, for being a religious fanatic and burning so ...more
I've always been fascinated with the Tudors, and I knew very little about Mary so this book was a must-read as soon as I heard about it. The book tells the story of Mary Tudor, Queen of England, and it begins with Mary on her death bed. Narrated in the first person, it evokes a sense of immediacy and personal insight into her life & her story in such a way that you feel connected and close as a reader. While I was very aware of Mary's nickname - 'Bloody Mary' and her fight against heretics, her
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As always Judith has another hit book and I’m always sad when it comes to the end cos nothing I read afterwards can match any of books
Another wonderful book from Judith Arnopp
It demands great writing abilities to author a book so intriguing one reads it in a single sitting. Consider the main character is Mary Tudor - not the quintessential queen - and you've found a masterful and compelling read. I love the way Ms. Arnopp always brings her subjects to life with realistic dialogue and internal monologue; their idioms may be different than ours but their emotions are/were the same. She does not portray the subjects as stilted, o ...more
It demands great writing abilities to author a book so intriguing one reads it in a single sitting. Consider the main character is Mary Tudor - not the quintessential queen - and you've found a masterful and compelling read. I love the way Ms. Arnopp always brings her subjects to life with realistic dialogue and internal monologue; their idioms may be different than ours but their emotions are/were the same. She does not portray the subjects as stilted, o ...more
Could not stop reading it
Truly enjoyed this book, once I had started reading it I just had to finish it. Yes the story is historical fiction but the way the author writes the story, I feel like it was a different view of Mary Tudor. How different English history might have been if her father had let her marry as a young woman, would the Tudor line been longer on the English throne and if course what would've been Elizabeth's fate of one of Mary's children would've come to the throne by an earlie ...more
Truly enjoyed this book, once I had started reading it I just had to finish it. Yes the story is historical fiction but the way the author writes the story, I feel like it was a different view of Mary Tudor. How different English history might have been if her father had let her marry as a young woman, would the Tudor line been longer on the English throne and if course what would've been Elizabeth's fate of one of Mary's children would've come to the throne by an earlie ...more
Judith Arnopp is a favorite author and I appreciated the read, although Mary Tudor's life was sad.
I did enjoy some of the glimpses into her early years as a lot of her childhood was happy.
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I did enjoy some of the glimpses into her early years as a lot of her childhood was happy.
...more
What an excellent novel on the life of Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon! Her life was tragic, unfair and so full of misery, and definitely shaped her as a harsh Queen of England. The author has managed to show how Mary's life could have influenced her reign without bearing judgement on her or finding excuses at her acts one would define nowadays as acts of cruelty, blinded by her religious fanaticism. A real success!
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A friend sent this to me and I was curious, since no one ever really talks about Mary. A compelling story but there were telltale things that made it obvious this was a self-published book, possibly because I've seen them in other books (and may occasionally be guilty of them myself).
Things like spelling errors—"Courtney" in one sentence and back to the proper "Courtenay" in the next—or odd spelling choices—calling Mary's best friend "Susan Clarencius" when every other book has it as "Clarencieu ...more
Things like spelling errors—"Courtney" in one sentence and back to the proper "Courtenay" in the next—or odd spelling choices—calling Mary's best friend "Susan Clarencius" when every other book has it as "Clarencieu ...more
I’ve not read many books solely about Princess Mary, she has always been a secondary figure in the historical novels that I’ve read. I’m sad to say that I did not enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped. The entire novel was Mary, on her death bed, telling her life story in snippets. Everything she said was angry and suspicious and negative. Yes, I am aware of how she struggled, and the humiliation she endured by her father and Anne Boylen, but after 100 pages, her tone just became repetitive and gr
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VISIONS OF STEPHEN KING'S CARRIE YET COMPASSION FOR MARY
Be it Kings, Queens or Presidents, days of yesterday or today, it seems little changes in the quest for money, power and position. I can relate much of what is happening in the world today with what happened yesterday. Yes, so often history only repeats itself.
I have been privileged to have finished most of Ms. Arnopps novels now and each of them have given me broader understanding of yesterday's monarchs. I have enjoyed her wit and benefit ...more
Be it Kings, Queens or Presidents, days of yesterday or today, it seems little changes in the quest for money, power and position. I can relate much of what is happening in the world today with what happened yesterday. Yes, so often history only repeats itself.
I have been privileged to have finished most of Ms. Arnopps novels now and each of them have given me broader understanding of yesterday's monarchs. I have enjoyed her wit and benefit ...more
A wonderful read!
Ms.Arnopp’s book about Mary was a fantastic read! I thought that she really brought Mary into a different light. I think most see Mary as a fanatical religious queen bent on killing any around her that didn’t convert ( which she did) but through this whole story Ms.Arnopp lets us see Mary in a totally different way. This was a really, really, good book and if you enjoy this time era and reading about Henry’s family, you don’t want to pass this one up! Definitely a five star read ...more
Ms.Arnopp’s book about Mary was a fantastic read! I thought that she really brought Mary into a different light. I think most see Mary as a fanatical religious queen bent on killing any around her that didn’t convert ( which she did) but through this whole story Ms.Arnopp lets us see Mary in a totally different way. This was a really, really, good book and if you enjoy this time era and reading about Henry’s family, you don’t want to pass this one up! Definitely a five star read ...more
Loved it.
What a misunderstood woman who lived a tragic life in fear and self disappointment. This is the first I learned of the phantom pregnancies which, by themselves, make clear the extent of this sad woman 's mental state. A well worthwhile read and gripping story.. Provides some clarity on the far reaching impact of Henry XIII's behaviors. hThe strength of England despite long periods of rule by weirdo royals is remarkable. ...more
What a misunderstood woman who lived a tragic life in fear and self disappointment. This is the first I learned of the phantom pregnancies which, by themselves, make clear the extent of this sad woman 's mental state. A well worthwhile read and gripping story.. Provides some clarity on the far reaching impact of Henry XIII's behaviors. hThe strength of England despite long periods of rule by weirdo royals is remarkable. ...more
Superb fiction!
I don't often mix history with any fiction. I love Alison Weir so, I was leary of books like this. I've been incredibly happy reading this book, most especially because "Bloody Mary" is no ones favorite Queen. I was able to feel differently about her. Thank you for that, Judith! ...more
I don't often mix history with any fiction. I love Alison Weir so, I was leary of books like this. I've been incredibly happy reading this book, most especially because "Bloody Mary" is no ones favorite Queen. I was able to feel differently about her. Thank you for that, Judith! ...more
I applaud Judith Arnopp for writing this book. Ms. Arnopp gives us a more personal view of Queen Mary Tudor.
If I had received the treatments Mary Tudor received, I would be insane.
Some time ago, I read a similar story about Elizabeth Tudor. Elizabeth learned to be very watchful of those around her and to avoid traps; Mary did not.
Read this story; it is very well written.
If I had received the treatments Mary Tudor received, I would be insane.
Some time ago, I read a similar story about Elizabeth Tudor. Elizabeth learned to be very watchful of those around her and to avoid traps; Mary did not.
Read this story; it is very well written.
A first person narrative from Queen Mary recounting her lost legitimacy, her relationships with father Henry, half brother Edward, have sister Elizabeth. Mary's efforts to return England to Catholicism and rid the country of its protestant leaders. The author convincingly probes the mind of this physically and mentally tortured soul.
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I thought this one dragged a bit. I have read others by this author that were better. The series on Margaret Beaufort was excellent. Maybe I feel this way because Mary Tudor was not the most interesting character to me personally
Feb 12, 2021
betty russell
is currently reading it
Queen Mary Tudor
What a tragic figure. How sad to live with such isolation and cruelty and loneliness which shaped her into the monster she perceived to be.
What a tragic figure. How sad to live with such isolation and cruelty and loneliness which shaped her into the monster she perceived to be.
A look into England's Tudor dynasty.
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A clever way to tell a story that has been told before...new perspective. Great writing. I will read more of her books going forward.
Educational, good read.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Tudor History Lovers: January 2021 - The Heretic Wind, by Judith Arnopp | 1 | 37 | Dec 11, 2020 10:14AM |
Readers also enjoyed
.A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English/Creative writing and an MA in Medieval Studies.
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her nov ...more
She lives on the coast of West Wales where she writes both fiction and non-fiction based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women but she is currently writing a novel from a male perspective, that of Henry VIII himself.
Her nov ...more
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